Can anyone post the technical differences (pros/cons) between Lexus HID's versus German Cars Xenon. Notice that they look somewhat different, where the HID's in Lexus and Acura are blueish white, and the BMW's, AUDI's have a clearer translucent light, like daylight. Is it true that Germany is the only country that manufactures the best, longest lasting xenon bulbs? Where does Lexus get it's HID projector system from?

 

well Bi-Xenons are the same as regualar xenons other than they have a metal flap that moves up instead of another bulb for your high beams... Almost all of the OEM Manufactures use European bulbs and ballasts.. The projector system on the new Lexus's (04 SC430, 04 LS430, and 03+ GX470) is very simular to the projectors in the european cars.. Has anyone seen the new HID projectors that the Saturn L-series has? They look quite nice...

 

The Saturns are actually halogens, but their projectors do produce very nice color flicker (the other halogen equipped cars I've seen with color flicker are the VW Passat and the Audi A4 without the optional xenon). Viewed off-axis they look just as blue as many European cars with xenon lights, but viewed on axis, they look like regular halogens. I just double checked at Saturn's web site to make sure that xenon wasn't in fact available--I've mistaken Saturns for BMWs at night because of the flicker

 

the system you referring to on german cars are called projective housing, and the one on lexus, acura, they are reflective housing. imho i think there are pros and cons on both. the prjective looks nicer, more colors, and mean, whereas the reflective it's just white, but you don't see that much color flickering. however, if designed right, i think reflective housing MIGHT have better ground coverage (more spreadout). i remember i was in a bmw with projective hid and man was it hard to see the street road signs.

most oem car manufacuters they use good hid system. bmw used to always use hella but recently i heard some models start to have philips/osram. acura used to be osram fans but now they have philips as well. lexus i forgot, i believe my is300 stock hid was osram, i have to confirm on that. it's not true that german hid systems are better than lexus, acura

 

could we get a side by side pic compare?

 

go to lexus dealer, ask for a test drive on sc430 and the gs430?

 

reflector technology is more efficient, but it's harder to control. Usually reflectors will generate a brighter forground while projectors will spread more efficiently.