HID bulbs on MK3 light scatter

[Golf tdi Hal]

Hi, I've got a set of 12k HID bulbs for my mk3 golf but wonder if they are legal and safe.
I have seen other makes of car with HID upgrade bulbs where the light 'scatters' and can be dazzling to other road users.

I know modern cars with HID bulbs have plain front glass on the headlights and the beam is directed with the reflectors, and older cars have a lens pattern on the glass, are these suitable for HID bulbs at all ??

cheers.

[BobProperty]

It would appear you need to change the complete unit. http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/roadsafety/drs/hidheadlamps
From what I've read elsewhere, if your lights aren't dazzling people and your MOT tester isn't a pedant or isn't fully up to speed on the rules, you may well not have a problem for years. On the other hand, blinding some policeman might attract attention and cause all sorts of knock on problems like declaring modifications to your insurer.

[Trog_nfs]

hey mate. I've got HIDS in my golf, but im using angel eyes with a projector lens for dipped beam. I've seen cars around using lens pattern, saw a corrado with standard headlights running HIDS. Like bob said, depending on how friendly you are with your MOT tested and how well aimed your headlights are, you might get away with it.
I've passed police cars with my headlights before, and they don't seem to bothered. I'd be surprised if they knew what HIDs are to be honest, but you do get the occasional

[g40jon]

from what ive read, you need clear glass, projectors and the headlight should also be self levelling, so std units are not suitable from a legal perspective.
last year i swapped a vw derby for a golf which had vento headlights fitted with hids and to be honest they would have been removed had i planned on keeping the car (i sold it straight on) they were dazzling to look at (due to the light scatter caused by the headlight glass and I personally don't see the point! If you want the hid look, get some phillips xenon style, ive just bought a set of these:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...=STRK:MEWAX:IT

relay your headlight loom and im sure they will perform better than hids plugged into lights not designed to use hids and as an added bonus your less likely to cause someone else to crash by blinding them with illegal hids!

[NickPicks]

If you do decide to go for HIDs, then 12k will be very purple looking, and actually produces less light. You'd be better off with a 4k (white) or 6k (bluish white) kit.

Most OEM HIDs are around 3500-4k, aftermarket tend to be 6k, because barry likes his HIDs to be obvious.

[Golf tdi Hal]

thanks for the advice guys, all helpful.
I already have the 12k bulb set and have run them up in the garage, they don't seem too purple. They were a bargain off Ebay so I might keep them and just stick them in the main beam units !
One day I might get some mk4 style headlights and stick some HIDs in.

[NickPicks]

I think the general advice is not to use HIDs in the main beams as they take a while to brighten up when you switch them on (this is also why the dip beam is not supposed to go off when you have HIDs fitted).