A couple weeks ago I decided to take the HID plunge for my 04 coupe and split the difference between the very low cost sets and the $100+ sets and got a 6000K OPT7 55w AC set for $66. Installing an HID set would be a 20 minute job for most people if it wasn't for those dam* bulb clips - especially on the passenger side. I unhooked the clips, placed the bulbs and re-installed the clips mostly by feel. I could use a mirror and a flashlight for the drivers side, but had to use psychic-remote-viewing-spidey-sense and the good dose of "the force" to do the passengers side. HINT: Dental floss, yep you read right, dental floss tied to the clip for easy clip recovery should it go PIIIIINNNGGGG! Also you'll need a large crowbar, C-4, a sledge hammer, 8' length of 2x4, a 12 ton chain hoist, and a clean spot on the garage wall to bang your forehead when trying to remove the coolant overflow tank. I tried at first without removing the tank thinking my small girly-like hands would do the trick but had to go to plan "B" when I sliced up my hand on the sharp sheet metal above the back of the headlight. I gave blood that day, good thing my Crossfire is Blood, uhhh make that Blaze red. I tried silicone spray, rocking it back and forth, twisting, yanking and even got to the point where I pissed enough to be willing to spend what-ever it would cost for a new one if I broke it. At one point I was pulling up so hard I thought to myself "if this things lets go, I'm going straight backwards through the garage wall and into the neighbor's yard." I ended up getting something in under the "****" that extends through the grommet to apply pressure up and "pop" it was loose. I was so happy I felt like building a parade float and riding it through town holding the overflow tank high in the air. The things we go through to doll up our toys!

Ok, after everything was back together the lights fired right up with no dash error or flickering. Shoot! Shoulda' done this a long time ago. If I were to do it again I'd go with 5000K. I'm a bit of a light freak and have added a set of Philips Daylight 8 DLRs just inboard of the fog lights. I also swapped out the eyebrow lights with some real nice, bright LEDs and converted the fogs to a super bright LEDs. I thought the 6000K would match the LEDs better but the eyebrow lights and DLRs are whiter, while the fog is a little bluer. I think 5000ks would be a better match overall.

I live out in the country and the HIDs are awesome not only in illuminating the road ahead off to the sides as well. All the better to see those deer/possum/skunks that wait in the dark to run in front of you at the last minute.

My wife and I leave for work about the same time and after doing the LED upgrades she told me she hates being in front of me going down our gravel road - and that's WITHOUT having the headlights on. Its been a couple weeks now and I haven't been flashed once at night (I s-l-i-g-h-t-l-y lowered the headlight aim just to be sure. After seeing all the light working my wife said: "If you were a trucker, I'd bet you be one of those guys with 10,000 light on his truck." I said "yep. and aren't you glad I can't get to the wiring in the motorhome because it would have a whole bunch of LED lights on it too!"

Sometime soon I'll post pictures of my upgraded lights. I wish I had taken the time to do one side first so you could see the difference - its dramatic - and possibly too much for some, but I like it.

Tom