Who thinks that the look of the "bronzed" headlight cluster on the '01 AE is sharp enough to keep around as opposed to swapping out for the '02 HID cluster. I don't care so much about the BS about HID and their improved visibility...I'm just working on looks.

 

I personally like the AE bronze head light. It looks really
good and doesnt have a price tag of 1,000. for appearence the AE
head light will be next for me.

 

Does anyone have a pic of them? I think I've seen them at the dealership, but I can't remember what they look like.

B

 

For DAYTIME there is NO comparison as far as looks. The 2K2 have a very agressive BMW look to them that MANY people notice, whereas NOBODY except Maxima gurus can tell the difference between regular and AE headlamps. Hell the first time I saw them I couldn't tell the difference, until I checked out non-AE ones again.

For NIGHTIME the AE headlamps and the Panasonic HIDs should have better night-time visibility compared to 2K2 HID Lo-beams, but you don't have Hi-beams which I need.

If your able to find the 2K2 housings for $800/pr. or less, I would go with them over the AE/Panasonic setup. Just my .02.

 

I mean, if you want the look of a clear plastic covered housing containing what looks a lot like a handful of mismatched flashlights bundled together, go for it...I think they look like crap.

Frankly, I have yet to come across a HID setup by any automaker that really looks good...it is usually a matter of which are a little less ugly...

 

HID envy.. I love it!

Especially from the wannabe ricer boys and their BLUE bulbs that can't light up $hit!!!!

 

Right, so that was probably not necessary. Actually, I have had that kind of impression myself. I like the view of the '02 assembly from the front...the aggressive look as you refer to it, but the side view does give me the same impression as JJS...the jury is still out on that side view.

HID-envy...right...very cute.

Anybody else got a vote?

 

You know, I'm looking at IceY2K1's sig and I know what it is...the fact that the lamps themselves are set so far back...too much space...that's what makes for the funny side view. The jury's still out...still looking for opinions.

 

Check my poll:
http://maxima.cardomain.com/member_p...ll_action=view

Out of 142 votes:
80% 2K2
19% 2K-2K1

Don't know what happened to the other 1%. I guess undecided.

 

Whelp a biased opinion for me is that it really changed the character of the car. I have two pics of the front one with and one without the HIDs and it looks aggressive and "meaner" which is unexpected by a 4door. As for the side...heh personal opinion at that point.

Truely, I do not look at my car from the side just from behind the wheel...he he he

 

If you 2000-2001 H4 guys want to see almost as well (if not better) than the HID guys, then order a set of Philips VisionPlus bulbs from here. These are top quality European bulbs, nothing you'll find in the local K-Mart.

 

Thanks man. Yeah, I agree 100% on the GXE/GLE/SE housings, but I do kind of like the bronze frame on the AE housing and that's why I'm hesitating. I guess I'll probably keep stopping by my local dealer until a Gray Lustre '02 shows up so I can compare side-by-side.

 

By the way I was referring to jjs on the "Envy Comment".

I envy your car! It's EXACTLY what I wish I would have bought and it was on the showroom floor.

I just don't think swapping the SE for a AE housings is worth the money, because it doesn't appear any differently to 99+% of people. I'd spend the money on Panasonic HIDs instead.

 

The HIDs acutally nice on a Sterling Mist because the inner housing is silverish, which matches the color of the car.

See sig and http://photos.yahoo.com/y2kevse (HIDs2)

 

I agree...any opinions on the Gray Lustre/HID combination? Anybody, anybody? The silverish housing on the 2K2 tails look good on Gray, so I suppose the HIDs would be nice too. Hmmmm.

 

Thanks for the compliment. I'll throw one back...that photo you've got on your sig is as good as it gets...looks good. Put a Stillen kit on your SE if you want the aero kit look.

I'd do the Panasonic HIDs, but I don't really care about having HIDs...I'm just trying to make a call on the look of the different housings...in my case the AE housings with the 2K2 housings. I think its going to take me putting my AE next to a 2K2 in the same color to decide.

 

I think gray lustre & HID's go together like cookies and milk!

 

02's look better all around!

 

Good stuff...and my thoughts are the 2K2 tails go nice with the Gray Lustre too...particularly if you have rear clear side markers.

I'm going to see if I can track one down at the dealer to compare them side-by-side.

 

throw a wad of cash at them

as for lighting.. they are only 25-50% brighter. Thats not alot when thrown on the ground. I was expecting alittle more.. BUT if you stare at a monitor coding all day like I do, then the contrast at night is a huge improvement.

Are they *worth* it. Dunno... jury is still out, thats alot of money. I like them and happy I did it. but I dont know if they can be justified at the going rate these days.. The decision was much easier when they were selling at the erroneous price.

 

I am trying not to be biased, but the AE lights imo still look better than the new and definitely better than stock 00-01. I was impressed however the other night on the way home a new max was on the interstate beside me and I could do a side by side compare on the differenc in illumination...the 02's are definitely brighter, and obviously safer. But I still like the sinister look of the bronzed AE lights...wouldn't trade 'em for the 02 even if they were free.

srm