Buying Xenons from Germany

[jazd]

I've had a look on eBay.de and found that there are Bi-Xenon headlights available for under 300 euro. Cheapest I've seen them anywhere else is about $1000.. So why dont people buy them from Germany? Is there a huge problem converting the LHD ones to RHD? From what I've read its just a wiring adapter or something.

nb. Might require a shipping forwarder if seller is unwilling to post to Australia.

[poyta]

Really? Care to send a link because the Xenon Kit to upgrade from some place like TM Tuning is over $2000!!!

[jazd]

These are what I was looking at to start with, but they dont have bulbs and its unclear on whether they have the ballast.
Bi-XENON D2S XENON SCHEINWERFER SET für VW GOLF 5 GTI V | eBay

But there is also these -
Original VW Golf 5 V Bi Xenon Scheinwerfer Komplett RE | eBay
Original VW Golf 5 V Xenon Scheinwerfer GTI,R32,GT... | eBay
2 original Golf V , Jetta (Typ 1K) Xenonscheinwerfer | eBay

Which are all second hand and the auctions aren't finished but include everything as far as I can see.

[Lucky13]

hi,
the first link is after market (guess you know).
the first link from genuine, is just one side.
the other two looks alright.
I am not 100% shure, but ithink atthe headlight is a switch to change from left to righthand drive.
will check it tomorrow at work for you.

[Corey_R]

Don't forget that you also need the motors, you need the accelerometers (or whatever sensors they're using) install to front and rear of your car for the "leveling" for for the motors. You also need the washers.

Without the entire system, your car will no longer be road-worthy...

Hence why we've always said if you want Xenon's, get them from the factory, as it's almost impossible to install them later for cheaper (without making your car illegal anyway)

[Trick]

Don't the Germans drive on the other side of the road? If you install LHD headlights on in a RHD country you'll blind every other driver....

[benough]

Hey Jazd.

They have a small switch in the headlamp that controls the lens cutoff that you can flick so you can drive on the other side of the road.

That said the part numbers are different for Left and Right hand drive traffic so you'd be rolling the dice if you got them.

BTW ignore Corey_R. He's correct but in reality you don't need auto levelling and headlamp washers. No cop is going to look and if he does notice.

[triode12]

Is there not a risk of the insurance company not paying out in the event of an accident claiming that the lights are not ADR compliant?

[jazd]

Why do they come with a switch if the part numbers are different? Does anyone know what the difference is between the different parts?

I thought the auto leveling motors would come as a part of the headlight assembly or does it sit underneath or something? Eg the first link says "including already built motors for electric range control".

Mmm just noticed the first auction item was only one side, that would have been a nice surprise.

[benough]

Depends if you list it as a extra on the policy or not. If not then you'll get stock headlamps back. For an extra you just show them the invoice and they send you a cheque.

[triode12]

But couldn't they argue (in the case where you were at fault) that because you had non-ADR complaint lights, that it was the cause for the accident and hence not pay out? You know how insurance companies can be.

[benough]

Why do they come with a switch if the part numbers are different? Does anyone know what the difference is between the different parts?

I thought the auto leveling motors would come as a part of the headlight assembly or does it sit underneath or something? Eg the first link says "including already built motors for electric range control".

Mmm just noticed the first auction item was only one side, that would have been a nice surprise.

I wish I knew. Try posting on the MK5 GTI UK forum?

They have levelling motors inside, all headlamps do, Corey was referring to the the loom that runs to your rear wheel well. It has like a hanging sensor that works like a plum bob. That tells the headlamps to dip the headlights under heavy braking, going over hills etc.

If you go OEM Xenons without this loom your existing range control dial in the cabin won't work. You'll only be able to make adjustments from the hex aiming points on the headlamp itself.

My Halogen Projectors retain the use of range control.

Have you read my Xenon Thread Jazd? Excuse some of the more retarded comments.

Aftermarket Projector headlamp and HID DIY for MK5 Golf.

[Corey_R]

Why do they come with a switch if the part numbers are different? Does anyone know what the difference is between the different parts?

Several years ago I researched that - but being how long ago it was, the links I had are dead.
The switch on the lights is meant for people in Europe, for example UK and France, that can travel between countries and then need to swap the side of the road that they're on. They can press a switch and it makes a decent amount of difference to the light throw, but it's not THE SAME as having the correct headlights. So the general advice was that if you were simply travelling temporarily to another country it was fine, but if you were moving to another country who drove on the other side of the road, you'd need the headlights changed as they wouldn't pass the inspection for permanent usage.

Again - this was several years ago, and the inspection process in the EU countries is known to be more thorough than it is here atm.

As for listing Xenons on your insurance... you'd kinda be silly to list an item which makes your car unroadworthy... if you're in an accident and it's at night - you just hope that they don't notice that your car is unroadworthy during the inspection/investigation

[benough]

But couldn't they argue (in the case where you were at fault) that because you had non-ADR complaint lights, that it was the cause for the accident and hence not pay out? You know how insurance companies can be.

True but has anyone actually heard a case of that happening ($90 HID kit in a reflector housing of a Mazda 323 does not count)

I have to tell people my headlights aftermarket and sometimes they don't believe me. Considering the headlamp in questions is an OEM part, do you really think an insurance inspector is going to know about and go digging for the auto levelling loom in the trim on the drivers side?

Come on dude.

[triode12]

True but has anyone actually heard a case of that happening ($90 HID kit in a reflector housing of a Mazda 323 does not count)

I have to tell people my headlights aftermarket and sometimes they don't believe me. Considering the headlamp in questions is an OEM part, do you really think an insurance inspector is going to know about and go digging for the auto levelling loom in the trim on the drivers side?

Come on dude.

OK - I see your point.