drivers HID out.. why SUCH a diff in bulb prices?

[Phr3d]

The driver HID in my DEPO AE conversion died -while I was away for 3 weeks, no less- and I thought I would ask if there is anything to check before I replaced it, 10 months and 8k miles old. Returned from trip, got in and dash headlight warning lit, yep, she's dead, lol.

Anyone with the DEPO convert on their pre-facelift had to change out the HID? I barely remember what they looked like prior to install.

Think I should just replace both? and with what (8k bulbs)

thanks!

[tmv]

I don't have Depo on my pre-facelift. HID kits are pretty cheap nowadays so you can replace the whole kit. If you want to find out what component is broken, you need to swith the bulb or the ballast and see if the problem switch to the other side. If it does, that's the one at fault. If it does not, the other component is at fault.
Whatever you chooose to replace, do NOT use bulb color > 6000K (no such thing as 8K color) Optimal output is 4300K-4500K, I went with 5000K for a little more white.

[TwinsPoppa]

I would go ahead and replace both.

I've had pretty good luck with cheap ebay HID bulbs. The last set I bought was like $28/pair (6000k) and lasted about 3 years.

This time I went with a $10 pair of 6000k bulbs. Let's see how long these last.

They're now $15/pair on ebay:

6000K 8000K 10000K D2S/D2R/D2C HID Replacement Bulb | eBay

[Phr3d]

I have 8k bulbs now, i.e., slightly blue, for the Topaz match (spec'd by fishcake orig, though I could have chosen 6ks). Sure wish I had just bought Tom's <sigh>.

Yep, I kinda' figgered replacing both was the way, but at less-than-a-year to failure, I was also hoping for a better product than those included by my 'reputable seller' in my conversion kit.

Still don't know how to replace 'em without removing the headlight, is that my plan? grr..

[TwinsPoppa]

Originally Posted by Phr3d

I have 8k bulbs now, i.e., slightly blue, for the Topaz match (spec'd by fishcake orig, though I could have chosen 6ks). Sure wish I had just bought Tom's <sigh>.

Yep, I kinda' figgered replacing both was the way, but at less-than-a-year to failure, I was also hoping for a better product than those included by my 'reputable seller' in my conversion kit.

Still don't know how to replace 'em without removing the headlight, is that my plan? grr..

Are they that much different from stock HID headlights? I thought with the stock ones you just move them forward a bit and access the bulb by removing a back panel.

Does it look like this? Looks like there's a removable rear panel.

[Phr3d]

as I recall, yes they look like that, but mounted I'm just not sure..

If it can be screwed up, yours truly can find a way, and the whole "clips issues" has me uhmm.. tense. I am guessing that indie/stealer is gonna say "I dunno" regarding them doing it, what a PITA.

I know, I b chicknsh*t..

[TwinsPoppa]

Originally Posted by Phr3d

as I recall, yes they look like that, but mounted I'm just not sure..

If it can be screwed up, yours truly can find a way, and the whole "clips issues" has me uhmm.. tense. I am guessing that indie/stealer is gonna say "I dunno" regarding them doing it, what a PITA.

I know, I b chicknsh*t..

I think if you don't have the front washers, its much easier to just remove the headlights completely. Just make sure to mark them first with tape so you know where to re-install them and not have to get a HL alignmnent.

Nothing wrong with removing them and propably less chances of dropping the screws when you go to remove the back cap.

You can do it. I have faith in you.

[Phr3d]

power washers here, considered removing them (for just this reason) when we refinished the bumpers, but never found a good way to do it.

gonna track down the local indie, metheenks.. thanks, poppa.

[tmv]

Take some pics and let us see what you have to deal with. It might sound more difficult than it is.

[Phr3d]

Dancer is unavailable at the moment, but it comes down to more time than I've got (recovering from lo-oong vacation, heheh) for our primary driver.

Poppa, you mentioned a price for a pair of HIDs.. at the risk of "startin' sumpin' " I'm a pretty big believer in 'you get wutcher pay for' but do you (anyone else jump in as well) have any idea why the 'trusted seller' I went to first wants $200 for a pair of these, shipped?

Hell(a) I don't even recognize the brand name, whaassup wi'dis?

thanks.

edit: always forget to mention that I am a proud member of the 'Blue & White' club (ext & int), I lust after your X - beige int me.. and..
is that Elsinore in the tiny pic? and Blu-White to boot?
If you ever decide to chuck ev'thing for a bit and get away from it all, can I come over and house sit? lol.