Are HIDs snow friendly?

[gqstunning]

As you guys know already I am a noob and I have been only driving my M3 for only 2 months. I have been wanting to add HIDs first since I bought the car until I was reminded by FLIPDADY of “safety first” (so I bought snows first). Yesterday, I was pleasantly surprised by heavy snowfall during my late evening commute home last night and I had a hard time seeing in front of me with factory headlamps. My question of the day is are HIDs better or worst then halogens during moderate to heavy snowfall?

[bubba1983]

BETTER...case closed!!!

[btown-mazda]

What he said.

[dentinger]

the only time brighter headlights are a downside are in heavy fog.
ie, when you flick your highbeams on, and everything in front of you goes white. (kinda like a heavy snow storm...)

[b3GS]

the only time brighter headlights are a downside are in heavy fog.
ie, when you flick your highbeams on, and everything in front of you goes white. (kinda like a heavy snow storm...)


you just said it.. if it's snowing heavy, that hypnotic affect you get when driving in a heavy snowfall could be a bit worse with HIDs

[3GFX]

Overall though, more light is better. The lowbeam still has a general cutoff point so the glare above that point wouldn't be as bad. Highbeams are a full flood of light which will illuminate the entire area in front of you producing more glare in fog and heavy snow.

[EvilDeadFan]

the only time brighter headlights are a downside are in heavy fog.
ie, when you flick your highbeams on, and everything in front of you goes white. (kinda like a heavy snow storm...)

Correction. When lights are aimed HIGH such as high beams, because everything is lit up, then it's a problem!

Otherwise, in every single situation I can think of, the lights are the second best upgrade for driveability and safety besides proper tires. Assuming we're talking about our cars that are all new, or close enough to it. (which would exclude brakes since they're relatively good).

I'll never go back to halogens. When on dark ground such as rained on pavement or new ashphalt you're not seeing a lot because it really soaks up the light, much worse with halogens than hid. When it comes to dry winter roads.. it'll be like you increased your ligting ten fold.

[FLIPDADY]

My next car will have to have HID's standard.

IMO one of the best mods to do on our 3's.

[blue3]

My next car will have to have HID's standard.

IMO one of the best mods to do on our 3's.

1+

[WLS ZMZM]

2+

So far the HID's are my favourite mod on my 3...

[gqstunning]

Thanx for the replies guys. Now which colour would be most effective? Is it the higher Ks the better in winter conditions? I can't decide between the 5000K or the 6000K. I commute through the farm areas of York Region and I am looking at the safety attributes and not style. Does anyone have experience with both colours during snowfall?

[3GFX]

5000K would be best for safety and not looks. It put out the most lumens (light).

[bubba1983]

^^ ahem....4300K or if you can get your hands on a 4100K would be much better , even so than 5000K

[3GFX]

Those are harder to get your hands on no? Meh...he's right.

[firstmazda]

Devin does sell a KWD 4500K kit if i'm not mistaken!

[PKock]

Do the HIDs run through the projector beams or the reflectors or both? sorry im pretty new to this as well.
PK

[cwp_sedan]

Do the HIDs run through the projector beams or the reflectors or both? sorry im pretty new to this as well.
PK

The run through the projectors. They are replacements for your lowbeam headlights (in most cases).

[PKock]

Oh so they are lowbeams only?
PK

[cwp_sedan]

Oh so they are lowbeams only?
PK

That's what this thread is refering to. Some people have HIDs as fogs as well.

[Nextmod]

if you are interested in the Prolumen HID's let me know =) thanks