The 2000-01 headlights on my Sterling Mist have grown old on me, and its time to step up to the 2002-03 "style" lamps.

I was one click away from buying the OEM 02-03 lights, but I'm having a hard time dropping $1200+ on a primarily visual upgrade. (yes light output is actually a functional upgrade, but my halogen output currently serves me well, so its more visual) So I'm consider my other, less favorable options despite the poor reviews. I know about the poor quality and decreased light output with the projectors, but how about the non projectors? With HID vs. halogen....Better, worse, same?

Im definitely not getting the replica "OEM" lights (dont like the yellow lens), so I have to decide on one of these 4 options....links to pics for those few who may not know what im talking about

Clear Projector


Black Projector


Clear non-projector


Black non-projector


Having a tough time deciding, so I'm calling on the org for opinions.

 

it is visual...meaning you will actually have some vision at night...

and if you bought 02-03 lights, why would you also need HID kits

 

clear proj look awesome, IMO

 

clear proj look awesome

 

Think about driving with your headlights on while its wet outside.. You can barely see your headlights.. When you have your ebay projectors on... You can't see jack ****. rofl

 

Everything you've posted is crap unless you do a HID projector retro. Go with OEM and call it a day.

 

OEM 5.5 gen headlights

 

I say mix and match. Clear projectors on the left. Black non-projectors on the right. oooooo

 

just installed a set of the clear non projectors. actually had better usable light(after aiming). I had to do some rewiring: wasn't plug and play, but they changed the look totally.

 

oem

 

you right, you right....however, I had a typo in original post. Obviously the OEM's are about $600 each. So it should have read, I can't stomach spending $1200+ on headlights.

I'd love to just go OEM, and I'm aware that is the best option....however, I didn't list it for a reason. lol This is sorta like a presidential election, just choose the lesser evil.

 

Thanks for the input, I haven't heard nearly as much feedback on the non-projectors. I'm actually leaning towards these because something urks me about the look of the dark/tinted/whatever projector lenses.

Are you using HID with these?

 

naw, they look nice check my profile for pics just posted them today

 

I agree, I'm liking the clear non-proj the most right now. Any pics of the low and/or high beams at night?

 

not yet bout to pick up a pair of fog lights now. will post when i get them on tonight. but trust me u'll be doing urself justice by getting them

 

I saw some 02s for like $580 for the set. Maybe you should just hold out for a while till you find a good deal.

Edit: Here are some for $671.50 Link Just remove the Orange and your good.

 

difference between those, and these? http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/NISSA...3A1|240%3A1318

 

These looks great, but I already have a HID kit on my 00 GLE

 

i believe the one he listed IS oem while the one you listed is aftermarktet, although it looks the same. I know few people who went with the ones you pointed out over here when they did 02-03 front end conversions and the lights are still holding up fine.

I wouldnt make a big deal about the orange lens. Once you have the lights in your hands it's very easy to clear out the amber. For me, I have datadots and it was a mission lol

 

just finished the fog lights here are some pics with low beams. took them with my phone quality my be a llittle poor

[ATTACH][/ATTACH]

 

Go OEM. Also, who's car is that in the 3rd eBay ad? He's on here.

 

The difference is, that $270 price is for a left headlight.

 

obviously HID in halogen housing is illegal, but is a projector required to be legal? The OEM 02-03's don't actually have a projector, so I am assuming HID in the "non-projector" housing that I listed would also be legal, correct?

 

There is nothing at all legal about using the ebay lights to begin with. If you want HID lights you have to stomach the cost of oem HID lights. The non-projector lights are meant for halogens anyway, so why would you think putting HID's in them is any different than putting them in your stock halogen location? The reflectors in the 02-03 lights are made for HID's nothing on ebay is. Only way to legally do HID's is with oem. Otherwise you are blinding other people, sorry man

 

obviously that is false. And "why would I think putting HID in the non-projector housings would be any different than my stock halogen housings?"....well, like I said, the OEM housings look similar and do NOT have a projector. No need to attempt to make others look foolish for asking a legitimate question

 

[quote=mannetti21;6991948]obviously that is false. And "why would I think putting HID in the non-projector housings would be any different than my stock halogen housings?"....well, like I said, the OEM housings look similar and do NOT have a projector. No need to attempt to make others look foolish for asking a legitimate question


I was not attempting to make you look foolish I thought maybe you knew something about them that I didn't, I just figured the non-projector housings were halogen housings. And as far as legal HID's go, even retrofits are illegal, changing headlights in any way is illegal, but the closest you can get to legal is by using OEM housings. Therefore, not quite false. Not trying to start an argument, but laws are strict.

