XENON upgrades? Easy to install xenon to non-xenon cars?

[sugakane]

Anyone with info would be great! I just purchased a '99 A6 avant with approx 86k. It has everything except for NAV, Phone, Xenons and warm weather pkg. I'd like to see if Xenons are doable, I've already rec'd some replies in re: NAV system. Considering a tip steering wheel and I don't really need a phone but would be nice to combine Audi phone system with other brands of cell phones for hands free operation. Also, I really wanted the rear sunshades in the doors for my car. Is it possible to install those on cars without them? I'm sure there's a way and if anyone is selling theirs...just thought I'd ask...I'm interested. Currently I'm running bone stock with s4 avus wheels with 235/45 Conti 2's. Other than that I've only just begun. On another note, coilovers VS. eibach or H&R and bilsteins. Which way do I go? I don't track the car, nor do I intend to. And I commute 95+ miles a day to and from work so comfort is a priority, with performance a very close second. Any and all replies are greatly appreciated! TIA

[sugakane]

also, anyone try just sport springs from H&R or Eibach without doing new shocks??? How was the ride? Would you have done it again or just plunk down the cash for shocks now? Thanks again!

[TraderAlex]

I thought about this seriously, a couple years ago. But then changed my mind. One important issue, these conversion kits do not give you the automatic lamp-leveling ability that is mandated for Xexon installations by U.S. D.O.T. Depending on which State you live in, that can mean automatic trouble with the police, and probably difficulties passing state vehicle inspections. Some of these kits with bulbs that require you to more or less mangle the rear access of the lamp housing, in order to make the bulb seat correctly. All of them will require some cutting or modification of the weather covers on the back. And none of them provide for any weather protection of the ballasts (unlike factory installations). The ballasts are out in the open, under your hood. If you are going to insist on making the conversion, the best kit I had seen out there was one offered by a UK company, Autolamps-Online.com. But I noticed tonight that there site does not pull up-anybody know whether they are still in business? The main benefit of their kit-it is designed to draw power for the ballasts from a lead that is run directly to the car's battery. Most of the other conversion kits out there rely on pulling power for the ballasts solely from the leads for the bulb in the lamp housing: there have been reports, and good reason to believe that this approach put's far too much strain on the headlamp switch, leading it to fail after a time. And this is said to be an expensive repair once it happens. Most of these points were enough to persuade me to drop the idea. I bought
a pair of Phillips Vision Plus bulbs, instead. For $32 a pair, they are a lot cheaper than a $500-600 conversion kit. And the difference in brightness over the OEM halogen bulbs is quite dramatic.

[TeddyBGame]

Here's the CliffNotes version of this story:

-Found two complete OEM Xenon housings (bulbs, ballasts, projectors) on Ebay from a auto salvage yards. It took me 4 months to find a matched set; one cost me $250 and the other was $225. Not stolen but, from A6's involved in accidents.

-Found an Audi Tech who was willing to remove my bumper and install both housings for $75 (after hours, of course). It took him 1 1/2 hours for the install.

-Brought my car the the dealer to have them adjust the height/width levels (all to Audi specs).

My wife drives this Avant (with our 7 month old son) and has told me [on several occassions] that her visibility at night was greatly improved...vs. the halogens....which was the main reason for adding the Xenons.

Conditions:
Because my car wasn't originally setup with the OEM Xenon's, the auto-leveling mechanisms don't function. Partly because there is a sensor mounted near the rear axle that is constantly adjusting the level. My Audi parts guy told me that it would be "freaking" expensive to try to install this sensor and route the wires. For me, this wasn't an issue.

Feel free to email me and I'll give you the details on how to do what I did.

PS...
-OEM NAV: Too expensive to retrofit the OEM setup; nobody has done it.
-Rear sunshades are now a $100 accessory; I added them myself. Order from ClairParts and have your dealer install. They are tricky to install and involve drilling two small holes in the top of the door panel.
-I'm in the process of installing a hands-free cellphone (integrated with the existing pre-wiring) for my LG TM510. I'll keep you guys posted.
-Congrats on the Avus! Lots of us run those rims on our A6's. Check my picture poster for my pix.

[Silver 2.7tt]

Unless you have the sport package which would be ok. But I had the non sport shocks with Eibachs and the ride is horrible. The ride is still very supple over small road imperfections but larger bumps send the car bouncing like crazy (having that doubt dipping action) Now with Bilstein shocks the ride is a bit firmer over smaller bumps but the rebound control is a huge huge difference.

[TraderAlex]

As you mentioned, the levelers are not set up to work. And trying to set up that pesky rear sensor, post-OEM,is probably next to impossible. I am not wishing you any bad luck by any means, but the two risks I see that you face with such an installation-a) trouble with your State's vehicle inspection service, should they decide to check your car's lamp system, and b)if you get into any kind of vehicle accident with another car, one in which your headlamps were switched on, you may end up being found liable, if the other side or the police discover that you had a Xenon set-up that did not fully comply with D.O.T. mandates.
With the way things are in our country's courts, you can just imagine the litigation possibilities.
I just don't know that it is worth the risk, even if a small one.