Hi Geoff.
Thanks for that input, very much appreciated.
Firstly we have to be careful (I this case I have to be careful) when discussing things like this, it would be wrong and potentially dangerous, for someone like me to state "these things are legal". That is a definite no no.
What I am doing is explaining my experience of this particular kit. So I am certainly not saying that everything is fully legal.
All I can say is that the MOT tester I asked said they would pass an MOT (remembering that you don't always get the same answer from everyone, so another MOT tester might disagree).
As for what is legal or not when modifying anything, it is the law books and courts that can determine if something is legal or not.
So that is the sensible and appropriate message for things like this.
As for type approval, not only do you have to remain legal but you have to inform your insurance company too.
I have 40 years experience of modifying cars, normally far more radical mods than this and so the thought of a bulb change making a car illegal is a new one to me.
My taxi (sorry to keep mentioning it but it is relevant here) had seriously radical modifications such as the V8 8.2 litre 500bhp engine.
It would genuinely be easier for me to list the things that were not modified on that (including "Angel Eyes" in the headlamps.)
So perhaps things have radically changed (and I wouldn't be surprised if I am out of date with the legislation) but I thought that in the UK you can modify ANY vehicle in any manner as long is it remains roadworthy (i.e. SAFE!) and capable of an MOT. The exception being that if you build a new vehicle (or kit car for example) you have to obtain type approval. After you have this you can modify the vehicle without further type approval (I BELIEVE)
As I say, this is just my (perhaps incorrect) belief.
Perhaps modern cars fall under a different legal system (that would be a surprise, but not impossible)
In other countries in Europe they have VERY strict rules about what you can modify and that is VERY restrictive indeed (and for good reason I suppose). But I have yet to hear of those same modification rules applying in the UK.
In another example, I used to have a Daihatsu pickup truck (the Honda Acty / Bedford Rascal type) this was TINY (12" wheels!) and this one had a Rover V8 engine bolted directly to a narrowed Jaguar back axle. It was a fun car, but you have to obviously be careful with that power to weight ratio!!
I sold it to a mature bloke (i.e. not a boy racer) who managed to wrap it around a lamppost and almost kill himself. His friend phoned me from the hospital and informed me that the police had taken the remains of the car away for examination.
While waiting for the police report the guy phone me from his hospital bed ---- TO APOLOGISE to me!!!! He knew how much I loved that little car and he was sorry that he wrote it off !!!
A couple of days later, I had the call from the friend to say that the police had inspected the car and - wait for it!- COMPLIMENTED the builder on doing such a safe job of the conversion. I knew it was safe or I wouldn't have driven it and certainly not sold it. But when the police got involved I thought that they would just class it as dangerous or illegal, but no.
So, even if I am wrong (and I may well be) you can perhaps understand why changing a bulb did not make me think that it would make the car illegal.
Using the wording above (and thanks for pasting that on here Geoff) "unless the conversion uses all (and only) the factory parts (including the automatic levelling using sensors on the suspension)" In this case it DOES just use the factory parts. The standard bulbs you buy for the car can be of different makes and as far as I am aware there is no "E - marking" of bulbs - Headlamp units yes, bulbs no (again I might be wrong, happy to be corrected). Changing to HID is APPARENTLY not illegal either and doesn't need to have auto levelling / washers (at least I assume it isn't illegal to use a HID kit?or there would be many members on here that would be in trouble?).
So to sum up, before you modify anything on any vehicle it is your responsibility to check to ensure that it is entirely legal.
I am saying that I am prepared to use these bulbs because, as far as I know I BELIEVE them to be legal and at the very least up to MOT standards. So please just take the above comments as my opinion and not my advice.
They do look great though (IMHO) and do give better visibility without dazzling anyone.
Happy to debate this and hear any contrary opinions, after all this is what a forum is about, debate and discussion and people airing their opinions.
Steve B
