Upgrading to Xenon headlights?

[Blonde-In-Black]

I don't know why these are only stock on the GT's, but I want them! I have the Touring model with the halogens. Upgrade kits for xenon??

[07LiquidCX7]

They are widely available. I bought mine on ebay for $80, but there are better options.

Apexcone sells a good conversion kit that comes with the necessary H7 spacers and everything, just be sure to tell them you are ordering for a CX-7 with non-HID. Link below $125

http://www.xenonexpert.com/apexcone_sale.html

[Sablecat]

I sent them an email a week ago with a question and no reply...

[07LiquidCX7]

I sent them an email a week ago with a question and no reply...

Really? Try leaving a msg for them on this other mazda cx-7 forum. They are a vender over there.

http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/showthread.php?t=123674338

NOTE: Mods, I don't know if linking to another forum is allowed here, but it helps members to have more than one outlet for information. I've never understood not allowing linking to other forums, but if it isn't allowed then just delete this post.

[Sablecat]

Thanks Liquid I know about the other forum thats how I found this one ;)

I don't know I was/am just a little put off, considering they didn't respond to a new customer I was wondering how they treated you after you spent money.

My question was simple but still I'm confused with all the options I just wish they had a simple drop down for model type...

[shadow1]

http://www.msprotege.com/forum/showthread.php?t=108724

The apexcone kits are OK. They do include the H7 bulb spacers which are impossible to source elsewhere. On the link above some people have improvised spacers. I installed a 9006 kit and one of the wiring harnesses was reversed. I figured this out by trial and error by installing one of the harnesses backwards on purpose. So quality control is not the greatest. But these kits are 150 or less. A better brand is Kaixen. They are Korean (Apexcone is Taiwanese). I have used 3 different Kaixen kits. Much nicer quality. 300 though. autodoodad.cpm sells them. I currently have the Kaixen 9006 kit in my Evo, H7 kit in my wife's Celica (had to get bulb spacers from xenondepot though - I would try the grommet trick next time cause the spacers were $20), and a bixenon H4 kit in a Ridgeline which I no longer own. They work fantastic. They actually are better than OEM HID. Brighter. And they do not have the annoying OEM HID light cut off that my GT CX7 has.

[Raider]

Linking to other forums is allowed here, as there is information out there for people. Looks like there are a of of responses for HID sources.

[ottoblotto]

anyone consider doing a group buy from someone as far as hid kits? that autodoodad site offers that. just wondering, id be in for my tribby. i have xenon on the cx and LOVE IT! and im a fan of the cutoff. helps oncoming drivers and looks cool to me. IMO.

[Raider]

Over on a couple forums, Apexcone(?) did group buys, too.

[sixsix]

Any pics of what these spacers look like? My friend has an extra unused h7 kit and I want to see if it'll work.

[shadow1]

Try googling for a pic. No pics on my end and I'm not about to remove the front bumper off the Celica just to take pics of a H7 spacer.

[s.m.c]

Excuse my ignorance, but what's the benefit of these Xenon HIDs? Are they just brighter?

Yesterday, I was driving ahead of my wife who was in our CX7 with the base light package, and I found the lights quite bright in the rear-view. They definitely seem brighter than most other cars on the road, I'm not sure I'd want them any brigher.

[shadow1]

You need to drive a car w/ HID to appreciate the difference. There is no comparison. I cannot own a car w/o HID now.

[mikomi]

Excuse my ignorance, but what's the benefit of these Xenon HIDs? Are they just brighter?

I lifted this list from http://4wheeldrive.about.com/od/lightingheadtaillights/a/hidlightingkits.htm



More light output (up to 3 times brighter)
Wider coverage (beam pattern illuminates up to 70% more of the roadway, especially the sides)
Whiter light (almost a blue light, resulting in clearer images)
More durable (withstands shock and vibration since there is no filament)
Longer life (last 3 times longer or 5-10 years, depending on use)
Greater efficiency (3x more light while using 24% less power)



hope that helps some :)

[07LiquidCX7]

Excuse my ignorance, but what's the benefit of these Xenon HIDs? Are they just brighter?

Yesterday, I was driving ahead of my wife who was in our CX7 with the base light package, and I found the lights quite bright in the rear-view. They definitely seem brighter than most other cars on the road, I'm not sure I'd want them any brigher.

Your wife's headlights are aimed too high. That's why they appear bright. My wife's CX7 was the same way. After we put HID's in we got flashed like everyday so I had to reaim the lights down. All CX7's to my knowledge that don't have the electric headlight adjusters are aimed too high from the factory.

[Scooby24]

while HID's are great, I gotta admit, the halogen projectors are really bright. My fiance was in the 7 following me to the dealership and I really liked how they looked from the outside...they had an interesting rainbowing effect as the car turned into your path. And when driving it compared to my BMW's HIDs, I like the 7's more. The light doesn't have hardly any scatter at all and just really lights the road well.

[07LiquidCX7]

while HID's are great, I gotta admit, the halogen projectors are really bright. My fiance was in the 7 following me to the dealership and I really liked how they looked from the outside...they had an interesting rainbowing effect as the car turned into your path. And when driving it compared to my BMW's HIDs, I like the 7's more. The light doesn't have hardly any scatter at all and just really lights the road well.

I agree... the reason for that is the projectors that BMW uses. They are TERRIBLE! Before I sold my BMW I was going to retrofit Acura TSX projectors into the headlights because the BMW beam focus is terrible. But I still think the BMW HID's look better than the CX7 with halogens. Oh unless you are using the stock 4300k bulbs on the BMW. Then I agree the CX7 halogens are nicer.

