HIDs HIDs HIDs
Discussion
after spending the last 2 hours checking these out, I am no nearer to a decision, so, I look to you guys for a final and definitive answer. I have read the threads, I have studied the links, and seen the sites.
So questions are;
1. Are they as good as everybody says?
2. Are there any issues ie bulb failure, melting of components, fuse failure etc
3. What about the 'high power' versions (50W), anybody fitted these yet?(digital/analogue balasts?)
Not too concerned about the legality or moral issues, just want more light. Will convert the dip beam only, but might go for LED sidelights, just for looks.(111R 54 Plate)
Finally, seen sets for between £90 and £190, and experience of quality between the two? I know you get what you pay for, but that is some 'mark-up'.
So questions are;
1. Are they as good as everybody says?
2. Are there any issues ie bulb failure, melting of components, fuse failure etc
3. What about the 'high power' versions (50W), anybody fitted these yet?(digital/analogue balasts?)
Not too concerned about the legality or moral issues, just want more light. Will convert the dip beam only, but might go for LED sidelights, just for looks.(111R 54 Plate)
Finally, seen sets for between £90 and £190, and experience of quality between the two? I know you get what you pay for, but that is some 'mark-up'.
I think HID dipped is enough with some LED sidelights and 'Ice White' driving lamp bulbs for the looks. I can only comment on the cheap eBay specials that I bought for £75 and I can't fault them. Here's the kit http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&am... the colour is just right (not blue) and no complaints from oncoming cars as yet. 
Sorry for the (slight) hijack....
but I was thinking about upgrading the bulbs rather than putting in a complete HID kit.
Obivously one would expect an improvement over the candles that are in there at the moment but is there a major difference between changing the bulbs and a 'proper' HID kit?
If I was to go down the bulb route does any one know what type I would need? I'm confused with the H1,H3,H4 stuff.
As an example I've found these
http://www.eliseparts.com/shop/index.php?main_page...
and these,
http://www.autobulbsdirect.co.uk/home.php?cat=886
which I'd probably prefer as they (apparently) give a more 'white' light rather than a white with a blue tinge.
What's peoples thoughts on this - a good quick upgrade or a wate of cash and time?
but I was thinking about upgrading the bulbs rather than putting in a complete HID kit.
Obivously one would expect an improvement over the candles that are in there at the moment but is there a major difference between changing the bulbs and a 'proper' HID kit?
If I was to go down the bulb route does any one know what type I would need? I'm confused with the H1,H3,H4 stuff.
As an example I've found these
http://www.eliseparts.com/shop/index.php?main_page...
and these,
http://www.autobulbsdirect.co.uk/home.php?cat=886
which I'd probably prefer as they (apparently) give a more 'white' light rather than a white with a blue tinge.
What's peoples thoughts on this - a good quick upgrade or a wate of cash and time?
Yes, big difference between HIDs and the brightest standard bulbs you can get - or so many people have told me anyway. I've got HIDs on order from Elise Parts (Little bit more expensive, but at least I know that if there's a problem it'll be sorted, and that they work perfect with Elise).
Thanks guys
back on topic.....
if the op (or myself) went with a HID upgrade kit like the one that was posted e.g.
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&am...
how easy is it to fit? do you 'pop' out each headlight, then install or is it a front clam off job? When installing do you have to cut existing wires / drill holes to fit the brackets or is it much simplier than I'm thinking?
back on topic.....
if the op (or myself) went with a HID upgrade kit like the one that was posted e.g.
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&am...
how easy is it to fit? do you 'pop' out each headlight, then install or is it a front clam off job? When installing do you have to cut existing wires / drill holes to fit the brackets or is it much simplier than I'm thinking?
yes and it took me quite a while to work out how to paste the pictures in too for the S1 update.... 
I also added loads of extra info re: bulb types etc.
http://wiki.seloc.org/a/High_Intensity_Discharge_lamps
I have experience of S1 fitting only.
High Intensity Discharge Xenon lamps (gas) are way better than any halogen brightest bright upgrade (filament) bulbs you can get.
The light is on average three times brighter and the road is lit more naturally.
I am led to believe (by Cos @ Sportomotive) you can buy Xenon bulbs without HID and the ballasts but I have no experience.
Once "lit" HIDs consume less energy.
H1, H4 and H7 are bulb types. H4 is S1 ONLY (services both main and dipped beam from a single bulb. H1 is for all the driving lights (S1 & S2). S2s vary between H1 & H7 so you need to check your model type/age. It shoudl state in your handbook
Fitting for an S1 headlight is comparatively easy. Driving lights (the optional ones) invariably require the grill out and a degree of finesse and caution with a screwdriver but do not necessitate clam off. S2 main and dip are covered in TechWiki
Conventional sidelights will look yellow. I have gone for LED replacements from ultraLEDs. These are 233 bulb type for S1 and 501s for S2s
I bought my first set from China H4s, and these have been great... needed a little fettling to get a beam pattern on one side but passed MOT. No need to cut wires and easily restorable. A recent set I have just bought for the spots as part of the SELOC Bulk buy for Elise-shop do require the wires to be scotchblocked. I'm going to PM Yvo first though to see if by removing said scotchblock I can restore to original.
They do all seem to come from China. The variations seem to be in the burners (bulbs) themselves probably due to different sourcing.
I also added loads of extra info re: bulb types etc. http://wiki.seloc.org/a/High_Intensity_Discharge_lamps
I have experience of S1 fitting only.
High Intensity Discharge Xenon lamps (gas) are way better than any halogen brightest bright upgrade (filament) bulbs you can get.
The light is on average three times brighter and the road is lit more naturally.
I am led to believe (by Cos @ Sportomotive) you can buy Xenon bulbs without HID and the ballasts but I have no experience.
Once "lit" HIDs consume less energy.
H1, H4 and H7 are bulb types. H4 is S1 ONLY (services both main and dipped beam from a single bulb. H1 is for all the driving lights (S1 & S2). S2s vary between H1 & H7 so you need to check your model type/age. It shoudl state in your handbook
Fitting for an S1 headlight is comparatively easy. Driving lights (the optional ones) invariably require the grill out and a degree of finesse and caution with a screwdriver but do not necessitate clam off. S2 main and dip are covered in TechWiki
Conventional sidelights will look yellow. I have gone for LED replacements from ultraLEDs. These are 233 bulb type for S1 and 501s for S2s
I bought my first set from China H4s, and these have been great... needed a little fettling to get a beam pattern on one side but passed MOT. No need to cut wires and easily restorable. A recent set I have just bought for the spots as part of the SELOC Bulk buy for Elise-shop do require the wires to be scotchblocked. I'm going to PM Yvo first though to see if by removing said scotchblock I can restore to original.
They do all seem to come from China. The variations seem to be in the burners (bulbs) themselves probably due to different sourcing.
Edited by Grinnders on Monday 26th November 13:32
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