Retro Fit Directional Xenons?

[Scorchy]

I'm really struggling to find a (new shape) C5 Exclusive with the right combination of equipment plus the xenons I've grown so fond of on my C4. While I realise that it would be expensive to purchase the light units themselves, I wondered if anyone knows how complicated it would be to 'retro fit' them should I choose to at a later date? It's been suggested to me elsewhere that it would involve "sensors, complicated wiring and heaven knows what else" to do it. However it would seem sensible to assume that a car that is actively monitoring the height at both axels would have all the information it needed to level its headlights. The Citroen service website only seems to list headlight levelling components for non-hydractive models - even though they aren't available as an option on metal sprung cars? As for the wiring, aren't wiring looms usually set up to cope with the highest equipment levels and just not connected if the equipment isn't there?

If anyone has any wisdom on this subject I'd be very grateful!

Thanks for reading!

Scott

[Johndouglas]

Not only do you have the wiring to see to, but the washing system - which is a legal requirement on HID lighting.   C5s fitted with xenons have a different windscreen washer system in that when the headlights are on and when the windscreen washer lever is pulled, two jets shoot out from the front bumper, spraying the headlamps.   So of course, a different front bumper is required.

[paul.h]

I suppose in theory, if you have self levelling suspension, then the headlights would not need to be self levelling since the car is always level, as opposed to standard suspension where the car level is affected by load distribution. As such, our C5s have not had a headlight level switch as fitted to the C4s and C3 we have had.

[Randombloke]

What do you mean by "directional" Xenons? The directional, light shining round corners bit on the new C5 has nothing to do with them being Xenons.

 

I have a new shape C5 Exclusive, it is hard to get them with all the Exclusive bits. However, on mine, without Xenons, the directional bit is done by the driving lamps and is set on/off in the car set up menus.

 

The Xenons are complicated as they have to have their own levelling by law AIUI, and even with my previous Mk1 C5 with Xenons the headlights still levelled themselves despite the suspension, its all extra cost and complexity, ballasts and bulbs cost a fortune and can't easily be changed, the lights take a while to strike and get to full strength, I don't miss them.

 

The new C5 in the Exclusive should have the directional lights bit a la DS. Real DS, not the PSA use of the name to attempt to sell lots of cars unlike the DS, with no hydraulic suspension or innovation.

[Scorchy]

Not only do you have the wiring to see to, but the washing system - which is a legal requirement on HID lighting.   C5s fitted with xenons have a different windscreen washer system in that when the headlights are on and when the windscreen washer lever is pulled, two jets shoot out from the front bumper, spraying the headlamps.   So of course, a different front bumper is required.

Hi John, thanks for your reply. I thought that new shape C5's (exclusives anyway) have pop out washer jets fitted? All the ones I've been looking at appear to - so I thought that bit was covered! You may be right though...I'll have to investigate...

 

I suppose in theory, if you have self levelling suspension, then the headlights would not need to be self levelling since the car is always level, as opposed to standard suspension where the car level is affected by load distribution. As such, our C5s have not had a headlight level switch as fitted to the C4s and C3 we have had.

Yes Paul I thought the same, though I understand HID lights require a faster response than the suspension's self levelling function can provide. It would make perfect sense that the sensors already installed to monitor the dynamics of the car would negate the need for levelling sensors.

 

 

What do you mean by "directional" Xenons? The directional, light shining round corners bit on the new C5 has nothing to do with them being Xenons.

 

I have a new shape C5 Exclusive, it is hard to get them with all the Exclusive bits. However, on mine, without Xenons, the directional bit is done by the driving lamps and is set on/off in the car set up menus.

 

The Xenons are complicated as they have to have their own levelling by law AIUI, and even with my previous Mk1 C5 with Xenons the headlights still levelled themselves despite the suspension, its all extra cost and complexity, ballasts and bulbs cost a fortune and can't easily be changed, the lights take a while to strike and get to full strength, I don't miss them.

 

The new C5 in the Exclusive should have the directional lights bit a la DS. Real DS, not the PSA use of the name to attempt to sell lots of cars unlike the DS, with no hydraulic suspension or innovation.

