Hey guys,
new to Aussiemagna...

Couldn't find much on installing HID's on a 380 (maybe I wasent searching correctly), but thought I would throw in my hat.

I bought these from Point Blank Autos

http://www.point-blank.com.au/H4-Bi-Xenon-HL-55W-Philips-PL-CANBUS-HID-Kit_p_265.html

They also do a 35w kit, but I figure go all out... They are very helpful as well, answered my emails straight away.

Only took about 2 hours from start to finish. Keeping in mind half that time was squeezing your hands into places that they were just never meant to go,,, (taking out current H4s and replacing them with the HID units)
And the other half is finding somewhere to mount the ballast units and cable tieing the wiring loom cables to things that, hopefully, won't melt them.

I didn't have to take the headlights or anything else out, it's just a bit fiddley is all, and small hands would help...

Lights do look really bright and white (have 4300k in there at the moment) I do have 8000k on the way. Unfortunately, the 4300ks already make all my fog lights and high beams look yellow, and they are Phillips crystal whites... So I'm not looking forward to the contrasting difference if I do put in the 8000ks, and may have to upgrade the fogs and high beams AGAIN to match the HIDs. Only problem being, I don't think halogens go that cool white/blue and may have to upgrade everything to HID. $$$

Speaking of FOG lights and high beams, also easy to change, only takes about 10 mins total.. Did them in the Supercheap auto car park waiting for the mrs to get something.

A bit of a long winded post, but just letting everyone who was thinking about it, know that it's quite easy and very doable WITHOUT dismantling the entire front half of your car

If anyone has and questions about how I did it etc, I'd gladly help as much as I can over the forum, or if your in perth, WA even offer a hand if your about ready to take a hammer to your light assembly :)

Why would you replace 4300k globes with 8000k globes?

What's the glare to oncoming motorists like?

Why would you replace 4300k globes with 8000k globes?

What's the glare to oncoming motorists like?

Lmao, given that they are hid in std lenses, I should imagine the glare will be horrendous and the pattern up the creek

Glare isn't an issue, I made a few drive bys at my mates in their cars, said it was fine, also, I sat in their cars while they drove by me in mine, nothing out of the norm or 'blinding'. I Also, drove behind one and he said nothing out of the normal was coming through his rear vision mirror..

I did this as a courtesy to other drivers, as I have seen bad instals or people not knowing how to adjust their beams and it is quite hazardous to oncoming drivers

Not quite sure what you mean by 'pattern up the creek' but thanks for the feedback, I'll look out for this, but like I said, did a few passes and nothing seemed out the normal... (Yes it was at night, before you ask)
I chose 8000k because I got a free set of globes, so picked them. They are 2 colour up from the 4300s, so figured I'd get them. When I receive them, I'll put one colour in each and see which one suits (your probably right in saying 4300s) but at least I have a spare set of globes as well :)

May I ask what lights you running at the moment? OSRAM night breakers? They seem to be a common one used for that 'whiter' look

Lmao, given that they are hid in std lenses, I should imagine the glare will be horrendous and the pattern up the creek

Not actually quite sure what you mean by std lenses... Is that the housing that comes with the kit that the HID sits in (housing keys into the place of the original globe in the headlight, then HID plugs into that) ? Or the headlight itself?
Still a newbie at this forum stuff...

mmm food for thought

May I ask what lights you running at the moment? OSRAM night breakers? They seem to be a common one used for that 'whiter' look
If that was directed at me, I've replaced the standard H4 reflector with a Morimoto Mini projector, and I'm running 35w 5000k HIDs in both the reflector and the factory high beam.

Info of my build is here (http://www.aussiemagna.com/forums/showthread.php?t=97128&p=1592756&viewfull=1#post1592756) and a very ordinary video of them at night is here (http://www.aussiemagna.com/forums/showthread.php?t=97128&p=1600556&viewfull=1#post1600556).

Haven't gotten around to changing my foglights as they're barely used but I plan on installing some Philips Diamond Visions at some stage. They'll be strictly for looks so I'm not too fussed.

I previously ran a set of Osram Nightbreakers which I was content with. I do a lot of night and highway driving so I prefer extra light output over aesthetics (higher colour temperature = lower light output).


Not quite sure what you mean by 'pattern up the creek' but thanks for the feedback, I'll look out for this
Mike is probably referring to the fact that sticking HIDs into standard halogen reflectors usually results in an output that, when compared with a projector or otherwise that is designed for HIDs, isn't that great.

When I installed projectors into my old Magna I took this side by side photo (http://www.aussiemagna.com/forums/showthread.php?t=58568&p=1511412&viewfull=1#post1511412) comparing HIDs in a proper housing (Morimoto Mini Projectors) with the standard reflector housing.

You're the first person I can recall on AMC who has installed HIDs into the standard 380 reflector and given a good writeup on them so I was pretty curious as to the outcome.


I chose 8000k because I got a free set of globes, so picked them. They are 2 colour up from the 4300s, so figured I'd get them. When I receive them, I'll put one colour in each and see which one suits (your probably right in saying 4300s) but at least I have a spare set of globes as well :)
When I first had HIDs installed in my old Magna, I had 6000k bulbs and I hated them with a passion. They're just too blue. 5000k is a crisp white and is very nice. If I have to replace my bulbs I'd probably go for 4300k. Truthfully I wouldn't even keep 8000k bulbs as a spare, as even if you can tolerate them, a true 8000k is going to be cop bait.

I checked out your comparison with your 'morimoto mini projectors'.. I see what you mean. Although mine essentially... work... those are preferable. I love the definition/cut off. Where'd you get them? How hard a are they to install? Take headlights out completely etc?

Another problem I am faced with was I bought Philips (crystal vision) globes that ellegidly matched the colour of the HID lights (4500k) but side by side, the Philips look crazy yellow... Not sure why. HIDs aren't on a different colour scale or anything are they? Ordered some 5000k (diamond vision) to replace them, but just hoping they work in together...

You sound right though, I'll probably see the 8000ks and they'll never come out the box again.

a picture is worth a thousand words as they say..so post up some photos...then we will know what you are on about.

8k globes..mm..must see bugger all when the road is wet.

a picture is worth a thousand words as they say..so post up some photos...then we will know what you are on about.

8k globes..mm..must see bugger all when the road is wet.

I'll will when I get a chance....

I see what you mean in the pattern, it's not greatly defined. I put the halogens back in for a comparison... As far as I can tell, my halogen wasent really any better, as in still no real definition in the pattern, but because the light isn't so intense, is not as noticeable I guess, but will definitely look at some projectors.

Thanks for your feedback anyway,
Appreciate the advice