Xenon Process Has Started

[Berch]

I couldn't resist anymore..

I finally caved in and decided to start the process of upgrading my headlights to the Xenon ones. I've been thinking about it for a while now and not been able to make a final decision because I wasn't sure if they would actually be compatible with my DS3 or not, looking at Mark's thread he said they were literally just plug and play but when I was speaking to Callum about ordering some he said he spoke to the technician who had spoken to Mark and said that Mark had to do some wiring to get them to work so in the end I decided to send Mark a private message and he was very kind and replied and said the same thing as in his thread, that they were just plug and play. Although even with this I still wasn't sure, I didn't want to spend a little over £2000 to take the front bumper of etc and find out they didn't even work.

So anyway, while thinking I kept watching eBay to see if anything popped up and just yesterday I saw a pair pop up for £900 that had been both taken of the same vehicle and were in really good condition so I decided to get them, although annoyingly only 1 has arrived otherwise I would of probably fit them today, this was because the seller had them listed separately which was understandable, but after buying 1 and attempting to get the second, Barclays decided to block my card for suspected fraud so I wasn't able to order the other until later in the day when the seller had already dispatched items for that day, so hoping the other will arrive tomorrow so I can do them over the weekend.



I've had a look over the headlight and there is practically no damage at all so really chuffed about that, it also came with the ballasts and bulbs which are expensive alone, so if all goes well, will be pretty over the moon.

I removed the plug from my cars existing headlight and compared it to the Xenon one and did notice the Xenons have 1 extra pin where the socket has nothing, so slightly nervous but I suspect that could be the power for the DLR that are in the Xenon Headlights, or something else not entirely sure, but hopefully doesn't stop the headlight from working. Eitherway, if the other one arrives tomorrow, I shall get them sorted on Saturday and takes pictures to make a little rough guide in case anyone wants to do the same.

Cannot wait until Saturday now though as really excited to see if they work but we shall see!

[Jan79]

Congratulations to your bargain. I'm looking forward to some pictures.

[BenS]

You've done well to get a pair for under a grand! Best of luck with the fitting process and look forward to seeing the results

[JEZDS3]

Await result with interest mate!

[MrT]

Well done that man, breaker from Manchester listed these on eBay at 460 each light. I actually spoke to him when he had just got the car in for breaking, at that time he tried to be crafty with me, I asked for both lights and he refused to sell me just the lights, said I would have to buy the complete front end, I didn't need bumper wings lights and othe bits so I declined.
Then he proceeds to list the lights separately on eBay.
When I seen him list them , I decided not to buy out of principle..
Having said so a local breaker has promised me a set for a much better price,let's hope he delivers soon...

[Berch]

Oh, that's a little cheeky asking you to buy the whole front end, think you may of made the right decision if he wanted to be funny like that.

Although hopefully if this other local breaker of yours comes across some and is able to sell you some, especially at a better price you will be laughing.

Best of luck, fingers crossed for you!


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[Funky]

Nice work Berch. That's a bargain for both lights and to get the bulbs in the price too is excellent. I bet you were panicking a bit when you had to wait before buying the second unit, in case someone else beat you to it. As anyone knows who reads my posts (if anyone does) I REALLY like these and I am very jealous of you right now. Can't wait to see these in place mate. Look forward to the pics and your write up.

[Berch]

Nice work Berch. That's a bargain for both lights and to get the bulbs in the price too is excellent. I bet you were panicking a bit when you had to wait before buying the second unit, in case someone else beat you to it. As anyone knows who reads my posts (if anyone does) I REALLY like these and I am very jealous of you right now. Can't wait to see these in place mate. Look forward to the pics and your write up.

Haha yeah, when my card wasn't going through for the second one I didn't stop checking all evening to see if the other one has gone, would of been completely gutted.

As you say to get the bulbs and all as well is a pretty nice price so I look forward to getting them in now and hopefully all working, will be pretty pleased.

Just to hang out my window today and hope for the second to arrive so I can do them tomorrow.


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[Berch]

Well.. The headlight didn't arrive yesterday and just my luck, something went wrong and it got delayed, however I was able to pick it up from the depot so that's exactly what I did, I couldn't wait until Monday at all, it was only a 30 minute (ish) drive away so went to pick it up and got started.

It was surprisingly really easy, I was quite nervous but if I had got the tools ready before hand and a coffee ready when I started, the whole process can probably be done in an hour. Anyway the first step was removing the front mud guards off the bumper, this was simple and was one torx screw which was easily visible just above the front wheels.



After that, had to get under the front of the car to remove 4 clips, one just infront of the wheel and one about 1/4 of the way around the bumper and the same on the other side.




After that, it was just a case of removing 4 torx screws under the bonnet, one just to the side of the headlight and the other again about 1/4 of the way from that and the same on the other side.




After that I had to loosen 2 bolts just behind the mud guards, this was the most difficult part if any, as its a tight space and difficult to get something in there to loosen them, doing this makes it easier for the bumper to unclip so you don't break any of them.



The picture above is the first one and wasn't too bad to get to but the one below is right at the back, I couldn't get to this and gave up in the end and just unclipped the bumper anyway and only broke 1 clip slightly, but I just super glued this back and it was no problem. There are so many bolts and clips that hold the bumper on anyway it still wouldn't of mattered. You can see the silver bolt at the back/top.



Once these bolts were loosened I unclipped the bumper which gave me enough room to push it towards me slightly and unplug the socket for the DLR's and the fog lights, this is just 1 yellow clip and is easy to unplug. After that it was just a case of slowly and carefully lifting the front bumper off.




Now its just a case of removing the 3 bolts which hold the headlight on, unplugging it from the back and lifting it out. However, at this point I was so excited to get the headlight in and see if it even worked I forgot to take a picture close up so I circled the picture below so you can see where the 3 bolts are, the plug at the back is clearly visible and just unplugs simply.



And TADA, they all worked, the only thing as I suspected in the first place, the missing pin on the socket is for the DLR's built into the headlight so these of course don't work, however at some point I may cut into the wire which powers the normal DLR's and route them around so they can power the headlight ones as well, but that's a project for another day. I was just glad they worked, fit the other headlight and reversed the process to put it all back together. Until finally...




As you can see from the final picture, it just started to rain as I finished so was well timed. Really happy they worked, now just to take a picture of them at night. Overall though it's not actually that much of a difficult job so easily doable by anyone that wasn't sure about how difficult it was.

[Jan79]

Nice job and pretty good result. Thumbs up for the guide.

[BenS]

Fantastic job and guide! They look brilliant fitted

I know what you mean about being so excited to get them on - when I was doing my bucket seats I was so keen I forgot to take any pictures at all!

[Berch]

Thanks a lot both!

Also haha yeh Ben, remember reading that somewhere else about your seats. Too damn exciting when you have something new to put on your car.

Also a little before picture:

[V3nn3tj3]

Are these the ones from the facelifted 2016? I thoughed that they were a different shape ?
Nice job btw !

[Funky]

Berch Berch Berch!!! They....my friend.......are AWESOME!!! You have the same body colour :ds3: as me and now I know exactly what they would look if I was ever fortunate enough to get a pair of the Xenons. Great pics and guide again!! Top Man!!

[BenS]

Are these the ones from the facelifted 2016? I thoughed that they were a different shape ?

Yes they are from the facelifted model (actually came out on the old front Ultra Prestige in about 2015). Everything is the same except the shape of the bumper - because of that the old chrome fog light covers do not fit on the new ones.