V70: Recommend LED bulbs in headlights

[Bonefishblues]

Sort of an 'explicit fail' then

[DSK]

I appreciate that but, my headlamps do level, run the correct HID bulb type for the headlight and are 5000K - 6000K. Until my MOT place tells me, I will keep them in.

On the motorbike, I bought it with the previous owner having fitted a 8000K HID kit. He advised me to get that 'sorted' for 2019, which I will. he also said that if I fit a 'white light' kit in, he'd not have noticed.

[Bonefishblues]

Originally Posted by DSK

I appreciate that but, my headlamps do level, run the correct HID bulb type for the headlight and are 5000K - 6000K. Until my MOT place tells me, I will keep them in.

On the motorbike, I bought it with the previous owner having fitted a 8000K HID kit. He advised me to get that 'sorted' for 2019, which I will. he also said that if I fit a 'white light' kit in, he'd not have noticed.

You have an understanding tester!

[Kiddle82]

Originally Posted by Bonefishblues

You have an understanding tester!

Is It actually worth converting the bulbs over if they are to fail the mot anyways

[DSK]

Any updates on the LED kit?

I have seen many but, despite the circa cost of £140 Philips do a LED bulb kit and to be honest, for the sake of quality and correct beam pattern etc, I'd be inclined to go with these.

EDIT - I'm genuinely considering this Philips LED H7 option for the Mercedes CLS despite the immense cost.

[Bonefishblues]

Not beyond my last update - haven't driven it for a few days.

[Bonefishblues]

Just had a look against my garage door. Beam pattern looks compliant to me Vs MOT rule.

[Bonefishblues]

Originally Posted by Kiddle82

Is It actually worth converting the bulbs over if they are to fail the mot anyways

You make the call re the risk. I went the led route as they are legal.

[Ross 63]

They're never going to work like purpose built led headlamps which have the reflector or projector designed around the light source. Aftermarket LEDs run very hot, have relatively poor light output depending on application, and don't last 2 minutes compared with HID or halogen.

It's all been done before, I've been all around the block with vehicle lighting. Nothing works better than halogen in a headlamp designed for halogen. If your lights are dim, there are 3 culprits. The reflector, the bulb, or the wiring. Find out which one it is and rectify it. Anything else is a bodge and you'll end up fixing it properly later or getting rid of the car with the problem still there. Reflectors can be re-silvered, wiring and bulbs can be replaced. A decent pair of bulbs in a properly functioning headlamp will always be better than either HIDs or LEDs in a poorly functioning headlamp.

[Bonefishblues]

Originally Posted by Ross 63

They're never going to work like purpose built led headlamps which have the reflector or projector designed around the light source. Aftermarket LEDs run very hot, have relatively poor light output depending on application, and don't last 2 minutes compared with HID or halogen.

It's all been done before, I've been all around the block with vehicle lighting. Nothing works better than halogen in a headlamp designed for halogen. If your lights are dim, there are 3 culprits. The reflector, the bulb, or the wiring. Find out which one it is and rectify it. Anything else is a bodge and you'll end up fixing it properly later or getting rid of the car with the problem still there. Reflectors can be re-silvered, wiring and bulbs can be replaced. A decent pair of bulbs in a properly functioning headlamp will always be better than either HIDs or LEDs in a poorly functioning headlamp.

Done the go-faster bulbs thing. 6 months they last. Let's see how we go with these. Can't be worse, shirley! The output suggest that the silvering and the wiring are in reasonable fettle. OTOH everyone, but everyone complains about the dip beam output of Volvos of this era.