Round #2 Sylvannia Silverstar = Garbage!
Thread Starter
Lead Lap
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 661
Likes: 2
From: GRAND RAPIDS, MI
Round #2 Sylvannia Silverstar = Garbage!
OK NOW I'M REALLY ANGRY!!!
Some of you may have read my post from a couple weeks ago about how 2 of my 4 Silverstars have burnt out and I've only had them for about 6 months. Well this morning backing out of my garage I noticed what I thought was another light out. I got out a was not happy to see that the opposite side low beam and fog which I just replaced are both burnt out. So both my low beams and both my fogs have burnt out this month. At least they're consistent and yes I was very careful with the bulbs and did not touch them. ALL 4 BURNT OUT IN 6 MONTHS!!!
Could there be something wrong with my car? The GS is rejecting these things!
What is the life of the HID bulbs? Say if I was to just spring and buy one of the 6000K kits from Xenondepot???? Do those bulbs burn out once a year? Maybe I'll have to duct tape flashlights to my car to solve my lighting problems!
Some of you may have read my post from a couple weeks ago about how 2 of my 4 Silverstars have burnt out and I've only had them for about 6 months. Well this morning backing out of my garage I noticed what I thought was another light out. I got out a was not happy to see that the opposite side low beam and fog which I just replaced are both burnt out. So both my low beams and both my fogs have burnt out this month. At least they're consistent and yes I was very careful with the bulbs and did not touch them. ALL 4 BURNT OUT IN 6 MONTHS!!!
Could there be something wrong with my car? The GS is rejecting these things!
What is the life of the HID bulbs? Say if I was to just spring and buy one of the 6000K kits from Xenondepot???? Do those bulbs burn out once a year? Maybe I'll have to duct tape flashlights to my car to solve my lighting problems!
If you have an OEM HID setup. The bulbs and ballast are very robust and hard to damage. The alarm would be going offf for 5minuters or so. I've had it happen a few times also a few of my friends as well. The lights blink on and off every honk...so thats about half a second apart. So far nothing is dead 
Now, those cheap aftermarket bulbs and ballasts. I can't say the same regarding their ability to hold up under blinking. I have a set of the cheapie kits in my fogs. So far its still working. I have some friends with 3 year old "cheap quality" hid kits that are still going.
As for the "upgraded" halogen bulbs, I gave up on those a while back. Seems like any upgrade bulb always died in a few months or so. No matter what brand. I started off with PIAA bulbs. USELESS! They all died within a month or so. Not to mention they were $60 a pair! I went thru 2 of those and then 2-3 more sets of cheaper bulbs. If I had known that a HID kit would of cost the same as all the bulb replacements I went thru, then I would of just gone that route in the beginning.
Now, those cheap aftermarket bulbs and ballasts. I can't say the same regarding their ability to hold up under blinking. I have a set of the cheapie kits in my fogs. So far its still working. I have some friends with 3 year old "cheap quality" hid kits that are still going.
As for the "upgraded" halogen bulbs, I gave up on those a while back. Seems like any upgrade bulb always died in a few months or so. No matter what brand. I started off with PIAA bulbs. USELESS! They all died within a month or so. Not to mention they were $60 a pair! I went thru 2 of those and then 2-3 more sets of cheaper bulbs. If I had known that a HID kit would of cost the same as all the bulb replacements I went thru, then I would of just gone that route in the beginning.
Originally Posted by GUNRU-GS4
What is the life of the HID bulbs? Say if I was to just spring and buy one of the 6000K kits from Xenondepot???? Do those bulbs burn out once a year? Maybe I'll have to duct tape flashlights to my car to solve my lighting problems!
I bought the 4300k kit and there are a ton of threads on here about people debating between the that and the 6000k kit.
Overall, if you want the tinge of blue - go with the 6000k. Just keep in mind that it only puts out 80% of the light that the 4300k kit puts out.
If you want super white like OEM - go with the 4300K. I would suggest you get these since you can always get a headlight film added on later if you want to tint the color blue. Make a note though that for the first 20 hours or so of being on, the lights will look a little yellowish - but they mature into the super white after that.
Good luck. Stop buying the silverstars and get the real thing!
Pole Position
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 266
Likes: 0
From: Houston, TX
Originally Posted by GUNRU-GS4
OK NOW I'M REALLY ANGRY!!!
Some of you may have read my post from a couple weeks ago about how 2 of my 4 Silverstars have burnt out and I've only had them for about 6 months. Well this morning backing out of my garage I noticed what I thought was another light out. I got out a was not happy to see that the opposite side low beam and fog which I just replaced are both burnt out. So both my low beams and both my fogs have burnt out this month. At least they're consistent and yes I was very careful with the bulbs and did not touch them. ALL 4 BURNT OUT IN 6 MONTHS!!!
Could there be something wrong with my car? The GS is rejecting these things!
What is the life of the HID bulbs? Say if I was to just spring and buy one of the 6000K kits from Xenondepot???? Do those bulbs burn out once a year? Maybe I'll have to duct tape flashlights to my car to solve my lighting problems!
Some of you may have read my post from a couple weeks ago about how 2 of my 4 Silverstars have burnt out and I've only had them for about 6 months. Well this morning backing out of my garage I noticed what I thought was another light out. I got out a was not happy to see that the opposite side low beam and fog which I just replaced are both burnt out. So both my low beams and both my fogs have burnt out this month. At least they're consistent and yes I was very careful with the bulbs and did not touch them. ALL 4 BURNT OUT IN 6 MONTHS!!!
