Saw a C5 with ice blue lights

[fv43576]

Today I saw a C5 2004 hatchback a rare Exclusive with SE, I notice the dip lights are ice blue, I just wonder if this is HID or Xenon bulbs? because I want one my is VTR 2003 which is have the normal bulb is H7 130% PHILIPS EXTREME good bright but spread in the further distance is poor than my past cars, so I am think of swap same from Exclusive SE it would improve? anybody have try the ice blue lights from Exclusive SE?

[GiveMeABreak]

You can't just swap the bulbs or the headlights over I'm afraid. The SE will have discharge lamps. These require ballasts / igniters. You will also require headlamp levellers and the headlamp wash system to be fitted which was a requirement for Discharge lamps. You may not have the correct wiring loom for these either.

Xenon is just the gas used in the High Intensity Discharge lamps. The standard lamps are Halogen, but may have a coated tip on the bulb to provide a blue effect.

I don't know of anyone that has actually bothered with a conversion, given the expense of getting the parts, the modifications to the bumper, the washer rams and covers, piping etc. - it was just too time and cost prohibitive.

[fv43576]

Thanks I'll forget about that I am just wonder.

[white exec]

For light output, the Philips X-treme are one of the two very best halogen lamps available; the other is Osram's NightBreaker.

So far as I remember, both are available in versions with a blue tint. Remember though that tinted lamps come with a downside: part of their light output (towards the red and grren end of the spectrum) is filtered out by the blue coating, and this reduces the brightness of what you see, the more so the deeper the tint.

[GiveMeABreak]

Yes, as Chris says, stick to white if you want to increase the brightness / range. 'Brilliance' bulbs can provider a crisper, brighter, whiter light output, but the other downside is a shorter bulb life.

[wurlycorner]

I did the conversion. Pics/details are in my profile thread. They are a significant improvement.
The ballast, leveller, washer jets etc are all in the one unit and they use the same wiring. It's a p**s easy mod to do tbh, provided you're confident enough to remove the front bumper (on which BTW, the top front screws will be seized and will (if you're lucky) shear, or if not so lucky, result in the clip on nut fixings breaking away and spinning )

You don't need washers, they aren't mandatory. If fitted though, they must work for the mot.
Getting them operational is more involved. You need to change the washer tank for one with a dual pump setup. The wiring is there for it, but you need a bit of extra plumbing as well and will need to adapt the front bumper to take the washers, which isn't easy. Hence, this part of the mod I didn't bother with, although the washers are there, sat happily where they should be behind the bumper.

[Harlequin]

Not just Exclusive SE , but the 2.2 HDI, 2.0 16vb and 2.0 HPi `exclusive` as well (I have the 2.2 HDi)

[fv43576]

I did the conversion. Pics/details are in my profile thread. They are a significant improvement.
The ballast, leveller, washer jets etc are all in the one unit and they use the same wiring. It's a p**s easy mod to do tbh, provided you're confident enough to remove the front bumper (on which BTW, the top front screws will be seized and will (if you're lucky) shear, or if not so lucky, result in the clip on nut fixings breaking away and spinning )

You don't need washers, they aren't mandatory. If fitted though, they must work for the mot.
Getting them operational is more involved. You need to change the washer tank for one with a dual pump setup. The wiring is there for it, but you need a bit of extra plumbing as well and will need to adapt the front bumper to take the washers, which isn't easy. Hence, this part of the mod I didn't bother with, although the washers are there, sat happily where they should be behind the bumper.

I'll pass, too much work, I'll keep the Philips bulbs for now thanks.

[GiveMeABreak]

Not just Exclusive SE , but the 2.2 HDI, 2.0 16vb and 2.0 HPi `exclusive` as well (I have the 2.2 HDi)

Yes, I appreciate these were available as options on other models, it was the conversion from a standard halogen that was really the point regardless of trim. It's probably less involved on the MK I though than later models.

[Harlequin]

In regards to headlamp ashers :

n/s and o/s front headlamp cleaning device obviously defective [1.7.2] , if the washers are not fitted (MOT fail)

[myglaren]

Also depends on year of manufacture it seems - my brother had a 307 estate with Xenons and no washers, currently has a Mondeo, again Xenons and without washers, never a mention at MOT time.

[Peter.N.]

Don't bother with blue bulbs they are useless. I briefly had a BMW 5 series diesel estate, a generally useless car anyway, no room, dogs head was touching the roof, very uncomfortable seats, I won't go on I'm sure you get the picture.

We did one of our annual trips to the far north of Scotland and the headlights were awful, no better that the XM ones, then I realised, possibly not until we got home that someone had fitted blue bulbs, fitted white ones and the apparent light output probably trebled.

Peter

[Harlequin]

^^ That reminds me, want to get some nightbreakers for the Xantia - as the lights on the S1 are truly amazing....

[wurlycorner]

In regards to headlamp ashers :

n/s and o/s front headlamp cleaning device obviously defective [1.7.2] , if the washers are not fitted (MOT fail)

Your interpretation of that is wrong.

"obviously defective" is not, "not fitted".
Obviously defective is 'I can see they are fitted and they don't work'.

If washers are fitted, yes they must work - FACT
However, washers are not required (and weren't required under EU legislation for new cars prior to 2010) - FACT
If the MOT tester cannot see that washers are or should be fitted, they cannot fail the car (they are not allowed to disassemble the car to check) - FACT
If you don't believe me, do some further research on google, including reading the guidance notes/FOI responses on the VOSA website on the matter.

This section in particular from the MOT manual;
https://www.mot-testing.service.gov.uk/ ... 000701.htm

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.

(I added the italics)


(nb: research on that might also turn up the amusing situation that VOSA and DVA - both government agencies - disagree on interpretation of the EU standards There is also the strange situation where it is the DfT that have issued clarification on after-market HID kits, rather than either of the above agencies!!!)

[bobins]

Indeed - a rather bizarre situation ECE reg 48 pt 6.2.9. stipulate:

"Dipped beam headlamps with a light source or LED module(s) producing the principal
dipped beam and having a total objective luminous flux which exceeds 2,000 lumen
shall only be installed in conjunction with the installation of headlamp cleaning device(s)
according to Regulation No.45 (11)"
https://www.unece.org/fileadmin/DAM/tra ... 048r9e.pdf

But for all practical purposes - no one has a handy meter capable of measuring total light output either at the roadside or in the MOT station*, so that regulation is - for the most part - ignored.

*If you were stopped roadside for not having a washer device and had to go to an MOT station to have it all checked, they wouldn't be able to verify either way if you were required to have one or not. You could claim you've fitted lower intensity lights since the roadside check and now didn't need washers. The MOT tester could only shrug his/her shoulders and say 'alright, guv !'