As a new boy and just having driven home using the kerbs to feel my way along the road cos the headlights are so crap..can someone tell me exactly wot HIDS are? Why are they so much better and wot on earth do you need ballast? for..(sounds like you have to put a bag of gravel in the front or something a la Skoda?)

 

Cheers

gareth

£200 Head lamp bulbs, that's what they are!!

Apparently, for people who drive thier Zed's at night, they are a must!!

High Intensity Discharge (or Xenon*) headlights. Like Mercs and stuff have.

 

They arc electricity thru gas in the bulb rather than having a normal element.

 

Ballast is a unit to convert the electricity into the high voltage needed for this system (I think).

 

They make a really strong, clean light.

 

 

*Not to be confused with 'Xenon' regular bulbs which are pretty much like normal or very slightly better at most.

big question is are they worth it? Or should i do the sensible thing a get a job that finishes at 3pm in the afternoon?

I think some people have had really good results from just cleaning the inside of the headlight glass - but it's not the easiest to get to.

The Dark Warrior has just fitted HID's and his first impression were that they are awesome.

Headlights are renowned for being cack on Z's, and HID's are the best upgrade you can get - could save your life if you drive a lot at night!

is it an easy job to do? I know getting the bulbs is bloody awkward at the best of times but does it involve open heart surgery to change them?

In the mean time why not put in a couple of Osram super white's? They made a big differance on my Z now I can see where i'm going at night and they only cost £13.50 a pair delivered. http://www.autobulbsdirect.co.uk/H3_osram.htm

is it an easy job to do? I know getting the bulbs is bloody awkward at the best of times but does it involve open heart surgery to change them?

For a basic job, they are a 'plug-and-play' fitment. Saying that though I've mounted my ballast box (about 3" x 3" square) directly under each lamp unit, but others have mounted them in the engine bay, but for me this would make it too cramped so I opted for the neater out-of-the-way look :D

You just put you new HID lamp in place (like fitting a normal bulb) and then connect the two wires from it to the ballast, then the two wires from that to your normal cars wiring loom plug. It's as simple as that.

 

HTH

I just did my first long haul night drive last night in appalling conditions since I fitted my HID lights. M11,A14 all the way to M1 then up to Nottingham. dark , heavy traffic. heavy rain , loadsa spray etc. I am quite serious when I say that i would have either crashed or had to drive at 40mph if I had not had these lights. Essential item in my humble opinion. £200?? what a bargain. Similar kits were being advertized only 2/3 years ago at more than twice that figure.

Fitting to an N/A is very easy as bulb access is good.