Xm Headlamps, MOT test

I have just received my set from China, in 2 days after buying, for $28.00 + $40.00 for expedited shipping
As someone on this forum has pointed out, you need to drill 22 mm holes in the caps of the head lamps. I have to get a suitable drilling tool for that or ask my friendly machine shop people. For the rest it seems straightforward: remove the grill, glue the ballasts in place and hook everything up. I wonder if it really is that easy
I got the 4300K ones, as they produce more light than the 6000K and I am not fond of blueish light. (Blue light is bad for the eyes too, some optometrists will tell you, but that is a different story)

Hi Jan,

That's a real bargain.

It really is. A nice job to do as there's a big payback in relation to the time and money expended.

Good luck.

Roy

Jan,

I used a 24mm hole cutter to modify the plastic rear covers. The extra 2mm made it easier to fit the rubber grommets.

Derek

Just invested in a 22 mm drill
But re-measuring the grommet tells me the inner diameter is actually 21 mm, so 24 would seem a bit too large. I'd like to get it as airtight as possible. Also, my grommets are less 'sophisticated' than yours, I think

It really is. A nice job to do as there's a big payback in relation to the time and money expended.

Good luck.

Roy

I must say I am familiar with the HID lights. After 9 years XM with original head lights, the Pius I had for 2 years and a half with its Xenon lights was a revelation and provided a sense of elation. The wife's little Vitz has these HIDs too. When returning to XM half a year ago, I just thought, 'Well, these are XM lights and I'll avoid driving after dark as much as possible'. But now that I can have these powerful lights on this otherwise great car - this means a whole new world is opening up
I'll see if I can do the fitting on Monday as the top temp is predicted to be only 31 deg C, instead of 34-36 the past weeks . . .

Fitted the Xenon lights. Took about two hours. Attached the ballasts with double sided adhesive tape to the flat metal behind the lamp units. Things look a bit brighter out there now
Pict 1: Halogen lo-beam
Pict 2: Xenon + fogs
Pict 3: Xenon + hi-beam
Pict 4: Lamp units out
Pict 5: Drilling
Pict 6: Ballast in place
Pict 7: Ballast in place

Sorry, the pictures are somewhat large.











This post has been edited by Jan-hendrik on September 25, 2007 12:12 pm

Hello Jan-hendrik

Congratulations! I'm sure you will find the results illuminating!!

Regards

Ken

I would just like to report to this forum that I am having major problems with the company "PILOT HID" over a U/S ballast.

It is now seven weeks since I returned the broken ballast and still the excuses keep coming & no replacement ballast.

Have had to reconvert one headlamp to halogen - and it looks crap!

They say the internet is powerful for feedback so if I had my choice again I would go for the cheap 'n' cheerful ebay kits and please avoid the company "PILOT HID" if you think the extra paid will endow better customer service.

Rant over.