[Scooby24]

I agree... the reason for that is the projectors that BMW uses. They are TERRIBLE! Before I sold my BMW I was going to retrofit Acura TSX projectors into the headlights because the BMW beam focus is terrible. But I still think the BMW HID's look better than the CX7 with halogens. Oh unless you are using the stock 4300k bulbs on the BMW. Then I agree the CX7 halogens are nicer.

The focus really is bad...there's no real cutoff definition....the only thing I like more about the BMW's is the color. I don't think it's 4300 because it's fairly white...quite a bit more white than the HID's that were on my STI which I think are around the 4300 range.

Do you, by any chance, have any pictures of what the 6k color looks like on the 7?

I've noticed a kit on ebay by mtec that claims it's for the 7 and has instructions for it and everything so that would take some of the guesswork out...does anyone know anything about those kits? Overpriced?

[07LiquidCX7]

Here are pics with 6000k H7 HID kit installed. I know one looks purplish but that was just the lighting in the shot. See my DIY retrofit in the how to section for instructions and then get a cheaper HID kit. It's hard to find one with spacers though :(

http://www.eurosportunderground.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10013/P1010017%7E3.JPG

http://www.eurosportunderground.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10013/P1010023%7E3.JPG

http://www.eurosportunderground.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10013/P1010026%7E0.JPG

[shadow1]

I personally would shy away from ebay HID kits. Even if they use decent bulbs, the ballasts tend to have poor durability. Better to spend a little more money and get a decent kit.

[07LiquidCX7]

I personally would shy away from ebay HID kits. Even if they use decent bulbs, the ballasts tend to have poor durability. Better to spend a little more money and get a decent kit.

^True... if you get the ebay ones you will have to silicon the seams in the ballast casing to ensure longer life. For some reason they don't seal them very well, or maybe even not at all. I've done this for all of my $65 ebay specials and haven't had one fail yet :) Longest I had was in the BMW I just sold and was still ticking after 2 years. So, if you take the precaution the ebay cheapy units are ALMOST as good as the higher dollar ones. I mean hey... at $65 if you have to replace it every year or so, you still get new bulbs with the ballasts, so it's like you are getting bulbs for FREE! ;)

[shadow1]

$65 is a bargain if they actually hold up for more than a year. I have seen some cheapo 150 kits burn out in less than a year though. That is not very cost effective.

[Sablecat]

I lifted this list from http://4wheeldrive.about.com/od/lightingheadtaillights/a/hidlightingkits.htm


hope that helps some :)

and they look cool!
and would match my interior LEDS!

I still never got a repy oh well I rather wait tell the weather gets better to do the install.

[s.m.c]

* More light output (up to 3 times brighter)
* Wider coverage (beam pattern illuminates up to 70% more of the roadway, especially the sides)
* Whiter light (almost a blue light, resulting in clearer images)Are these used as high beams, or low beams? I get the impression that these are used for low beams, but I don't understand why would it be considered safer/better to have 3x brighter lows?

* Greater efficiency (3x more light while using 24% less power)
What kind of impact does this have on fuel economy?

* More durable (withstands shock and vibration since there is no filament)
* Longer life (last 3 times longer or 5-10 years, depending on use) Suggesting that other headlights get 1.6 - 3.3 years of life? Who here has been replacing their headlights every two years? I've replaced the lights on my DRL modified (ie. headlights on all the time) '94 Celica once in the car's lifetime.

Out of curiosity, how many of you expect to be driving this same vehicle 5-10 years from now?

[shadow1]

HID is typically not used for high beams for a couple reasons. Cost savings for the OEM since 99% of the time they aren't on. HID is not good for flash to pass purposes, since they take a couple of seconds to warm up. HID makes for great low beams because they are so much brighter and uniform in lighting. No comparison to halogen. I used to think halogen PIAA bulbs were great until I tried HID. Go test drive a HID equipped car at night and see for yourself.

[ottoblotto]

i just ordered some apexcone hids for my tribby since the cx came with it. i dont like driving anything without them anymore... cx spoiled me! i love hid and am contemplating for the harley also.
a bit of topic but anyone know where to get GOOD interior leds? i bought some about six months ago, and they started going out... good leads?

[shadow1]

Post a review of the Apexcone HID when you get them installed in your Tribeca. I'm sure non-HID CX7 owners will be interested.

[ottoblotto]

i went with the apexcone because of what i read on mcx7 from other owners/upgraders. btw, my baby is not a tribeca, shes a Tribute! we are a mazda family! :)

[ottoblotto]

oh, and ill post what i think of them for sure! i ordered them on thurs but have not shown as being shipped yet. as soon as i get them they will go on. after the kids are in bed... sigh...

[shadow1]

i went with the apexcone because of what i read on mcx7 from other owners/upgraders. btw, my baby is not a tribeca, shes a Tribute! we are a mazda family! :)
My bad. Although IMO the Tribute really is a Ford ;)

[ottoblotto]

ARGH! now thats just plain rude...lol! get this, i bought a new foglight for the tribby from ebay :P anyway thats what it was listed as so i get it and it doesnt match up, internal appearance wise, but it fits. so im looking to find out why its diffrent figuring it was for a newer tribby. well it wasnt. its for a freakin ford escape... haw haw... we are just lucky ford didnt make the edge look more like the cx7. then i woulda been pissed!

[Raider]

I know there are guys who sell em, I just have been at a loss when thinking of who.