HID High Beam on '99 LT

[dlbushey]

Since the 1999 LT's high beam is located in the center of the low beam, would it be worth it to replace the high beam with a HID unit at the same time as the low beam?

What I'm concerned about is how it will look with a stock high beam bulb shining dimmer than the HID low beam that surrounds it. Opinions?

[jackd]

What I'm concerned about is how it will look with a stock high beam bulb shining dimmer than the HID low beam that surrounds it. Opinions?

When you put a HID in the low beam position the standard high beam lamp is pretty much useless. If you normally do not use the high beam because of traffic it will only be harder to use an HID high beam.

I originally did a low HID in 2003. I did not do the high at the same time basically because of the cost (about $310). I think there is less cost differential now so it does make sense. That is why I also converted my high to HID last season.

<opinion on>

I am sorry I did not spend a little more and get a 4300K high. I got the 5000K. The price was right but the color was wrong. :(

<opinion off>

I installed the high in September and only got to use it a few times and it really brightens up the center of the road. I would have loved to had the HID in 2004 and 2005 on two cross country trips..

[Steve_R]

I have to agree with Jack. I have both low and high on my 2000, as it was there when I purchased from a member of this site. The high is not a 4300K bulb and you can tell the difference as it is bluer than the low beam. But to stay with a halogen on the high with the HID low, it just wouldn't work for me after having both. JM2CW

[Canabarry]

I run HID on the low beam and regular bulb in the high beam. There is some additional light when using the high beam but most value comes from the HID low beam. I run the Kisan modulator on the high beam during the day and of course the colors are different but it is still effective.

[zippy_gg]

Since the 1999 LT's high beam is located in the center of the low beam, would it be worth it to replace the high beam with a HID unit at the same time as the low beam?

What I'm concerned about is how it will look with a stock high beam bulb shining dimmer than the HID low beam that surrounds it. Opinions?The answer is a little more complex than a straight Yes or No and will depend on your riding habits and conditions, as well as what additional lighting you have, if any.

If no additional lighting you will like the more powerful HID high beam, but it takes 2-3 seconds for it to come to full power. That is not good if you need to flash... unless you have other lights slaved to the high bean, like I do, in which case these added lights will flash before the high beam HID even comes on.

Interestingly enough, and that is new thing, the additional lights will cost you more than the high beam HID kit! But in my opinion you need more lights than stock.

Also installing the high beam HID kit is more of a pain than installing the low beam. You will need to modify the lamp holder for proper fit of the bulb, and also modify the ground wiring, which is shared with the low beam.

Should you choose not to install the high beam HID, at least you should have a set of PIAAs or Motolites to broaden the light field and add conspicuity. These lights can be installed under the mirrors, under the cowling, under the wings, on the fork, or on the calipers using proper mounts.

In short you do need more light and more lights as the stock BMW H7 + H3 just don't cut it. How you go about it is up to you and there are many options.