future buyer, not impressed with HID :(
As others have mentioned before, it could be due to an aiming problem, which is common on cars with headlights that have been replaced at one point or another.
In my opinion, the LS430 (04-06) sports the BEST projectors in the industry, bar none. Nothing is even close save for the TL projectors. I think this is generally agreed upon in the HID expert circles. Feel free to ask around www.hidplanet.com .
Nothing throws out a wider beam pattern quite like the LS430, or distance wise either.
Here is a GS retrofitted with LS430 projectors:
About the only thing I don't like on my LS is the lights, the HID light in 06 LS are OK - but don't kid yourselves, there are lots better lighst available. For example, the LS lights are nowhere near as good as the ones I had on my 1999 RL. The HID on the RL were world class good lights. I did not realize how good the HID were on the RL until I got the LS and was significantly disappointed.
IN the LS the HID do cast a wide beam in case you want to see whats at your extreme left or right, but I would prefer better lighting upfront ahead of me. The beam cut off with the LS is too harsh. It also does not provide light for approaching street signs on dark roads. In addition the auto adjust lights are bouncing up and down trying to adjust and with the cutoff being so harsh its just lame and distracting at best. btw- I had my lights dealer adjusted per Lexus specs and they are still disappointing. Just my .02 worth.
IN the LS the HID do cast a wide beam in case you want to see whats at your extreme left or right, but I would prefer better lighting upfront ahead of me. The beam cut off with the LS is too harsh. It also does not provide light for approaching street signs on dark roads. In addition the auto adjust lights are bouncing up and down trying to adjust and with the cutoff being so harsh its just lame and distracting at best. btw- I had my lights dealer adjusted per Lexus specs and they are still disappointing. Just my .02 worth.
In my opinion, the LS430 (04-06) sports the BEST projectors in the industry, bar none. Nothing is even close save for the TL projectors. I think this is generally agreed upon in the HID expert circles. Feel free to ask around www.hidplanet.com .
Nothing throws out a wider beam pattern quite like the LS430, or distance wise either.
Here is a GS retrofitted with LS430 projectors:
Last edited by GRAND_LS 4; Jan 25, 2010 at 03:37 PM.
In my opinion, the LS430 (04-06) sports the BEST projectors in the industry, bar none. Nothing is even close save for the TL projectors. I think this is generally agreed upon in the HID expert circles. Feel free to ask around www.hidplanet.com .
Nothing throws out a wider beam pattern quite like the LS430, or distance wise either.
Here is a GS retrofitted with LS430 projectors:
Nothing throws out a wider beam pattern quite like the LS430, or distance wise either.
Here is a GS retrofitted with LS430 projectors:
Personally i think the LS HID's are pretty good. The cut,obviously, is for not to blind on coming passengers and they are cutoff at just the right height. The 99 TL have reflectors i believe and do not cut off at a sharper rate as the LS. Therefore you get more light in the "air" for instance. Some people may find that more useful and may need to see whats on the wall when they pass by or into people houses LMAO! Anyway, i think more light is useful on the ground in front you which the LS does perfectly IMO. With the fogs lights turned on, which will give you a little more "air" lighting, you now have the perfect beam of lighting.
i agree. my 02 ls's headlights seem mediocre. i believe thats due to the fact that its an early stage in OEM HID technology. my 04 sti had the same mediocre HID while my friends 06 sti with projector HID was far superior. projector HID seems alot cleaner and brighter. i added a 55watt HID kit to my fog lights recently and noticed a huge improvement. btw i drive in nyc so there are lots of lights everywhere.
Racer
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,513
Likes: 78
From: Northern VA
The HIDs on my 05 LS are amazingly bright, always the brightest of any car on the road. They put the HIDs on my LX (retrofitted), which are already much brighter than the stock halogens (4x the light output), to shame. The AFS also works well, too. I think either something is wrong with your HIDs or its just an older model.
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 1,018
Likes: 3
From: Virginia
Hate to admit it but, 2001 LS430's are older cars now. If a car is a Camry r Accord by Honda its a good chance there will be a difference in the headlights as well as other features. We are talking a 2001 LS430 and thats getting long in the tooth in terms of technology. Its not a put down to 2001's because I have one but, there is so much done tech wise year by year with cars etc. these days.
The Camry is a great car by the way!!! L.G.N.M
The Camry is a great car by the way!!! L.G.N.M
Lead Lap
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 4,189
Likes: 16
From: NY/NJ
I like my '04 HIDS over my friend's 2009 TSX HIDS. The TSX has a more blueish color to them even after warming up and I think it actually provides less lighting. The LS are definitely wide and up front could be improved a little, but I like the overall lighting.
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Lexus Champion
Joined: Jul 2002
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From: Maryland
Low beam wise, the E and the LS is pretty decent (both also swivel 04 and newer). However I dont like the High Beam on the LS compared to my E. My E High Beam is so much brighter, I sometimes wonder if the High Beam is even on the LS when I turn it on.
i've replaced my drl's with blue-ish ones that look bright as sheet in the day time but at night when i turn on my highs they do about zero so yeah... do you have this done too killergs4
Summary:
01-03 uses REFLECTORS for beam dispersement. It's possible that OP's HID bulbs are starting to die off and turning a little yellow, as someone mentioned.
With new fresh bulbs, it will make a big difference. As check for proper alignment, both vertical and horizontal.
Nothing beats the LS430 projector in the wide projection department. Acura's TL/s2000 and LS460 are excellent in the sharp cutoff department.
because this is what you get (on the older w210s ) 
01-03 uses REFLECTORS for beam dispersement. It's possible that OP's HID bulbs are starting to die off and turning a little yellow, as someone mentioned.
With new fresh bulbs, it will make a big difference. As check for proper alignment, both vertical and horizontal.
Nothing beats the LS430 projector in the wide projection department. Acura's TL/s2000 and LS460 are excellent in the sharp cutoff department.
Last edited by GS3Tek; Jan 26, 2010 at 09:44 PM. Reason: BRAIN FART-meant to say REFLECTORS, NOT PROJECTORS
Lets remain on topic, that is the LS430's headlight output.
as mentioned before, 01-03 uses reflectors, and as bulbs age, so does thier brightness. Replacing old HID bulbs will yeild a huge difference (done this on both my old 98LS and current '02 GS and the results are extremely noticeable.)
04-06 uses a projector with AFS.
as mentioned before, 01-03 uses reflectors, and as bulbs age, so does thier brightness. Replacing old HID bulbs will yeild a huge difference (done this on both my old 98LS and current '02 GS and the results are extremely noticeable.)
04-06 uses a projector with AFS.
Racer
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,321
Likes: 15
From: Washington
The best HID lights out there is from a Honda S2000. That's one of the reason I bought the car. The LS430's HID is pretty good. Like many mentioned above, you need to aim it properly. Once aimed, it works fantastic. Some BMW are pretty good to but the color spectrum on them while some may find cool looking is rather annoying to me.