Hello. Thanks for taking the time to reply. By "directional" I mean the ones that actively swivel. These are always Xenons are they not? I understand that all new shape C5's have cornering lights - where an extra light comes on at the appropriate corner, but the ones with actual steerable Xenon HID lights are few and far between as it's an optional extra. I haven't noticed any of the negatives with my lights that you mention - which is why I'm so keen to get a C5 with them! But I will bear what you have said in mind and maybe test drive a C5 at night to see if I think I still need them. The search continues! Thanks again.

[seefive]

Another option not discussed here is "Xenon filled halogen bulbs" - Brighter than regular halogen for sure, but not as bright or complicated as HID, with no complex legal requirement, I believe.

 

Bulbs are about £5, and replace the standard bulbs, straightforward.

 

With the addition of cornering lights (rh or lh fog light comes on) this shoud be a pretty good set-up. The problem with swivellig lights (which I have on my car) is you lose some visibilty of the curb when going round a right-hander. Not a problem with fixed lights augmented  by corner lights

 

 

 

[paul.h]

Our C4 has the fog lights that switch on if the headlights are on at speeds below 25 mph when turning the steering wheel or the indicators are used (it is enabled/disabled on the radio menu). It does help to see the inside corner kerb at the end of our street which is poorly lit. I sometimes think it could be confusing though to other road users when only one side fog light comes on at a corner/junction.

[Scorchy]

Another option not discussed here is "Xenon filled halogen bulbs" - Brighter than regular halogen for sure, but not as bright or complicated as HID, with no complex legal requirement, I believe.

 

Bulbs are about £5, and replace the standard bulbs, straightforward.

 

With the addition of cornering lights (rh or lh fog light comes on) this shoud be a pretty good set-up. The problem with swivellig lights (which I have on my car) is you lose some visibilty of the curb when going round a right-hander. Not a problem with fixed lights augmented  by corner lights

Yes I might have to consider that option as that 'elusive exclusive' with all the options ticked (that's basically what I'm after) is proving difficult to find - in my price bracket anyway! I neglected to mention that aesthetically I prefer the eagle-eye look that the active lights give the car - plus the fact that they're such a Citroënesque feature, even though other manufacturers use them now! Thanks for the info.

[seefive]

I'm just about to buy a pre-reg 13 plate exclusive 160 manual technopack ( no xenons) - and will let you know what I think..

[Mike O.]

I have a 2013 2.0 HDi Exclusive Auto Tourer with "the works", including the turning HID Xenons.

I still believe that, unless you do a lot of driving in the mountains full of hairpin turns, you are better off with halogens equipped with +90 or +100% bulbs from Osram or Philips, as I had in my December 2004 2.2 HDi SX Auto Estate. 

They illuminated  the road better, especially in high beam.

When the Xenon HID bulbs go I will replace them with the new +60% (or so) HID Xenon bulbs from Osram or Philips.

 

Has anyone fitted aftermarket accessory LED lights to the new C5? 

Driving to remote fishing locations in Australian bush I need lot of light on the road...

Kangaroos have the worst road sense of all animals - they will sit at the side of the road only to jump right in front of your vehicle... 

 

Cheers,

 

Mike O. 

[Lex Andrews]

I've driven a Skoda Superb and Yeti with Xenon headlights which were ok, to a degree as they have the projector lens. I've also driven a Vauxhall Vectra and a Peugeot 407 with projector halogens. Poor! By far the best headlights I've driven with on Xenons were the MK2 Laguna. Since the Laguna has a standard lens setup without a projector it gives of better and broader light. Non Xenon headlights would be the SAAB 9-5, Peugeot 406 and the Headlights in the C5 don't seem bad. I've not driven it far maybe 15miles at night out of town so far.

[Lex Andrews]

About the elusive Exclusive. I did once see a 2009 C5 Exclusive Tourer on a private plate for sale in Scotland from a dealer. It was a 2.7 V6 HDi auto, with Xenons, Sat Nav, Pan Roof, Front and Rear sensors, Jukebox, 19inch Alloys, even had the under dash lighting. Not sure about Bluetooth. That was up for £5995 in White. Looked really nice, not sure about the 2.7 V6 Auto though.