Member Since: 09 Dec 2010
Location: newcastle upon tyne
Posts: 66
HiD xenon upgrade
Has anyone done this on a 2010 D4 and what are the results like? I note Hids4U sell them but does/can anyone fit them too and how much do they cost?
Finally, are they legal!
thanks
20th Dec 2011 5:55 pm
met
Member Since: 25 Mar 2010
Location: Herts
Posts: 231
HIDS4U, get my vote at the moment although one of my ballasts failed after about a week or so, sent it back still waiting for a return! and poor customer service yesterday when i called to chase progress, so be warned
20th Dec 2011 10:22 pm
branchespark
Member Since: 15 Jun 2011
Location: East Anglia
Posts: 99
I am also interested in upgrading the main beam to being Xenon. Has anyone done this? I think the low beam Xenon on the HSE are fab, but the main beam are useless!
29th Dec 2011 9:57 am
RichardB
Member Since: 03 May 2010
Location: Hants
Posts: 485
branchespark wrote:
I am also interested in upgrading the main beam to being Xenon. Has anyone done this? I think the low beam Xenon on the HSE are fab, but the main beam are useless!
The Xenon lights on the D4 function as both low and high beam. On low there is a shutter that shrouds the light to the low beam cut off. On high, it flips up to give an unrestricted beam. I've always thought that it is very good indeed, especially on adaptive Xenons where the beam is steered.
I believe the second, halogen, light then works as a 'fill in' light around the xenon. It does come out a bit yellow, I switched the original lamp to Osram Nightbreakers. A bit whiter, more powerful and work ok but without the hassle of plumbing in the HIDs. Additionally, HIDs don't like being flashed (take a little time - second or two - to 'warm' up) so aren't perhaps so useful in this role for on road use. Now, a powerful LED replacement might be worth a go...
29th Dec 2011 10:27 am
branchespark
Member Since: 15 Jun 2011
Location: East Anglia
Posts: 99
Ahh OK. Sounds interesting! I better take a look. I think some whiter and brighter bulbs would be great, as the yellow is slightly annoying!
29th Dec 2011 10:30 am
branchespark
Member Since: 15 Jun 2011
Location: East Anglia
Posts: 99
What was the Osram bulb size you had to order? Also, I have the adaptive lights, but don't think they corner; just a side light comes on at low speed. Maybe I need to look a bit closer!
Tell you the truth , I always thought my adaptives on my d3 , weren't so good , or moving , until driving on twisty mountain roads , in chamonix , then you really noticed them 2008 ,hse, it does what it says .
29th Dec 2011 11:07 am
RichardB
Member Since: 03 May 2010
Location: Hants
Posts: 485
Pretty sure the main beam fill-in is an H7 bulb but check your handbook!
Adaptive lights do turn. It's a bit subtle on the D4 (my previous BMW was rather obvious) but the beam does just gently follow the bend and you don't tend to notice - just works. As Choppa says, tends to be more obvious on twisty country roads when travelling fast (i.e. when cornering lights don't come on) also when on main beam.
29th Dec 2011 11:16 am
GlosBoy
Member Since: 16 Oct 2009
Location: Chandlers Ford
Posts: 2444
Not meaning to hijack this thread ........
Was looking at a cheaper option than the Xenon's for my D4. I have regular headlights and drove it for the first time over Christmas in the dark and its awful - low light and yellow,
I am used to full xenons on my Merc and found I had to slow down a lot in the Disco on dark unlit roads.
Having some other work done on it in January and not sure I want to go the full expense of replacement headlights.
Will upgrading the bulbs make any noticable difference?D4 HSE - Aintree Green
D4 Orkney my13 - gone
Stornaway D4. Gone, Didn't like it at all
D3 silver manual. Loved my first LR
Member Since: 03 Nov 2007
Location: Glorious Devon
Posts: 3254
Same boat here. The Halogens are "carp" and even if you buy MY12 Xenons, LR techs don't have the knowledge or facility to activate them. LR won't authorise or train dealers to do it apparently - though I have to follow that up to find out for certain.
If you order an XS, you can specify xenons of both types so I don't understand why LR won't allow after market alterations at their dealerships.
Until BBS/Bell Autos find the way, I would also like some form of ugrade for the lights especially when on dipped headlights.
Bill Wright Never take life too seriously. Nobody gets out alive anyway.
D4 SDV6 SE Tech Kaikoura Stone MY15.
29th Dec 2011 2:01 pm
branchespark
Member Since: 15 Jun 2011
Location: East Anglia
Posts: 99
RichardB wrote:
Pretty sure the main beam fill-in is an H7 bulb but check your handbook!
The handbook is very vague on bulbs when you have Xenons. Probably best that I take a look when back home. The 55w Osram H7s look pretty good, so will see if they work.
Otherwise it's some Xenon spotlights. Driving through the Highlands the standard lights just aren't as fantastic as I hoped they would be - my Bi-Xenon Golf is better!
Thanks.
29th Dec 2011 3:31 pm
branchespark
Member Since: 15 Jun 2011
Location: East Anglia
Posts: 99
Member Since: 03 May 2010
Location: Hants
Posts: 485
GlosBoy wrote:
Will upgrading the bulbs make any noticable difference?
Well, I could see a difference when I changed to the Nightbreaker type bulb for the main beam fill in; even against the backdrop of Xenons on full beam. So, I'd say it's modest improvement but nothing like the jump to Xenons so don't expect too much. On the other hand, it's certainly not going to do any harm, it's a completely legal upgrade, you get to learn how to change a bulb (no kidding, the grill and headlamp units all come off), its 'only' £35-£40 and you can keep the original lamps as spares.
29th Dec 2011 3:43 pm
branchespark
Member Since: 15 Jun 2011
Location: East Anglia
Posts: 99
Well, I switched the H7s for the Ring 120% Xeon bulbs and things are better. Still a bit of a yellow cast (due to filament, I assume), but better. Now for those turning lights ...
One thing I have noticed for some time (old and new bulbs) is that on high beam there are bits that are still not lit. If you look at the two attached images (one low beam and one high beam), there is a band to the right of the tree that is just not lit. Is there a way to adjust the high beam down a bit, as it is pointing slightly skywards!
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