HID headlights: pros and cons

[KingBuick]

I know that one of the options on LaCrosse CXS is HID headlights. I think that it would be nice to have them, because it would both add class to the car, and other competitors to the LaCrosse (Lexus ES 350, Acura TL, Infinit G37) have them.

However, I don't know how high the price would get to add alot of options to a CXS. Some I've seen are $40,000. They are fully loaded with all options, I think.

LaCrosse CXS owners: is it worth it to have HID lights?

Thanks!

KingBuick.

 

[2010 LaCrosse]

I got every option available except for the Side Blind Zone and rear headrest DVDs and my car listed for just over $38,000.00.

The HID lights do take some time to get use to, especially on dim with the depth of field. I love the directional 15 degree turning. It is very well worth it. I also researched this type of headlight and they're suppose to last a lot longer than a halogen bulb. With no filiment to burn out that makes sense. 😀

 

[Mad*Max]

I got every option available except for the Side Blind Zone and rear headrest DVDs and my car listed for just over $38,000.00.

The HID lights do take some time to get use to, especially on dim with the depth of field. I love the directional 15 degree turning. It is very well worth it. I also researched this type of headlight and they're suppose to last a lot longer than a halogen bulb. With no filiment to burn out that makes sense. 😀

I have HID on my Vette and I made damn sure that I get them on my Lacrosse (pending delivery) - they definitely make the car look better if nothing else.

 

[Buffman]

There's no comparison. 3200 lumens is the output of a single HID bulb (factory 4300K color temps, not these 10K crap you see ricers using). The only halogen for car use to come close to that is the H9 at 2200-2500 lumens. Most manufacturer's only use them in high beams. After having driven a car for 3 years that had 11,000 lumens of light on high, I can't stand driving cars with dual filament halogens anymore.

 

[jimbo56]

Since the LaCrosse I purchased off the dealer's lot did not have the HIDs, one of the first things I did was purchase an aftermarket HID kit. Although the aftermarket HIDs do not articulate like the factory ones, it's still a big improvement over the standard halogens. Besides the extra brightness, the slight blue tint of the HIDs (I got the 6000k) looks really cool.

I certainly would have liked the factory HIDs, but for less than $100 they're worth every penny.

 

[doz]

Jimbo, did you do some sort of Daytime Running Light killer? Or are you running your HIDs 70% (or whatever) in the daytime?

Ive been holding off a HID kit until theres a DRL Killer or a fulltime 100% headlight fix. Partially running HID's will kill them off quickly.

 

[jimbo56]

Jimbo, did you do some sort of Daytime Running Light killer? Or are you running your HIDs 70% (or whatever) in the daytime?

Ive been holding off a HID kit until theres a DRL Killer or a fulltime 100% headlight fix. Partially running HID's will kill them off quickly.

I am using the HIDs as DRLs. The HIDs seem almost as bright at 70% as they do at full output. So far I haven't killed off a bulb, but it's only been a couple of months. One thing I was considering is using the fog lights as DRLs. The halogen fog light bulb is the same as the OEM halogen headlight bulb. It would be a matter of finding the switch that turns on the DRLs and rewiring it to turn on the fogs (at reduced power) instead. Maybe if I start burning out the HID bulbs I'll go that route...

 

[BarMixer]

My 2010 has HID - and separate Daytime lights

 

[jimbo56]

My 2010 has HID - and separate Daytime lights

I assume that you purchased your car with the factory installed HIDs. The factory HIDs have a single high/low beam xenon bulb, as well as a separate halogen bulb which is used for the DRLs. The HID lenses also turn up to 15 degrees when you turn your wheel to increase your field of vision.

As for me, the car I bought off the dealer's lot did not have the factory HIDs (which I would've gladly paid for). The headlight assembly of the HID-equipped cars is completely different than the standard halogen-equipped cars. Replacing the entire headlight assembly, if even possible, would be very expensive.

Instead I chose to replace the standard halogen bulbs with aftermarket HIDs. I had to buy two sets of HIDs, one for high beams and another for low beams. The DRLs run off the low beam HID, albeit at a reduced wattage. In addition, the lenses do not turn like the factory HIDs.

