Reindeer Posted yesterday at 03:51 Share Posted yesterday at 03:51 (edited) As a few have mentioned, there are numerous scattered LED headlight threads now and no easy all in one for those considering buying/changing/upgrading. I've also done loads of research in the last few weeks and hopefully the below will end up being a quicker and easier up to date guide with most of the information in one place. I've based my comments either on my own experience or forum comments from owners of the products in other threads. General points - Fitting seems straightforward plug and play on all options, with just some minor changes revolving around DRL wiring. Therefore I won't comment too much on this aspect per model. Delivery times on all (even the cheaper ones from Chinese sellers) are days...not weeks....it seems most of the ebay/Chinese registered sellers now use UK warehouses. Warranty time all seem to range from 2 years to 5 years. I won't go into sizes too much as nearly all are available in the two common choices....5.75" and 7"....personal preference. Not surprisingly the 7"s always seem to be slightly more expensive. I'll start with the cheaper options: Delivered in a few days....easy to fit....very bright on the road....MoT fail due to beam pattern. Seller gave full refund and paid return postage. (I bought two sets to check it wasn't a faulty pair). An eBay search will reveal literally hundreds of cheap options and some owners have passed MOTs with these fitted....bit of a gamble I suppose but some of them are so cheap it could be worth it... Similar sub £50 options below....no guarantees on authenticity of markings or legal beam patterns.....Ebay is your friend at this price point! Edited yesterday at 05:16 by Reindeer 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reindeer Posted yesterday at 03:54 Author Share Posted yesterday at 03:54 (edited) Cafe Racer: Various models available. Discount codes available on their own website and they also often send offers on eBay if you watch some of their listings. Definitely some opinion that they are simply the cheaper eBay ones with stickers on etc but most seem pleased. No evidence of MOT fails found. https://youtu.be/8pH_TwGbJtc?feature=shared Edited yesterday at 04:37 by Reindeer More pics Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reindeer Posted yesterday at 03:59 Author Share Posted yesterday at 03:59 Wisamic - Mentioned positively in a few threads and sub £100 but all links to them now show unavailable and can't find any UK sellers..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reindeer Posted yesterday at 04:01 Author Share Posted yesterday at 04:01 Seven and Classics: Still around the £100 region and do look very similar to some on ebay at half the cost.....can't seem to find any owners commenting on them.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reindeer Posted yesterday at 04:06 Author Share Posted yesterday at 04:06 (edited) We then sort of jump into the £300 to £400 region..... JAL have these as an option......approx £325 all in and come with bowls in silver or black. JAL have now been in contact and confirmed these are not the 'cheap' ones in disguise. Edited yesterday at 11:58 by Reindeer JAL messaged. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reindeer Posted yesterday at 04:08 Author Share Posted yesterday at 04:08 (edited) Wipac offer these.....seem to range from £450 to £550...were definitely available for less several years ago. Generally believed to be properly tested etc. Can't find many Caterham owner reviews. The three small black screw holes may not suit our cars aesthetically...they were more aimed towards the Jeep/Land Rover owners. Edited yesterday at 04:59 by Reindeer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reindeer Posted yesterday at 04:09 Author Share Posted yesterday at 04:09 Wolf Performance...£350 approx. Popular in the world of Morgans and still plug and play for Caterhams. No DRL if that bothers you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reindeer Posted yesterday at 04:15 Author Share Posted yesterday at 04:15 (edited) The higher price options: JAL Caterham LED upgrade. Circa £750 for a pair..... Same internals as the Caterham factory LED ones below. Positive reviews and I believe most in keeping with original lights. No cheap similar ones on ebay..... (My current personal front running option to go for all things considered! Just rather expensive so haven't gone for them just yet) Edited yesterday at 14:56 by Reindeer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reindeer Posted yesterday at 04:19 Author Share Posted yesterday at 04:19 (edited) JW Speaker Internationally very well regarded....and priced accordingly.....seem to be between £600 and £800. I can't find any Caterham owners who have fitted them so no information as to fitting in the bowls etc. Believed to be technically superior to most others. Different designs available Edited yesterday at 04:35 by Reindeer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reindeer Posted yesterday at 04:25 Author Share Posted yesterday at 04:25 (edited) The most expensive choice I can find.....Genuine Caterham LED