Having had the nearside HID fail when my May '00 was just 7m old - which turned out to be the step up transformer - I was miffed about 3w ago, when that same HID failed. First repair had been under warranty; but that expired in May 2003. This time it turned out to be the bulb, which was replaced by Honda NZ at total cost of NZ $570 (about US $340), $330 being the cost of the bulb, the rest the labour - as it requires removal of the front guard.
Then last weekend, the driver's side one went! Back at the dealer's being replaced now - another $570.
How long have other folk's HID's lasted? At least mine both lasted the same amount of time.

 

one bulb was $330? Wow, that is quite a bit of money--I knew they were expensive, but I didnt expect to pay over $100 for a bulb.

 

I think he meant $330 NZ, so about $202 US. That's still quite a bit.

 

heard 90k miles?

 

At current exchange rates (US$ 0.62 to NZ$ 1.00) that means about US$207 for the bulb and US$ 360 (incl tax) for the whole job. Have to be just a bit apprehensive about the cost of repairs to the engine, if that should ever be necessary ...
Whilst at the dealers today had my first serious look at an '04. Yellow - Sensational! But an absolute magnet for the traffic cops. Details changes: new wheels/tyres (didn't like the wheels - think they'll get dirty like BMW's) radio cover, MUCH better cupholder/cubby, big, ovoid exhaust tailpipes. The write-ups say the suspension/handling is better. Here, we still have the 2.0 Litre 9000 rpm unit - thank GOD! As we do still the Monte Carlo Blue - the BEST colour for this car! New model's nice overall - but not enough to consider replacement, yet. My '00 has 64,000km on the clock and goes as well as ever. Hard to improve on what was pretty well perfection anyway, I reckon.

 

Mine are still good after 3 years and 341 days and 102k miles later. I'll let you know next month if they've lasted the full 4 years. I hope that this doesn't jinx me.

 

Do you guys run the HID's during the day. I turn mine on every time I drive it. Will that significantly shorten their life? Or is that factored into their lifespans?




edit - typos

 

You should consider getting a Daytime Running Light module and save the HID's for night driving.

 

HIDs are interesting in that the run time doesn't really affect them (Since there is no filament) but the startup surge is what kills them. the more you turn them on and off, the more quickly they will fail. So, Xviper is right a DRL module may gain you a lot of life.

 

Xviper may be right, but I would rather be seen with my HID's on all day than get hit by someone who can't see me. I can't tell you how careless Houston drivers are when just changing lanes. It must be because most of them are in their HUGE SUV's and don't care to check their side view mirrors.

Daytime driving with the headlights on, as a safety precaution, has stuck with me from my motorcyle days. There are many headlights to buy in this world, but only 1 life to live.