 

[QUOTE=augiedog964;6992820]I hear ya on the laws being strict, and thats why I'm asking these questions. The non-projectors I posted are very similar to OEM which are non-projector housings. Likewise, the infamous Depot OEM replicas are not projectors, so in that case, non-projector housing does not equal halogen housing.

No worries boss, not argueing either, just trying to get an answer as to whether or not the non-projector lights I posted would be illegal to use with HID. I understand that light output would be inferior, but that does not necessarily make them illegal.

 

To the OP, the 02-03 OEM headlights utilize D2R bulbs, which are HID capsules with an anti-glare coating for use in reflective housings. HID's do not have to be equipped solely in projectors, as long as the reflective housings are built specifically for HID use, not halogen, to reduce glare. Only OEM HID headlights meet the specifications for legal road use. If you want the valuable advantage of increased light output, and want your setup to be legal (DOT/SAE compliant) then go with the OEM 02-03 headlights.

As stated before, you do not and should not pay the dealer price of $1200 for a set, and are better off searching for a set of used ones on the classifieds. I have a 2000 and just completed a retro of these on my Max. After sourcing each headlight separately, I paid about $600 in total, including ballasts, excluding bulbs.

 

thanks, great explanation...now just wondering why nobody makes the D2R bulbs to fit the ebay non-projector reflective housings.

 

Technically the aftermarket HID bulbs are rebased D2R/D2S bulbs. They take these original bulbs and convert them for use in different housings (In the case of the ebay non-projector reflective ones, I think you would need a 9006 HID kit for the low-beam). But this is not legal for road use and creates excessive glare that can blind oncoming traffic.

Putting a H3 HID kit in the ebay projector housings will reduce most of glare issues, but it is also illegal and the light output is nowhere near that of OEM. I originally went this route, because like you, I couldn't stomach the higher cost of OEM. But after a few months, I desired a legal setup and better light output so I converted to OEM. Take my advice and save up for OEM and don't waste your money on cheap, inferior ebay headlights.

 

Would love to put these euro headlights chrome clear with halo on my 2001max. Says they fit just right...but whats with all this legal talk?. Im not very smart when it comes to headlight legal issues since i just bout a car worth playing with. http://www.wooddashexperts.com/custo...t=19147&page=1 these are the lights i found..not sure if good or not..but not too expensive? and ov course are they legal? lol

 

you can get those same lights for $180...read through the previous posts about legality. Legal issues arise when you install HID kits into aftermarket headlights.

still trying to determine exactly what is and isn't legal in regards to HID/halogens in the projector and non-projector headlights listed in this post.....

 

ahh so no hid's then should be all good? Thats what i got from it but im not completely certain what hid's are. Im guessing bulbs and wiring that makes em so powerful.. But im not completely sure. And yeah imma shop around for these headslights Thanks

 

Thats what i have installed on my max. check my profile to see if you like them.

 

I don't think you should use any of those unless you get a projector refit. I've seen the non-projector version in action with both halogen and HID's. Even with aiming, they tend to have really nasty glare. So either do a projector retro, or pony up for OEM 5.5 gens. Hell even the stock 5th gen headlights are better than these.

S

 

lol you guys are relentless with the ebay light bashing. I get it, I get it...they suck. So the new question is, what is and isn't legal in regards to HID/halogens in the projector and non-projector headlights listed in this post....

 

It only gets bashed because it's not a good product. We are trying to steer you the right way. If you use them anyway, just don't complain. As far as the lights are concerned, it really depends if they are stamped DOT approved. If they are, they would be legal, but I doubt they are.

Aftermarket HID's are illegal no matter whether you put them in projectors or not. If you are indeed concern about staying legal, chances are going with an OEM light is the best thing to do. You probably could get away with using the 5.5gen with HID's without issue as well (since those are technically OEM on 02/03. I really doubt cops would give you any trouble with them).

S

 

i hate glare hid lights.

 

thanks for the contribution, or lack thereof