Ibiza Cupra Headlight bulbs - best combination

Neo

Fool member
Mar 24, 2009
881
1
That`s not bad.. seen them for a lot more! Will be worth it when winter comes.
 

Pabs

Active Member
May 3, 2004
5,936
4
Basingstoke
I must say I've been quite shocked at Powerbulbs recently. I used to swear by them, but recently checking their prices they are making a huge profit on some of their products. A bit of shopping around and I've found the bulbs at much cheaper prices.

That is, of course, that the bulbs I've just ordered are the real thing! (I'm sure they are, but you never know..)
 

Neo

Fool member
Mar 24, 2009
881
1
This is why I normally use ebay, some people try to make their money on postage but you can always use a different seller on there.

With regard to what you said earlier it may be worth removing your bumper to fit all the bulbs at once. The sidelights can be a pain (literally), the first time you change them.
 

Pabs

Active Member
May 3, 2004
5,936
4
Basingstoke
i've passed MOTs with LED sidelights

Just because 1 garage passed them it doesn't make them legal.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not a jobsworth or anything, but after having many different LED bulbs in previous cars (and HIDS) I don't really see the benefit of them. Ok, if a bulb blows you need to replace it, but that happens so infrequently that I'm not that fussed.

I just want an upgraded bulb which performs well, and looks good at the same time. :)
 

CJRamze

Proud Seat Owner
Jun 29, 2008
2,014
2
Caldicot, South Wales
Just because 1 garage passed them it doesn't make them legal.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not a jobsworth or anything, but after having many different LED bulbs in previous cars (and HIDS) I don't really see the benefit of them. Ok, if a bulb blows you need to replace it, but that happens so infrequently that I'm not that fussed.

I just want an upgraded bulb which performs well, and looks good at the same time. :)

Your not going to be pulled for LED Sidelights, Especially considering the number of cars using LED Day Lights these days. The officer wont police incorrect LED lights (Unless their a stupid colour) and if you can find a case I'd be very impressed.

There's nothing Illegal about HID's and its been debated many times before and will be in the future. Providing their aligned correct and their not blinding anyone and their of good quality officers of the law have no leg to stand on as even the law on HID's is a gray area.

And they can't arrest you for a "Gray" area in the law. They need a definitive Yes/No answers because if they arrest you incorrectly and you prosecute (which I would) they'd lose alot more than what they pulled you for.

HID's are a great benefit, Their being fitted to almost all new cars as standard so they obviously have a great advantage and whilst I admit that not having the projector lenses means that your using an incorrect holder for the bulb if they pass an MOT they are road legal and hence your not breaking road laws enforced by the police.
 

Pabs

Active Member
May 3, 2004
5,936
4
Basingstoke
Fair argument I suppose. I know what you're saying - I'm just saying that I'm not interested in fitting HIDs or LED sidelights as strictly they are not legal (hence why all packaging and seller has to disclose that they are not road legal) and they'd also count as a modification to an insurer.

I've had several sets of HIDs etc in previous cars - attracted a lot of attention, and something I can do without.
 

Neo

Fool member
Mar 24, 2009
881
1
There's nothing Illegal about HID's and its been debated many times before and will be in the future. Providing their aligned correct and their not blinding anyone and their of good quality officers of the law have no leg to stand on as even the law on HID's is a gray area.

Extract from the DOT:

Aftermarket HID headlamps - In the Department's view it is not legal to sell or use after market HID lighting kits, for converting conventional Halogen headlamps to HID Xenon. If a customer wants to convert his vehicle to Xenon HID he must purchase completely new Xenon HID headlamps. The reason for this is that the existing lens and reflector are designed around a Halogen filament bulb, working to very precise tolerances. If one places a HID "burner" (bulb) in the headlamp, the beam pattern will not be correct, there will be glare in some places and not enough light in other places within the beam pattern.

The following is the legal rationale:

The Road Vehicle Lighting Regulations 1989 regulate the situation in the UK.
Under these Regulations, HID/Gas Discharge/Xenon headlamps are not mentioned and therefore they are not permitted according to the strict letter of the law.

However new vehicles have HID headlamps. This is because they comply to European type approval Regulations. The UK cannot refuse to register a vehicle with a European type approval. These are to ECE Regulation 98 (for the HID headlamps which are tested on a rig in a laboratory) and ECE Regulation 48 (Lighting Installation on the vehicle).

For the after market, a used vehicle cannot obtain type approval because it is only applicable for new vehicles. However we feel that saying "HID is banned in the after market" would not be reasonable. Instead we should make analogies with new vehicles. It would be reasonable to require HID in the after market to meet the same safety standards as on new vehicles. The same level of safety should apply.

Therefore a HID headlamp unit sold in the after market should:

1. be type approved to ECE Regulation 98 as a component.

2. when fitted to the vehicle should enable ECE Regulation 48 to be complied with (although no government inspection will take place).

3. Comply with RVLR as far as "use" is concerned.
In practice this means:

1. The headlamp unit (outer lens, reflector, bulb) shall be type approved to ECE 98 and be "e-marked" to demonstrate this. That can only be done by the headlamp supplier - Hella, Valeo etc. who must test the headlamp in an independent laboratory.

2. Once fitted to the vehicle it must have headlamp cleaning and self-levelling (which can be for the headlamp or can be in the vehicle suspension - some expensive estate cars have "self-levelling suspension" and that is adequate). Also the dipped beam must stay on with the main beam.

3. The headlamp must be maintained in good working order, kept clean, and aligned/adjusted correctly like any other headlamp.

Under the Road Traffic Act 1988 it is an offence to supply, fit or use vehicle parts which are not legal.

In summary it is not permitted to convert an existing halogen headlamp unit for use with HID bulbs. The entire headlamp unit must be replaced with one designed and approved for use with HID bulbs and it must be installed in accordance with the rules stated above.


If you require any further information regarding the regulations covered by this fact sheet, please contact the DfT at the address below:

Transport Technology and Standards 6
Department for Transport
Zone 2/04
Great Minster House
76 Marsham Street Telephone: 020 7944 2078
London Fax: 020 7944 2196
 
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