I have a Fiat 500 Twinair Plus, and purchased the car without Xenon lights. The standard lights do the job but they just look terrible.

What options do I have to replace these? Ideally I'd like to purchase a xenon bulb and fit it straight into the existing socket. But I know this will not be the case.

It's technically illegal to fit an aftermarket Xenon kit without E approval; so technically the only way to truly get Xenons is to fit the OE kit, which would be a pretty big job, as you'd need the lights, the wiring (not sure if it's a supplementary loom), the washer bottle/pump/plumbing, and the load sensor that is connected to the rear suspension beam.

Do you mean they are unattractive to look at or they do a bad job of lighting up the road?

bgunn said:

It's technically illegal to fit an aftermarket Xenon kit without E approval; so technically the only way to truly get Xenons is to fit the OE kit, which would be a pretty big job, as you'd need the lights, the wiring (not sure if it's a supplementary loom), the washer bottle/pump/plumbing, and the load sensor that is connected to the rear suspension beam.

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ahh I see, seems like a big job to keep it legal then. Thank you for the information. Would it be cheaper/easier to fit a brighter white bulb then?

RobinPJ said:

Do you mean they are unattractive to look at or they do a bad job of lighting up the road?

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they don't do a bad job of lighting up the road. However from outside the car they look dull and off-white.

BigJordC said:

Would it be cheaper/easier to fit a brighter white bulb then?

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Yes, much cheaper and easier. Several folks here have fitted OSRAM Nightbreakers; the only real issue seems to be short bulb life but according to the manufacturers promotional blurb the latest version is supposed to be better in this regard. Fitting is as easy as changing a headlight bulb.

I can certainly vouch for the effectiveness of Nightbreakers - I've only changed the high beams on mine, but it was a noticeable improvement. I haven't really noticed if they look any whiter from the outside.
Regarding bulb life, the Nightbreaker Plus is billed as having increased life - don't know by how much, though.

BigJordC said:

they don't do a bad job of lighting up the road. However from outside the car they look dull and off-white.

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There is an easy fix for this, as follows:

1. Wait for it to get dark.
2. Drive to Waitrose.
3. Park up near the exit and leave your lights on.
4. Stop all the nice people coming out of Waitrose and ask them if there is anything wrong with the car.
5. Make a note of the fact that no one will say your lights are dull or off-white.
6. Walk into Waitrose and purchase a bottle of Pino Grigio and some nuts.
7. Drive home.
8. Open the wine and nuts, and consume.

Job done.

Please note - this fix may not work if done at Lidl.

Doh, me and the Missus only just cottoned on to the fact that our POP actually has an automatic headlight levelling system! Now it's on position one, the road at night is now rather unsurprisingly, reasonably well lit up! :doh: Ashamed to say for myself, but it really was a case of RTFM!

frupi said:

Doh, me and the Missus only just cottoned on to the fact that our POP actually has an automatic headlight levelling system! Now it's on position one, the road at night is now rather unsurprisingly, reasonably well lit up! :doh: Ashamed to say for myself, but it really was a case of RTFM!

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Of course I mean semi-automatic levelling headlights as the user has to change the setting themselves.

TrevC said:

I can certainly vouch for the effectiveness of Nightbreakers - I've only changed the high beams on mine, but it was a noticeable improvement. I haven't really noticed if they look any whiter from the outside.
Regarding bulb life, the Nightbreaker Plus is billed as having increased life - don't know by how much, though.

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jrkitching said:

Yes, much cheaper and easier. Several folks here have fitted OSRAM Nightbreakers; the only real issue seems to be short bulb life but according to the manufacturers promotional blurb the latest version is supposed to be better in this regard. Fitting is as easy as changing a headlight bulb.

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Okay, I'll look into purchasing myself some. Thank you for the advice

bgunn said:

It's technically illegal to fit an aftermarket Xenon kit without E approval; so technically the only way to truly get Xenons is to fit the OE kit, which would be a pretty big job, as you'd need the lights, the wiring (not sure if it's a supplementary loom), the washer bottle/pump/plumbing, and the load sensor that is connected to the rear suspension beam.

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Xenon are NOT illegal to fit after market, its HID's that are illegal

OP just fit some 'E' marked Xenon bulbs such as Osram Nightbreakers, or Ring Extreme bulbs