HID lamp kit for '07 A3?

[jaybay37]

Recently, I have been looking at the viability of retro fitting a HID headlamp system to my '07 A3 2.0 Tdi Sport. It's not the standard lamps are bad, but the HID system is so much better.
There are numerous kits available from various uk sellers but I have a few questions if anyone has any experience or knowledge in this area.

1. Some sellers list their kits as not suitable for the A3?
2. Does the lamp run hotter? if so, does the headlamp lense need to be replaced?
3. Obviously 1 kit comes with 2 bulbs, so this is just the low beam as the A3 runs a h7 low beam and separate bulb for main, SO fitting 2 kits to include the main beam would be beneficial but would it be necessary? as how often do we use main beam anyway.
4. Has anybody fitted a kit? and which supplier / kit is the best?

 

[newbiecrg]

I have a pair of new Bi-Xenon headlights if you are interested... Check what needs to be changed like auto leveling or headlights washer jets and if you still interested PM me..

You are going to need to VAG-COM after instalation, though...

Pedro

 

[h5djr]

Just be aware that fitting aftermarket HID units without the necessary auto-levelling and headlamps washers with make you car illegal in the eyes of the Department for Transport and could, in the future, lead to your car failing it's MOT.

See this links for details: http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/roadsafety/drs/hidheadlamps

 

[N8]

Just pm'd you Dave...

 

[dunk]

despite lots of people going on about mot failures, illegality etc etc, many people fit hid kits and their cars do pass the mot, illegal technically or not, as long as the beam is adjusted reasonably.

the bulbs produces less heat (35w) instead of the usual 50w or so

some kits don't work on the a3 because by default the a3 lowers the halogen feed voltage and some kits wont work well on the 10v or so causing strobing or the bulbs just go out, particularly when you flash the main beam

adjusting the vag-com parameters to tell the car you have hids will usually resolve this - some sellers sell 'error cancelers' which is usually a capacitor and/or filter to help reduce the supply voltage variation.

you dont need a second kit for the main beam - it doesn't make a lot of difference, its the dipped beam that makes the big difference

fitting hid bulbs to the standard halogen housing can (usually) create a poor light pattern with uncontrollable dazzle to other users - you can set the lights further down to reduce this but then the road lighting effect is reduced.

there is some (unproven) evidence that hid kits are linked to wiper motor controller failures - this may be a bad batch of wiper motors prone to electrical damage or particularly noisy hid ballasts or a combination of the 2.

to get a really good beam pattern with hid kits you should either retrofit oem xenon housings/assemblies, preferably with oem ballasts/lights as well, or fit a set of the angel eyes projector housings along with an H7 hid kit - these give the oem beam pattern but keep the halogen manual electric adjusters for beams - a good compromise.

mtec hid kits are highly regarded, japanese made and work even at the lower voltages of a3 halogens but they are more expensive - you get what you pay for, but im sure many people have got £30-£60 kits to work fine.

 

[h5djr]

despite lots of people going on about mot failures, illegality etc etc, many people fit hid kits and their cars do pass the mot, illegal technically or not, as long as the beam is adjusted reasonably.

I recently emailed the DfT asking about the situation with HIDs and the MOT and they replied that, whilst it's not checked at the moment, they are considering introducing a check for auto-levelling and washers if a car is fitted with xenon headlamps.

 

[bacardi]

I recently emailed the DfT asking about the situation with HIDs and the MOT and they replied that, whilst it's not checked at the moment, they are considering introducing a check for auto-levelling and washers if a car is fitted with xenon headlamps.

Superb -

Then my A3 will fail its mot on something else other than wheel bearings as my washers and levellers don't wash or level



JayBay - I'm the AntiDave in the HID debate, I've fitted a set of HID kits to my wife's car (not an A3) and they don't run hotter -

the important things is to ensure you take the time to set the beam up properly

 

[Von Maximo]

I recently emailed the DfT asking about the situation with HIDs and the MOT and they replied that, whilst it's not checked at the moment, they are considering introducing a check for auto-levelling and washers if a car is fitted with xenon headlamps.

Dave,

You seriously need to get a life mate, We all know you love to moan about HID's but to go to the extent of emailing the DfT is a bit obsessive. I can only imagine what they thought when reading your email . . . . . . . . Busy body with too much time on his hands lol

 

[h5djr]

You seriously need to get a life mate, We all know you love to moan about HID's but to go to the extent of emailing the DfT is a bit obsessive. I can only imagine what they thought when reading your email . . . . . . . . Busy body with too much time on his hands lol

I have a life and a very nice one thank you. I am also retired so I have all the time in the world to do just what I like. I was interested to know what their plans were and they very happy to tell me. I had quite a long and detailed email from them in connection with the whole situation.

My posts are just done to warn members that the DfT regard the fitting aftermarket HID units as illegal. If members go ahead then they go ahead with the full knowledge on the subject and the fact that, in the future, it may well become part of the MOT test.

Also, out of interest, a colleague of mine's son was stopped by the police last week and given a notice to get his HID's removed or get auto-levelling and washers fitted and take his car to a police station within 14 days for it to be checked again. You have been warned.

