Originally Posted by xbox73

My '00 X had stock lighting & badly oxidized/yellowed lenses. I used the Meguiars Heavy Duty Two Step Headlight Restoration Kit & did the hand buffing with 3 different grades of sandpaper (2 in the kit & 1 coarser one I bought from a local auto store), polishing with the buffing pad & protectant. Then I added some PIAA 9007 Xtreme White Plus Bulbs that claim to put out almost twice as much light, yet draw the same current as stock bulbs, due to being more efficient, and so are described as suitable for stock wiring (see description here: PIAA 9007 Xtreme White Plus Bulbs (twin pack) Bulbs at Sube Sports - The Racing Equipment Source, cheaper elsewhere e.g. Amazon). The headlight lenses were much clearer after using the headlight restoration kit, and the combination of the clearer lenses combined with the brighter bulbs, subjectively netted me about 75-100% over previous (stock bulbs, yellowed lenses), which is a nice improvement, and now fine for general driving around town, but not that great for dark country roads with no street or other lighting.

Anyway, while a noticeable improvement, I'm still not that enthralled with their performance when compared with my other car which has factory HIDs. While installing HIDs in the stock lenses is tempting, I know it would annoy other drivers as the stock reflector housings aren't optimized for HIDs, and on top of that my X is lifted 8".

So, I plan to order some of the $84/pair Certifits as others above have been happy with them, the price is fairly cheap & the clear lens design likely allows a lot more light output than the early 99-01 lenses that I currently have. And also to order the relay harness from Susquehanna (rallylights.com) - I've been ordering stuff for my rally car from Dave at rallylights.com for years, so given that you guys also had a good experience with him & the convenience, that part seems a no-brainer.

Anyway, with the clear lens Certifits, relay harnesses & PIAA 9007 Xtreme White Plus Bulbs, I hope to get another 50% of performance over just my restored early model lenses & the PIAA 9007 Xtreme White Plus Bulbs i.e. close to 3x what I started with. I think that should be fine for most normal use, and I do plan to install some aux lighting for offroading / infrequently traveled B roads when there is noone else out for miles.

Originally Posted by SkySkiJason

PIAA 9007 Xtreme White Plus Bulbs (twin pack) Bulbs at Sube Sports - The Racing Equipment Source

OMG!! $92 for headlight bulbs!!!!!!

Originally Posted by xbox73

Then I added some PIAA 9007 Xtreme White Plus Bulbs that claim to put out almost twice as much light, yet draw the same current as stock bulbs, due to being more efficient, and so are described as suitable for stock wiring (see description here: PIAA 9007 Xtreme White Plus Bulbs (twin pack) Bulbs at Sube Sports - The Racing Equipment Source, cheaper elsewhere e.g. Amazon).

Originally Posted by xbox73

I quoted that link because it had a better description, but like I stated in my earlier post they are cheaper elsewhere e.g. at Amazon. They are indeed pricey, but I'm not aware of a better option at a still somewhat reasonable price (HIDs aren't a practical option for me as I live in an urban area & my X is lifted 8' on 37" - I have a feeling that housing/reflectors not designed for HIDs, when used with HID bulbs, would not be well received, & a properly engineered HID kit with purpose-designed reflectors/housings are more than I'm willing to spend at this point). Since I haven't tried any other upgrade bulbs, I can't comment on the price vs. performance ratio w.r.t. other upgrade bulbs.

Originally Posted by SkySkiJason

Sounds good on paper, but I dunno how they can "put out almost twice as much light, yet draw the same current as stock bulbs". I can't wait to hear how ya like them though, please keep us posted.

IMHO, the 'better option' is a relay harness and 80/100 bubs...

I 100% agree with your take on HID's in stock lenses - I have a tendency to PUNISH those guys with 260 watts of HELLa power!!

Originally Posted by SkySkiJason

xbox, I didn't mean to be so critical of your choice. I know dozens of people with 'my' recipe who are very satisfied for just a little more than you spent on bulbs you could have cured the anemic stock wiring issue AND had brighter bulbs (that cost $23/<acronym title="Page Ranking">pr</acronym> to replace).

Originally Posted by BadDogKuzz

One of the things I enjoy most about FTE is the way everyone shares info and different ways to do things. So a guy can make his own choices.
On other forums if it isn't THEIR way it is wrong!!