Quick update on my HID headlights. I didn't want to post any more about them until i'd got them checked out!
Took the car for an MOT yesterday & mentioned the headlights to the tester. He said there's no problem fitting HID's so long as the pattern is correct. He checked the pattern & said they're fine, no problem at all. So that looks good.
On the road, they do look much better than the standard bulbs. Much whiter rather than the yellow originals and much brighter. Will try to get some pics tonight.
They were quite a bit of faffing around to fit - there's 2 boxes either side than need mounting somewhere & loads of wires. But i think the results are worth it