h1, h2, h4...different HIDs

[bcjammerx]

ok I know for a fact the h3 and h3c is mentioned in a thread...but for some reason the search isn't working so I can't get all the info I'd like by searching.

So I'll ask here...essentially I'm asking what are all the parts needed for a retro fit HID setup.

More to the point...what are the different parts.

I looked at the xenon kits and it showed different bulbs powers??? 4100-4300, 8000 etc.

But what is h1, h2, h3, h3c etc and so on...are these just different bulbs made for bmw's?

I know how HID work and a few of the parts but I'm getting confused because everytime I turn around I'm seeing more part names so I'm kinda off base a bit.

My next question is, I know the tsx's work well, and I've seen a bmw retro as well, how do these different setups compare as far as brightness?

I'm wanting to do a retro but I don't want purple lights or cyan...I want bright white lights (41-4300's) a little blue is ok but I want bright...lights are for...lighting...not coloring..imo

I'm also a little unsure as to how the high beam and low beams work...the retro I saw only worked with one bulb...are both bulbs HID or just one? I'm also not too keen on the yellow lights.

[bcjammerx]

ah...I see.

What power are h1 h2...etc?

This would most likely help me determine which oem system to use.

[bcjammerx]

i did search...and it didn't work...as I said in first post...I searched for whatever I could think of and it didn't show up. I even saw a post that had those words specifically and it wouldn't show that post (that post didn't say much btw) so I have no idea what happened there.

You know what...I should have posted this in the beginner section no matter...my bad there...

[explitive] such a noob move

I shall try the search again...hope it works this time.

*OK NOW the search is working and I feel like a dumbass...apologies for not posting this in the beginners section to begin with*

[ZigenBallZ]

i did search...and it didn't work...as I said in first post...I searched for whatever I could think of and it didn't show up. I even saw a post that had those words specifically and it wouldn't show that post (that post didn't say much btw) so I have no idea what happened there.

You know what...I should have posted this in the beginner section no matter...my bad there...

[explitive] such a noob move

I shall try the search again...hope it works this time.

*OK NOW the search is working and I feel like a dumbass...apologies for not posting this in the beginners section to begin with*

I wouldn't feel bad at all... you're just asking a question...


I think what you are asking by power is the wattage? since that's what halogen bulbs go by...

The answer to that would be... wattage for HID's isn't really a consideration like it is for halogen bulbs. They are normally 35watt...

Whereas Accord 9006 low beam bulbs are usually 55watt and 9005 high beam bulbs are 65watt...

You can get a little boost that is noticeable in brightness by going to a higher wattage halogen bulb... but that could tax the OE wiring and all sorts of bad things can happen... shorts, blown fuses, even a fire...

The other consideration with HID's would be the color temp or kelvin range...which the k behind the color temp denotes...ex. 4300k, 6000k, etc.

basically this will determine the color output and to a moderate degree, the brightness... the OEM 4300-5000k HID bulbs will have a whiter color and give the best brightness output...
you can go lower, like the 3k range but the light will be yellow... and honestly I never really looked into it to see if brightness or luminosity would be better or worse in that kelvin range...
you can also go higher in the 6000-14,000k range and even as high as 24,000k but that gives you the funky blue and purple colors and decreases the brightness slightly... in fairness, alot of hype form the retrofit purists is placed on this but they are still going to be brighter in most cases than a halogen bulb.


Even though it's already been said... search a bit more before buying anything... here, other import or car sites, HIDplanet.com/forums and even places liek youtube to get an idea of the different k temps.

Once you have a good handle on those basics I'd start looking around at retrofits and the various pro's and cons of one OE HID system vs. another...

alot of reading will go very far in determining what's available, what others have done, what's possible and what's not... and hell.. you might even have the next great idea lurking in your head...

I hope I answered at least some of the questions if you didn't already find them in your searches...

Good luck to ya man... and don't ever feel like you can't ask a question here.