Hilox Evo Rally Xenon Kit - Audi A3 - Customer Review

The Hilox Evolution Rally xenonkit, flagship from our xenon range in a very nice Audi A3, a complete review of the installation and the end result of which our customer is very proud of.

Audi A3 xenon kit: why have you chosen for a xenon kit?

In this Audi, there were standard halogen lamps. These lamps are quite inefficient. You do not have very much light and they produce a lot of heat. Because I often drive on dark roads, I decided to buy a xenon kit. Additionally, xenon has a much nicer and stronger appearance. The xenon lamps I have mounted have white light, with a blue tint.

Approved for all Audi's

Do you want such a Hilox Xenon kit in your Audi? The Hilox Evolution Xenon kit fits in any Audi, young, old, fat or thin. All you need is a left and a right hand (installing a Xenon kit is very simple!) and a xenon kit in the right fitting. Don't you know which fitting your Audi has? Then check our xenon kits or contact us.

Which products have you installed and why?

I have used the H7 Hilox Evo Rally Xenon kit. I heard a lot of good stories about the Hilox Evolution series. When I put all Hilox xenon kits in a row, I encountered the Hilox Evolution Rally, this kit is extra resistant to shocks because there's still an extra outer sheath around the cables. That's a bit of extra protection that is very good, though it may not be necessary in a car that rides mostly on the highway.

How was the installation of the Xenon kit?

Installing the xenon kit went extremely well. Everything is clearly explained. The only thing I have not done is removing the headlights before assembly of the kit. In order to do so, the front bumper had to be removed and I was afraid I would damage the lacquer with disassembly. So I did not try it and it went fine. It's all a little tight, but it's absolutely doable. The only thing is that I had to be a bit creative how to mount the ballasts. Behind the headlights really is no place. I have used the supplied strips, modified something and placed the ballasts above the radiator.

Pro Installation tip: Adjusting Xenon dimmed beam

Because the headlight itself is not changed except the lamp, you do not have to reset the headlamp in most cases. But nevertheless, it is wise to check that you do not blind the oncoming traffic. Put your car against a wall and mark the light beam with a pencil. After installing the kit, check whether this is the same.

What do you think about the end result?

The end result is exactly what I hoped for. Very bright and beautiful light, with a tough look. All in all, very successful!

What you should know about an H7 xenon kit

The Evolution Rally kit in this review is from an earlier generation. The H7 xenon kit in the current Hilox range is the H7 Xenonkit, Hilox Evolution II Black, Duo. Here is what you need to know before you choose one.

What is in the box

A xenon kit consists of two xenon lamps and two ballasts. The ballast provides the high voltage that ignites the xenon lamp and keeps it burning. According to the product information, the Evolution II Black kit contains 2 H7 xenon lamps and 2 Hilox Evolution II ballasts, and comes with 2 years warranty on both the lamps and the ballasts.

Light output and colour

The product information states that the Evolution II Black kit gives 4 times more light than halogen. It is available in 3 colours: 4300K, 5500K and 6500K. The lower the Kelvin value, the warmer and more yellowish the light; the higher the value, the whiter and eventually bluer it looks. The owner in this review has white light with a blue tint.

IC chip and CAN-bus II

The Evolution II ballasts use a small IC chip that keeps the current stable and prevents overheating and flickering lamps. The kit also comes with CAN-bus II, so it can be installed in cars with CAN-bus or lamp control.

Where to mount the ballasts

The biggest challenge in this Audi A3 was finding a place for the ballasts: there was no room behind the headlights, so they ended up above the radiator. Before you start, look for a spot that is:

• close enough to the headlight for the cables to reach;
• dry and away from direct heat;
• solid enough to fix the ballast with strips or screws, so it cannot move while driving.

Xenon needs a short warm-up time before it reaches full strength, so the light gets brighter during the first seconds after switching on. That is normal. Compare all options at xenon kits or xenon ballasts.

After installation, have the light beam checked and make sure your car still meets the APK requirements. If in doubt, ask the RDW or your inspector. The Hilox product information states that this kit has no ECE approval and is intended for circuit and private terrain use only.