 

[bacardi]

Also, out of interest, a colleague of mine's son was stopped by the police last week and given a notice to get his HID's removed or get auto-levelling and washers fitted and take his car to a police station within 14 days for it to be checked again. You have been warned.

how convenient Dave, that's amazing

was it a cambridgeshire policeman? Only my friends father is rather senior in the orgnaisation - I've asked him and he said that they don't usually bother with things such as this as there are factory fit HID options on some older cars without headlamp washers, (Renault Laguna Mark II owners for one)

Also, they used to fit them to their unmarked pursuit cars too, but hey ho, I guess being the world leading source of information on this, you know more

 

[Von Maximo]

Also, out of interest, a colleague of mine's son was stopped by the police last week and given a notice to get his HID's removed or get auto-levelling and washers fitted and take his car to a police station within 14 days for it to be checked again. You have been warned.

Judging by your previous posts on this subject, I wouldn't be suprised if you tipped them off!!!!

 

[h5djr]

how convenient Dave, that's amazing

No it was not in Cambridgeshire. My colleauge now lives in Kent, so I assume it was the Kent Police but I'm not sure. I will have to ask him. I do know that some forces seem to be bothered about it and some don't.

I no leading information on aftermarket HIDs but I can read the document published by the DfT in exactly the same way as you can.

 

[h5djr]

I don't even know what car my colleague's son drives - as he's only 18 it's probably a Fiesta or Corsa or something similar.

As I understand it the beams on his car were set rather high which is the main reason for the police stopping him in the first place. The twit came up behind the police car and sat quite close behind rather than overtake it although it was only doing 60mph on a de-restricted 70mph dual carriageway.

 

[Eeef]

For what it's worth Dave, I'm with you.

 

[klauster]

So am I, Im all for modding cars, but fitting crap kits that dazzle other drivers is an accident waiting to happen. Not all modders are responsible and careful (ie setting things up correctly) while people on here seem to have their heads screwed on, other forums and members simply arent.

 

[h5djr]

The point of my original post was to make it known to jaybay37 that in the view of the DfT the use after market HID unts for converting existing Halogen headlamsps not legal. To quote from the DfT's own document dated December 2006...

"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".

If he decides to go ahead anyway that's up to him, but at least he is aware of the DfT's view.

 

[newbiecrg]

Well Dave, great info, as always... like you said you have been warned!!

Keep up good work!

Pedro

 

[bacardi]

So am I, Im all for modding cars, but fitting crap kits that dazzle other drivers is an accident waiting to happen. Not all modders are responsible and careful (ie setting things up correctly) while people on here seem to have their heads screwed on, other forums and members simply arent.

for what its worth, I've always said this, those who do things properly (which I class myself as) is a completely different story to those who don't

however, Dave seems to think that anyone who fits aftermarket kits is a lunatic hell bent on causing pain, discomfort and accidents everywhere they go, which I personally think is utter BS

I've fitted them, in what I believe is a socially acceptable way, so lumping me into that catagory I find very narrow minded

 

[bacardi]

I don't even know what car my colleague's son drives - as he's only 18 it's probably a Fiesta or Corsa or something similar.

As I understand it the beams on his car were set rather high which is the main reason for the police stopping him in the first place. The twit came up behind the police car and sat quite close behind rather than overtake it although it was only doing 60mph on a de-restricted 70mph dual carriageway.

so he'd have the same outcome if he badly adjusted his standard headlamps then

Idiot - deserved it in my book

 

[h5djr]

however, Dave seems to think that anyone who fits aftermarket kits is a lunatic hell bent on causing pain, discomfort and accidents everywhere they go, which I personally think is utter BS

I don't think I've ever said anyone who fits them is a lunatic hell bent on causing pain, discomfort and accidents everywhere they go. All I've said in the past is for members to be aware that they are illegal.

I'm sure in a lot of cases the HID units can be fitted and used properly and no one will ever know whether they are OEM Xenons or aftermarket ones, unless the lift the bonnet or notice the missing headlamp washers, but the fact remains it still makes a car illegal. That bothers some members and not others.

I will continue to point out to members that the use of aftermarket HID kits is regarded as illegal by the DfT and give them the link to the DfT document. It is then up to them if they go ahead.

I agree my colleague's son deserved to be booked whether he had xenon or halogen headlamps. Fortunately for him the police did not actually issue a fine, just a notice to get the HID units removed and take his car to a police station for it to be checked.

Just on a slightly lighter note, when I just spell checked this post before actually submitting it, DfT came up as wrong and the spell checker suggested alternative was 'Daft'.

 

[bacardi]

no, but you've said you'd expect more from an Audi driver, which I find quite strange really

Does that mean when I drive my wifes toyota I'm a lesser person?

Also, seeings as my headlamp auto levelling doesn't work, does that make my car illegal? perhaps you could let Huntingdon Audi know for me as they seem to think its perfectly acceptable


And daft is quite apt, particularly with this subject

 

[GlasgowRangers]

I have a life and a very nice one thank you. I am also retired so I have all the time in the world to do just what I like. I was interested to know what their plans were and they very happy to tell me. I had quite a long and detailed email from them in connection with the whole situation.

