Originally posted by: BoomerD
Xenon or HID? HID will run you about that much, or more, depending on the car. Xenon is basically just the cheapo ricer-blue headlights. YES, technically they MAY have some xenon gas in the bulb...but still...just for the "posers" out there who want to look like they have HID...
In many places, add-on HID is now illegal, so check your local statutes before dropping the $$ on them
Originally posted by: BoomerD
So your car came stock with HID lighting? If that's the case, then just replace the bulbs...IIRC, almost all HID headlight bulbs have a certain amount of xenon in them. If you are wanting to add HID to your car, THAT's where the expense and possibly legality comes into play, otherwise, why would you need to buy the ballasts too? In MOST cases, they use a totally different headlight bucket for the HID assembly than for Halogen lighting. YES, the manufacturers/sellers will tell you that either it's street legal, or an easy retrofit, but both may not be exactly true.
Originally posted by: Aimster
Originally posted by: BoomerD
So your car came stock with HID lighting? If that's the case, then just replace the bulbs...IIRC, almost all HID headlight bulbs have a certain amount of xenon in them. If you are wanting to add HID to your car, THAT's where the expense and possibly legality comes into play, otherwise, why would you need to buy the ballasts too? In MOST cases, they use a totally different headlight bucket for the HID assembly than for Halogen lighting. YES, the manufacturers/sellers will tell you that either it's street legal, or an easy retrofit, but both may not be exactly true.
No I have regular halogen headlights. The factory xenon headlights look a little different and you can tell by looking at the headlights if they are xenon or not. That's why I need to buy a set of headlights.
Originally posted by: Aimster
maybe more :-\
I think 800 dollars for ligths is excessive, but what do you all think?
He's been saying that he's going to replace the entire lighting assembly.Originally posted by: BoomerD
That's what I'm trying to tell you. If your car came from the factory with halogen lighting, the ONLY xenon lighting that will be a direct "Plug & Play" will be the blue tinted bulbs. TRUE BMW xenon is a HID system, not just a bluish looking bulb.
http://www.kenrockwell.com/bmw/540notxenon.htm
http://www.kenrockwell.com/bmw/540headlights.htm
http://www.xenonvalot.com/xenonsys.html
Originally posted by: V00DOO
In order to upgrade your BMW Halogen Headlights to Xenon HID you'll need HID Ballasts and complete new Xenon headlight units. I have Xenon Angel Eye HID in my E39 BMW 540I and beside the look I wouldn't spend $600 to $800 to have a little better visibility. Which series BMW do you have? If it's the 5 Series the Xenon Angel Eye do make a huge difference in looks after the upgrade. Are you looking for something like these?
Originally posted by: Xanis
Sorry, $800 for some bulbs is just plain absurd. You said you're looking for a "better driving experience"? Keep in mind that the bluer the light, the quicker it makes your eyes tired. If anything, this upgrade would make your driving experience less enjoyable.
Originally posted by: z0mb13
Originally posted by: Xanis
Sorry, $800 for some bulbs is just plain absurd. You said you're looking for a "better driving experience"? Keep in mind that the bluer the light, the quicker it makes your eyes tired. If anything, this upgrade would make your driving experience less enjoyable.
its not jsut for the bulb.. it will be for the complete housing light