Head Light Problem, use of Xenon

Hi,
has anybody investigated or used some of the Xenon kits or bulbs used to improve the head lights on our XM's expecially dip. Living in the country I find that I some times use my fogs when on dip; which isn't good practice.
What brought this to my attention is that on ebay they are selling Xenon bulbs for £14. But I thought that the correct kit to change to Xenon bulbs cost just under £200. Also reading the imformation on Citoenet site http://www.citroenet.org.uk/passenger-cars/psa/xm/xm-14.html it appears that there is a lot more to it then just changeing bulbs as these bulbs; like floresent tubes require a high voltage start up.
Has anybody fitted the complete kits? and anybody fitted these Cheapo bulbs only? and what were the results?

Rolande

Hi Rolande

In my opinion the cheap bulbs are a waste of money. The ones I tried made no difference to the light output. One of the 4 fell to bits when I went to take it out. If you still have the dipped beam plastic lenses that are fitted behind the headlamp glass then you could try removing them particularly if they have gone yellow with age.

Regards

XMexc

Hi

I forgot to mention that there is an entry somewhere on this site which gives good reports of successfully fitting the HID kit to an XM.

Regards

XMexc

I found that fitting cheapo Xenon bulbs AND removing the opaque, flat plastic lenses AND pulling out the little shield that hides the bulb as viewed from the front, makes quite a big difference as a package. The issue now is the gradual deterioration of the reflective coating inside the headlamp unit.

p.s. I read somwhere else that Osram Silver Star bulbs have the best output.

how do you take the headlamp unit to bits, do the seperate or something?

Steve

As EddyXM has said Osram Silver Star bulbs do make a difference if you don't want to go the whole hog and change to HID's, as i have tried them. But in the end i took the jump and went for HID's. There are easy to fit (about 20 min's) apart from finding a point to mount the ballest (one eitherside) due to the very short cables. This can take a couple of hours trying to work out where and how to fit them! Once fitted just get your light re-aimed and you will find your lights are tranceformed

Sounds very tempting!

Peter.N.

I'm always put off by the costs of HID, the time to fit wouldn't bother me at all - it's the £200 to buy the things that disturbs me

This post has been edited by chadders on August 09, 2006 08:14 am

My dips are like 2 candles . I've just bought some xenons 4000k off ebay. I would imagine they will be a lot better.

As at the time of this post, Halfords are doing a buy one get one free on Super Brilliance Xenon H1 bulbs. I have invested in a couple for £14 and found a good improvement over Halogen

Demag - fit them soon and let us know what they are like!

I improved the dip on my last XM by removing the plastic deflectors, which had almost become opaque, and cleaning the reflectors. This has to be done VERY carefully. Once you have removed the glass, get some soft tissue, wet with meths and carefully wash the reflectors. Dont apply any pressure or the silver will come off.

Peter.N.

Hello Peter.

Been there, done that, wiped it off ! Ever get the feeling they don't want you to clean them ? Come back sealed beam, all is forgiven.

Mike.

Message from ebay, they're in the post today.

My reflectors aren't too bad, but I had a car some years ago (can't remember what, it's the memory you know) and the reflectors were bad. To overcome this I got hold of some silver tape (bicycle shop) and carefully applied it to the reflectors. It worked quite well. Definitely an improvement.

The bulbs only have a life of about 3 years. Try replacing them as well as cleaning the reflector -carefully - with meths or isopropol alcohol.