Which HID Kit for my car?

Conanius · 9 Nov 2013 at 13:36

Hi All,

I've currently got H7 bulbs in my car in Projector Lens headlights. The output is appalling, so I want something better.

I'm considering getting a HID kit for them, but there seems to be huge variation (£30 35w kits up to £150-200 55w kits).

How can I work out which ones to get? HIDS4U always seem to get a fair amount of appreciation, but I don't want to overspend for the sake of it.

I'm not after nasty purple or anything, just decent high quality light. If it could match the LED Daylight Running Lights on my car, that would be lovely.

LiGhTfasT · 9 Nov 2013 at 13:49

Never understand why people fit hids. The cars that have these tend to be old bangers when finally overtake you after blinding everyone else on the road. Never had a issue with standard bulbs.

Lopéz · 9 Nov 2013 at 13:59

LiGhTfasT said:
Never understand why people fit hids.

Generally it's because they light up the road better than halogen.

Conanius · 9 Nov 2013 at 14:00

Have you ever driven a car with HID bulbs?

Not the barry Nova reflectors that blind everyone, either a proper manufacture fit reflector lens, or a projector (manufacturer or aftermarket).

The difference is absolutely huge. My factory fit bulbs are appalling, and being able to see where I'm going is rather useful.

Conanius · 9 Nov 2013 at 14:11

Lopéz said:
Generally it's because they light up the road better than halogen.

Ah, the retort I should have used !

I see you successfully avoided my comment in the thread the other week regarding the 205/Manta

Any details ? or am I so out of the loop that you have sold them :eek:

LiGhTfasT · 9 Nov 2013 at 15:31

Lopéz said:
Generally it's because they light up the road better than halogen.

Never had a problem I must eat to many carrots.

Jez · 9 Nov 2013 at 15:58

LiGhTfasT said:
Never understand why people fit hids. The cars that have these tend to be old bangers when finally overtake you after blinding everyone else on the road. Never had a issue with standard bulbs.

Why do you think that pretty much every higher end car in the last decade has come with them as standard? Its not because they are worse

Conanius · 9 Nov 2013 at 19:33

http://www.car-mod-shop.co.uk/35wcanh7-6k-h7-xenon-hid-conversion-kit-canbus-6000k.html

That kit in 4300k variety seem ok?

Alternatively HIDS Direct eBay shop has these 50w ones for similar price - http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/50w-H7-Di...arts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item414fa06ee1 again, I'd go 4300k

Flukester · 9 Nov 2013 at 20:42

Though slightly less light, 6k illuminates road furniture better..... 6k always my choice

Conanius · 9 Nov 2013 at 21:02

I thought over 5k sacrificed light output for colour

[TW]Fox · 9 Nov 2013 at 21:05

Conanius said:
I thought over 5k sacrificed light output for colour

It does, the higher the colour temp the lower the light output but the bluer the light.

4300k gives the most light, 6000k will give less.

Clarkey · 9 Nov 2013 at 21:37

Most OE ones are 6000k now aren't they? They are plenty bright I wouldn't be too concerned about it.

[TW]Fox · 9 Nov 2013 at 21:40

Clarkey said:
Most OE ones are 6000k now aren't they? They are plenty bright I wouldn't be too concerned about it.

I thought OEM was 4300k?

Something Else · 9 Nov 2013 at 22:25

4300k is like warm white, not yellow but not true white.

5000k is proper white

6000k is blueish/white

Id go for 5000k personally. the 6000k is good too.

Howard · 9 Nov 2013 at 22:26

OEM is, in most cases, 4300k but I'm sure some of the newest Mercedes' appear to have higher temperature lamps - I reckon 6000k - they appear to have been done to match the cooler light output of their DRLs. They're certainly pretty in-yer-face.

Tempted to pop some 5000k bulbs in mine and see how they compare.

Something Else · 9 Nov 2013 at 22:29

also do not buy the cheapest you can get.

You want a decent kit with proper quality approved ballasts. last thing you want is a dodgy kit that catches fire and takes your car with it

Matt82 · 10 Nov 2013 at 09:55

Conanius said:
Have you ever driven a car with HID bulbs?

Not the barry Nova reflectors that blind everyone, either a proper manufacture fit reflector lens, or a projector (manufacturer or aftermarket).

The difference is absolutely huge. My factory fit bulbs are appalling, and being able to see where I'm going is rather useful.

the difference is night and day :cool:

Conanius · 10 Nov 2013 at 10:11

Something Else said:
also do not buy the cheapest you can get.

You want a decent kit with proper quality approved ballasts. last thing you want is a dodgy kit that catches fire and takes your car with it

Any recommendations on one that won't blow me up then?

Matt82 · 10 Nov 2013 at 10:16

I bought a £30 ebay kit in 2008, ran it for years in one car, now changed it to another car, still work absolutely fine

[TW]Fox · 10 Nov 2013 at 10:42

There is such huge price variation - from £25 ebay specials through to £50 reasonable looking ones right up to bonkers £100 kits at places like Hids4u. Whats the difference?