Could there be something wrong with my car? The GS is rejecting these things!
What is the life of the HID bulbs? Say if I was to just spring and buy one of the 6000K kits from Xenondepot???? Do those bulbs burn out once a year? Maybe I'll have to duct tape flashlights to my car to solve my lighting problems!
Thread Starter
Lead Lap
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 661
Likes: 2
From: GRAND RAPIDS, MI
I just installed the MTEC Cosmos Blue 4750k halogen replacements on Saturday and I'm extremely happy with them over the Silverstars. I put them in my lows and fogs are they make the Silverstars look yellowish. The MTECs are super white with a small tint of blue. Hopefully they last a while. They were only $80 shipped for all 4 9006 bulbs from automotivelightingusa.com 
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Pole Position
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 360
Likes: 0
From: Texas
Originally Posted by GUNRU-GS4
I just installed the MTEC Cosmos Blue 4750k halogen replacements on Saturday and I'm extremely happy with them over the Silverstars. I put them in my lows and fogs are they make the Silverstars look yellowish. The MTECs are super white with a small tint of blue. Hopefully they last a while. They were only $80 shipped for all 4 9006 bulbs from automotivelightingusa.com
Got any pics??
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Thread Starter
Lead Lap
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 661
Likes: 2
From: GRAND RAPIDS, MI
Originally Posted by LayinLo
Just took a peak at the site, looks good. I would like to see what they look like on the car Got any pics??
Got any pics??
Lexus Champion
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,762
Likes: 1
From: South FLA
I had a set of Silverstars in my Integra before I got my HID's. They lasted about 9 months then one went out. I heard that the Silverstars don't last that long because the filaments burn a lot hotter than a regular halogen bulb. That's what supposedly makes them light up brighter.
Lexus Champion
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,447
Likes: 9
From: CA
Originally Posted by rominl
hid blowing out that's not common, pretty rare. i wonder if that has anything to do with the garage where the hid goes on and off very fast?
http://www.sylvania.com/ConsumerProd...skedQuestions/
Q) How long do SilverStar headlights last?
A) The life of any halogen bulb will depend upon your vehicle type and how much you drive. However, all halogen headlights dim over time. That’s why we recommend replacing headlights in pairs about once a year, before they burn out.
SilverStar is a high performance halogen headlight that produces a whiter light that research has shown can improve driver visibility and reaction time. The benefits of increased light output and improved color quality can result in a shorter life for high performance headlights, compared to standard bulbs.
Q) Are SilverStar headlights high intensity discharge (HID) or Xenarc headlights?
A) No. SilverStar is a street-legal halogen upgrade that gives off a whiter light than standard halogen headlights and is comparable in color to HID headlights. A pair of SilverStar headlights cost $39.99. HID headlights, which last the life of your vehicle and offer other advantages, cost a few hundred dollars
A) The life of any halogen bulb will depend upon your vehicle type and how much you drive. However, all halogen headlights dim over time. That’s why we recommend replacing headlights in pairs about once a year, before they burn out.
SilverStar is a high performance halogen headlight that produces a whiter light that research has shown can improve driver visibility and reaction time. The benefits of increased light output and improved color quality can result in a shorter life for high performance headlights, compared to standard bulbs.
Q) Are SilverStar headlights high intensity discharge (HID) or Xenarc headlights?
A) No. SilverStar is a street-legal halogen upgrade that gives off a whiter light than standard halogen headlights and is comparable in color to HID headlights. A pair of SilverStar headlights cost $39.99. HID headlights, which last the life of your vehicle and offer other advantages, cost a few hundred dollars
Last edited by TunedRX300; Jun 26, 2006 at 09:30 PM.
Originally Posted by GSXLEX
Silverstars are garbage..I use them in my truck and they barely last a year 
xenon depot is having a group buy i think... go get a set an hid kit!
i did and they are AWESOME.
Lexus Champion
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,447
Likes: 9
From: CA
Originally Posted by cliffud
Sounds like it's a hassle to keep getting these silverstar bulbs...
xenon depot is having a group buy i think... go get a set an hid kit!
i did and they are AWESOME.
xenon depot is having a group buy i think... go get a set an hid kit!
i did and they are AWESOME.
Last time I checked it was $500 for a rebased HID kit, but I am not sure what else can one expect out SilverStars of $25 per pair (which is what I got from Autozone sale).?
I saw a member posting he got 2 years out of his Silverstars. I was not that lucky but still got one year out of mine because I turn my headlight off once I stop the engine and never use auto-light off.
The cost of the HID kit is significantly more than what you're paying for your silverstars however you have to remember, it's A LOT better. For approx $350, you can't go wrong when you consider the amount of light output. I LOVE driving in complete darkness now because the light output on my GS is insanely brighter than any other car on the road. In fact, I notice my lights light up my lane, AND my neighboring lanes, AND if I'm driving along side a wall like on the freeway, the wall gets some light love too.
Go with the kit - you'll be happy you did.
Here's a group buy that's going on now: https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...epot+group+buy
Go with the kit - you'll be happy you did.
Here's a group buy that's going on now: https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...epot+group+buy
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