I learned another thing from this andi thank you for that.


I wont buy X308 headlamps rom US because of the cuttoff Heare in Europe the light goes up on the right side to light upp more on the side of the road.

 

h2oboy, interestingly enough, on the drive last evening with my neighbor, I did get flashed...by a vehicle that sets even lower than our Jag. Or at least I think he flashed me...or he could have just hit the headlight stalk. Dunno, but nobody else had flashed me.

As for the bulbs, I chose to run with the 6000k's. I had read on another post somewhere here in the forum that another member had also installed the 6000k's and though he stated he was satisfied, if he had it to do over he'd order the 5000k's. When I first lit the lights up at night I was like "oh crap!", because they were so blue and looked like a ricer. But within a minute or two the bulbs warmed up and they went to white with just a blue tinge around the edges. I was reminded of the stock/optional lights on a friend of mine Escalade during winter up in Idaho...lighting up blue/purplish then warming to a bright white. Never-the-less, I'm thinking I might go with the 5000k's for the high beams. Or, put the 5000k's on my pickup and see how I like them, then decide on how to proceed with upgrading the high beams on my wife's Jag, as well as both the low and high beams on my BMW.

As for whether I will upgrade to HID's for the high beams...absolutely. Although we spend a fair amount of time in the city where the high beams are not necessary, we don't live in the city and we do make quite a few road trips where we use the high beams quite often. So definitely, i will be upgrading the high beams...and at only $60 to do so, absolutely...and I'm going to support Michelle and HIDeXtra with my business for offering us such a great deal. Just my two point five cents.

Sarc, I'd give Michelle a call or send her an email and let her know for which car you are ordering the lights. I think if you don't have the Auto feature for your headlights, or never use it (why not?), then the capacitors would not be needed. However if you do have the feature and use it, my understanding is you will want to install the capacitors.

I agree with you Jaggachafen, the european headlights do have a more definitive cut-off and arc up to the right to light up road signs, the ditch and the treeline much better. Since I ordered the headlights for my BMW from Germany, they have the wonderful pattern of which you speak. I thought I had a photo of the beam pattern to post last evening for comparison, but alas I could not locate it.

 

Well, after finally upgrading the highbeams with the HIDs that I purchased from Michelle at HIDeXtra, all I can say is WOW!!!

Finished the upgrade early evening, then cleaned up and decided to take a road trip to New Braunfels for some Coopers BBQ (love their beans and the cobbler is almost as great as my grandmothers, and they still boil some excellent tea and don't use "instant"). First stopped by a big wall that I used to aim the lowbeams, to adjust the highbeams...seems that they always go out of adjustment when I am taking the bulbs in an out while fitting.

We took the interstate route going over, so there was never a need for the highbeams. Coming back, we took the farm-to-market roads that have no lights...and WOW, did the 4 HIDs really light up the road. It was really easy to see the fox and the 6-7 deer that were along the road on the way home. Not to mention the 1-1.5ft black ??? that was lying in the right track of the road that I was able to see (low beams) and swerve around and not mess up the lower valance and who knows what else on the car.

I love these HIDs!!!

 

nice! still waiting on those pics of the cutoff on a wall though

 

Matt, go back our posts from 2/24, where I posted a picture of the beams against the garage...and you also replied.

 

You are so right, I am totally losing it over here. Sorry...and thanks again.

 

No worries Matt. Have you upgraded your lights yet?

 

I love my factory HIDs, and I rarely, if ever, use the fogs...so probably won't venture there.

 

I put 6000k HID's in both my 2001 XK8 and XJ8. I had it done at a local car audio shop and used analog balasts . I have had no problems at all with either car. The dispersion of light on the XJ8 is, obviously, less focused than on the XK8 (which has projector lenses). The color is natural and has a factory look. I have never been flashed and they don't look any brighter than any other pair of 5000k or 6000k HIDS. I am using the exact same kit in both cars. The reflector lense makes the light appear a bit whiter in the XJ8. On the XK8, the projector lenses cause a color shift to the higher kelvin spectrums that may give a purple/violet hue on the edges of the light beam. This is true even in OEM HID lights on 2006 XK8's. Frankly, it's a cheap upgrade that improves safety and looks good. Have fun.

 

Any possible way to upgrade the small driving lights that are located just below the high beam lights? The ones in my car are dimmer than a matchstick. Not sure if that's normal but I think a small candle will provide more light then those.

 

If I'm not mistaken, that is the intent...just a dim light...perhaps a "carriage type" light?

