Headlamps on an 111R '06.
Discussion
I have the car at home after collecting it today 
Pics to follow after a wash and a hug and a drive 
Not necessarily in that order.
Was wondering about the main headlamps. It was only dusk when I put it away, but the bulbs looked pretty bright to me and a decent white colour.
On my '03 111s they were feeble and were upgraded to HID kit. Driving at night was nearly dangerous on country roads prior to the HID kit.
So, just wondering, am I likely to need to upgrade to an HID kit again in your experience?
Also, a quick 2nd question. Both driving lamps have been cracked due to stones. They both work, so should I really replace them or can the plastic covers be put on and used still?
Thanks!
Nick
Pics to follow after a wash and a hug and a drive Not necessarily in that order.Was wondering about the main headlamps. It was only dusk when I put it away, but the bulbs looked pretty bright to me and a decent white colour.
On my '03 111s they were feeble and were upgraded to HID kit. Driving at night was nearly dangerous on country roads prior to the HID kit.
So, just wondering, am I likely to need to upgrade to an HID kit again in your experience?
Also, a quick 2nd question. Both driving lamps have been cracked due to stones. They both work, so should I really replace them or can the plastic covers be put on and used still?
Thanks!
Nick
Hey Nick,
Congrats on the new car. My perspective, (and what I did to my '04 111R) replace the dip and high beams with HID's. Then I would bin the driving lights and replace with a full size grill.
Why? Well I think the standard lights are pants and the driving lights are too low to be any help. I also think the elise looks cross eyed with the driving lights an much cleaner with the standard grill.
Congrats on the new car. My perspective, (and what I did to my '04 111R) replace the dip and high beams with HID's. Then I would bin the driving lights and replace with a full size grill.
Why? Well I think the standard lights are pants and the driving lights are too low to be any help. I also think the elise looks cross eyed with the driving lights an much cleaner with the standard grill.
Thorburn said:
Check up the latest MOT regulations with regards to HIDs. Not much point converting the lights if it's then going to fail the MOT.
There are no new checks in that regard - the only change is to check that any self-levelling or washer system that is fitted works; since the Elise is fitted with neither, it makes no difference. It's always been illegal to fit them but it's not explicitly part of the MoT test. kambites said:
Thorburn said:
Check up the latest MOT regulations with regards to HIDs. Not much point converting the lights if it's then going to fail the MOT.
There are no new checks in that regard - the only change is to check that any self-levelling or washer system that is fitted works; since the Elise is fitted with neither, it makes no difference. It's always been illegal to fit them but it's not explicitly part of the MoT test. The news rules state that cars fitted with aftermarket HID kits also need to be fitted with levellers and washers.
However, the Elise can be excused from self levelling under the discrection of the MOT tester. This is because it is a sports car with stiff suspension, no room for rear passengers, and a small load limited boot space. Therefore it will not be loaded up to the point where the lights are forced to point upwards.
It still needs a washer system fitted though.
According to the direct.gov website they say
"Vehicles equipped with High Intensity Discharge
(HID) or LED dipped beam headlamps may be fitted
with headlamp washers and a suspension or
headlamp self levelling system.
Where such systems are fitted, they must work;
however, it is accepted that it may not be possible
to readily determine the functioning of self levelling
systems. In such cases, the benefit of the doubt
must be given.
Headlamp washers may work in conjunction with
the windscreen washers (when the dipped beam
headlamps are switched on) or by a separate
switch."
"Vehicles equipped with High Intensity Discharge
(HID) or LED dipped beam headlamps may be fitted
with headlamp washers and a suspension or
headlamp self levelling system.
Where such systems are fitted, they must work;
however, it is accepted that it may not be possible
to readily determine the functioning of self levelling
systems. In such cases, the benefit of the doubt
must be given.
Headlamp washers may work in conjunction with
the windscreen washers (when the dipped beam
headlamps are switched on) or by a separate
switch."
zasker said:
According to the direct.gov website they say
"Vehicles equipped with High Intensity Discharge
(HID) or LED dipped beam headlamps may be fitted
with headlamp washers and a suspension or
headlamp self levelling system.
Where such systems are fitted, they must work;
however, it is accepted that it may not be possible
to readily determine the functioning of self levelling
systems. In such cases, the benefit of the doubt
must be given.
Headlamp washers may work in conjunction with
the windscreen washers (when the dipped beam
headlamps are switched on) or by a separate
switch."
