HIDs installed on TDI

[Greg Roles]

FFS some of you guys would sit around all day arguing the science as to why a bumble bee can't fly, while the rest of us are out there simply accepting that they do, because, well, they do.

Thanks Bazzle, REAL experience over virtual gratefully received.

[nick_sixx]

FFS some of you guys would sit around all day arguing the science as to why a bumble bee can't fly, while the rest of us are out there simply accepting that they do, because, well, they do.

Thanks Bazzle, REAL experience over virtual gratefully received.

Thank you kindly for your support.

[locosam]

I think the point is made for and against retrofit, so can we just move on and get some useful information from the thread.

Personally, ive never heard people complain that the retrofit they did to thier car was bad and they wished to have stayed halogen (although maverick could probably find some to show me).
From what ive seen from the golfs, it does look to be a lot better than some of the other cars ie lancers, excels etc.
and isnt this what this forum is about? Its about our cars, not other makes.

im interested in specifically how a retro fit in a GOLF would look, not an excel or lancer.
Whatever issues there are in reflectors and HID's in general, i dont care about that, i just want to know about the Golf.

From what ive seen, its not that bad. obviously not as good as projectors, but there are cars out there which are much much worse. yes, its more glary than halogens, but it doesnt seem overbearing.

Im glad that at least nick has done it and taken (grainy) pictures which helps me decide whether to do it or not in the future

[nick_sixx]

I know that the standard headlights are still way more inefficient than projector headlights, but the Mk5 ones do a pretty good job of keeping the beam from spilling



You can see that the main bulb is somewhat set back into the headlight housing, in its own special little cylinder thingo.

I know its still not a projector headlight, BUT it 'projects' a lot better than a lancer/magna/commonwhore/falcon headlight

[comfortline]

FFS some of you guys would sit around all day arguing the science as to why a bumble bee can't fly, while the rest of us are out there simply accepting that they do, because, well, they do.

Thanks Bazzle, REAL experience over virtual gratefully received.

So why does a bumblebee fly? Why can't it walk? Why doesn't it take the bus? Does the Bus have HID's? Does it have the washers to go with HID's?

[Guest212]

I know that the standard headlights are still way more inefficient than projector headlights, but the Mk5 ones do a pretty good job of keeping the beam from spilling

[IMG]http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t229/nickgregpry89/17042009201.jpg[/IMG

You can see that the main bulb is somewhat set back into the headlight housing, in its own special little cylinder thingo.

I know its still not a projector headlight, BUT it 'projects' a lot better than a lancer/magna/commonwhore/falcon headlight

Although I agree with Mav on this one I do agree with you there that the Mk5 reflector headlights have excellent light control and have very little spill especially on the sides.

However this comes at a price.

Side beam spread is terrible! Mainly its bad on the passenger side where you really want the beam to flare out.

I've spent 30 minutes at night tweaking my headlights to get them to work properly for highway driving where you can't use highbeam (i do fair bit of it). I upgraded the main globes to Osram/Narva blue vision or something (3700k i think they were) and this improved light output HUGELY. This was because the standard bulbs were stuffed after about 6 months of use. I am now comfortable driving at 110km/hr on the Warrego Hwy in brisbane without highbeam but I really have to adjust up the lights a bit with the dial to project out a bit more. I lower the headlights again once i'm in the city to reduce other people getting blinded.

However I am still dissapointed with the highbeams. Excellent projection but 1) they point a bit too high most of them even with the headlights in their lowest setting and I can't figure out how to adjust the high beam reflectors - yet alone even make them sit straight (one is higher than the other) and 2) no spread pattern at all which is just crap. But you can't change this either, they're highly focused relfectors and will never give any spread ever.


PS: If i use my auto headlight thingy enough the lights eventually seem to lose calibration and one sits higher than the other. lol

[Greg Roles]

Take the Patrol.

[Guest212]

Take the Patrol.

I am completely aware my vehicle of choice may not have been ideal.:p I really should have test driven one on that stretch of the warrego heading into Blacksoil before I signed.

Just means I have to team up with someone else on the highways who has better headlights than me. Not a major issue.

[EuroBailey]

I have a very similar setup in my FTO. Bought a cheaper kit (I think it was a few hundred dollards) and installed myself about two years ago.

I am only commenting on this post as I have done the same modification and did it maybe two or more years ago. For me personally, it was one of the best modifcations I ever did. They only work on low beam and the light is so much more efficient. Have I dont any scientific tests, no... but I drove the FTO for three years prior and one of the issues I had with it, was the light was not great during night driving. I believe the FTO is a projector headlight.

I used a garage door to level the lights and make sure they would not blind other drivers. I have never had another car flash me or show any issue with my HIDs. I also made apoint of driving past my gf in her car to see whether it was an issue - and it wasnt.

In terms of safety, the condition of the HID's, ballast etc and everything is exactly the same as the day I installed. There are numerous other FTO owners that did this and no one had a problem. Maybe one day they will break etc being a cheaper system ... BUT for me I have already got the value out of them.

So mate, good luck with it, if its anything like mine, you will love it.

[Big Yellow]

I believe the FTO is a projector headlight.

Key words: Projector headlight!!

[motk]

I work on the top floor of a tall building overlooking the Harbour Bridge from the south near the Quay, and you get a great view of traffic heading southbound. You can instantly pick the cars using the silly ice-blue aftermarket HID lights, as the scatter is ridiculous - when all other car headlights look like points of light, the dodgy HID retrofits just gleam instensly, all the way over the bridge, which is not what you really want in a headlight considering I'm 140M up and probably looking at a 30 degree offset ...

I'd just stick with the halogens, and uprate those as necessary. Leave the Fast and Furious wannabe stuff on ebay.

[Pharkus]

Retrofit HID's are one of my pet hates.

Waste of money = FAIL
Less light = FAIL
Dazzle oncoming drivers = FAIL
Look like a wannabe ricer = EPIC FAIL

If you want em, then do em properly with all the correct parts and complying with all the rules. And well, if you can't afford it then just suck it up and use the lights they came with. Gotta pay to play.

[EuroBailey]

Retrofit HID's are one of my pet hates.

Waste of money = FAIL
Less light = FAIL
Dazzle oncoming drivers = FAIL
Look like a wannabe ricer = EPIC FAIL

If you want em, then do em properly with all the correct parts and complying with all the rules. And well, if you can't afford it then just suck it up and use the lights they came with. Gotta pay to play.

dont have any off the issues with mine as listed above. (not on a vw)

[Maverick]

dont have any off the issues with mine as listed above. (not on a vw)

Because as it was said you have projector headlights!

[EuroBailey]

mate your comments said...

Retrofit HID's are one of my pet hates.

Waste of money = FAIL
Less light = FAIL
Dazzle oncoming drivers = FAIL
Look like a wannabe ricer = EPIC FAIL

you didnt say "just on a golf"