Hi joedm,
I guess first off I would like to say that if a HID light package is installed to replace original equipment halogen type lights after the fact (read: purchase) they need to use identical type features as used by the manufacturer, that is self levelling & auto spray wash system. A washer system is required in Australia, no if's or but's. As these are modifications to the original car your insurer also needs to be advised of the change. This isn't a grey area, it is the law.
Yesterday morning I went with a good friend of mine to 3 dealers in Sydney looking at B7 Passat sedans as he is currently in the throws of wanting to buy one. Having read this post earlier in the morning I asked this exact question of the 3 dealers 'can you install a HID light package to a non HID car'? Two said they had tried & it was a very involved job (Hornsby & Chatswood), the other (Mascot) was non commital. The big issue the 2 cited that tried it was the cost in man hours & cost to the customer. One point that was common between all three, they would not welcome the request to do it.
As for the LHD/RHD thing, if I recall correctly from my experience playing around with the multi function display in my Passat, there is a function within the MFD to change the directional alignment between LHD & RHD Passats fitted with HID's. I do not know if this feature is in the MFD Passats with non HID lights.
If you plan to do it yourself or have a non VW third party do the job then ultimately you will do what you want, provided the installer is willing to concede to your preferences. I suggest having no preference other than doing a complete install with all necessary bits & bobs. Generally I expect with many attempting a HID upgrade that they leave out the main features such as self levelling, swivelling & washer jets.
If you go ahead with it, good luck but be sure to do it right & have all the right parts installed. It could save you from possible trouble down the road such as legals no matter how unlikely. It is also not wise to drive with incorrectly aligned non moving HIDS as all you do is pi** off other road users at night. We all know the tendancy is to set the lights as high as feasible & doing so with after market HIDS is dangerous.
Let us know how it goes..
Last edited by Riker; 28-05-2012 at 05:59 PM.
* MY12 B7 Passat V6 4-motion Highline wagon....
* Sport pack (Kansas wheels) - Active cruise City EB - Driver Assist Vis pack - Auto tailgate - Candy White with dark tint.
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