Rx-Fan

cristie and Paul Don't buy it!!! These headlamps are VERY easily adjusted! It's NOT a big deal at all! My service techs parked my car facing a wall, then parked another RX-330 next to it with the lights on to use as headlamp "aiming guidance". That is NOT a very scientific procedure and it should be done using a better method - but it got done in about 20 minutes. They adjusted the lamps a little too high, so the cut off is just a bit above the eye level of on-coming cars - but I don't get "flashed" too much and the improvement is like night and day (no pun intended!) If your service tech can't make this simple adjustment - tell them to read their service manuals again!! That's just crazy! :chairshot: In fact - aren't the adjustment bolt locations (and adjustment procedure) shown in the manual that came w/ your car? Could've sworn I saw it in there some place. I'll have to look and see which page it was on. But in the mean time - get your manual out and go thru EVERY PAGE - I think you'll find it.

Read this thread: http://us.lexusownersclub.com/forums/index...showtopic=14150

I had the dealer raise the aim level on the lamps on my 04 RX-330. They went a little too far - but it is much, MUCH better now. Just tell the service rep that you insist they raise the lamp level. Usually on HID lighting systems, the pass side lamps are aimed a bit higher and a lot more off to the side of the road. I think it works great. It gets rid of the tunnel vision feel when driving on a dark road. You're right tho - the cut off is so sharp on those lights it's like driving off a cliff until they get re-aimed! Good luck!

But the factory Lexus HIDs have the ballasts very nicely installed within the headlamp housing! No dangling wires and difficulty trying to mount ballasts all over the place. The factory version also uses a bulb designed for their HID housing - no guess work about which bulb to get, how to modify the mount to hold it etc. You can also get spare parts pretty easily too. See - you're trying to jam an existing bulb / ballast configuration that wasn't made for this housing, into a housing that probably doesn't have the cut-off capability you're looking for anyway. If it's a standard housing you'll need 9006 style bulbs. It's really not clear if you will be getting the cut-off you're trying to get by using the housings you've linked here. Are these projector style housings? The description says "RX300 Headlight (W/O HID). What does that mean? I'm betting these are not HID projector housings, but rather standard replacement parts that would be exactly what you already have. But contact them and ask b4 you buy them.

I completely agree and so I had the dealer re-adjust my '04 330 HIDs on the very first service visit at 1k miles. They actually went a little TOO FAR with the adjustment and the cut-off was about 10 ft above the car I'm following! Had them come back about half way from what they did and now they're great! Ask your dealer (actually DEMAND) to raise the cut-off. Just be careful they don't get too carried away. My dealer (in an unscientific way) parked another RX-330 w/ HIDs next to mine, both aimed at the same wall to use for aiming guidance. It worked - they just adjusted a little too much! Now, it's back to a good level not blinding people - but also not dropping off like a cliff right in front of you.

Why don't you try looking E-bay for used parts. I remember a thread on a Lexus board some place, where a guy bought a complete set of HID housings for his RX-300. The assemblies were complete with ballasts, lamps and leveling motors. He said hooking up the ballasts and bulbs was straight forward but trying to wire up the headlamp leveling motors and actuators on a car that didn't ship with this system direct from the factory was a real bear, so he had to skip that part. But if you find a used set of HID headlamp housings, you would have the true OE HID set-up with the kind of sharp cut-off you're looking for. Then just adjust them to the best position you can find to handle most driving conditions. The guy also discussed installing the housings on his RX in detail. Didn't look all that bad to do. Good luck

Read my reply to this subject that I posted on 10-18-04 http://us.lexusownersclub.com/forums/index...topic=7184&st=0 Read down to post #19 Here's picts of my install on an RX-300 http://www.cardomain.com/memberpage/409668/2 Worked great! Don't get bulbs too high in k level. Stick with 4100 to 4600 and you shouldn't have any problems.

Why not try a K&N performance filter. Here's a site that has the cheapest prices on them that I have ever found: http://www.performanceintl.com/ Part # 33-2052 for '95 Lexus ES300 = $45.26 with FREE shipping

So wadda ya think? Worth it?

Try these guys: www.weathertech.com

Just returned from the Lexus dealer for a service visit. I asked about the DVD updates etc. They said that the Gen 3 version in MY 04 will look the same. A new DVD version will update the maps, but the overall system will be the same. The new GEN 4 version in MY 05 is a completely different system with a hi res screen, better color, more detail and so on. So, if you update the DVD you'll get updated maps, but everything else will look exactly the same. That's no big deal to me anyway. I like the Nav and don't sweat about the small things - it does what I need, I just want to know I can keep the mapping up to date. BTW - I spoke to a service mechanic about this system too and he told me to change the DVD is no big deal at all! Two screws to loosen the unit, press eject, insert new DVD, run it for (roughly) 1 hr to update and you're done! Now we just need somebody to buy the DVD and burn copies ;->

Thanks for the lead! They are selling the DVD for $288. I need to look at a Lex with this new DVD to see if there are any differences for my area.

Pretty sure it's in the back under the hatches above the spare. I'm just really curious where you bought the DVD? I assumed it was a "dealer only" thing. Did you find a good deal somewhere?

You won't be able to get the new key anywhere but a Lexus dealer. DO NOT LOSE the broken key!!! They'll need that to program the new key. The dealer will order a new laser cut key from Lexus using your VIN number and then program the key using your old broken one. I went thru this not too long ago! I can't remember what it all cost me (new key / program the key / drive to the dealer twice) but it wasn't cheap!!

The whole HID subject has been beaten to death on car related sites all over internet. Just google the subject and you will get (literally) thousands of pages in response. But basically - yes you can install an HID Kit to convert your bulbs to true HID. Look at this web site for an installation on a Volvo S70 and on Page 2 an installation on a 2000 RX-300 (same as your car) http://www.cardomain.com/id/atl99s70 With this kit you will not get the additional features of lamps that automatically level as you drive up and down hills - so you will risk blinding on-coming traffic (I didn't get flashed at too much anyhow, so I didn't worry about it). Dig around for a source to purchase this kind of kit. Just be careful to buy only the name brand kits (Philips, Osram..) The cheapy kits on ebay are probably not a good idea. Just remember - these kits are illegal to even sell as of (I think) July '03 - so you run them at your own risk. I never really worried about it because most police officers see a Lexus (or a Volvo) and just figure it's a stock set up - but don't quote me on that!. Good luck!