White/Blue Headlights

[mikester_91]

How do you get the really clean White/Blue headlight look like a lot of the new BMW's and newer cars are comin out with?

[8=====D]

It's called HID and costs more than you can afford.

[00accord44]

HID isn't completely out of pocket. I got my kit off the almighty ebay for $300 which aint too bad for real HID. It looks great and puts out excellent light if you got a lil extra gough to spend.

FYI dont be fooled into buying some half-assed imitation kit on ebay just cause its cheap. And don't buy any expensive half-assed imitations either. When it comes to ebay, its always buyer beware! I've seen a LOT of crap "HID Kits" on ebay.

[eckoman_pdx]

An HID conversion is one way, but this is not always legel in some areas. The other method is different headlight bulbs. In referance to this look from halogen headlights, you'll find the answer to this is right above you in a sticky (permanent) thread. Remember to read stickies and search before you post, they are there for a reason. In this case the answer is right above you. PIAA Super Plasma GT-X's though are a qaulity bulb and will give you the look, as well as increased lumans and visablity. It's all explained in the sticky, so read it. If you have any questions are reading it all, feel free to ask them.

Here is a link to the thread, read it, it explains a lot in depth. It should help.
http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbul...d.php?t=298500

[mikester_91]

Would this give me the HID look?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...942270536&rd=1

[00accord44]

The headlight housing wont affect the look of the lights really. Definitely not enough to make standard halogens look like HID. Good lookin set though if you have a prelude. $225 is overpriced though. For $275 you can find a decent HID conversion kit. The HID or HID look is all in the power and type of bulbs used.

[eckoman_pdx]

Originally Posted by 00accord44

The headlight housing wont affect the look of the lights really. Definitely not enough to make standard halogens look like HID. Good lookin set though if you have a prelude. $225 is overpriced though. For $275 you can find a decent HID conversion kit. The HID or HID look is all in the power and type of bulbs used.

Correct, the housing isn't what will give him the HID look, it's the actual light output....I.E the lightbulb. The lightbulbs you have won't look any more or less like an HID with these headlamps.

The other part is pratically true. The type of bulbs used does make a difference. However, power wise HID's themselves only have around a 35 watt power pull. The difference is they put out many more LUMANS, the measure of light output. Wattage is just the measure of power draw. Typically higher wattage (power draw) eqauls more light, but this is not the only method. It is possible to get a high output bulb (more lumans) without increasing the wattage. These bulbs will cost more though. PIAA and Silverstars are ahigh output bulb. They put out more lumans than a standard 55 watt bulb without more power draw. The lumans similer to the output of a much higher wattage bulb, but without the dangers of running too high power a bulb. It's like a house lightbulb. These is a 60 watt 700 luman bulb, a 60 watt 1050 luman bulb and a 1075 luman 100 watt bulb. If the lamp can only handle a 60 watt bulb, the 100 watt bulb is out of the question. The high output 60 watt bulb will cost more than the other two, but gives out similer light from less power. It's a trad-off, a better bulb but it costs more. Standard Halogens would be like the regular 60 watt bulb, PIAA and Silverstars more like the high output 60 watt bulb.

You're point is right though, the headlamps won't give him the HID look. HID"s look that way not just because of the lumans, but the color temperature as well. If he wants an HID look safely there are 2 options; real HIDS or a high output bulb with the proper color temp (4500-5250 degress Kelvin usually). PIAA Super Plasma GT-X's are a high output bulb with a color temp of 5000K. The closer the color temp is to the color of actual sunlight (5250K), the more usable light output you have. The further away from the color temp of actual sunlight you go, the less usable light output you have.

mikester_91, if you want an HID look, either get a real HID conversion or a good bulb like PIAA Super Plasmas. PIAA bulbs have a 1 year warrenty too. Real the sticky link, thats what it's there for, to inform people. It will explain this in a lot more depth. HID conversion are illegel in some states, so they are not for everyone. This is where high output bulbs like the PIAA's come into play. The HID look (whether real HIDs or not) has to do with light output and color temp. The PIAA Super Plasma's have the proper color temp, and put out more lumans (light output) without being a higher wattage than stock. They cost more than cheapo bulbs, but are much better. Plsu the one year warrenty, no other company that I know of offers a warrenty like this on bulbs.

[mikester_91]

I heard those PIAA Plasma GTX's burn out pretty quick, so would it be a smart move to buy them off ebay where they probably don't have a warranty probably. and what would be a good price for them, cuz most on ebay are like 50 or 60 a set.

[eckoman_pdx]

Originally Posted by mikester_91

I heard those PIAA Plasma GTX's burn out pretty quick, so would it be a smart move to buy them off ebay where they probably don't have a warranty probably. and what would be a good price for them, cuz most on ebay are like 50 or 60 a set.

They last a heck of a lot longer than cheapo knock-offs like Noyka, with which you are lucky to have a pair last a few weeks. They also have a lot more of light output; it's not just a farce like with cheapo bulbs like Noyka, etc (where the light output is less regardless of claim). I've seen some go awhile; some burn out in 8-9 months. That’s where the warranty comes in handy. Don't buy them off ebay. You need a receipt for to claim the warranty, something you won't get with ebay. $70-75 a set is more of less acceptable from a store/shop, etc. Remember to save the receipt. Also, you can claim the warranty directly though PIAA as long as you have the receipt, so you don't need to worry about a shop yanking you around. If you find PIAA’s cost too much, Silverstars are good bulbs too. They don’t have the warranty and don’t look like true HIDs like the Super Plasma’s, but they are much better than stock or cheap bulbs. The only 2 bulbs I recommend are Silverstars or PIAA’s. What’s best depends on the person’s wants and needs. Me personally, if they aren’t HIDs I don’t use anything but PIAA Super Plasmas. I also know people who are fine with Silverstars. For future reference:

PIAA
www.piaa.com
503-643-7422

If you call PIAA ever, ask if they can send you their latest catalog. It has everything, including the newest stuff (more than the website).

[EA-15]

If you car does not have HID, then you cannot legally have HID on your car.

[eckoman_pdx]

Originally Posted by EA-15

If you car does not have HID, then you cannot legally have HID on your car.

Techincally it varies from state to state..but in most states that is true. Some states enforce the rule more thyan others. Also, Your usually a little better off with projecotrs in that case since the glare isn't as bad. This helps make you less attractive to cops. There are ways around it though. If you're doing a headlight conversion for example, and use choose BMW headlights that came with OEM HID's, it is legel almost everywhere, since the headlights came with HIDs stock.

[iiikid03]

http://www.istoreparts.com/product_i...dd17978c74d705

they have a pic of the color temps.

[EA-15]

Originally Posted by eckoman_pdx

Techincally it varies from state to state..but in most states that is true. Some states enforce the rule more thyan others. Also, Your usually a little better off with projecotrs in that case since the glare isn't as bad. This helps make you less attractive to cops. There are ways around it though. If you're doing a headlight conversion for example, and use choose BMW headlights that came with OEM HID's, it is legel almost everywhere, since the headlights came with HIDs stock.

Federal law supercedes state law.

Putting in OEM BMW HID headlights on say, a showcar Integra is still illegal according to Richard Van Iderstine of NHSTA. His work covers FMVSS108.