Hi everyone I have a 2011 IS350 with the OEM LEDs and HIDS headlights and it appears that I will need to look into replacing either the bulbs or ballast in the near future due to intermittent flickering issues.

I was wondering if anyone had switched or recommendations on how to make it look more brighter and slightly more blue-white (6k) like the new 3IS and even like the new Acura MDX/TLX because on the 2IS, it starts up blue then transitions to white-yellow and I feel like mine isn't bright to shine on the road like the new models do. This isn't a problem with adjustment, as it's something with the output that I'm not satisfied with.

I have read on the new VLands and headlight options but I don't want to switch my factory ones out. I'm just trying to see if there is a way to change the bulb or ballast to make them more brighter and slightly more blue like 6k.

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/is-...ector-led.html

 

Changing the bulb is easy you can use a D4S bulb in the colour you like. If the ballast is going bad you'll either need to replace it or buy a ballast kit and bypass the factory one. A new bulb will be brighter since a xenon bulb tends to get dimmer with age. Anything much over 6K will reduce usable light output significantly so if you're going for a "look" then expect to sacrifice safety.

 

Yeah, now that I think of it, I'm considering 6k LEDs instead of HIDs. You're right, 6k is the highest I would want to go

 

Would advise against LED. You're going to lose light output along with the beam not spreading properly as those projectors were designed for HID output, not LED output.

 

Adding to the above; the D4S do not last like the old D2s. Mine died at 5 year 50,000 mile mark. First the flicker and then failure.

You said they flicker so it's very likely they are in failure mode and light output is half of what it could be. Put some new bulbs in there and chances are you'll be fine. Likely won't be as blue as new new stuff but whateva...

Warning - if you leave a finger smudge of oil on the bulb it will kill it. Don't touch the glass. If you do, wipe with isopropyl alcohol and install.

 

Thanks for your input everyone. At this current moment, I'm interested in the ones below in 6k. Still researching for other HID options, as well

https://store.ijdmtoy.com/products/h...-bulbs-d4c-06k

 

Is our factory HIDs 55w each bulb? These aftermarket ones are 35w so I'm not sure if that's a good route to go

 

35W

Check out Xenondepot

https://www.xenondepot.com/2011-is35...-hid-bulbs.htm

 

There's also TheRetrofitSource's D4S bulbs as well: https://www.theretrofitsource.com/d4...-xengreen.html I'm surprised TRS hasn't replaced Xenondepot's aftermarket bulbs with their Morimotos yet since they bought them out a while ago.

IMO, I'd grab an OEM bulb like Osram, Sylvania, Philips, etc, but that's just me. I personally use Osram's CBI.

 

In my opinion. Since you already have the new style headlamps. Just stick to HIDs. I had HIDs in my 07 but the passenger side HL went out. It was the ballast. Then it started to condensate and eventually turned the whole Headlamp yellow. I opted for Depos new style Led headlight in the Halogen version to save money and to have a newer look. I used Xenon depo pro LEDs and they are really bright. Almost as bright and HID but not quite. Because the depo’s projector is....Trash. So id say just stick to XenonDepos Hids. And get the best performance out of your perfectly fine OEM Headlamps.

 

Thanks yall, I'm definitely sticking with HIDs. Been doing a lot of research and currently in contact with TRS. This link has me leaning towards the Osram CBB but the price is quite expensive...

 

If you want to do a retrofit project I highly recommend the Morimoto M-LED projectors.

 

Been running the Morimoto XB 5500k, 35W bulbs for 2 years. Hard to beat the price $60 a pair.

O/T: if running the late model housing and wanting LED turn signals, they can't be much if any longer than the stock bulb ~46mm. Aka 7440NA, T20, WY21W amber bulb.

 

Thanks for the info, but I'm just gonna stick with my OEMs since there's nothing wrong with them and they look mint

 

Yea I agree on the price tag on those compared to the Osram CBB, but I went ahead got me a pair of the Osram CBB directly from Osram that arrives tomorrow for one hell of a deal that was too good to pass on. I'll post pics later when I swap them out this week.