You say "good quality" but I think they pretty much are all manufactured in the same place - China. Probably in the same few buildings. I have had the VVME 35 watt kit on my bike since last year (I think that is right). It is the 4300k value. I bought the car kit just incase I would need extra parts. So far it has worked perfectly. I have an '87 that has the automatic light switching module and it makes a faint squeal all of the time because both the hi and low wires are connected at the same time. There is a fix for it but I have not done that yet. It doesn't seem to be a real issue. The majority of failures that I have heard of have been on the 55 watt kits, but I think most people get the 55 watt kit instead of the 35 watt kit so maybe that is not fair.
35 watt kits put out a ton of light - way better than stock. I would not worry about switching to 35 watt if you are contemplating it. Maybe DaytonaMike will put his 2 cents in. He has dealt with HIDs a lot.
I also have the 55w VVME "car" kit. Its been working great so far (little less than a year). I too bought the car kit so I could take spares with me on a long trip. I also carry a stock bulb in bubble wrap every day just in case. It only takes about a minute to swap back to the stock setup if there is a problem.
I am curious though with the failures that have been mentioned, what was the part that failed? Was it the bulb or the transformer? If it was the transformer (the VVME kit gives a choice of thin or standard) which type?
I chose the standard type transformer and I also mounted it with rubber isolation type mounts.
I feel I got good value for the money for this kit and the VVM 35 watt kit I have in my Hella FF50's.
I want to do this to my FF50's also. I think I remember you said you had to drill out the back of the case to fit the bulb, am I right? Were the harness's and ballasts the same?Yes I did have to route the wires straight out the rear of the FF50 and seal them up with rtv.
Mike,Only if I aim them downward and only during daylight. They are extremely bright and would blind anyone at night even aimed downward. I do use them for daytime running lights other wise they would rarely be used here in Florida.
Are you able to leave the Hellas on with oncoming traffic?
Only if I aim them downward and only during daylight. They are extremely bright and would blind anyone at night even aimed downward. I do use them for daytime running lights other wise they would rarely be used here in Florida.Sound like awesome high beam additions! Now I need a second set for low height fog lights.