Zennon headlights

[andy_d]

Originally Posted by DWM

I think it's because of a theory that dirt on the glass scatters the beam and makes it blinding to other motorists.

Which ignores the fact that the things are still a bl00dy menace that blind other motorists even when clean and fully 'legal'. Given the brightness of the beam, no self-levelling device yet invented can cope properly with these things called bumps, curves, and slopes that we have on our roads. I reckon these lights might be acceptable if you live in the Netherlands. Otherwise not.

Sorry couldn't resist a rant.

Spot on, and its Worse when they are fitted to those suv/4x4 things, higher up and blind you for longer. The temptation to highbeam + fog lights on when these muppets blind you is there, so far resisted it. and ive also resisted the temptation to carry a crow bar,, to "adjust" there lights for them,,,feel sure 1 Quick tap per light and two for the driver would solve the issue,, but im waiting for them to need a mot,,

[DWM]

Originally Posted by andy_d

Spot on, and its Worse when they are fitted to those suv/4x4 things, higher up and blind you for longer. ...

Exactly.

Originally Posted by scrips49

... I'm really surprised they are allowed legally, but then again they allow stupid, blinding rear fog lights so why am I shocked !!

The 'legality' of the thing is a source of constant amusement to me. As others have often pointed out, they are actually illegal according to national legislation, not being listed among the types of permissible light in whatever set of regs it is that theoretically governs these matters; but this is, it seems, one of the issues on which the UK is apparently powerless to enforce its own laws because of the surrender of sovereignty to the Commanding Unelected New Total State ... there is or was a DFT document describing this absurd situation somewhere out there on t'interweb but I think it may have been misplaced in the latest reorganisation of the relevant site.

[andy_d]

In reality All of the retro fitted kits (bulbs + ballasts only) never were "legal". It was only the lack of testing / checking that allowed them to appear on the roads.

As of Jan this year, the MOT test changes include Bulb type
ie "HID" = must have wash + leveling
std halogen bulb > wash/wipe optional, no reqirements for auto leveling or level adjusters.
Both types must work, must have the correct alignment.

i expect come april, when they start enforcing this, that there will be Lots and more cars failing due to "hid kits", ebay will be flooded with 2nd hand "never used" kits, and Certain types will refit a halogen bulb for the mot,, get home and put the hid blinders back in.

Note
if on our s/v40s you were to Buy the Gen volvo bi-zenon lights, headlights/bulbs/ballasts + auto levelers all in the headlight unit,as long as the Wash function worked you would be 100% ok
,,snag,, said lights are £450+vat EACH new from volvo (or more) the bulbs D2S are £100+ each from volvo,, and 2nd hand they are as common as "genuine rocking horse droppings"....

[madmodder]

hid's are very good when set up propperly with the right headlight type, i.e your ment to have projectors for them, some cars really do need them as a upgrade i.e my 300zx with standard bulbs you cant see the road at all but once i fitted the hids i could see the road, my 300zx does not have auto leveling but manual leveling and i found buy droping them down 1 click on the dial they do not blind other drivers. the thing that annoys me is the H4 style kits that do not put out the correct beam pattern as these realy do dazzle you.

[andy_d]

thats 1 fail at its next mot after april this year.

[madmodder]

Originally Posted by andy_d

thats 1 fail at its next mot after april this year.

Depends on who is doing the mot

[atnas666]

Originally Posted by madmodder

Depends on who is doing the mot

agree ^^

[MotorMan]

Originally Posted by scrips49

I have to agree with the trend of this.. I hate them, either behind me or approaching me. They are much too bright especially on a wet, greasy windscreen. I'm really surprised they are allowed legally, but then again they allow stupid, blinding rear fog lights so why am I shocked !!

+1 million !!!


The sooner these stupid,dangerous light are banned the better !!! How they ever managed to pass the "construction and use" regulations is beyond me. Isn't it illegal to use lights that dazzle or blind oncoming motorists? By that definition they are illegal........I'm off to bed now......

[EvilPanda]

hello all. I just bought s40 2003 1.8 sport and had to change one of the headlights because glass was broken. so after I fitted a " new " headlight which I bought from magical ebay web page, it appeared as a xenon light. my question would be: should I get another side headlight with xenon light bulb and ballast for 40 quid or transfer xenon headlight in to normal light. I just wonder if the xenon lights would not damage my wiring loom if I fit both of xenon lights

[Alex121]

You didn't need to buy a whole new headlamp if you broke the glass, you can buy the glass separately...

Can you not take the glass off the new unit you got and put it on your old halogen one?

Don't drive around with one halogen and one xenon...