IProgramOK

I have a 2004 Mazda 3 Hatchback. I want to purchase an HID conversion kit. Would it be beneficial to purchase 2 kits, one for high beams, and one for low beams? What about one for high/low beams and one for the fog lights? I've looked on multiple forums for the answer and haven't had any luck. Also, what website is good to purchase from? Is there a certain bulb type i need to take into account as well? I want to buy a 10000K kit for low beams, and possibly a 5000K kit for high beams. Sorry if this is too many questions, i just want to buy the best possible HIDs for my car! Thanks for the help!

icspots

You probably don't really want to get a kit for your high beams. First off the low beam kit will put out 3x as much light as the stock halogens, so it's possible you won't need to use your high beams as often. Second HIDs are similar to fluorescent lamps in that they use a ballast to arc electricity through gas (also called xenon arc lamps). These types of lamps need to warm up and being turned on and off quickly will shorten the life of the ballast. Since most people only use high beams to quickly flash, or for short periods of time you would quickly be shortening the life of the kit. How much? No idea.

Also while HID high beams would be brighter I have no issue using my halogen highs with my HID low beams and still seeing more. It's just not worth the cost of the kit for the small amount of time I'd be using them imho.

Both the highs and the fogs use reflector housings vs. the projector housings the low beams have. This means they have absolutely no control of the glare the HIDs will put out. I don't really recommend putting HIDs in any reflector for on road use as you'll likely be blinding other drivers. If nothing else get the low beams and see what you think. If you want to add additional kits later then you can.

There are tons to choose from. I personally got mine through therpmstore as I had a gift certificate. I got DDM slimline HIDs. Check around as each of the forums have sponsors and some will give a discount to forum members.

Yes. You need a H7 lamp for the low beams, H11 for the fogs, and ...... 9005 IIRC for the high beams.

If I may ask, why? Higher color temperatures DO NOT produce more light. The brightest lumen output is going to come from a 4,300k lamp. This is the same color temp. of all OEM HID lamps. As you go towards the blue end of the spectrum the lights will become blue and then purple, not only providing less light output (vs. 4,300k) but also accelerating eye fatigue. 10,000k lamps will be sort of violet looking. I highly recommend going with 4,300-5,000 for the low beams.

If your aim is to get that bluish flicker you see on some cars (BMWs, Acura, Mercedes, etc) then you should look into swapping your frosted low beam lens for a clear lens from theretrofitsource. It will clean up the cutoff and provide a blue tint to the cutoff without actually changing the color of the light you're projecting (and using to see).

No worries, that's how we learn. Hopefully I helped you out some.

IProgramOK

Thanks man, this was VERY helpful, i appreciate your help!