W203E35

If I knew about this cheap mod long time ago. Spent money on halogen bulbs already. Hopefully they will burn out soon and HIDs here I come.

Thanks for the DIY

laneshift

Can somebody please explain to me why you can't install HID's into a halogen housing? Beside the fact that I may get pulled over, what happens?

Thanks.

LILBENZ230

Halogen housings are designed to focus the beam of a halogen bulb which is much different from a HID capsule. This can create excess glare, though on my car, it's not that bad - mine held on pretty well to stock beam pattern and doesn't have bad glare.

laneshift

So I'd have to buy a new housing to run HID's legally? Or can I get away with it?

By the way, are there upgraded halogen bulbs? I just want a brighter view at night. Nothing like a crazy violet beam.

LILBENZ230

You can run a HID kit in your halogen housings. Lots of people do it.

If you're just going to go upgraded halogen, I recommend SilverStar Ultra. They're $50 a pair, and much better than stock bulbs but not comparable to HID.

laneshift

For the silverstars, will I need anything else? (ballasts, capacitators, etc.) Or is it simply plug and play?

I'd love to get some HID's, but I can't afford to get pulled over. Insurance is almost as bad as an inlaw.

maverik259

they're just halogen bulbs...just like if you had a burned out bulb and replaced it with a new bulb...its just a bulb....only HID capsules need ballasts and ignitors etc.

laneshift

Many thanks guys. I'll try the SilverStars first. Should I get 6 of them? Two for the fogs, two for the highs, and two for the lows?

samaritrey

lol i would not do that. i would just get the low. don't you think your high's are good enough? but for that money i would try out a set first because some people don't like them and if you end up hating them you will be really pissed you spent 150 on bulbs that you don't like. i know that the bix cost alot but you would be amazed at how much better they are. i love mine and i got mine for less than 600. that is the main reason i would not recommend buying 150 in halogen bulbs.

laneshift

Thanks for telling me that. I really had no idea and I'd probably shoot myself if after I'd installed them.

There's absolutely nothing holding me back except for being afraid of getting pulled over. And blinding other people. My '02 still has the frosted lenses.

Norwichdelta06

like the otehr guy said halogen houses are designed for halogen bulbs. Specially designed for halogen bulb light width etc etc. If you ever look at a halogen bulb vs a hid 35w vs a hid 55/50W the The halogen bulb is a lot shorter and the 55W HID is a lot longer

aac85

dont get the silverstars...IMO, they are junk. not that different from OEM. still look yellow and minimal difference in light output. they burn out superfast too, in months!!!

honestly...for the price of silverstars...you can buy HIDs for another 20-30bucks.

the only thing to adjust the excess glare for HIDs is to lower the beams...pretty much all you can do.

Norwichdelta06

keep in mind aftermarket HID's are illegally inthe US and even more illegal in EURO. In Europe as part of there inspection is to check the headlight glare and aim.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yVuSSdZNsZw

maverik259

thats why Euro suckie and USA remains #1! j/k just france!

FrankW

Philip "Crystal Vision" and Hella "xenon blue bulbs" are both only around $32 a pair.

I run the Philip in the W204 and the Hella in my sister's W208.

laneshift

SilverStar Ultras are rubbish. They're about 10 percent brighter than the aged OEM bulbs in my '02, and in my opinion, aren't worth the 50 bucks. I'm hopefully taking them back today.

Has there been anyone ever pulled over by the police for putting HID's into a halogen housing? And do I have to remove the bumper, etc, to lower the beams? How would I go about doing so?

Thanks again guys.

Norwichdelta06

sooner or later HID will be the stardard. I mean fords are even offering them as options so that standard can't be that to far behind lol

laneshift

But the fords also have the appropriate housing :/

Norwichdelta06

exactly that's what i'm saying....you know HID's will be the standard when KIAs start coming with it as an option

laneshift

When KIA's start throwing them in, something's gone terribly wrong. Whenever they do, make sure you run as fast as you can.

chkoo

do u need 2 ballistas for both the big light and the small light?

aac85

yes

every bulb requires a ballast

LILBENZ230

Hyundai already has HIDs in some of their cars. Not as standard, but as optional equipment.

If you ask me, luxury carmakers (you listening, Benz?!) should have followed Acura's lead. HID lighting has been standard on the TL and RL cars since 1999. It was standard on the TSX with its introduction in 2004. Standard on the MDX in the 2007 redesign, on the RDX from the start. At present, no Acura car is sold here without HIDs. It appears that LED headlights are the way of the future, not gas discharge bulbs like HIDs, though.

FrankW

HID is cheap to produce yet MB, BMW, and Audi still wants you to pay extra for them. it's just how it is. I got used to it. lol

definitely kudos for all the manufacturer that made the HID standard in some of their vehicles.

however one thing to consider and reason for European brand not having HID as standard is because in Europe many region has foggy condition all year round. HID in perfect weather has more clarity, but in foggy condition the lower color temp of the halogen bulbs will penetrate better. <----at least this is from what I read long ago. i'm not too sure about it and is open to be corrected. lol

LILBENZ230

You're correct, and I assume that's why you see Lexus cars with intense yellow fogs complementing the HIDs. I always thought it was a nice look and it increased safety, too. I think BMW might be moving away from the "optional" thing. They seem to be standard equipment on the #35i cars.

When I owned my 2002 Acura TL, I put some really intense yellow bulbs in my fogs. That helped a lot. In heavy rain or fog during darkness, HIDs can create glare and not illuminate things as well. My C230's fogs seem more for decoration, as they don't provide much forward illumination.