madrye28

I got a quote to install HID's for $150 (I have a non-Tech). This includes the entire kit with the ballast, bulb, etc. Is that a good price? If so, how intense of a bulb should I get to match the factory settings? I saw online that 6,000K is what most car manufacturers use. Does anybody have any additional info/tips in this? Also, being that my headlamps are already "projectors" they should already be properly aimed, correct?

Thanks in advance.

yojcboy

The average price for a set of HID that is made in China should be from $100 -$150. For my understanding, most of the OEM HID from factory is 4200k.

silverrevlis

4300K is the standard Kelvin rating that manufacturers use. The higher you go above that color temperature, the less visibility you will have. I would stick with 4300K.

XIS

4300K looks best too. OEM look.

http://www.theretrofitsource.com/


Those blue lights look so frikin horrible.... Why anyone thinks 6000K, 8000K or even higher looks good is beyond me....

weather

Thats because STUPID people exist everywhere

dominik331

And people driving with non projector HID with anything above 6k should be pulled over and poured hot melting candle wax in their eyes so that they know what it feels like to have those obnoxious light directed to you.

Well, maybe not so much but you get the point.

MR_T30

madrye28 I have done a couple of HID retrofits in the past and can tell you the hid conversion kit you are thinking of picking up will not look anywhere as good as the stock hids found on the tech package. The kit quality has come a long way in the last 5-10 years, a lot of the guys on other forums (check the tl section)are actually replacing their stock setups with $150 Chinese kits when they burn out with no complaints.

The issue is with the projector assembly on the halogen headlight. The manufacturer designs the headlight specifically for the bulb type used and the projectors used for the HID vs Halogen models are not the same. So the bottom line is that halogen projectors + HIDS will have much more light output than the stock halogens but there will be some glare and some issues with cutout.

I did a conversion on a halogen Audi 1.8t (came stock with projectors) and saw a huge difference when I added the conversion kit but it just didn't look right. I then upgraded the headlight Assembly to the xenon models and was in heaven but that was pricey. And I was buying used. You may want to look into HIR bulbs, they are as good as halogen bulbs get and only cost $20-30 a piece.

Here is some additional reading if your interested.

http://www.hidplanet.com/forums/show...ails-govt-test
http://www.danielsternlighting.com/t...nversions.html

weather

Actually....I am not sure why you said "not so much but you get the point"?! I agree with you 150% and everytime I see a moron coming towards me with his FAKE bluish headlights and blind me, I take great pleasure at returning the favor! The idea of the hot wax seems very appealing! Didn't like it for my bikini line but this is a better application *lmao*

dominik331

I'm glad someone agrees with me.

Infamous425

ddm tuning has HID kits for $35. I've had them on my car for over a year without any problems.

madrye28

I will keep my halogens for now....thanks everybody for all of the advice.

XIS

upgrade and I promise you will be glad you did

Mr Marco

Non-tech = no HiD? Jesus, how cheap has Acura become? Add another $25k car and they'll devalue me right into the arms of Cadillac.

MR_T30

I see your point, the only thing I want from the tech package is HIDs & maybe the fog lights. Cant believe they actually dropped HIDs on the base RDX

psychostud

If not for the HID ... there would be very little value in Tech package(which already seems outdated). It seems a part of their marketing strategy..but definitely not something one would expect from a Luxury brand like Acura.

MR_T30

Exactly, especially considering the fact that it was standard on the previous generation which cost less.

zach10

is there is DIY for converting HID. i have done a conversion before, i am more concerned about taking the front bumper off and securing the ballast.