Best place to get a good price for PIAA's?

[jimkuo]

Hey guys, I was just wondering where I could find a set of PIAA H4 Xtreme White bulbs for under $50. I have looked at eBay already and $50 is about as cheap as they will go on there. This is a really good price, but I was wondering if there is any place where I can pick them up for even cheaper. Also, has anyone seen these bulbs already? What do you think? Thanks a lot in advance, I appreciate any reponses I get.

[TOM'S CAMRY]

Where are you locate? US or Canada?

Calvin

[rpj1984]

I would say ebay is the cheapest you are going to find...and i have heard that those Piaa Xtreme White Plus are awesome...closest to HID look ever made...i would say get them
ryan

[jimkuo]

Thanks for the tip Ryan! Calvin, I am located in the US.

[Structureboy]

Even better than ebay is: http://www.optauto.com/webstore/product_list.asp?dept=304&last=304
it's a pretty good site, and it's a lot more secure than e-bay, for about the same price you were looking for. I, have the xtreme white plus bulbs for 9006 applications. definitely a much whiter light at 4000kelvins than the stock bulbs. very nice white with a touch of blue.

[jimkuo]

Thanks a lot structureboy! I have heard some stuff from my friends that some hyperwhite bulbs burn out the plug or sometimes they get too hot and they melt the plastic around the bulb. Is this something I should be concerned about with the PIAAs? I am not sure if they were talking about just the cheap bulbs or what. If anyone has had any experience with this stuff, please let me know. Thanks a lot, I really appreciate it! Oh, and I have a 97 Camry, if that is important.

[SKYravefever]

You won't melt your headlamp sockets nor wiring unless you're running bulbs that draw higher wattages than stock (55W). If you are running anything hotter than 55W, consider getting an upgraded wiring harness from http://www.suvlights.com. For $50, perhaps consider holding out and investing that money into a HID kit. You'll be VERY impressed by the results. Prices are falling nowadays for HIDs.

[Structureboy]

Originally Posted by jimkuo

Thanks a lot structureboy! I have heard some stuff from my friends that some hyperwhite bulbs burn out the plug or sometimes they get too hot and they melt the plastic around the bulb. Is this something I should be concerned about with the PIAAs? I am not sure if they were talking about just the cheap bulbs or what. If anyone has had any experience with this stuff, please let me know. Thanks a lot, I really appreciate it! Oh, and I have a 97 Camry, if that is important.

Don't need to worry about having your bulbs burning your harnesses or the bulb itself, AS LONG as you don't use any sort of bulb for your H4's that exceeds the limit input wattage. Pretty much, whatever wattage your current bulbs for your H4's are right now, the PIAAs should match up pretty closely with. H4 Limit Wattage >= New Bulb input wattage.
PIAA is a pretty reputable company in the headlight business. They're good quality and you shouldn't have to worry about the bulbs shorting, melting fuses, etc. PIAAs are also made in the land of the rising sun! (K- I'm a bit biased, when it comes to PIAA). Don't exceed your input wattage and you'll be fine.

As for HIDs, I agree that in terms of quality of light, brightness- definitely look better than any halogen bulbs- but, the price of the kit depends also on the manufacturer and what kind of reliability and warranty they have.
A good kit from a good manufacturer (i.e. philips, denso) you're looking at more than $500.

[SKYravefever]

Phillips and Denso do not make aftermarket HID "kits." They only produce the ballasts and bulbs, while aftermarket companies slap the components together to make the "kit."

[Structureboy]

Originally Posted by SKYravefever

Phillips and Denso do not make aftermarket HID "kits." They only produce the ballasts and bulbs, while aftermarket companies slap the components together to make the "kit."

Okay- let me reword. If you buy a HID kit from some X-brand company (which doesn't matter) with generic brand ballasts, bulbs, you have bought yourself a probably subpar kit.
If you buy a kit containing philips bulbs, ballasts then you have yourself a better kit. + plus, you'll have a philips 5 year warranty to back up problems pertaining to those ballasts, bulbs, etc.


ex: http://shop.store.yahoo.com/corvetteforum/philhidligsy1.html

Regardless, HID kits are still pricey.
$$ Quality HID kits= $$ 2 semester hours of college education

[SKYravefever]

Originally Posted by Structureboy

Okay- let me reword. If you buy a HID kit from some X-brand company (which doesn't matter) with generic brand ballasts, bulbs, you have bought yourself a probably subpar kit.
If you buy a kit containing philips bulbs, ballasts then you have yourself a better kit. + plus, you'll have a philips 5 year warranty to back up problems pertaining to the kit components.


ex: http://shop.store.yahoo.com/corvetteforum/philhidligsy1.html

I'm not sure if you still get the 5 yr warranty considering most of those retailers are not recognized by Phillips. BTW, I'm not here to nitpick you, but I just want to inform fellow TN members, that's all.

[Structureboy]

Originally Posted by SKYravefever

I'm not sure if you still get the 5 yr warranty considering most of those retailers are not recognized by Phillips. BTW, I'm not here to nitpick you, but I just want to inform fellow TN members, that's all.

Nothing wrong with informing the TN community.