i just got my 2009 IS250 a few weeks ago. I own the BASE MODEL and i want to install 8000k HID bulbs. It appears that my headlights have projectors but Im confused. Do i need to buy the HID kit or just the correct bulb?

 

just the bulb

 

u need a kit and u wont see **** with 8k.....

edit: does the car have HIDs already?

 

I would recomend 6k. But, if 8k is your choice then it's your money...

 

thanks for the comments. my headlights look like they have projectors so im guessing i just need the bulb. right??? but other ppl on this forum are installing HID kits. i bought the car as a BASE MODEL, so i just need the bulb? i dont think i have HIDs because i bought the car all base

 

i don't know if is350 projector come standard or not but if you bought your car base model then most likely you will need a ballast.

best way to check if you car has HID or not is stand in front of your car and turn on your head light. hear if there is any buzzing type of sound coming from the lights.

 

If the car is base, you will need an HID Kit in the H11 bulb base configuration.

All ISX50s come standard with projectors, though they are different between the halogen and HID options. That is not a good way to check.

You can listen for the sound, or turn on the lights. If the lights are at 100% max brightness the second you turn it on, it is halogen. If it starts out dim and gets brighter, or changes color slightly over the course of a few seconds, it is HID.

 

also, if you have HID , it will move up and down when you start the car. If not, then you need a kit.

 

Eh, sorta kinda. HID bulbs have a definite "pop" when they ignite that halogen does not. Halogen has a filament that actually has to burn. So, turn the lights on. Leave 'em on a second and turn them off. If they go instantly off, like LED speed - they're HID's. Otherwise if they give you that slow fade, they're halogen. This is sort of a litmus test for dummies who can't look at a bulb's temperature and tell if it's HID or halogen. Even 4100/4300K OEM temps will be definitely whiter than a stock halogen bulb.

Chances are you have halogens and will need an entire kit. But, if you're planning on going the ricer route with 8000K, just stick with halogens, because they'll give off just as much light.

However, if you'd actually like to spend money and get USE from your purchase, go with a 4300/4100K kit. You'll need an H11 kit for the low beams.

 

BEST way to check is to just push the button on the dash and see if the car has AFS or not. If so, it has HIDs, if not, it doesn't. No guesswork about the type of sound you hear involved.

 

If you have halogen projectors I would suggest going with an H11 4300k HID kit for the brightest possible output (as others have suggested). When it comes to color temperature, the higher Kelvin kits provide you with more color output however less actual useable light output.

Steve