My posts are just done to warn members that the DfT regard the fitting aftermarket HID units as illegal. If members go ahead then they go ahead with the full knowledge on the subject and the fact that, in the future, it may well become part of the MOT test.

Also, out of interest, a colleague of mine's son was stopped by the police last week and given a notice to get his HID's removed or get auto-levelling and washers fitted and take his car to a police station within 14 days for it to be checked again. You have been warned.

Awright auld yin? I have counted MANY grammatical errors in your last postings and they have contributed in making the posts rather difficult to read. Please refrain from using crap grammar and stick to the Queen's good English.

 

[h5djr]

Also, seeings as my headlamp auto levelling doesn't work, does that make my car illegal? perhaps you could let Huntingdon Audi know for me as they seem to think its perfectly acceptable

I should refer them to the DfT statement. If mine did not work there is now way I would accept the fact. I would be talking to Nigel Vindis by now.

Are you saying in your view it does not work properly and they are saying it does, or are they agreeing that it does not work but are not prepared to do anything about it?

 

[bacardi]

they don't think there is anything wrong with them, they seemed to insinuate that autolevelling only operated on startup, not constantly, which I thought was bo77ocks

 

[h5djr]

they have contributed in making the posts rather difficult to read.

I have never said my posts are perfect Queen's English. My main complaint is with members who cannot be bothered to even type properly. Never using capital letters for example. If you think my posts are rather difficult to read then that's either because you are from North of the Border or because you have been in Turkey too long! No one else has had any problems in my 40+ year working life as an Architectural Technician, CAD and Computer Network Manager and Computer software tester.

Perhaps, as you are a 'teacher' you could run on-line lessons for us all.

Do you have to be able to speak the local language to work in Turkey. I ask because my nephew teaches English to locals at a college in Japan. He is now fluent in Japanese and is married to a Japanese girl. He came back to the UK recently to do some more college training but hated it so much he has gone back to Japan to stay for good.

 

[h5djr]

they don't think there is anything wrong with them, they seemed to insinuate that autolevelling only operated on startup, not constantly, which I thought was bo77ocks

Perhaps they should be shown the following item on P77 on my A3 Sportback Owner's Manual - englisch 11.2006 part no 272.561.8PA.20
and I quote:

Applies to vehicles fitted with xenon headlight bulbs.
Dynamic headlight range control

On vehicles with xenon gas-discharge bulbs, the headlights automatically adapt to suit the load being carried when the ignition is switched on. They are also adjusted automatically when the vehicle is moving (e.g. when accelerating and braking).

The important part is in italics which clearly states that they should adjust when the vehicle is moving and not just on startup.

As I have xenons on my car I am going to ask Adam Day (the new Service Manager) if they should only adjust on startup or when the car is moving as well and see what he says.

 

[bacardi]

May be worth showing them this, agreed

However I think the point is, being an Audi dealer, they should already know this and take issues seriously when customers raise them

They don't, nor does any other audi dealer I've tried!

As a matter of interest, does it say you should expect a replacement wheel bearing every 5-6k miles

 

[h5djr]

As a matter of interest, does it say you should expect a replacement wheel bearing every 5-6k miles

No it does not, but I think your cars is the exception rather than the norm. I have owned 10 Audis, 6 of which have been A3s with over 400,000 miles in total and have never had a wheel bearing changed. Quite why your car should go through so many I have no idea.

 

[bacardi]

you and me both!

 

[GlasgowRangers]

I have never said my posts are perfect Queen's English. My main complaint is with members who cannot be bothered to even type properly. Never using capital letters for example. If you think my posts are rather difficult to read then that's either because you are from North of the Border or because you have been in Turkey too long! No one else has had any problems in my 40+ year working life as an Architectural Technician, CAD and Computer Network Manager and Computer software tester.

Perhaps, as you are a 'teacher' you could run on-line lessons for us all.

Do you have to be able to speak the local language to work in Turkey. I ask because my nephew teaches English to locals at a college in Japan. He is now fluent in Japanese and is married to a Japanese girl. He came back to the UK recently to do some more college training but hated it so much he has gone back to Japan to stay for good.

Only having a wee bit of fun with you mate. Your grammar is perfectly acceptable to this relocated Glaswegian.

As regards teaching, I believe that some basic survival knowledge of the language is very helpful whilst teaching although it obviously depends on the target level. I have been living in Turkey now for the past 5 years. I was previously living in Dubai as the folks are based out there. My wife is Turkish and I can now 'fluently' converse with her family in Turkish. We do, however, discourage any use of Turkish within the classroom. Totally defeats the purpose.

So I am a brainy and handsome *******.

I fly to Dubai from Istanbul a little bit later on today. Istanbul is 350kms from where we live so this will give me an excellent opportunity to stretch the car's legs for the first time. Lots of mountain passes and such like and NO British traffic police. Will head off in about 3 hrs time. Can't wait.

 

[h5djr]

Only having a wee bit of fun with you mate. Your grammar is perfectly acceptable to this relocated Glaswegian

I must admint I was not sure if you were joking or not. Must be getting old!

Enjoy your trip.