HID - Best buy?

**Spee** · Sunday 2nd May 2010, 12:15

Looking at getting some HIDs soon as I've just used my last spare Volvo LL headlight bulb.

What have people bought, lots on ebay of course, I'd rather spend a bit more and get a reliable set so any recommendations? I've had a read through the forum and found some pointers of course.

I've a set fitted to my Fiat Coupe so I'm well aware of the night and day difference they make!

As a side, my friend has fitted HIDs to his Saab 9-5 and keeps getting bulb fault messages, I want to avoid this if possible!

Thanks guys

Gareth

**p fandango** · Sunday 2nd May 2010, 12:21

this is the exact kit i bought for my S60, very quick delivery & haven't had any problems with the bulb failure light. Looks like the price has gone up a bit tho LINK

**Spee** · Sunday 2nd May 2010, 12:29

Thanks Mr Fandango! Do we lose the auto levelling with these fitted? Come to think of it, do we have auto levelling?

I SHOULD have lost auto levelling on my Fiat Coupe when I fitted HIDs, but it's still working fine.

Gareth

**p fandango** · Sunday 2nd May 2010, 12:31

Originally Posted by Spee

Thanks Mr Fandango! Do we lose the auto levelling with these fitted? Come to think of it, do we have auto levelling?

no i haven't got auto-levelling, i just keep the dash adjuster turned all the way down so it doesn't glare anyone. Can't see why it should affect the auto-leveling tbh because your only replacing the bulb so the motors etc should work as before

**sen** · Sunday 2nd May 2010, 12:35

Auto dimming will still work

**Spee** · Sunday 2nd May 2010, 12:39

Smashing! Although I'm not sure my s60 has auto levelling, i've certainly not noticed it anyway. I was thinking of doing the high beams as well but I'll just upgrade the bulbs I think, I know the high beams on the Fiat have a slight delay so flashing does become an issue!

Cheers

Gareth

**Spee** · Sunday 2nd May 2010, 12:42

I was actually looking at this kit, he does claim they don't through up bulb warnings. We'll see though, no major rush at the moment. http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/H7-6000k-Xenon...#ht_3135wt_939

**Al115** · Sunday 2nd May 2010, 13:42

I put a kit on my 2001 T5 - paid a premium for the "ultimate extra-special kit that won't throw bulb warnings". What do you know, it threw warnings and needed resistor packs (which the mfr eventually supplied at cost). Not a hard fix but still annoying.

**Storm-Troll** · Sunday 2nd May 2010, 23:37

Originally Posted by Al115

I put a kit on my 2001 T5 - paid a premium for the "ultimate extra-special kit that won't throw bulb warnings". What do you know, it threw warnings and needed resistor packs (which the mfr eventually supplied at cost). Not a hard fix but still annoying.

nooooo .lol.. u got ripped off mate.. lol... u dont need an anti bulb throwin kit. all u got to do is pull the relay under the dash. drill a 2mm hole in a certain place and it stops the bulb warning... takes about 7 mins. and its free.. i had it when installed my HID kit... its coz the HIDs draw less power than normal bulbs and as its not drawin what the car thinks it needs to power a bulb it thinks the bulb is blown. so by drilling the hole it takes away a tiny amount of the metal surface area on the relay and fools the car into thinkin the voltage is correct and stops the warning light.... did mine a year ago. never got bulb warning again... how much did u pay for the extra kit????

By the way here is the way to fix the HID warning light problem free.. I did mine with this site and problem was solved in less than start to finish ten mins.

http://www.xenonvalot.com/xenonfixvolvo.html

**Al115** · Monday 3rd May 2010, 12:23

I thought about drilling a hole in the CEM and then decided NOT TO

Happy with my resistor packs (cost me a fiver shipping) and the HIDs are now great!

**Vikingxl** · Monday 3rd May 2010, 18:51

Lol Al i wasn't too impressed with the idea either but it was storm trolls car and he's always got a push bike if it all goes wrong

**LeeT5** · Monday 7th June 2010, 01:00

Originally Posted by p fandango

no i haven't got auto-levelling, i just keep the dash adjuster turned all the way down so it doesn't glare anyone. Can't see why it should affect the auto-leveling tbh because your only replacing the bulb so the motors etc should work as before

If you have fitted the correct HID bulbs and your lights have been correctly adjusted/aligned then you shouldn't be "glaring" anyone! I had HID's on my '99 V70R and now on my current R and i don't glare anyone, ever and i have never been flashed. Not alot of people know that there are two different types of HID bulb and if the wrong TYPE is fitted then it will throw the beam pattern out and cause glare.

Lense/reflector headlights = Reflector type HID bulb
Projector headlights = Projector type HID bulb.

**Libra** · Monday 7th June 2010, 13:03

I had to replace my HID Bi-Xenon bulb two weeks ago and this is what it looked like with the new bulb...can you tell which one was replaced? (replaced at a Volvo garage with a £127 bill)

I have done 700+miles in a week and it is slightly better, but still no where near the same colour as the other older blue bulb. I have been flashed a few times since. I thinking about replacing the other bulb.