Lighting

[Cloudbase]

TSX projectors are the bomb, that's what all the M Coupe guys retrofit. They beat the hell out of the crappy chinese shit I'm running.

[E30Dan07]

If we want to talk legality of aftermarket HID's, I think it's more illegal for me to drive 5 mph over the speed limit everywhere than to put in some better bulbs in my car.

In addition, if I ever get pulled over at night, the last thing the cop will notice are my headlights...considering they're 55W 4500K's and look the same as far as color is concerned as all the other cars around me. My car is also 2 inches lower than stock and I spent well over an hour aligning the lights after I installed them (I'm a perfectionist when it comes to these things).

As a third reason, $50 for HID's is more cost effective then doing an overhaul of your headlights.

But this thread isn't for arguing. My advice: get a neutral color for the lows (to not attract unwanted attention in the rare scenario you do come across the popo) and improve your visibility while maintaining a relatively high bank account balance.

[Bishop]

I agree with above said shit, again..... Dan, and Brad, do you guys have pics you can post? Decent pics showing the 55w 4500k? and if so, could you guys be bothered to post them ASAP?

EDIT: I did some browsing, saw this post / little argument, copied and figured it'd be funny to post here..

I have 55 watts in my car, and it doesn't feel like I'm being blinded at all. I can see very well.

[KennyT]

If you frequently drive backroads and need more light you can either run 55w HID's in the highbeams or install a pair of Aux lights. Just deal with no highbeam flash.

If you think you need more light from lows+fogs, you are an idiot. low beams are so people can see you, and fogs for bad weather.

[E30Dan07]

First time posting pictures. Lets see if this works.

To start off, I don't have a great camera, and I'm not a photographer, but I took these after I installed the HID's.

1st picture is a "before" picture. I have badly pitted and scratched old ellipsoids, so I really needed something brighter than the stock bulbs b/c I couldn't see hardly at all, especially in inclement weather.

2nd picture is the "after" picture.

3rd picture is a sweet one that I took this weekend. It shows the color of the lights a bit better.

55w 4500K

[Bishop]

If you frequently drive backroads and need more light you can either run 55w HID's in the highbeams or install a pair of Aux lights. Just deal with no highbeam flash.

If you think you need more light from lows+fogs, you are an idiot. low beams are so people can see you, and fogs for bad weather.

My 35w 6000k is way bluer than I anticipated and I really can't see shit. I do city driving as well as country and back roads driving. My car does it all and I really need to be able to see at night... Which is why I thought I'd step up to 55w 4500k, and also skip over DDM this time. Seems like there's another company emerging with faster service and a better product for the same price.

First time posting pictures. Lets see if this works.

To start off, I don't have a great camera, and I'm not a photographer, but I took these after I installed the HID's.

1st picture is a "before" picture. I have badly pitted and scratched old ellipsoids, so I really needed something brighter than the stock bulbs b/c I couldn't see hardly at all, especially in inclement weather.

2nd picture is the "after" picture.

3rd picture is a sweet one that I took this weekend. It shows the color of the lights a bit better.

55w 4500K

Doesn't really show me much but I appreciate it. DDM raptor kit, or the other DDM kit? Is it blue at all? Really really bright? Can you see shit before hitting it? etc.

[MisterMiniS]

Is it blue at all? .

I can testify that his are not blue at all. Very white!

[KennyT]

My 35w 6000k is way bluer than I anticipated and I really can't see shit. I do city driving as well as country and back roads driving. My car does it all and I really need to be able to see at night... Which is why I thought I'd step up to 55w 4500k, and also skip over DDM this time. Seems like there's another company emerging with faster service and a better product for the same price.

Then replace your HIDs with regular bulbs and call it a day for the lows. In the city you don't really need lights period, let alone high output. Low beams are for people to see you, not you to see them.

Driving in the country is a different story. I probably won't daily a vehicle without Aux lights for the rest of my life. I really enjoy being able to see deer a 1/4 mile away when hauling ass through the UP.

[iamsam]

You mo def need big lights in the UP, ha ha!! Last time i was in that area i ran into a bear!!

As far as lows, I want bright lows. screw my retarded weak dim lows that illuminate the the 4 fees of pavement in front of me. 97% of my driving is back roads when I drive at night, and there is usually always a car somewhere in front of me, so a can rarely use my brights, and my lows SUCK.

[KennyT]

You mo def need big lights in the UP, ha ha!! Last time i was in that area i ran into a bear!!

As far as lows, I want bright lows. screw my retarded weak dim lows that illuminate the the 4 fees of pavement in front of me. 97% of my driving is back roads when I drive at night, and there is usually always a car somewhere in front of me, so a can rarely use my brights, and my lows SUCK.

I just don't get it. Why do you need bright lights when someone is in front of you?

[blefevre]

To see the side of the road.....

[Bimmerman325i]

Or because there arent always people in front of you, but there are people far off enough that highs are bad to use, or because lows do more than point out where you are to other drivers, or because streetlights arent everywhere, or a million other reasons.....

[iamsam]

I just don't get it. Why do you need bright lights when someone is in front of you?

1. because they are more than 4 feet in front of me.
2. because if they are in the distance, it is still a dick move to use brights
3. because it is dark at night

If i just wanted to alert other drivers of my presence, running lights will do that. low beam headlights are to see with. Therefore i want them powerful enough so that I can see down the road the same distance as normal cars can see down the road.

[Bishop]

Sooooooooo, 55w 4500k

[blefevre]

So there isnt a problem with overheating the projectors with 55w? If so I am going to get the 55's. I could have sworn I read it was an issue with some people.