Making Standard Hid's Better?

[tomfreay]

Hi,

I've got standard HIDs on my IS250 SE-L, and while they are much better than my previous halogen equipped car, they don't seem to be as bright as others cars with HIDs. Is there anything that can be done to improve them? I've read a little about 35W and 55W HID lamps, which does lexus fit as standard? Is it possible to upgrade to a brighter bulb?

Thanks

[Matus]

I think that HIDs on IS are very good - in terms of length and width and also in brightness.

Toyota Avensis HIDs had a problem - the inside of the light, where is the mirror coating, was made from plastics and started to corrode - this affected the brightness.

I haven't heard about this problem in IS, but if you look closer on avensis light and IS light, the lens and its surrounding looks similar, so may be... I'd recommend to compare it with other IS and than take further action.

[hotwheels]

My 220D SE came with halogen bulbs but I have retrofitted a high quality Philips HID kit.

Initially I powered the ballasts from the plus/minus cables within the headlight and the light output wasn't that good.

Now I have installed a relay harness which gets power directly from the Battery terminals and I have to say the difference is huge.

search in eBay for "relay harness kit".

Rgds

George

[BillNick]

Resurrecting this post.....

Has anybody upgraded their HID bulbs (actual D4S HID I mean, not a HID kit)?

I wanted my IS250 SE-L with HID to match the colour of the latest Mercedes with HID. Anyone know which colour rating OEM Mercedes bulbs use?

Anyone have pictures of their Lexus HIDs with upgraded bulbs please?

[jamesm182]

Resurrecting this post.....

Has anybody upgraded their HID bulbs (actual D4S HID I mean, not a HID kit)?

I wanted my IS250 SE-L with HID to match the colour of the latest Mercedes with HID. Anyone know which colour rating OEM Mercedes bulbs use?

Anyone have pictures of their Lexus HIDs with upgraded bulbs please?

I believe Osram do a cool blue 5000k Xenon bulb which is what Mercedes fit where as the Lexus philips ones are about 4300 or 4500k I think....

[johnatg]

The higher the light temperature the more blue and cool they look...and the less light they emit!

[ChumpusRex]

There is an Osram 5000K aftermarket D4S bulb with the same light output as the OEM bulbs.

[BillNick]

So Osram 5000k will give me the Merc colour?

[jamesm182]

So Osram 5000k will give me the Merc colour?

I believe so yes

[madasahatter]

Could be the bulbs are deteriating they dont last for ever, i dont know the year of your car but after 3 or 4 years the brightness is not

the same. As above said 5000k are a good colour just a slight ting of blue.

[toffee_pie]

osram xenarc on mine -

OSRAM Xenarc D4S 5000K

[BillNick]

Cheers guys

[BillNick]

I went with Morimoto XB D4S 5500k

I have had Morimoto before and they are very very good. Will post pics when they arrive (from US)

[jamesm182]

I went with Morimoto XB D4S 5500k

I have had Morimoto before and they are very very good. Will post pics when they arrive (from US)

How much did those set you back?

[BillNick]

$73 inc postage

I may have to pay a little customs aswell though I will let you know, sometimes they slip through.

[madasahatter]

Do they fit into the halogen place or do they need modding.

[BillNick]

These are D4S replacement bulbs not for Halogen Headlights. I have HIDs as standard and therefore require D4S bulbs.

[toffee_pie]

as he said, D4S are HID bulbs, not halogens.

[madasahatter]

I was refering to the morimoto lights which take the hids.