My headlights on my BMW 7 and my buddies very classic ('91?) Mercedes S550 have very similar lights. I like them, adds a touch of elegance...which I guess is the same reason I won't be changing the interior or tag lights...I like the warm glow the incandescent bulbs provide...just not as my primary driving lights.

I suppose if one wanted to, he could convert the little lights to LED, or maybe change the color to red, green or blue for that "huggy bear" pimp ride look...if one were so inclined.

 

If I'm not mistaken, that is the intent...just a dim light...perhaps a "carriage type" light?

My headlights on my BMW 7 and my buddies very classic ('91?) Mercedes S550 have very similar lights. I like them, adds a touch of elegance...which I guess is the same reason I won't be changing the interior or tag lights...I like the warm glow the incandescent bulbs provide...just not as my primary driving lights.

I suppose if one wanted to, he could convert the little lights to LED, or maybe change the color to red, green or blue for that "huggy bear" pimp ride look...if one were so inclined. And maybe add some lit curb feelers...and maybe some LED lights to Leeper's eyes.

 

and they work like a charm, I'm in the process of getting a donor car 100% electronically for my shell change. I saw this thread, bought some HID's and fitted as per the instructions, I must say the pictures really helped the install. I'll be testing this evening when dark, but for now very happy with the result, many thanks!

....for the side lights I'd recommend high output led's to match the look of the HID's, (I used the 6000k kit), and they're a dead match. I'll post a picture later.

I only have to polish and re-lacquer the lamps now.

 

Thanx for the update Sean. I look forward to seeing the pictures when you are done.

 

So after searching around the net, I found the auto lights issue isn't unique to Jags, its a common problem with most german cars with canbus tech.

The most assuring way of solving this one light out, flickering etc when in Auto, is to use a dedicated and direct power feed from the battery. This is thru a relay and fuse.

I won't bother soldering the Caps into the light loom, I'm going to fit a harness from the battery direct to the ballasts. Once I've done this, I'm confident the issue will be corrected. Will update once its installed.

Here is what's quoted on HID sellers sites,

HID Troubleshooting
Problem:
In many cases, especially for those cars that have Auto ""ON"" or Daytime Running Lights; one or both light cannot Ignite Initially, Discharge Bulb turns off after just start the car, or even sometimes, bulb just turns off when driving."
Solution:
You MUST Disconnect the Daytime Running Light or Auto Switch ON function immediately before the actual HID Conversion. Due to the Steady levels of battery voltage is required at 12V or Plus before the initial Ignites of each HID Systems; you must prohibit the less voltage draw of car battery at HID s start time. Daytime Running Light is 7V or less power output, and auto switch on headlight is always turn on seconds right before the car to start the ignition to charge the battery, which means Battery is focus on charging the ignition and waiting for alternator to recharge it back to 12V. Therefore, in both situations, battery is drawing much less power than 12V to initially ignite the HID headlight. Please perform the following:
o if you have Daytime Running Light please follow your car s service manual; disconnect the fuse or wiring of Daytime Running lights only.
o If you have Auto Switch On Headlights, please switch the function to Manual Switch On headlights. To avoid further damages, always remember to start your engine before turn on the HID system! "

Here is what the loom looks like....you can find them on-line

 

Thanx for the update Sean. I look forward to learning if this works well for you.

 

i just bought HID for my 1999 VDP, but because of the special plug, i dont know how to install them, until i found this tread, i tried looking at the photo's but it wont show on my computer, is there another way to see them

 

Let me know if you don't resolve the browser setting issue that is preventing you from being able to view the photos. I will then try to put together a different document and email to you.

 

While this thread is up on the board, I'll update on the relay loom I bought. While I had a flickering HID I decided to swap the ballasts from one side to the other, the flickering followed. I fitted a replacement, and the loom at the same time. The AUTO lights feature works perfectly now.
I did recharge and fit a fully charged battery.
I fitted the relay loom to the fuse box post, the opposite side from the starter motor post under the bonnet.
I taped and hid the loom amongst factory looms, and it blends in so it almost vanishes.
On cold start with AUTO lights selected, they fired straight away without flicker. I tried it a couple more times letting the bulb cool, and it definitely works as it should now.

If you fit HID's and suffer one side flickering or failing to fire, try another ballast, then fit the relay loom, auto lights should work without issue.
I'll update with installed pictures when it's light outside.

 

Thanx for the update Sean. I haven't added a relay system yet; I just either turn the headlights on/off manually. Or, on a longer drive, turn the lights to auto so they automatically come on when needed, then just remember to turn them to off before starting.

Where did you get the relay system from?