Worth adding an HID kit? Or just make sure my next car comes with HID?
01-10-04, 09:36 PM
#1
Lexus Test Driver
Thread Starter
Worth adding an HID kit? Or just make sure my next car comes with HID?
From all the reading I've done on HID, I've gathered that retro-fitting is a better method than simply adding a plug-and-play HID kit.
Via the plug-and-play method, I can live with the reduced light output using stock housings (obviously it would put out more light than stock halogens) or even the added glare (1st gen ES projectors produce LOTS of glare, just make sure you arent coming at me from the opposite direction
..j/k) but my primary concern is the longetivity and quality of these kits.
Reputable companies such as Philips and Sylvania don't make them (i'm referring to the ENTIRE kit, I know bulbs/ballasts are often made by philips/hella, etc.). On HIDFORUM.COM, I've read several stories of peoples' HID kits failing or dying out over time (rare, but there are cases) and then they eventually switch to a proper retrofit. What happens if the company I buy an HID kit from goes out of business? I lose the warranty and all part information and assistance.
Thus it comes down to this: Spend the time and energy and money to learn how to (my knowledge in electrics/electronics is not great
)- and actually retrofit HID's or pop in some Silverstars and make sure my next car comes with HID straight from the factory.
Given this, what would you do?
Via the plug-and-play method, I can live with the reduced light output using stock housings (obviously it would put out more light than stock halogens) or even the added glare (1st gen ES projectors produce LOTS of glare, just make sure you arent coming at me from the opposite direction
..j/k) but my primary concern is the longetivity and quality of these kits.Reputable companies such as Philips and Sylvania don't make them (i'm referring to the ENTIRE kit, I know bulbs/ballasts are often made by philips/hella, etc.). On HIDFORUM.COM, I've read several stories of peoples' HID kits failing or dying out over time (rare, but there are cases) and then they eventually switch to a proper retrofit. What happens if the company I buy an HID kit from goes out of business? I lose the warranty and all part information and assistance.
Thus it comes down to this: Spend the time and energy and money to learn how to (my knowledge in electrics/electronics is not great
)- and actually retrofit HID's or pop in some Silverstars and make sure my next car comes with HID straight from the factory.Given this, what would you do?
Last edited by XenonES3; 01-10-04 at 09:48 PM.
01-11-04, 03:04 PM
#2
Pole Position
Retro dude...its really not that hard. www.hidforum.com is a good place to start. Then there are the HID faqs. With serousness, it shouldn't take you more than a few days or a week to gather all you need to know about retrofitting. On the first try its like a 7 or 8/10 difficulty. After you open up your light and become more familiar with the ES headlamp, it becomes so much easier. I did it. Now I'm ready to upgrade to more advanced projectors and am in the process of selling my system. I may even sell my ballasts in favor for a more advanced/powerful setup. PM me if you wanna deal. The projectors are 200 for color modified E46 BMW (current 3 series 99-04) HID projectors, the PIAA ballasts will be sold for 150.00. All you would need to do is locate a wire kit (harness/relay) which goes for 13.00 on EBAY and HID D2S bulbs (Either Osram or Philips brand is fine) which should run about 60.00 on Ebay as well. Good luck and PM me if you wanna buy anything. My ebay name is "tiguy99" and you can check my feedback if you want any additional backround on me.
Take care bro
Take care bro
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post