OSRAM Nightbreaker Laser Installation MG5

[Alb]

I fitted the uprated headlamps in my MG5 about a week ago and thought it would be a good idea to take a few pics and give some guidance to others planning the same task.

First remove the ten plastic bolts/clips holding the top cover.

Once the fixings are removed, it's just held in place by Velcro strips on either side so it doesn't take much effort to lift it clear.

Pull off the black rubber cap at the back of the headlight and you will see the existing lamp (or at least you can with the aid of a phone camera/mirror - there isn't space to get your head in!). You can see from the design of the clip that removal involves rotating and pulling.

Finger space is tight (worse on the nearside) but I got it out.

The clip holding the plug on is very tight and quite inflexible. More than one owner has reported breaking it whilst trying to remove so I came up with the idea of using an upholstery clip removal tool to open the tab. This worked perfectly and both were removed with no damage at all.

The new lamp was plugged in to the connector (use rubber gloves when you do this so you don't touch the glass with your fingers).

Insertion is in theory the opposite of removal and I'd like to say this was easy but I actually found it extremely difficult on the nearside at least due to lack of finger space. Pushing the lamp into location was straightforward but I just couldn't get sufficient purchase to rotate it into the locked position. In the end I made myself an Aluminium U shaped tool that was a snug fit over the end of the lamp casing to effectively lengthen it. This enabled me to rotate it without the need to get my fingers inside the headlight itself.

Once they were both in it was just a matter of functional testing before everything was closed up.

Full details of the lamps I bought from eBay (Demon Tweeks) for £19:

 

[Les burrows]

Hi Alb and thanks for the pictures as you say my help if somebody wants to do this job I myself find the standard lights just about ok but might change my tune as the darker nights draw in but for now they ok but great pictures and text well done
Les

 

[biffo]

Thanks for the guide and pictures ?

Going to do doing this soon. Once I decide between these Nightbreaker Laser 150% and the Philips X-tremeVision Pro150.

 

[C6MFC]

Honest question, how is this in law, warranty, insurance etc?

The current lights are barely adequate especially when having had LED before. I'm sure there is great debate on this and which bulbs best?

 

[biffo]

Honest question, how is this in law, warranty, insurance etc?

You can legally fit any equivalent wattage Halogen bulbs as a replacement for an existing Halogen.

The issues are only when fitting higher wattage Halogen bulbs (such as the 80W+ rally versions) or using LED or HID bulbs in a headlight designed for Halogen (with the bulb identifier 'H').

Whether your insurance company will care - maybe. Maybe not.

Aftermarket LED Bulbs: MOT Rules And Legalities

Can upgrade LED bulbs pass an MOT? We go through exactly what MOT testing stations look for and whether your aftermarket bulbs will pass an MOT.

www.autobulbsdirect.co.uk

 

[C6MFC]

That's clear Biffo Ta. When you have finished your research and made a decision on which is best I'd love to hear about it and your fitting experience please.

 

[Alb]

What I did is considered a like-for-like replacement so there are no issues arising.
Changing to LED is a different story of course.
Here's a pic of the tool I made BTW:

 

[C6MFC]

Cheers Alb are you happy with the result and what would you rate the improvement as a percentage. Is the blue obvious. Other recommendations suggestions from anyone? This is something I'm going to do shortly.

 

[Alb]

I hadn't really done much night time driving but it was obvious the original headlights were nowhere near as good as the HID lamps I have on my other car (Ford Focus). I've only done one short journey in the dark since I fitted the new lamps but it felt like something I could live with.

 

[C6MFC]

Went back through the Monday Podcasts this was interesting

 

[Lovemyev]

What I did is considered a like-for-like replacement so there are no issues arising.
Changing to LED is a different story of course.
Here's a pic of the tool I made BTW:

View attachment 4578

Handy bit of kit ? !.

 

[Alb]

I'm a great believer in improvisation

 

[Deep purple]

Just fitted Nightbreakers and the nearside was one of the most challenging bulbs I have changed in over 50 years. The offside was dead easy. Debated moving the fusebox or taking the whole headlamp assembly out but then made a special tool to rotate it when refitting, slightly different to the one above but same principle.
Despite the warnings and taking care I managed to snap both locking clips which are pathetically made. Used tape to make sure that the connector wouldn't come off the bulb.
It makes a mockery of the requirement in some countries to carry spare bulbs when it is well nigh impossible to do at the roadside.

 

[BugEyed]

It makes a mockery of the requirement in some countries to carry spare bulbs when it is well nigh impossible to do at the roadside.

Strictly the requirement is only so that a competent third party (e.g. AA patrolman equivalent) can fit them as Equality laws would require any driver to be able to do it which is clearly not possible. The same applies to spare wheels - a lot of 4x4 wheels weigh close to twice the safe handling limit.
But this practice sucks. On a previous BMW the official way to change sidelight bulbs in the service manual was to remove the front apron, remove the half-dozen screws holding the top of the bumper cover, them extract the headlamp assembly. After changing the bulbs and replacing everything headlamp alignment using BMW software was required.

 

[C6MFC]

Agree its tricky the first time and very little space compared to the other side. I would recommend anyone doing this to do offside first as its easy so you get a feel for how it works. I used these to gently grip and rotate the bulb housing with a bit of cloth protecting it

and it took about 10 mins for the nearside. I swapped them back before sale and having done it once it was much easier.

 

[Alb]

There's a good chance of breaking something if you use such a heavyweight tool. My solution is much safer.

 

[C6MFC]

Worked for me Alb. I have gentle skilled hands, its not a case of leverage needed just reach, the tool is slim and lightweight. But your home made tool is a proper job. you should knock out a few and sell as I don't think most will have an odd bit of aluminium laying about that's just the right size

 

[Deleted member 7316]

You can legally fit any equivalent wattage Halogen bulbs as a replacement for an existing Halogen.

The issues are only when fitting higher wattage Halogen bulbs (such as the 80W+ rally versions) or using LED or HID bulbs in a headlight designed for Halogen (with the bulb identifier 'H').

Whether your insurance company will care - maybe. Maybe not.

Aftermarket LED Bulbs: MOT Rules And Legalities

Can upgrade LED bulbs pass an MOT? We go through exactly what MOT testing stations look for and whether your aftermarket bulbs will pass an MOT.

www.autobulbsdirect.co.uk

If after an accident the inspection show up the bulbs fitted AND there is the slightest sniff of they may be relevant then yes they will (or more importantly YOU will care)

 

[Deleted member 6627]

Thanks for the guide. Changed mine this afternoon. It was very easy to change compared to my old astra. Clips were a little fiddly but took care not to break them. I must have small hands as refitting was simple.

Looking forward to a quick drive in the dark tonight to check the improvement.

These are the bulbs that should have been factory fitted. The difference is amazing. Not LED bright but soooo much better than the originals. True test will be a trip to work in the dark. Got a few more weeks until that happens.

If you have an MG5..... Change the bulbs!!!!!

 

[manictomb]

I have found my bulbs good at night and more then required for night driving as I have done so a lot and better then my sister's c3