[6SpeedTA95]

That wasn't even an option was it? The wife and I found one tonight that we're looking at first thing tomorrow morning. We went to look at the car and it looked to me like it had HID's...That wasn't even an option on the 3i was it? Are those hard to swap? We will run a carfax but should we be concerned about the possibility that the car was wrecked?

 

[MetalCord]

If it has HID's, then an aftermarket kit was installed. One thing you can do to check... if you turn the lights on they flicker, then gradually get brighter for 8 seconds or so.... then someone installed an HID kit. If they come right on, then the car probably has aftermarket bulbs.

 

[6SpeedTA95]

[quote author=MetalCord link=topic=70956.msg1245832#msg1245832 date=1172899425]
If it has HID's, then an aftermarket kit was installed. One thing you can do to check... if you turn the lights on they flicker, then gradually get brighter for 8 seconds or so.... then someone installed an HID kit. If they come right on, then the car probably has aftermarket bulbs.
[/quote]Thank you for the reply...I spent much of last night looking at headlight pictures on these cars, it could just be that I'm unfamiliar with the headlight assembly because they all looked similar to the Honda/BMW/Acura HID's I'm accustomed to. So I think the assembly perhaps looks similar to HID even though its not.

Thanks again for the help and I'll let you guys know what happens today 8)

 

[nxt]

You can take the bulb out and see if it's a HID or Halogen.

 

[icspots]

All of the 3's headlights (with HID or without) will look the same from the outside.

 

[MetalCord]

[quote author=icspots link=topic=70956.msg1247538#msg1247538 date=1173015750]
All of the 3's headlights (with HID or without) will look the same from the outside.
[/quote]

Exactly. The projectors for HID's are slightly different internally... but you can't tell the difference from the outside. They look identical from the outside.

 

[Depou]

You bought the car used? the see if they are HIDs get way back and if you see some glare in the headlights, you got HIDs, since the halogen projector isnt made for HIDs.

 

[naxxal]

HID vs Halogen, there is a huge difference in light output, HIDs much brighter. 3i models do not come with HIDs, only 3"s" and only in GT models, so most likelly someone has installed and aftermarket kit. whats wrong with it?

 

[nxt]

Also don't mistaken the headlights having Projectors as HID lights. And you said it looks like it has HIDs, it might also just be a whiter bulb installed like some SilverStars or some "Xenon Rice" bulbs.

But anyways. Why would you think the car is wrecked if it has HID lights or not?