Recommandation for HID kit

[terrythepooh]

Hi,

I really want to get myself an HID conversion kit for my 3. Does anyone have any suggestion? Something that is easy to install would be awesome!!!

Thanks!!!

 

[Da 6]

xenondepot.com

 

[bluntman]

Xenon Depot use Philips components exclusively so you're bound to pay a premium for their products. I'd suggest trying Xenon Expert, they not only have kits that use Philips components, but also the less expensive Xtec kit which uses Japanese components. I had a set of those installed, very simple (if you don't have DRLs), simply plug it into the wiring harness and you're done, no relays and no need to run a wire from the battery.

 

[terrythepooh]

Is there a reason why I would choose xtec over the Philips, or vice versa?

Is the philips kit easy to install?

Thanks!

 

[Maz94Protege]

most kits now are all plug and play. im doing both my 94 pro and my 01 es with HID's

 

[wongpres]

Is there a reason why I would choose xtec over the Philips, or vice versa?

Is the philips kit easy to install?

Thanks!

Xtec is not as established and their prices are MUCH cheaper than Philips. Philips is by far the most established and their quality is pretty known as the best - they're also the most expensive.

 

[RedRaptor]

I recently purchased a Philips 4100K kit for my car. Comparing XenonDepot.com and XenonExpert.com, I went with XenonExpert. Reasons are simple. All XenonExpert Philips Kits come with two wiring harnesses as opposed to one. This means your ballast/bulb combination are on separate harnesses, making it much easier to troubleshoot if there was a problem. The warranty is 3 years on XenonExpert's Philips Kits while XenonDepot only offers 1 year.

Finally Oliver (M3-GT) on M3F is a sponsor and a moderator so he will always be around to support his products. I love the HID kit so far. 4100k is very OEM white light. If you want something more exotic, go for a 5000k or 6000K kit. Philips HID bulbs are the BEST compared to any other bulb.

 

[bluntman]

All HID kits are quite easy to install. The Xtec kit connects up to your lowbeam headlight's wiring harness (two ballasts, two bulbs and all the required wiring) and you are essentially done (if you don't have to deal with DRLs). With the other kits (Polarion, McCulloch, etc) you'll have to connect the relays, grounds and positive battery leads, not a big deal, but there is just a little more involved. You may also want to check the warranties as well, the Xtec comes with a 5 year warranty on everything, others have shorter warranty periods.

 

[terrythepooh]

On installation wise, which one is easier to install, xtec or philip?

Thanks!!

 

[Da 6]

Mccullich wasn't plug and play! that was an adventure installing it on a club members 6!

 

[bluntman]

I've read a post where a Mazda3 owner installed their XTec kit in 20 minutes.

 

[Da 6]

yeah tools time and weather all have to be perfect. My instal had tools and time but it was like 30F out and we had to work in a prkinglot w/o gloves trying to mount the balast somewhere it wouldn/t move. The best part is he had everything pree drilled and it was a direct plug and play. Anyone pull the headlights and see the bottom where the stock balast would have perfectly mounted!

 

[bluntman]

The most difficult part of the installation would probably be inserting the HID bulb into the housing. There really isn't much room to maneuver in the Mazda3 engine bay and the HID bulbs are about 1.5 times larger than the regular halogen bulbs.

 

[Da 6]

yeah that lil metal clip was fun for us too

 

[bluntman]

You would think they can utilize a similar system used in the foglights and highbeams, twist and pull.

 

[Da 6]

yeah I know! the V6 croud has to remove the coolant resivoir to even get to the hadlights...wait you guys have the same resivoir. 6i had theirs placed behind radiator.

 

[bluntman]

I'm not sure where the coolant reservoir is in our engine bay. The passenger side is a bit easier than the driver's side since there is only the windshield washer fluid filler neck to contend with, but the driver's side has the fuse box! Aside from that, connect the positive and negative leads from the XTec kit to the stock wiring harness and you're done!

 

[Da 6]

yeah thats where we had fun cayuse we had to cyt the female ends off the cit and crimp on some that were half it's side and ground it to the housing itself. plus cut hole in the cover to run the 4 wires. I looked at the how-to fro you guys but picts weren't showing for me.

 

[terrythepooh]

So in your guys opinion, xtec is easier or philiips is easier install?

Should I get one over the other, and why?

Thanks!!!!!

 

[Focus]

There is a Group Buy on the Xtec kits here:

http://www.msprotege.com/forum/showthread.php?t=90773&highlight=xtec