Look of HID headlights...

[one_raven]

I'm trying to decide whether to go with the HID lights or not.
What, if any, differences are there compared to the standard lights?

Do the HID headlights look any different than the regular headlights?
Other than being brighter, that is.

For example, can you tell if these:

are HID headlights by looking at them?

What about when the headlights are on the first "notch" (driving lamps, do they call it?)?
Do they look any different then?
Does anyone have any clear pictures to compare?

Are they horribly annoying and blinding to the car in front of you?
Do they have a blueish green tint when on?

[IS300M]

Go for the HID, Its very Pretty

Look here: http://faq.auto.light.tripod.com/hl-hid-bulbs.htm

[HERMINIO]

I own 2 C's, one with the HID and I told you that go with HID. The difference in visibility and coverage is worth the extra money directly FROM the factory.

[IS300M]

Well I own a 300M, and I just bought some HID's for it, I havent installed them yet, but they look cool just sitting in my livingroom:

[E8502]

Nice Scott... (BTW, did you get the grill in yet??) I love the projectors, very cool looking. You also stole the link I was gunna post for him, great info on all things headlights.

I've found that projector HID's are better looking to others, as their beam is concentrated in a small area, yet it's very powerful.

[one_raven]

Other than the view FROM the driver's seatis there no difference in the look/functionality of the units?

It's just an HID bulb and nothing else different?

[E8502]

Other than the view FROM the driver's seatis there no difference in the look/functionality of the units?

It's just an HID bulb and nothing else different?

That's correct, the headlight with HID's on the 300C is the same then the non HID's other then the actual bulb behind the projector lense.

[E55 KEV]

It's just an HID bulb and nothing else different?

The HID option gets headlamp washers nozzles on the bumper.

[one_raven]

The HID option gets headlamp washers nozzles on the bumper.

Standard?
Can you the get HID option without washers (without adding it yourself afterwards, that is)?

[DucatiBoy]

No, if you ORDER HID headlights FROM the factory it's a package with the squirters.

Personally when I was looking though the options I could get on my 300C, I saw some with the HID's and some regulars and I couldn't tell FROM teh outside and I always test drove the cars in the daylight.

I originally didn't want the HIDs.... $650 for headlights? Whats wrong with regular headlights?

When the dealer called and said they had the same car that I ordered but with everything (including the HID's, I originally opted not for the sound GROUP 2, engine block warmer, HID's or the smokers group) I took it anyway.

I'm so glad I got the HID's the extra amount of light at night is AMAZING! If you drive on flat roads, the other drivers shouldn't be too bothered. The light is focused perfectly, it's almost night and day where the line of light is (night avobe the line and daylight below). But in northern NJ where I drive with lots of hills, some times, the focus will hit people as I crest a hill or something. It has to be bright in the eyes.

I wasn't too keen on the squirters either, and I haven't noticed them. But they are a small price to pay for headlights that work that well.

And they are only blueish for a couple seconds when they turn on, after that I would say bright white. And very focused, there is a horizontal line level with the car and it's light below that line and dark above it. It's real cool.

Really, go for the HID's!

[BrilliantBlackHemi]

I highly concur with the GET THE HIDs recommendation. I payed a bunch of money to add these to my 300M and it was worth it. The option of $650 to upgrade these on a 300C FROM the factory is a good deal. Probably less than half what it would cost you to add it later with new dealer ordered parts.

You can see SO MUCH better, high beams? Foglamps? Who needs them anymore?

The stair step cutoff pattern in the lighting is designed to put the light on the road and not in the eyes of oncoming drivers or in the rear view of drivers at night. It's quite ingenious. No one has ever flashed me as if I had high beams on with HIDs. Poorly designed aftermarket conversions do that and are giving HIDs a bad name. Factory installed/designed HIDs are awesome. 8) 8) 8) 8) 8) 8) 8) 8) 8)

[one_raven]

It's sounding better and better.
The problem, however, is that it isn't $650 for me, it's $2005 (thought I'm not sure how much standard would cost).
I am adding the 300c front clip to my Magnum, and trying to decide which headlights to get.
When the price of the hood, bumper cover and both fenders combined is just over $1100.00, it gives a little pang of pain in the waller when ONE headlight is $1000.
Than again, I can justify it to myself by reminding myself that I was expecting the other parts to cost a lot more.
I think the deciding factor will be how much more the HID headlights will be over the standard.
I'd hate to regret trying to save a few bucks and being disappointed enough to just add them later, anyway.

Thanks for all yor input.

[C4me]

I screwed up and didn't ORDER the HID's, but the "C" comes with projector lights and I installed the Silverstars. They are NOT boy racer blue lights, but a very white light that is quite good through the projector system. If you have the "regular" lights, give it a try! If you have the chance, go for the HID. I can't say how good the Silverstars are with non-projector light systems, so if you have a base, Limited, or Touring .........???

[Fred]

The washers come standard with HID's because that is part of the regulations, not so much in the USA as in europe (part of the ECE standard) I find that at some angles the HID light is better FROM oncoming traffic than standard as they have a more defined cutoff, and the wavelength of the light just doesn't hurt the eyes as much as the halogen.

[pd171]

I have a 96 Dodge Dakota that I installed the Sylvania Xenarc X1010 aux low beam HIDs on and the difference in nighttime visability is dramatic. Of course I got the HIDs on my 300C. I will never ever get another vehicle that does not have these amazing lights. In the rain or fog they are so much better than halogen it is hard for me to imagine driving without them.