HID headlamp turned purple

[sublime187]

All of a sudden my right HID lamp is purple. Does that typically mean that the bulb needs to be replaced, or more? Can somebody point me to a some decent bulbs at a reasonable price? I don't need anything fancy or exotic.

By the way, what typw of labor charge should I expect?

[Marshall206]

ya, mine did that, purple then redish then goodbye

[sublime187]

So all it needed was a new bulb? Where did you buy and how much did it cost?

By the way, how long before it failed completely?

[jltibbs]

OE is ~$200-250

Auto parts store ~$130

I know at my store I can order a pair for ~$160, they would be 6000k though.

[Q451990]

You might also check ebay, although it's kind of crapshoot. From everything I've heard, you should replace them as a pair to get a matching color temperature from both of them.

Heath

[sublime187]

anybody know what color temp the OE are? i thought aftermarket bulbs could be had for much cheaper? i need a cheap pair. can anybody point me in the right direction?

example: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors...20920

by the way, do i need any specific types of bulbs or what? i know nothing about this stuff

edit: i read on some other forums that my Q needs D2R bulbs, but the above bulbs are D2S.. does this matter?
Modified by sublime187 at 1:32 PM 10/21/2009

[Mowgli]

Get the D2R's.

[sublime187]

Appreciate the responses. So I'm looking for d2r's. I guess 8500k is what I prefer. Whatever. So are the cheapo ones on ebay just garbage or what?

I'd really appreciate it if anyone has time to point me to a pair that will be good and are cheap, if that is even possible.

[Mowgli]

I got a set off of amazon.com. No name brand and have been in over a year with no problems.

[Q451990]

My guess is that OEM is somewhere around 4000K to 5000K. As Mowgli said, D2R should be the correct ones for your housings.

Heath

[sublime187]

what do you guys think of these??

http://www.amazon.com/XenTec-6...r=1-1

http://www.amazon.com/XenTec-8...r=8-1

by the way, 6000k or 8000k? i dont want some super cheesy blue color, although i do kinda like a slight bluish tint. are the 6000k more blinding to other drivers?Modified by sublime187 at 12:22 AM 10/22/2009

Modified by sublime187 at 12:23 AM 10/22/2009
Modified by sublime187 at 1:10 AM 10/22/2009

[Mowgli]

I have the 8K in my car, so you can see what they look like in the picture. The higher Kelvin rating you go, the less actual light output you get. So a lower number would be better. But it all comes down to personal preference.

[sublime187]

So I went ahead and purchased a pair of Xentec d2r 6000K bulbs for $45 shipped from QuickAutoHouse thru Amazon.com. I was a bit torn about going with 6000K or 5000K. I like a little blue but I don't want it to look ricey. I'm hoping the blue will be faint. I'll update on my results.

[sublime187]

Well before I even received the bulbs I decided that 6000k was a bad idea. I returned them and have ordered 5k. Xentec doesn't make 4300k, but I think the 5k's will be very functional and look good.

I sure wish maxnix wouldve read this thread and told me that getting 6000k was a bad idea.

As someone who's never purchased a xenon bulb before, I didn't realize just how much light output I'd really lose from the stock 4300k. I didn't realize that the quality of light in rain or snow would be affected. We get a lot of snow in michigan, and I've read from other people's account that 6000k+ will impair the lighting in these conditions. Furthermore, I equated the 'blu-ish' headlamps of other high end autos with a higher color temp, when really, its just the projector that can make stock 4300k's appear that way.

After really paying attention to other cars on the road, I realized the 'blu-ish' 6000k lights and above were easily differentiatedd from the 'blu-ish' caused by projectors. In my opinion, the higher color temps look cheap and are usually found on a honda or pontiac.

So what is the point of these higher color temp lights? Poorer lighting and a cheap appearance. Of course, if you really like the appearance then of course they might be a good choice for you.

I'm writing this to hopefully educate someone else who's in the same position I was.

[fairplay]

Try this place. buy my ballast and bulbs.Mention e-bay to get a lower price.

http://stores.ebay.com/Wholesa...Store