39 replies to this topic

[imack]

In the article it mentioned the cost of LED headlights sold as a unit.

My daily driver is a DS3 and has these fitted, nearly a grand each side to replace.

I'm hoping someone will start a 'cottage industry' replacing the failed LED elements in these types of headlights and selling them a lot cheaper.

We'll be trying to retrofit 7"round H4's into our daily drivers when the LED's pack up!

[PoolGuy]

To be fair, I can only applaud this. Being blinded by LED’s is a big nuisance.

Being blinded IS a big nuisance, but ime it’s the modern suv and fake x 4’s that are the worst offenders. The odd Kev in his chavved up hot hatch isn’t the main problem.

[Spider]

Does anyone know with certainty if the whole headlight units are swapped out for LED types legal as a retrofit ? I recall HID types aren't as they also need to be fitted with a self leveler and washer unit.

 

I ask as living in a rural area, I sometime encounter other vehicles in the dark hours that I'm sure have been retro-fitted with LED Lighting, I am unsure if it is just a lamp swap in a Halogen Headlamp or a complete LED Unit. While I can see they give improved light for the driver, they are very dazzling and potentially dangerous for oncoming vehicles. I question is this is legal.

 

I also heard that there's study being undertaken (might be finished now ?) in to all new types of vehicle lighting and it's effects on dazzling other road users, I'd say obviously the study was bought on out of complaints.

[Chris1992]

 

I've just finished fitting Land Rover Defender LED units to my Mini. I'm assuming I can get away with keeping these, as it specifically says "existing halogen headlamp units should not be converted..." but no mention of fitting new LED headlamp units altogether? It's just the halogen conversions that are now illegal?  

Can you tell us which units you have fitted?

 

Do you mind saying where you purchased them?

 

 

Sure mate, these are the ones I have

 

https://www.ebay.co....872.m2749.l2649

 

There are many cheaper LED lights for minis, but I went for these as I've never been a fan of angel eyes and these are quite different. Unlike a lot of others though these were not a a straight swap.

[beardylondon]

Classic car LEDs bulbs are 4600 lumens for both bulbs, these are 4800 lumens each, twice as bright, doesn’t sound good for other road users.

I've just finished fitting Land Rover Defender LED units to my Mini. I'm assuming I can get away with keeping these, as it specifically says "existing halogen headlamp units should not be converted..." but no mention of fitting new LED headlamp units altogether? It's just the halogen conversions that are now illegal?

Can you tell us which units you have fitted?

Do you mind saying where you purchased them?

Sure mate, these are the ones I have

https://www.ebay.co....872.m2749.l2649

There are many cheaper LED lights for minis, but I went for these as I've never been a fan of angel eyes and these are quite different. Unlike a lot of others though these were not a a straight swap.

[PoolGuy]

Does anyone know with certainty if the whole headlight units are swapped out for LED types legal as a retrofit ? I recall HID types aren't as they also need to be fitted with a self leveler and washer unit.

There are a number of conditions that need to be met. The light lens needs to have the correct E marking, the E marking dictates what light source should be fitted, halogen, HID or LED. If you look at a 7” Cibie it’s marked HCR which means it’s for halogen dip and main, a genuine bi-xenon will have DC/R.

 

As for washers and levellers, they’re only required if the light output is over a certain number of lumens. That’s why Ford amongst others fit low rent xenon lights to some models.

 

The other condition that needs to be met is the beam pattern, the Classic led H4’s mentioned in this thread have a very good beam pattern, and as they’re available in a more traditional light colour, they don’t attract the attention of MOT testers. But they can’t just be bunged in, they could need a slight adjustment to optimise the pattern, instructions are included.

 

So to answer, your main question, I don’t know, but I’d expect them to be legal as long as the pattern is ok on the MOT machine. Remember, people have failed MOT because they put an H4 bulb in incorrectly, so there isn’t much hope with some people fitting LED bulbs.

Edited by PoolGuy, 29 January 2021 - 08:34 AM.

[Compdoc]

I was quite impressed with the Audi Matrix headlights, that came out in 2013 and are now used by many manufacturers. They have an adaptive bank of LEDs on each side that will automatically turn off, one by one, in order to not shine at a car travelling in front of you or coming towards you. Essentially, the car will run at full brightness but if there is another car in front of you, it will disable LED bulbs selectively to avoid shining the bright beam at them.

In 2013 these were a £2,300 option, so I'm still waiting for an aftermarket 7 inch version to come from China!

 

[Ethel]

Do they adjust the driver's eyes for the varying light levels too?

[PoolGuy]

There could be a light at the end of the tunnel for those using led headlights, the text below is from https://www.bettercarlighting.co.uk

 

On Monday 15th March, I received a letter from Baroness Vere, forwarded to me by my hard-working local MP, Nadhim Zahawi, thanking the many of us who raised the subject of the illogical and potentially unsafe changes to the MOT regulations with regard to brighter LED headlights and other lights on classic and vintage cars. She has confirmed that she is instructing all UK MOT test centres to note that any car made on or before 1st April 1989 is exempt from these changes and should be issued with a "Pass" if their headlights conform to the beamsetter check. There is no explanation of why cars are assumed to have changed so much on that day that cars made a week or a decade later should not be submitted to the same logic, but at least we have a partial concession to common sense. I, and others will continue the fight to allow owners of later cars to enjoy safe lighting as well. I would like to thank both Nadhim Zahawi and also Nigel Griffith of the White Knight blog and website for their help and advice, as this progress would not have been made without them. 

 

 

[imack]

There could be a light at the end of the tunnel for those using led headlights, the text below is from https://www.bettercarlighting.co.uk
 
On Monday 15th March, I received a letter from Baroness Vere, forwarded to me by my hard-working local MP, Nadhim Zahawi, thanking the many of us who raised the subject of the illogical and potentially unsafe changes to the MOT regulations with regard to brighter LED headlights and other lights on classic and vintage cars. She has confirmed that she is instructing all UK MOT test centres to note that any car made on or before 1st April 1989 is exempt from these changes and should be issued with a "Pass" if their headlights conform to the beamsetter check. There is no explanation of why cars are assumed to have changed so much on that day that cars made a week or a decade later should not be submitted to the same logic, but at least we have a partial concession to common sense. I, and others will continue the fight to allow owners of later cars to enjoy safe lighting as well. I would like to thank both Nadhim Zahawi and also Nigel Griffith of the White Knight blog and website for their help and advice, as this progress would not have been made without them.

It's actually before 1st April 1986

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