Driving an S80 2001 Volvo. Need to replace headlight and want better visibility of HID since myself and the car both are getting older. I have read it is ILLEGAL to install HID kits using the optic housing designed for my tungsten bulbs now installed. Also read optic housing designed for tungsten bulbs will not work effectively with HID bulbs and focus, and aiming will be off causing glare . Are there kits including the optic housing to make installing new HID headlights effective and legal. Wikipedia was source of HID not legal information if that is accurate . Any input and clearing this up is appreciated. I am sure if I have to go to dealer to buy entire optics and HID kit cost would probably not be affordable.

 

Any lights are ticketable if aimed wrong.. Not that its illegal. If your light are blinding to on coming traffic you can get a ticket but I have never seen it inforced.

Go with a cheapo kit from ebay first and see if you like them, if you dont you have only wasted $35..

Other than that look into the Sylvania silver star bulbs.. they are regular halogen bulbs but provide brighter and clearer output.

 

Yes, xenon lamps reach out a lot farther on the road. For this reason, the beam needs to be controlled to avoid blinding oncoming drivers - that's why it's illegal to put HID kits into housings meant for "low" output bulbs. Xenon lamps were an option on later S80 models, and they received special housings with a different reflector and sharp cutoff on top - those cost big $$$ though, even used, so not worth the cost.

There are higher output halogen lamps available, like the Silverstar/Ultra bulbs mentioned by MattyXXL - I'd try those for a safe/legal boost in lamp output.

 

Although I do not recommend the use of HIDs in NON-HID compliant housing, try looking for D2R bulbs instead of the D2S - the later is the most common. The D2Rs are shielded HID bulbs, sort of a cowl over the bulb itself to prevent excessive glare. These are the same bulbs used mainly in the early HID applications/non-projector lamps.

As mentioned by others, there are a number of Hi-Intensity Halogen bulbs out there. Philips Ultra-Vision, Sylvania Silverstars and now the "new" Sylvania ZXE.

Good Luck!

 

If your light are blinding to on coming traffic you can get a ticket but I have never seen it inforced.manyadeal.com have a number of Hi-Intensity Halogen bulbs out there. Philips Ultra-Vision, Sylvania Silverstars and now the "new" Sylvania ZXE.

Good Luck!

 

You can get a ticket however. The problem is you have people buying cheap stuff on eBay. And then they put the bulb in the standers reflector, thus light everywhere. And then even worse the bright bulbs. The right was is to have the beam adjusted even better projector need to be installed. cost about 1400 for a good set installed by a pro. You can do it yourself for about half. Cheap isn't always the way to go I miss my lights from my last car. OEM lex350 lamps. I will be changing these out for sure.