Replaced HID... Color Change over time?
 

I had a HID bulb burn out in one side of my headlamp recently and proceeded to take it to a shop to replace it.
When I got the car back, I noticed that the colors are mismatched, as in the original bulb was white/blue, the new one is white/yellow.
I asked the mechanic there and he said that he replaced the side with an oem stock one and that over time, the bulb changes color similar to my original white/blue bulb (also oem from before). While I understand that it could be a brand issue on the bulbs, I can't help but to think he put in different K's of HIDs in the car...

Do these bulbs change color (like he said) over time?

I've never heard of an HID changing colour. He probably put the wrong K in. Is it a retrofit HID? or a stock HID Compliant vehicle?

he probably put in a 4300k bulb

thats the shitty thing about hid's, once one bulb goes its best to just replace in pairs. the color of the bulb is going to be white at first but as time goes on itll turn that nice ice blue you are used too.

No, its not a retrofit HID. Factory, stock hid compliant MBenz.

Wonder if anyone knows if stock MB bulbs are 4300k?
Because he seemed firm about his answer, but the color says otherwise..

Do you know how long it takes to achieve that shade? Feeling uneasy driving with one yellow and one blue eye

OEM bulb is between 4100-4300k. HID bulbs colourshift over time and move up the kelvin grade meaning that as the bulb ages it will go from yellow>white>blue>green>purple.

Best fix is to replace the other bulb with a new one and just keep the old one for an emergency. By the time you wait for the new one to colourshift the other one may die out anyways.

... usually ended up purple-ish before they go too ...

stock bulbs are pretty much always 4300k

have you checked if your projectors are aimed properly? sometimes mis algined projectors may give you that 'color change' effect due to the cut off line.
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the only colour change HIDs should have is from a cold start. They will be blue for a good 10 seconds or so and then slowly become the temperature they are supposed to be

Otherwise, Purple means they are failing

It's true. My mom's E90 BMW HIDs were yellow for at least 6 months, maybe longer, before they started to turn white/blue.

Thanks everyone. I'm looking for some HID bulbs which will change into a nice ice blue over time. Anyone have experience with a particular brand + model of the bulb?
Greatly appreciated and thank you in advance.

I don't know if your Mercedes has projectors or not, looks like not if that's your car in your avatar in which case you would want either the Philips 85126 or the Osram 66050, both are for reflector housings. I believe the Philips is OEM for the Benz. Both will colourshift to a white/blue over time.

Your new one is likely the Philips anyways so just replace the other side with another. Either double-check your invoice or check the bulb model yourself it will be stamped on the base.

Thanks, and that is my car in the avatar from a long time ago.
How can I check if I have projectors or not?

Look at your headlamps. If you have projectors you will have something like this inside the housing and will light up when you turn on your headlights:

http://images.gasgoo.com/MiMwMDRfMDA...angel-eyes.jpg

If it looks like a regular headlamp then you don't have projectors.

always replace HID bulbs in pairs if you want the color and intensity to match on both sides

They do change color as the gas inside them goes.

Change them in pairs is easiest.

yes, color changes

yupp, color for the HID will change

RIPOFF.

You can get the genuine Philips bulbs for $100/pr.

$100/pair... where at?

D2R bulbs (for reflector housings) are more expensive but you can try:

TheRetrofitSource
Powerbulbs
OEMbulbs
EBay (probably cheapest but watch for knockoffs)

I've ordered from the first two before without incident.

One of my HID bulb was burnt. Got it replaced as pair at n motion 2 weeks ago.

60 for pair. No labour as I got my HID installed from them
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$60 a pair? LOL you sure?

I bought a brand new full set of 35w 4300K 9004-2 HID for $25usd
it has been on my car for 3 months, so far so good

ebay?