Most people are aware that I've been raving about PIAA bulbs for ages as they're so much better than OE bulbs - however, I've always wondered if it would be worth plumping for the next stage - Xenon HID.

Well - I've gone and done it and the results are stunning.

I've taken some photo's of the car with OE bulbs, PIAA Super white bulbs and then with the Xenon HID conversion kit.

Please appreciate that it's very difficult to get a good image in the dark - and I have to say that the photo's really don't show the differences as much as reality.......

Anyway - here goes:

[img]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v661/richardesty/XENON.jpg[/img]

In reality - they're stunning, and in my opinion well worth the money if like me nearly all your winter driving is A/B roads in the dark - where you can't use your headlights much cos of traffic (speaking of which I can now hardly tell when I've turned my headlights on!!!!).

They give of a real crisp white light, with just a hint of blue and are rated at 4300k. They also do a 6000K kit, which is bluer but gives off about 20% less light - cos of the colour. The 4300k version that I've got are listed as being 300% brighter than a standard H3 bulb.

As for the prices........

Well:

Std H3 bulbs can be had for about £6 per pair.

PIAA H3 'Superwhite' bulbs are about £50 for the pair.

Phillips H3 Xenon HID Conversion kit £241 - imported from Canada.

Good stuff

Mark

Jesus Christ, £241 spent on lights?

I never really need to use my full beam much either because my arctic whites are quite bright.

I can definately see the difference in the photos tho.

Yeah a discinct difference, but they cost a lot. How expensive are the bulbs once you have the conversion done?

[quote="fastmike"]Yeah a discinct difference, but they cost a lot. How expensive are the bulbs once you have the conversion done?[/quote]

The bulbs are in the price.............and as they don't have a filament like normal lamps - they're deamed to outlast the car.

Looks nice Rich. All the coppers have them down here and it does look awesome. Is there much to the kit?

awesome Rich .. love em mate

[quote="IOW323F"] Is there much to the kit?[/quote]

Basically everything you need for plug and play.

2 Xenon Lamps
2 Ballast Units
1 Full wiring loom with relay.

Whilst outside a few moments ago, I couldn't resist another photo!

[img]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v661/richardesty/Xenon2.jpg[/img]

Funny thing is, whilst taking that photo the woman over the road rang Sarah to complain at how bright they were!!!!!!!

And beleive it or not, I'm just about to take her out for a spin in the dark - first time since fitting them!

awesome Rich .. love em mate

I take it you took the complaint as a complement
What about a photo on your new reversing lights, lets light that garage up

[quote="richardesty"][quote="fastmike"]Yeah a discinct difference, but they cost a lot. How expensive are the bulbs once you have the conversion done?[/quote]

The bulbs are in the price.............and as they don't have a filament like normal lamps - they're deamed to outlast the car.[/quote]

Well in that case £240 is not that bad, considering how many bulbs you probably would go through if you use the old style ones.

Fantastic.... #;o)

Just thought I'd add this info as I was curious to its meaning.....

HID = High Intensity Discharge. A light source in which light is produced by a stabilised arc that burns at a much higher color temperature which creates a whiter light output than a standard halogen bulb. This arc is generated with an igniting system and ballast. In reality it utilises a 35w bulb but produces 150w of power.

Nice one Stu.........you learn something new everyday.

And the colour of these, as with all light is measured in Kelvins. I've gone for the 4500K versions which are an 'ice white', where as if you go higher - say 6000k - you get a bluer colour, but less light output.

I'll also add that I purchased mine from 'Xenon Depot' in Canada.

ha! The owner must be a 'Shirow' fan as well!

[quote="wai.cheung01"]ha! The owner must be a 'Shirow' fan as well![/quote]

You'll have to explain that one Wai?!?!?!?!?

Just type 'Shirow'in on Google and you should have your answer.

You'd need to be a 'proper' fan to understand my reference to the company you bought the lights from though. (it'd take too long to explain and woud be like having to explain the punchline of a joke; Not worth it by then....! )

<that should bug Rich: "..something on the internet I'm NOT aware of?!? ..NEVER!!">

Going a bit off-topic eh?

PS. You seen the new Appleseed Wai? it rules

got a Malaysian 'official' version (looked like a knock-off to me!) and recently just bought the Uk release.

mega-manga film!

looking out for GitS: Innocence now....


...sorry; back to Rich's supa-lights!

I followed you down the path to using and evangelising PIAA, but I think your [u]wallet[/u] may have left me behind on this HID business.....

...I AM in the 'affluent' South East after all, and we have to show how wealthy we are by paying loads more money for property!!

Looking brilliant mate, so bright looks great.
I was thinking of getting this done as my mate was selling these kits on ebay as he bought loads from Japan to sell on.
Not sure if he has any left.
Is it easy to fit, actually I'd probably balls it up as i'm so not good with these sort of things, i'll probably get it fitted if I go for this option.

It's a 'plug and play set up - the hardest bit is fiting somewhere for all the wires, and the ballast units!

...no cheating Asif; you gotta spend a while on the PIAAs [u]FIRST[/u]! (...sorta like 'lighting apprenticeship'!)

Lol still not got them in lol
It's dark by the time I get home so bit of a pain in the a**e at the min.
will get round to it at some point.
Then may go a step up.

FCUK me guys and Girls-

HAving just been in Richs car twice today- both time in the dark, I gotta say WOW over the HID kit.......

My god- there's only the slightest difference if any between main beem, and the newly improved dipped..........

FANTASTIC

[img]http://www.bilgalleri.dk/uploads_large/250314.jpg[/img]
[img]http://www.bilgalleri.dk/uploads_large/250315.jpg[/img]
This is 8000K which is pretty dark and should only be chosen for the looks, 6000K I recommend for the best light output.

Xenon is da bomb, if you like I can make a good price on a Xenon HID kit incl. shipping to the UK... sorry if this is the wrong place to post this.

With my 4300k kit giving 20% more light output than the 6000k Only joking - but hell those one's are blue!!!!!

What make are the HID kit's that that you do, and indeed what are the prices for the H3 and H1 kits at 6000k?

[quote]h my 4300k kit giving 20% more light output than the 6000k Only joking - but hell those one's are blue!!!!!
[/quote] Yes very, but it looks cool in my opinion

Mine are CEBT kits, developed with german technology. One thing that is vital when buying these kits is that they can handle the (no clue what it's called in english ) drivinglight?? (the light that is auto on when you ignite your car..) not sure whether you use that in england, but we do in Denmark, and alot of the cheapest kits the ballast.

For the people concerning the price, yes it's expensive, but the 323F BA have the DE lenses which are perfect for this operation, which also all cars manufactured with Xenon HID uses. And a Xenon bulb normally lasts 3000 hour where a normal bulb is around 200-500 hours.

Normal price 220£ each for a complete set in either 6000K or 8000K, currently selling them for 208£.