Having lived with factory HID lights on my wife's BMW for a couple of years now, I would like to add some comments. The technically legal factory lights have a super sharp cutoff on low beam, straight ahead, but then arc up sharply on the right. So on low beam you have an incredibly bright near view and the complete blackness above that. Even though it has automatic leveling, if you are on an undulating road, the cutoff tracks up and down so oncoming cars and cars you are following often think you are flashing your lights at them. Also, going around a turn to the right, oncoming cars are lit up like you have landing lights on. Road sign reflection is also distractingly bright. Combined with the Halogen high beams, the visibility is excellent when you are the only one on the road. Otherwise the HID's are embarassing and obnoxious. Give me nice bright Halogens any day (or night). Save the HID's for Sebring or Baja. Just my opinion.

 

If you can't handle negative comments, you probably shouldn't post in the first place. Posting leaves open the possibility of negative comments.

Personally, I could care less what you do to yours. You can hang lanterns off they hood, I'd laught, but it's yours.

As far as lighting, if it's legal and does not blind others on the road. Don't care. But if you blind me going down the road, that **** don't fly with me. Those that don't care how they effect others on the road, should not be allowed to drive.

 

Thank you! I merely posted my personal opinion on the matter. On how to do things the correct way. Your standard halogen reflectors are not made to provide an anti-glare cutoff that HIDs require. Plug and play kits may be DOT approved but that just means they meet the DOT requirement for the lights themselves. NOT for specific vehicles. Just bulb types and light output. That is all. Just because they fit doesn't mean they don't blind. From a distance PNP HID kits are VERY bright to on coming traffic when used on non-HID made reflectors. Anyone who says they're not is just ignorant. And just because you don't get flashed doesn't mean they're not bright. My parents don't flash they're brights at anyone anymore because of a couple reasons: 1. Most people don't dim their brights anyway, 2. they heard that gang memebers drive with brights on and when flashed follow that person and kill them, 3. it's in passing and the lights only shine for a couple seconds and then they're gone. I for one know that my DOT approved lights are in DOT approved housings that are made for zero glare and are aimed correctly to avoid blinding on coming traffic.

Again the posts were my opinion as was this one. An open forum allows for all opinions. Not bashing or hating on anyone's mods. Your car is just that. YOUR CAR. YOU do with it what you want. I for one am glad I don't live nearby so I have no worries of getting blinded.

 

I sincerely apologize to Laid GP....

If I am responsible for starting this controversy. Especially, when someone feels the need to carry it to a completely different forum.



Now for the "high jack"......

Have you noticed the lack of "harmony" and the increase of discord over the past several weeks. I think it's the stress brought on by the holidays. Ask any Police Officer, Fire Fighter, EMT, or Social Worker for their thoughts. Hell, even the Obits Listing is larger. More people apparently die around these holidays because of the stress level. AGAIN JUST MY OPINION.

 

http://www.snopes.com/horrors/madmen/lightsout.asp

 

^--- I understand what you're trying to say. I myself do not believe it but try telling 2 50+ people who are extremely paranoid and superstitious..

 

I hear ya. My Mother is the deadly combination of being 55+ and an elementary school counselor...she sends me crap like that all day in the email.