I would have preferred the factory HIDs but, under the circumstances, this was the best compromise I could come up with. IMHO, for a car costing nearly 40K, HIDs should be standard equipment.

 

[gibbynd]

I've seen OEM hid headlamp units for sale on eBay with the ballasts. The dealer says they won't work in my cxl because of software or something lse being non- compatible. Are they right? I would love to change out the halogens

 

[Buffman]

hmm. No reason why they wouldn't work, but the BCM might not like the change in voltage, and might throw a CEL.

 

[Barry]

My 2012 has the HIDs and I love them. My previous Saturn was not a comfortable car to drive at night...I avoided it when possible. Turning corners was daunting due to no side illumination at all. Here is where the articulating lights really work for me. On bright...these lights illuminate the entire countryside!! Well.....maybe not all of it. 🙂

 

[BIG ROCCO]

I've seen OEM HID headlamp units for sale on eBay with the ballasts. The dealer says they won't work in my cxl because of software or something lse being non- compatible. Are they right? I would love to change out the halogens

Pretty sure I read somewhere here that the OEMs will not work unless originally equipped that way - do a search and you will probably find it.

On a somewhat separate note, I just noticed last night that my car does not seem to have cornering lamps??? It is a 2012 eAssist P1 (highest level available with eAssist). So, does anyone know if cornering lamps are available on any LaCrosse? If so, what level do you need to get cornering lamps? Or do you maybe have to get the articulating HIDs, which maybe do the same thing?

 

[pogster]

Cornering lamps are not available on the Lacrosse.

Edit: I should also add that the HIDs do articulate (about 15 degrees if memory serves me right) but they are more of a reactive system than proactive. In other words they only move side to side when the steering wheel is moved which doesn't really help when trying so find a dark intersection. I find them to be of limited value but friends unfamiliar with them find them kind of cool. Articulating headlights with cornering lamps would be better.

 

[BIG ROCCO]

Thanks - that's interesting - no cornering lamps? That's strange, since I know I had a '90 Mercury Sable that had that - also on every car I've had since then - maybe even on my '86 and '88 Merkur xr4ti's, but not 100% sure on those cars

 

[cheflionfoot]

On a rainy, dark night you appreciate spending the extra for the articulating HIDs. I got all the safety options on my CXL AWD, and they are all well worth it. We had a very windy rain storm on Wednesday night and I had to drive an hour to a concert. I opted to take the LaCrosse over the Acura MDX as I don't have HIDs on the Acura. I also find the LaCrosse AWD handles better than the Acura in snow and rain. In any case, when you go from halogens to HIDs, especially articulating ones, you see a huge difference, especially on a dark country road on a rainy night. When you are in those conditions you will wish you spent the few extra bucks for them.

 

[pogster]

Thanks - that's interesting - no cornering lamps? That's strange, since I know I had a '90 Mercury Sable that had that - also on every car I've had since then - maybe even on my '86 and '88 Merkur xr4ti's, but not 100% sure on those cars

Yeah I have them on my 95 Olds too but come to think of it I can't think of any current model year cars that have them.

Speaking of better lighting I wonder why rear fog lights aren't implemented here in North America? European vehicles have them and I'm quite certain fog and blowing snow occurs here.

 

[cheflionfoot]

...

Speaking of better lighting I wonder why rear fog lights aren't implemented here in North America? European vehicles have them and I'm quite certain fog and blowing snow occurs here.

Because there are idiots that use them even when there is no fog, and they are the most annoying thing to drive behind. They are blinding and distracting and if I could get out of my car when driving behind those idiots in the Audis, Range Rovers and Mercedes that have them on when there is no fog and bust out that light with a bat I could. Okay, road rage episode over. Deep breaths. Deep breaths ...

 

[pogster]

LOL I know what you are saying. If that's the case then there should be more control over the sale of after market 'ebay' headlamps and removal of front fog lights too. I'm sure you've seen the ones I'm talking about. It shouldn't be up to the police to hand out tickets for glaring headlight. Just ban the sale of those crap items. If they can make rain sensing wipers I'm sure someone could come up with fog sensing lighting.

 

[G-723833]

I work at a body shop. Replacement HID for a 13 Regal cost us over $650 each. Ridiculous. The headlights actually pushed the cars damage value into the totalled range.