Aftermarket HIDs?

[Crono]

I think it's time I switch to decent aftermarket HIDs. Most of my driving is at night, but the headlights on my car (2017 Fiat 124 Spider) aren't particularly good... actually, none of the OEM headlights on any of the cars I've owned have been very good, but I've been lazy and put off changing them.

So my questions are: how easy is it to install new ones myself? And: which ones are compatible and would you recommend? Help a newb out. Thanks!

 

[NutBucket]

It'll look like poop because the halogen housings will scatter that extra light everywhere blinding everyone else. Don't do it.

 

[herm0016]

What Nutbucket said.

 

[Viper GTS]

While basically correct the above info ignores the one REAL upgrade - Full Bi-Xenon projector retrofits. Someone may even make one for those cars but the DIY route looks like this:

https://forum.miata.net/vb/showthread.php?t=477010

I have a reversible retrofit in the Viper, it's a machined aluminum plate in each factory light assembly that holds Morimoto projectors. The Viper headlight is somewhat unique in that the entire existing bulb infrastructure is removable with just four screws, and a simple plate adapter could drop in to replace it. The factory reflective surfaces are still there but are no longer used at all.

Viper GTS

 

[NutBucket]

Which most people don't do....

 

[Crono]

Yeah, I'm not looking to blind anyone (I'm light sensitive sometimes myself, I get migraines from time to time), was just wondering if there was a way to upgrade to better headlights.

I did some searching, though, and apparently the higher trims (I have the base Classica) LED headlights are much better. I'm wondering if those would be compatible with little to no modding.

 

[Yuriman]

$40 set of eBay projectors, $40 HID kit which included ballasts. Throw the headlights in the oven at 200F for 15 minutes to soften the glue, then pry them open and screw the projectors in. I could probably do the entire process, from removal to reinstall, in under an hour and a half if I were to do it again.

Best part? It's theoretically reversible.

Before:

 

[herm0016]

Usually are. Damn. The 124 looks great, is it as fun as it looks?

 

[Fenixgoon]

www.theretrofitsource.com

you may need new housings (package will run ~350-400 most likely) but it will all be professional and well done. for bulbs and ballast its like $150 for a nice morimoto setup. cheap headlights are cheap for a reason. i put a TRS kit in my genesis coupe and it was worth every penny (i only needed the bulbs/ballasts so it was like $150 for me).

edit: looks like they don't have anything for the spider yet, but i'd give them a call and see if any of their other solutions would fit properly.

 

[Ns1]

It'll look like poop because the halogen housings will scatter that extra light everywhere blinding everyone else. Don't do it unless you can pay for projectors.

ftfy. put some bmw projectors into my prelude. was awesome, and no light going everywhere.

Also cost me close to a grand at the time.