Headlights. £1200 to £1400 for a pair, depending on size....come with bowls. Not in stock in some options. Some mention that one half of them is not always lit on full/High beam and some owners have found the cheaper options brighter. But mixed views. Personal view is they look the best, still a bit classic and without the robot appearance of some of the modern options. Edited yesterday at 06:52 by Reindeer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reindeer Posted yesterday at 04:46 Author Share Posted yesterday at 04:46 (edited) That's all I can muster for now during a night shift and on my phone. If any mods wish to tidy, please do. I'm envisaging an Argos Catalogue type thread of LED lights when it's all finished and updated with others inputs! (Thank you to those I've borrowed pics from) Edited yesterday at 05:01 by Reindeer 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reindeer Posted yesterday at 05:18 Author Share Posted yesterday at 05:18 (edited) If anyone has any pics or details about the models above that they'd like me to add, please let me know direct and I'll edit the posts accordingly. Alternatively if I haven't listed them above, please add your own reply/pic/summary to this thread. Hope this all helps someone. Edited yesterday at 05:32 by Reindeer 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PlastererPete Posted yesterday at 09:02 Share Posted yesterday at 09:02 Nice thread and bravo for taking the time to consolidate all the options. Thank you. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ainsley Posted yesterday at 10:17 Share Posted yesterday at 10:17 Thanks for listing them. Personally I reckon the fact JAL are UK based and run by a bloke with a Caterham makes them the best choice once I considered all the factors. Not just price, but safety, MOT, back up and just a phone number I could call if I had an issue. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reindeer Posted yesterday at 17:39 Author Share Posted yesterday at 17:39 Thanks Gents. For anyone in the same position as me and currently considering an LED headlight change/upgrade/swap..... please don't buy anything just yet! I'm hoping to organise a group buy of some of the better options.....just making some enquiries now and will update very shortly! Hopefully save all of us some money! Cheers! 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PlastererPete Posted yesterday at 17:52 Share Posted yesterday at 17:52 I’m after the ones that CC and JAL sell with the small sidelight bar through the middle. Expensive but they are the only ones I like. Damn my champagne tase and lemonade money 🤣 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reindeer Posted yesterday at 17:55 Author Share Posted yesterday at 17:55 Just now, PlastererPete said: I’m after the ones that CC and JAL sell with the small sidelight bar through the middle. Expensive but they are the only ones I like. Damn my champagne tase and lemonade money 🤣 Me too! They're the ones I'm hoping to get a group buy on! Looking positive so far....will update next day or two! Almost there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PlastererPete Posted yesterday at 17:59 Share Posted yesterday at 17:59 (edited) 9 minutes ago, Reindeer said: Me too! They're the ones I'm hoping to get a group buy on! Looking positive so far....will update next day or two! Almost there. Wonderful. I would love a set of those (well just the innards needed). As you said above. Classic styling with a modern twist to suit pretty much any Seven. Edited yesterday at 18:05 by PlastererPete Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miker7 Posted yesterday at 18:39 Share Posted yesterday at 18:39 I'm interested but scared you'll be champagne prices when I drink cider. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GulfSeven Posted yesterday at 19:39 Share Posted yesterday at 19:39 I went down the JAL inner route when I ordered my car. You get the OEM lights but for less than speccing them on a new car 👍 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Diw73 Posted 23 hours ago Share Posted 23 hours ago Original cafe racer seen to have a few sets too. Seen a few people saying they were half decent too Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StevehS3 Posted 23 hours ago Share Posted 23 hours ago The JAL/CC 3 hours ago, Reindeer said: Me too! They're the ones I'm hoping to get a group buy on! Looking positive so far....will update next day or two! Almost there. Me too! 👍 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tiddy7 Posted 11 hours ago Share Posted 11 hours ago I can definitely vouch for the cafe racer ones, have fitted them on 2 cars so far, they too meet al the 'safety' requirement and uk MOT requirements and are uk based so you can just call them if you have issues, I could see any benefit in paying the additional £500 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reindeer Posted 8 hours ago Author Share Posted 8 hours ago JAL have been back in touch!! Group Buy thread now live in the ChitChat section! Please join me, the more of us there are, the more we save! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now