Are the important words 'MAY BE FITTED WITH', mine has neither and just passed MOT, maybe I was lucky this year?"Vehicles equipped with High Intensity Discharge
(HID) or LED dipped beam headlamps may be fitted
with headlamp washers and a suspension or
headlamp self levelling system.
Where such systems are fitted, they must work;
however, it is accepted that it may not be possible
to readily determine the functioning of self levelling
systems. In such cases, the benefit of the doubt
must be given.
Headlamp washers may work in conjunction with
the windscreen washers (when the dipped beam
headlamps are switched on) or by a separate
switch."
The VOSA testing directive document is this:
http://www.dft.gov.uk/vosa/repository/technicalpen...
And the important section is on page 3.
It states:
"This raises the question of whether these checks apply to vehicles fitted with after-market HID lighting kits. These kits convert conventional halogen headlamps to HID Xenon and they are widely sold and fitted to vehicles used on the road. The Department for Transport considers that after-market systems should be required to meet the same safety standards as that applied in respect of these lamps at vehicle Type Approval. Therefore, in order to pass the MOT test, vehicles fitted with after-market HID systems would also need to be fitted with headlamp cleaning and self-levelling systems. Some high specification estate cars are fitted with a self-levelling suspension system and this would be considered as adequate for the purpose.
It is also worthy of note that a few high performance vehicles fitted with HID headlamps that have barely any luggage space and stiff suspension do not require a self-levelling system."
http://www.dft.gov.uk/vosa/repository/technicalpen...
And the important section is on page 3.
It states:
"This raises the question of whether these checks apply to vehicles fitted with after-market HID lighting kits. These kits convert conventional halogen headlamps to HID Xenon and they are widely sold and fitted to vehicles used on the road. The Department for Transport considers that after-market systems should be required to meet the same safety standards as that applied in respect of these lamps at vehicle Type Approval. Therefore, in order to pass the MOT test, vehicles fitted with after-market HID systems would also need to be fitted with headlamp cleaning and self-levelling systems. Some high specification estate cars are fitted with a self-levelling suspension system and this would be considered as adequate for the purpose.
It is also worthy of note that a few high performance vehicles fitted with HID headlamps that have barely any luggage space and stiff suspension do not require a self-levelling system."
Paul_M3 said:
The previous owner of my SC upgraded the bulbs to Philips X-treme Power. (Now replaced by X-treme vision)
I'm guessing these must work well, because despite reading how poor the Elise headlights are, I've found them to be fine. (Better than my e90 BMW in fact)
That could be the way forward then thanks Paul.I'm guessing these must work well, because despite reading how poor the Elise headlights are, I've found them to be fine. (Better than my e90 BMW in fact)
My MOT guy is so cool he never paid them any thought when I went last, but that's pre these rules that are coming in.
I probably spend an unecessary amount of time thinking about bulbs
Couple of pics of the new (and old) cars. Newcomer is the grey 111r.
Paul_M3 said:
The news rules state that cars fitted with aftermarket HID kits also need to be fitted with levellers and washers.
No they don't, at least not in the copy of the MoT testers manual that I have sitting on my desk? Anyway, it would be very odd to introduce a test for something that's already illegal anyway (aftermarket HIDs). I don't know what that other document you quote from is, but I've never heard of it before. I'd guess the Elise would be exempt under the "stiff suspension and barely any luggage capacity" anyway. There are plenty of "normal" type approved HID equipped cars with neither washers nor self levelling systems... even some which use reflector type lamps with HIDs.
None of this changes the fact that non-type approved HIDs are completely illegal anyway.
Edited by kambites on Tuesday 21st February 12:40
kambites said:
Paul_M3 said:
The news rules state that cars fitted with aftermarket HID kits also need to be fitted with levellers and washers.
No they don't, at least not in the copy of the MoT testers manual that I have sitting on my desk? Anyway, it would be very odd to introduce a test for something that's already illegal anyway (aftermarket HIDs). I don't know what that other document you quote from is, but I've never heard of it before. I'd guess the Elise would be exempt under the "stiff suspension and barely any luggage capacity" anyway. There are plenty of "normal" type approved HID equipped cars with neither washers nor self levelling systems... even some which use reflector type lamps with HIDs.
None of this changes the fact that non-type approved HIDs are completely illegal anyway.
Edited by kambites on Tuesday 21st February 12:40
What is that VOSA testing directive document that I've got? It seems to be fairly official?
(VOSA are the people who set the standards aren't they?)
Although that document is dated as being produced in March 2011. Perhaps they have 'tweaked' their wording since then?
http://www.dft.gov.uk/vosa/repository/technicalpen...
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