Hi,

I have an '02 XKR with the halogen lights and I wouldn't mind upgrading to HID's. I have been given a nice pair of '05 complete HID headlight assemblies and was wondering if they would plug up to my car and work correctly. It appears that the ballasts are part of the assembly, so I don't think those would have to be added separately.

If it appears that this wouldn't work, I will add a kit, but would prefer to use these OEM assemblies if I can.

Thanks for any suggestions.


Rob

 

You need to check whether your car has the cable and end plug that fits straight into the ballast.

 

I have no idea, but I love the HID lights in my 05. They're amazing.

 

The will fit and work alright (have done the same), but the connectors are different, so not all plug and play…

You could get a cable loom from the breakers to get the connectors, the wires are even the same color iirc, but of course the automatic headlight leveling will not work, so you need to adjust the lights manually.

This was the 2nd best improvement I made to my car (besides some extra ponies).

 

I'll be doing HIDs later this week.. I'll post pics.

But mine won't be the OEM assemblies...

 

I was sure I had HIDs and self-leveling. But after reading this thread I'm not so sure. Being the second owner of an ‘03 XKR I have no docs on purchased options vs. add-ons, is there a way to tell. Were HIDs even a mfg. option in 03 on the XKR?

Sorry to be so ignorant but I gota learn somehow.

thanks
mjw

 

I added an eBay HID bulb and ballast kit for less than $50. They work great especially because the original halogens were already set in a projector lens housing. The difference between halogen and xenon is like night and day.... Oh BTW I selected the 4300 heat range as that is the closest color to daylight and the range that produces the most visible and useful light. The higher ranges, 5000 and up produce the characteristic blue/purple haze.

Do not pay big bucks for some of these aftermarket kits. They are all basically the same.

Finally if you are discussing OEM HIDs, then that is a different story because they usually employ HID-specific [better] projectors; and are probably going to have auto aiming devices connected to front up-down suspension changes.

 

@MJW-XKR: there are various ways of telling, but one that springs to mind is listening for the electric motors whirring into position when you first switch the lights on. They are also slightly blue in colour and take 2 or 3 seconds to reach maximum brightness.

 

Frog: thanks I do see the blueish tint and the delay to "warm up", additionally they seem to bounce when first turned on, but I've never heard the motors. Although I usually always have the engine running by that time so that may hide the sound. I'll check that next time.
Appreciate your help

mjw

 

2003 - first MY for HID lamps and autoleveling, 99% sure you have it. If its not working, check the little ball-n-socket lever on the rear, driverside lower control arm. I found mine disconnected 3 years after I bought it.

 

Check the door jam on the driver's side... right under the mfg sticker, mine has one that says it's equipped with HIDs and NAV.

 

You were right, I have exactly that sticker too.