Casanova

my maxima does not come with HIDs so i'm looking to upgrade a kit.
Now my question is I have either the option of D2R(OEM HID) or 9012
Someone told me to get the 9012, because the d2r wouldnt look too good, WOuld i be blinding everything with the D2R?

denbigh97

Yes, you would be blinding everyone on the road, regardless of which bulb you choose. HIDs require HID projectors, which your car does not currently have. D2R (Discharge second generation Reflection) bulbs are designed for reflector-type headlight housings and would not be a good fit for a 6th gen anyway. They would work better for the 5th gen. A better idea would be to just pony up the $600-800 for OEM HID headlight assemblies on Ebay. Plug-n-play!

Scott D.

iTrader: (2)

The d2r bulb is designed for a non-projector style headlamp. The only option without changing your projectors should be a 9006 bulb base. They work just fine for me. Just had to drill a few holes.

Domestic Violence

i converted my heads and fogs to HID's and everything is great.

pavetim

iTrader: (1)

for the money you spend on the 9012 you can get an hid kit. And i don't care what ppl say about putting hid's in the halogen projectors they dont blind people they look fine. Just not as good as hid projectors.

MiamiBlackMax

i have non hid and place hid..i dont blind ppl and the bulb is 9006...if u have the money and want to waste it then buy the OEM hid headlights

nalc

iTrader: (11)

Correct. The design of the projectors controls glare. HIDs in halogen reflectors is what causes the glare, mostly in 3rd, 4th, and 5th (not 5.5) generation maxes.

HIDs in the 6th gen halogen headlights will not glare, they just don't have as good of an output as HIDs in the 6th gen HID headlights. Some people prefer to do it thoroughly and get all OEM HID components, others are happy just using a HID kit in the halogen projectors. As long as it's an 04+ maxima, a HID kit will not glare.

FYI, though, if you do experience 9012 bulb failure, you can buy brand-new 9012 bulbs here:
http://store.candlepower.com/hirlighting.html
For significantly cheaper than you can at the dealership.

joecurr

You know, I always wondered about that. I have always felt that I actually lost output when I installed an HID kit into my halogen projectors. Is there an incorrect way to install the bulbs? We use the 9006 bulbs, but have to trim one of the tabs in order for the bulbs to fit. I'm thinking if I'm trimming the wrong tab and the bulb isn't oriented in the right direction since there's a small portion of the bulb blocked by that filament that runs on the outside of the bulb. I also feel that when I activate the high beam, the top portion that is unblocked by moving the shield is brighter than the low beam, but that may just be paranoia.

Basically, I just want to know if there is a correct orientation for the bulb, so I know if somethings wrong or the output is just that bad.