HID kit

Hi,

I saw a HID kit on a GTV today and was very impressed. I'm not sure what the colour temp was - probably somewhere between 4300K and 6000K. This was a Xenon bulb upgrade (with ballast, relays etc.) in the existing housing. I have read threads on HID kits on the 147 and 156 with interest but wonder if anybody has tried this with the stock 166 dipped head light housing? Apparently the 156 has problems with the longer (than halogen) Xenon bulbs. The GTV lights were way better than my Philips VisionPlus 50% H7s. The HIDs I saw also had a very well defined cutoff - none of the scatter I have heard about. I know that I would not have self levelling or headlamp washers (with possible MOT problems), but I'm still seriously considering an upgrade.

http://hids4u.co.uk/ seem to have fairly cheap options.
http://www.hid.uk.com have eye-wateringly expensive kits

Hmmmm, just following up to my own post about HIDs.

These links may be of interest (one mentioned elsewhere on this board) about the possible problems with HID upgrade kits that fit directly into the headlamp unit designed for a halogen bulb.

http://www.danielsternlighting.com/t...nversions.html

http://www.saabscene.com/saabforum/s...40/an/0/page/0

Does one lump standard Xenon replaceables into the same category as HID lamps. Was considering using H1 xenons when the standard H1 halogens die in my 164, should I now dismiss this notion? Regards

If you mean the halogen filament bulbs with a bit of xenon in them, I wouldn't worry. It is just marketing.

You seem to lose a lot of light with any halogen bulb that tries to be whiter/hid effect (the "blue" types). The bluer (higher colour temp) bulbs appear to be much worse in the rain than the yellower (lower colour temp) standard halogen items.

I moved to the Halogen Philips Vision 50%+ and they were better than stock GE/Tesla bulbs. I changed the dips in four cars and found the least benefit in the 166. This was explained when I got the lights set again recently (were done by a dealer before). They were set ridiculously low! Why on earth are Alfa lights set so low?

If you look at http://www.danielsternlighting.com/t...ulb_types.html it is interesting to see that the standard H1 bulb has a slightly higher lumen rating than the stock H7.

I like the idea of a HID upgrade, but my (brief) research suggests that you should at least replace the whole headlamp unit. These seem to be available for the 156. You still have no auto levelling or headlamp washers though...

Hi,

I've buyed on Ebay, a xenon kit (6000k) to fit on my 166V6 for replace the poor (and dangerous) H7.

I can just say that it's a really good improvement.
Now, the lights are very much better than the original H7 and i can drive in the night safely.

Originally Posted by boulon67fr

I can just say that it's a really good improvement.
Now, the lights are very much better than the original H7 and i can drive in the night safely.

Is there much glare - especially in rainy or wet conditions? This seems to be a possible problem, although the cutoff tends to remain similar to the orginal halogens (from what I have read).

It is interesting that these Philips or Hella kits have a branded ballast but the bulb is obtained in a curious fashion. It seems that HIDs have a different pinout/base (not available in halogen pin out) so the kits you buy have had the original base cut off and a H7, H1 etc. base put on with epoxy or similar!

Good Afternoon,

I've purchased 6000K HID Kits for my 1997 164 Super. I've got only one problem .... where do I fit the ballasts ? There is little room in the engine bay as it is any hints or photo's where some of you have placed them ?

Oh and I have some info regarding the late 164 Headlamps (The ones with the projection lens), apparently they were designed for the use of Xenon Bulbs (HID) but something came up. I'm trying to get more info about it and I'll let you know, in the mean time any ideas where I can place the ballasts ?

Thanks