High intensity discharge (HID) conversion kits

[Alex B]

Blerb from LTSA: HID conversion kits (an HID bulb with a high voltage power unit or ‘ballast’ which fits into the original headlamp unit in place of the original bulb with no change to the headlamp lens, reflector or housing) are illegal on any vehicle being used on New Zealand roads.

However, a complete halogen headlamp unit can be replaced with a complete HID headlamp unit provided that the replacement headlamp unit complies with approved standards. If in doubt, get advice from a vehicle lighting retailer you trust.

Ok i want HID's on the MR2. Reading the part in blue, this is only legal if i change the whole light housing. Questions are, who sells these in nz, i would assume they were not to hard to obtain as the mr2 light would be a fairly standard size, and do HID's come in a high/low beam setup at all?

[no_8wire]

Why not just get the brighter bulbs and crystal style housings? much cheaper...

[Alex B]

Because i dont want them. Im aware of cost thanks

[AJz]

high/low beam yes afaik. dont know the exact workings but something to do with a ballast and tilting the lamp etc, only single filament bulb.

well that was my understanding of them, please someone correct me if im wrong

If you do find any of these full replacement kits let me know, id be interested

[sergei]

HIDs are horrible, too much glare, annoyance for people in front, annoyance for people on opposite side of the road, in reallity not that bright... They are efficient of creating light, but that light is in wrong spectrum.
You are far better off more powerfull normal halogen lights (say 90W), replacement bulbs on HID are very expensive compare to normal bulbs. Most of standart cars which come with HID from factory still have halogen as high beam.
The HID technology is still not perfect, it is good for lightnight in The Warehouse but I would not have them on my car.
Well saying that I'm sure people will have different opinion to me, I see this as the same argument as chromes, they are not practical (being heavy) but people still use them, there is a bling factor involved...

[Akane]

HIDs are horrible, too much glare, annoyance for people in front, annoyance for people on opposite side of the road, in reallity not that bright... They are efficient of creating light, but that light is in wrong spectrum.

Yes they're "annoying", but the light is actually in the proper spectrum (factory 4500k~6000k), which is more closer to sunlight.

You are far better off more powerfull normal halogen lights (say 90W), replacement bulbs on HID are very expensive compare to normal bulbs.

90W will have a greater chance to burn out a car's wiring, as that creates a very high current draw HID bulbs are expensive but you get what you paid for

Most of standart cars which come with HID from factory still have halogen as high beam.

That's because HID takes about 10 seconds to warm up, if you wanna flicker your high beam, by the time it heats up and able to flicker, I think it'll be too late and the other car from the opposite side have rammed into your skull already.

The HID technology is still not perfect, it is good for lightnight in The Warehouse but I would not have them on my car.

Fair enough hairy muff. Each to their own.

Well saying that I'm sure people will have different opinion to me, I see this as the same argument as chromes, they are not practical (being heavy) but people still use them, there is a bling factor involved...

I'd hit it if they were legal.
BTW, the HID bulb will outlast the car, as they're 2 plates of metallic meterial that never touches, but creates an arc instead.

[sergei]

look Akane, you are "know it all", but I'm talking from my experience, we go through 300 cars a month (car yard), and I have seen burned out HIDs.. and 4500k is not perfect spectrum for HID far too many blues, and far too off from sun light (which has lots of helium and hydrogen bands which are in orange/yellow part of spectrum). Infact spectrum of HID is far too narrow. as with 90w if you upgrade the wiring it should not be a problem.

[wde_bdy]

I'm running 130/100W bulbs in my car with upgraded wiring, very very effective. However, not at all legal. If you can find the complete HID kit with housings as well then go for it as it is one of your best LEGAL options, if that concerns you.

Callum

[Mr Revhead]

MR2s use the semi sealed beams.
i havnt seen HID kit for them yet.

i too find HID lamps #$^^ing annoying.
and yes they do blow, and my god they are exspensive.
a bulb often costs more than a brand new normal lamp

[Akane]

look Akane, you are "know it all", but I'm talking from my experience.

Yeah alright, keep your pants on buddy. I better not correct your thinking anymore or else you'll blow up, just like HID lightbulbs do

[sergei]

I've seen a few exploding (not automotive, but commerciall) taking out the protecting glass as well with it...

if it looks cool it does not mean that it is very functional.

Don't worry Kenny I'm not easily exploding type

[alastabesta]

a bulb often costs more than a brand new normal lamp

second that.
between $150~$200 for a set of bulbs for my caldina

[dougsop]

get a set of 8000K bulb off trademe for 78 dollars VERY similar to HID.

get it off this guy


http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motor ... 868364.htm

[rolla_fxgt]

surely there'll be a company in the us or japan that specialise in making custom lights & should be able to make a quality legal hid headlight with legal casings etc.

on the note of higher output halogens, i used to run a 120w car fog light on my mountian bike as a riding light, that was definately illegal on the road, as it had no dip function. Also it needed airflow to avoid overheating & a friend melted his helmet with one it produced so much heat

[Muzzie]

a bulb often costs more than a brand new normal lamp

second that.
between $150~$200 for a set of bulbs for my caldina

Auto electrician friend of mine replaced a bulb in a late model terrano that was a HID one, his cost was $278