MK5 Golf GTI

All Things Mk5 => Mk5 General Area => Topic started by: edition_30 on May 04, 2010, 02:18:47 pm

Title: Auto Levelers & HIDs
Post by: edition_30 on May 04, 2010, 02:18:47 pm
Can the above be done?

Title: Re: Auto Levelers & HIDs
Post by: ollie288 on May 04, 2010, 02:20:31 pm
If you mean can you install auto levellers and xenons, then yes it can.  :happy2:
Title: Re: Auto Levelers & HIDs
Post by: Teutonic_Tamer on May 05, 2010, 08:34:07 am
Its a lot of work though.  Not only do you need two complete Bi-Xenon headlamps (complete with ballasts), you need both front and rear level sensors, the ECU, all the relevent wiring.  And then you'll need a new switch on the dash.  Don't forget the headlamp washers too.
Title: Re: Auto Levelers & HIDs
Post by: Aparoon on May 05, 2010, 08:36:20 am
Looks like he might mean auto levelers with non oem hid kits, which I wouldn't think would be possible?
Title: Re: Auto Levelers & HIDs
Post by: edition_30 on May 05, 2010, 09:09:44 am
Looks like he might mean auto levelers with non oem hid kits, which I wouldn't think would be possible?

Thats what i was thinking.. are the bulbs not the same?
Title: Re: Auto Levelers & HIDs
Post by: Aparoon on May 05, 2010, 09:34:16 am
I'm not sure to be honest but I 'think' they are quite different ...  :confused:
Title: Re: Auto Levelers & HIDs
Post by: animal on May 05, 2010, 09:54:31 am
Looks like he might mean auto levelers with non oem hid kits, which I wouldn't think would be possible?

Thats what i was thinking.. are the bulbs not the same?

Nope - completely different. Auto levelling is the least of your worries though. HID kits aren't legal because you cant put an HID bulb in a headlight that's be type approved for Halogen bulbs.
Title: Re: Auto Levelers & HIDs
Post by: edition_30 on May 05, 2010, 11:00:27 am
I was thinking of changing the headlights too for the hella projector type

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=200434750166&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT
Title: Re: Auto Levelers & HIDs
Post by: Teutonic_Tamer on May 05, 2010, 11:41:28 am
Looks like he might mean auto levelers with non oem hid kits, which I wouldn't think would be possible?

Thats what i was thinking.. are the bulbs not the same?

NO - if you are simply using a HID kit; then the bulbs will have a different base to match the donor headlamp - usually a bodge-job H7 cap grafted onto a cheap Chinese inferior HID capsule.  Not only will these produce a truely shyte beam pattern - they are highly illegal, and very dangerous to other road users.

Basically, if you fit a HID kit into a non-HID specific headlamp, your insurance will be voided, and if you are involved in an accident - even if it was NOT your fault - you will still be liable for the TOTAL claim of ALL parties (the other car driver; emergency services, highways, etc) - and these claims can well run into tens or even hundreds of thousands of pounds.  As an example - a simple two car accident I was involved in many years ago - the total cost to the third party was over a quarter of a million quid.  Is it really worth the risk.
Title: Re: Auto Levelers & HIDs
Post by: edition_30 on May 05, 2010, 12:03:34 pm
what about if i change the headlights to the projector type above. They are the same as the oem zennons
Title: Re: Auto Levelers & HIDs
Post by: Teutonic_Tamer on May 05, 2010, 12:30:40 pm
what about if i change the headlights to the projector type above. They are the same as the oem zennons

No they aint.  They are designed to use a HALOGEN bulb, not a HID capsule - so they will NOT be legal.

There was a serious thread on this issue on the other GTI forum - going into great detail; and quoting all the laws and stuff.  Have a search in the Mk5 section on www.GolfGTIforum.co.uk - look for thread starter 'Creepy Coupe'.

Also, Auto Express mag did an article explaining the law on this, and there is a direct page on the DfT website also clarifying the same.
Title: Re: Auto Levelers & HIDs
Post by: animal on May 05, 2010, 01:02:41 pm
what about if i change the headlights to the projector type above. They are the same as the oem zennons

Just to clarify - they might look the same visually but they are still only type approved for Halogen bulbs.
Title: Re: Auto Levelers & HIDs
Post by: edition_30 on May 05, 2010, 01:05:12 pm
Cool.. thanks for the heads up guys