XDAndy
Member Since: 16 Jan 2018
Location: Gibraltar
Posts: 597
  
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| Xenon headlights: D3 units in a MY11 D4? |
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Apologies if this is already covered, but time sensitive and couldn’t see it easily on searching.
My 2011SE D4 has halogen units, but currently in Portugal and a local breaker has Xenon units from a D3.
Anyone got any experience of retrofitting D3 units to D4?
I’m hoping to get the exact part numbers tomorrow, but would be good to get some experienced knowledge on this.
Really missing the lamps on my old D3 which is why I’m keen to change.
TIA
Andy 2011 D4 XS : LHD
2005 D3 HSE : reluctant sale, but moved abroad. Great car.
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 22nd Aug 2023 8:39 pm |
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kajtzu
Member Since: 10 Aug 2017
Location: Helsinki
Posts: 6753
  
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Visually you’ll need to fix the wings, replace the grille and replace the bumper, I think… when people facelift their D3 to D4 or D4.5 they have to do it the other way around - replace bumper, replace the grille and shorten the wings.
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| 22nd Aug 2023 10:29 pm |
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kajtzu
Member Since: 10 Aug 2017
Location: Helsinki
Posts: 6753
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I think the connector/plug is identical for the lights. A D3 Halogen to D3 HID/Xenon is a working upgrade path and so is D4 Halogen to D4 HID/Xenon. Unless you program CCF to let the vehicle know it is equipped with xenons the lights will flicker on start.
Observe that if the lights say “HID AFS” on them it is more involved than a straight swap as the lights will turn and need the AFS controller.
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| 22nd Aug 2023 10:39 pm |
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XDAndy
Member Since: 16 Jan 2018
Location: Gibraltar
Posts: 597
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Thanks for that.
Got my IID tool at the ready, and will take the car down for a trial fit
I may be one of the few that prefer the D3 grill to the D4, but the thought of the bumper ….. 2011 D4 XS : LHD
2005 D3 HSE : reluctant sale, but moved abroad. Great car.
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| 22nd Aug 2023 11:27 pm |
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M3DPO
Member Since: 22 Sep 2010
Location: Notts.
Posts: 8225
 
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D3 xenons have definitely got a better light output than the D4 xenons and that is what lights are for, not to look pretty. It can when others can't,
It will when others won't,
It goes where others don't.
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| 23rd Aug 2023 7:19 am |
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darrind
Member Since: 04 Jul 2008
Location: In A World of My Own!
Posts: 2889
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The headlight height for a D3 is much greater and will require the bumper top section to be cut on a D4 to allow the room to fit, I would suggest it might be better to upgrade to D4 Bi-Xenon lights with bulb upgrades than try to go down the D3 route Must stop buying shiny toys....
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| 23rd Aug 2023 8:18 am |
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kajtzu
Member Since: 10 Aug 2017
Location: Helsinki
Posts: 6753
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I would quite agree however I did try to answer the OP’s question 
And if you find yourself needing more long-beam, Lazer Linear 18 Elite is something to have on dark roads in the countryside. 
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| 23rd Aug 2023 8:36 am |
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XDAndy
Member Since: 16 Jan 2018
Location: Gibraltar
Posts: 597
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Thanks guys.
Real shame that as I’ve been looking out for Xenon lamp units for a while, but haven’t seen any in the Spanish yards around me.
Might have to look at other options I guess.
The ‘replacement’ xenon bulbs with attached ballast units didn’t inspire at all, but anyone tried them?
MOT laws in Gib probably won’t allow for fitting a linear light bar as absolutely everything fitted to the car must be manufacturer approved or rated for the specific vehicle and be fitted by a ‘competent’ person with supporting paperwork or risk being knocked back at the MOT 2011 D4 XS : LHD
2005 D3 HSE : reluctant sale, but moved abroad. Great car.
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| 23rd Aug 2023 10:33 am |
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TheWojtek
Member Since: 23 Apr 2016
Location: Poznan, Poland
Posts: 82
  
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Get replacement Hella units from lrparts.net or similar (they go for around £400-420 each, xenon, non-adaptive) and upgrade properly by coding into the CCF. Why would you downgrade wings, bumper, grille, paint it all and still lower the resale value? Wojtek
L319: dad's
L320: mine
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| 23rd Aug 2023 11:07 am |
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XDAndy
Member Since: 16 Jan 2018
Location: Gibraltar
Posts: 597
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Probably a better idea.
Thought of changing wings and bumper are not appealing.
New set of questions then, mine is clearly not AFS, but manual or electric motor levelling???
Thought I knew my car reasonably well, but the range of options listed here is keeping me guessing!
And, had to change my engine type to 180kw version of the TDV6 as my 155kW doesnt have alternative headlamp units listed agaisnt it. Guessing that is irrelevant? 2011 D4 XS : LHD
2005 D3 HSE : reluctant sale, but moved abroad. Great car.
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| 23rd Aug 2023 2:35 pm |
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kajtzu
Member Since: 10 Aug 2017
Location: Helsinki
Posts: 6753
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Not trying to sell you the Lazer but it’s e rated and everything. You get a certificate with it, too. Although I have no idea about MOT in Gibraltar 
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| 23rd Aug 2023 2:42 pm |
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XDAndy
Member Since: 16 Jan 2018
Location: Gibraltar
Posts: 597
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Gib is slightly strange in this regard
Wanted to fit my own high-level air intake, but was told unless supported by paperwork from a dealer or recognised mechanic, could fail an MOT as not competently fitted or approved for the vehicle.
Makes upgrades and mods challenging 2011 D4 XS : LHD
2005 D3 HSE : reluctant sale, but moved abroad. Great car.
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| 23rd Aug 2023 3:55 pm |
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TheWojtek
Member Since: 23 Apr 2016
Location: Poznan, Poland
Posts: 82
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XDAndy wrote:And, had to change my engine type to 180kw version of the TDV6 as my 155kW doesnt have alternative headlamp units listed agaisnt it. Guessing that is irrelevant?
And you have your future 25 kW upgrade already approved  Wojtek
L319: dad's
L320: mine
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| 24th Aug 2023 7:12 am |
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kajtzu
Member Since: 10 Aug 2017
Location: Helsinki
Posts: 6753
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I somehow got the odd impression that the 155 kW version was some kind of tax bracket dodge in some countries.
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| 24th Aug 2023 8:26 am |
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