HID kits. What do you have? What do you recommend?

[n2vdubz]

I'm looking into ordering an HID kit for my NB. I ordered a set of black projection headlights, so I want to throw some brighter/cooler looking bulbs in.

Do any of you have HID kits in your Beetle, and if so, post some pic? What do you recommend ? I've seen sooooo many HID kits online, and I just can't decide on a specific set. Probably gonna do a 6K or an 8k kit.

Thanks for your help all.

[DZLBUG]

Do it right or don't do it at all. Those aftermarket projectors you bought are junk compared to stock. Throw an HID kit in there and it will be even worse. Put in tinted bulbs (6k and 8k CRAP) and its even worse yet.

Real HID projectors with 4300k bulbs will give you the best output. Anything short of that and you will only blind/annoy other drivers and get poor output.

[n2vdubz]

Boooo, now I"m bummed you called my projection headlights crap.... J/K. I'll just have to see how they look once I've got a set of HIDs installed. Any name brand companies you can think of that I should consider, and the names I should stay away from?

[DZLBUG]

When it comes to halogen rebased HID kits...they are all the same Chinese junk. 6 of one, half a dozen of the other. Whatever "brand" they slap on it is immaterial. If you are going to take that route, you might as well just buy the cheapest kit you can find.

If you actually care about lighting performance and not blinding the people who are driving at you at 55+ mph...then you will end up tossing them anyways in favor of the real deal.

My take: Do it right and do it once. Get some quality ballasts and bulbs, and some real HID projectors and fit them into your new headlight housings. Visit HiDplanet : The Official Automotive Lighting Forum - The Buzz and The Retrofit Source online: headlight upgrades for all applications for more info. Go for bixenon's if you can make some fit. I'm thinking the Morimoto Mini D2S projectors would be what you should be looking at.

Oh...and make sure you seal up those new headlights very well, particularly the lens. They are poor quality and will get moisture in them. And don't forget a relay harness so you don't burn up your stock wiring.

[n2vdubz]

Thanks DZLBUG. I'm going to check out the sites you mentioned after I'm out of work this evening. I want to do it right, and get the look I'm going for. I do want better lighting, but if it's only a little better than stock, I'll be okay with them for now. I'll probably run my cheapo eBay projectors for a while and see how they look since I already bought and paid for them.... If all else fails, I'll just throw them back up on eBay and buy the real deal.

[turboturbo]

DDM Tuning is cheap and reliable.

[macdave]

Just get OEM e-code hid's

VW Beetle 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 Xenon headlight OEM | eBay

[n2vdubz]

Originally Posted by macdave

Just get OEM e-code hid's

VW Beetle 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 Xenon headlight OEM | eBay

Damn! The e-codes are nice!

[boertje]

Originally Posted by macdave

Just get OEM e-code hid's

VW Beetle 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 Xenon headlight OEM | eBay

Will these physically fit the US version 2001 bug's headlight housing and sit flush as the original headlight does? I had read somewhere that the euro bug's headlight is slightly different in fit.

[Opelmania]

Yes they will. It takes a little work with the other necessary accessories, but the housings fit right in the spot. Probie has them, click here Probie - 2002 Reflex Silver TDI, and they are shizzle!!!

[boertje]

Originally Posted by Opelmania

Yes they will. It takes a little work with the other necessary accessories, but the housings fit right in the spot. Probie has them, click here Probie - 2002 Reflex Silver TDI, and they are shizzle!!!

Did that one have a 3 or 8 wire connector on the stock headlight I wonder and how was that dealt with?

Wow she really chronicled her bug. Amazing all she has done to it. I kept mine visually stock except for the euro tail lights and clear park markers. Of course my engine is no longer stock and I changed out my 5 speed for a 6 speed.

[Opelmania]

Not sure about the connector. Ask her. She is very nice and will tell you all about it. Yeah, there are a few of us that have chronicled our nB's!

[boertje]

Originally Posted by Opelmania

Not sure about the connector. Ask her. She is very nice and will tell you all about it. Yeah, there are a few of us that have chronicled our nB's!

Can't believe I went through the whole thread. Quite amusing actually but enjoyable. I did a query about it on her thread. I did order them BTW.

[TheDivaDanielle]

I know terribly old thread, but I have DDM Tuning 55w 4300k lows in my GTO, and 35w 4300k's in it's fogs that I plan on transferring over to my Beetle in a few weeks, and at least in the GTO they've been flawless, I'd expect the same in the Beetle. Might replace the headlight housings though, I can't stand all chrome headlights like that.

[IndyTom]

I don't think the bulbs out of your GTO will work in the Beetle. Unless Your GTO had H1 bulbs or if you have a later beetle H7 bulbs.

[HudsonValleyVDub]

I've had this conversion kit on my bug now for almost 6 years.

H1: Morimoto Elite HID System - HID Component Kits from The Retrofit Source Inc


It's just a bulb replacement that works well in the bug as long as you properly aim them. MUCH better vision without blinding other drivers. I disabled the DRLs and have never been happier.

[boertje]

Good reviews.

[now4real954]

Originally Posted by HudsonValleyVDub

I've had this conversion kit on my bug now for almost 6 years.

H1: Morimoto Elite HID System - HID Component Kits from The Retrofit Source Inc


It's just a bulb replacement that works well in the bug as long as you properly aim them. MUCH better vision without blinding other drivers. I disabled the DRLs and have never been happier.

What are DRL's???

Sorry if that seems to be a stupid question!

[HarlequinPixie]

Daytime Running Lights

(ie headlights are always on when the car is running, though other lights stay off until you turn on headlight switch)

[HudsonValleyVDub]

Originally Posted by now4real954

What are DRL's???

Sorry if that seems to be a stupid question!

I wasn't sure if the HIDs would run properly if I left the DRL (Daytime Running Lights) operational since they work on less power, so I disabled them.