Headlights - Discussion and Questions

**GolfVII** · 03-12-2014, 03:25 PM

Well as we would be aware of by now is that I would like Bi-Xenon head lights on my Golf and Eos. I have been researching on how I can have these in the most cost effective way.

One of my concerns are around the requirements behind retro fitting these after market head lamps (GAS Discharge Headlamps) are; "what are the laws around these in my state?"

So my first point of reference is my local government motor information website - www.sa.gov.au - transport-travel-and-motoring

On this page it states:

*****************
HID (high-intensity discharge) headlamps

HID light bulbs, also known as xenon lights, produce light by creating an electrical arc across two electrodes, resulting in a much brighter white/blue light than normal halogen light bulbs.
Fitting HID headlamps is permissible providing that they are fitted with automatic headlamp levelling devices and headlamp cleaners. They must also conform to any requirements in set in Australian Design Rule 13.
*****************

So I went on to read the Australian Design Rule 13, 77/00, 75/00 and all the others, wow these documents have amendments and updates for every article, but what I found out is even outside your own state the ADR says you are required to fit auto levelling and washers to the vehicle if you are going to fit GAS Discharge Headlamps and they must be white in colour etc.

More can be read up here -
Third Edition Australian Design Rules
or
ComLaw Home

This has really places a black cloud over me retro fitting to HID/Bi-Xenon headlamps as the last thing I need is the misses being pulled over and getting a fine that requires her car or mine to go pass inspection before the defect notice would be removed. Here in Adelaide they will send you to regency (inspection location) even if your car meets ADR rules just to make you pay to have the defect removed because the Police themselves are unsure what meets requirements. (insert something about revenue raising etc.)

To retro fit Bi-Xenon lights I require following parts:
1 x Front bumper with washer outlets (hopefully pre-painted)
1 x Washer Kit
1 x Set of RHD B-Xenon headlamp kit (hopefully including auto levelling kit)
1 x Purple Conversion connector to plug in OEM Headlamps plugs
and finally once I have fitted all these parts I need access RossTech cable to do the coding.

Out of everything listed the hardest item to track down without picking up a phone and making many calls to random repairers listed on the VW insurance brochure, has to be the R-Line front bumper with washer outlets or even a 2012 Eos bumper designed for Bi-Xenon lights. The washers seam to be the biggest issue.

If you anyone knows who can supply OEM VW bumpers please feel free to PM me the details

Sorry to hijack your this thread, just thought I better let everyone know what they could be getting themselves in to with the law.

**pologti18t** · 04-12-2014, 01:28 AM

The trick is to get a HID (D5S,D6S,D8S or LED kit that has 2000lms or less.... no requirement for washers when you keep the lumens under 2000.

LED headlights seem to be popping up more and more for this reason.

**egsolomon** · 08-12-2014, 07:18 PM

OK, I might be missing something, or having a real bad weekend, changed the fog lights without an issue, but the main and dipped lights, I can't figure out, getting them out is fine, but the actual changing of the globes is doing my mind. Anyone care to tell me the secret. Got Nightbreaker for what it's worth.

thanks in advance.

**DV52** · 08-12-2014, 10:22 PM

Originally Posted by egsolomon

OK, I might be missing something, or having a real bad weekend, changed the fog lights without an issue, but the main and dipped lights, I can't figure out, getting them out is fine, but the actual changing of the globes is doing my mind. Anyone care to tell me the secret. Got Nightbreaker for what it's worth.

thanks in advance.

egosolomon: Hope the following two pictures can be of assistance.

After you have the bulb assembly out, its a matter of pulling bulb (marked -1) out of the holder (marked - 2)

**egsolomon** · 09-12-2014, 06:06 AM

Thanks DV52, but the photos are not showing.

**DV52** · 09-12-2014, 08:56 AM

Originally Posted by egsolomon

Thanks DV52, but the photos are not showing.

egosolomon: My apology - all fixed, I hope!

**brad** · 09-12-2014, 11:03 AM

Originally Posted by GolfVII

If you anyone knows who can supply OEM VW bumpers please feel free to PM me the details

Sorry to hijack your this thread, just thought I better let everyone know what they could be getting themselves in to with the law.

I think the bulk of people are aware of the legal side of things. We try & keep that part seperate from the practical side of fitting HIDs.

I can't vouch for VW but on Skodas the cut marks are in the bumper & you can retrofit the washers into the existing bumper. There's a guy over on Briskoda that has done it to his MK2 Octavia & it looks factory.

I've had HID bulbs without levelling / washers in my Octy for 5 years (100,000+ km of motoring). I've never had an issue with the police. I pass at least 4 HWP cars per day & my lights are set to Scandinavian mode so are on whenever the engine is running.

Unless you are particularly handy & capable of DIY the full conversion isn't worth it IMO. You may as well get Osram Night Breakers & be done with it.

**egsolomon** · 09-12-2014, 05:06 PM

Thanks DV52, much appreciated.

**BFPO40** · 09-12-2014, 08:37 PM

Anyone here experiencing this with their Bi-Xenons?

My driver side headlight -

Cloudy build-up on inside of lens, noticed it within days of picking the car up from the dealer.

Dirty projector lens on the same headlight.

By contrast here is my passenger side headlight, dusty on the inside and dirt on the projector lens but far more acceptable.

I'm about to become a pain in Volkswagens ass over this after the dealership could not get the go ahead to replace the headlight under warranty.

**aussietanker** · 10-12-2014, 08:17 PM

Originally Posted by brad

I think the bulk of people are aware of the legal side of things. We try & keep that part seperate from the practical side of fitting HIDs.

I can't vouch for VW but on Skodas the cut marks are in the bumper & you can retrofit the washers into the existing bumper. There's a guy over on Briskoda that has done it to his MK2 Octavia & it looks factory.

I've had HID bulbs without levelling / washers in my Octy for 5 years (100,000+ km of motoring). I've never had an issue with the police. I pass at least 4 HWP cars per day & my lights are set to Scandinavian mode so are on whenever the engine is running.

Unless you are particularly handy & capable of DIY the full conversion isn't worth it IMO. You may as well get Osram Night Breakers & be done with it.

Are the Osram Night Breakers compatible with the 2014/5 Golf mk 7 90TSI ... and are they better than stock?

cheers