Is the only difference between the base Z headlights and the Enthusiast Z headlights is that they are HID? Do they look exactly the same?

 

anyone? i can't find a enthusiast Z here in VA, so i might have to settle for a base and add HIDs myself. Just want to know if the headlights look the same.

 

YES and YES.

 

The HID is a dramatic upgrade. Every car I own will be bought with em or they will be added. Consider the Performance Model for the LSD and TCS?

 

I think you'll find it to be cheaper to buy the Enth. with the HID, rather than buy a base and add them later. HID is VERY expensive.

 

As cheap as $250 for a generic online kit, around $300-400 for a decent brand with quality ballast and bulbs, I wouldnt say its VERY expensive.

 

I would not get the base model, try to get the enthusiast mdoel you will not regret it. If need to find one get it at Herb Gordon Nissan in Silver Spring, MD. Ask for Russell States he will take care of you.

 

Ok.. "VERY" was a poor choice. How bout this? If you're like me and buy the enth. rather than the base model just for the HID's, you might have to eat cereal a few more nights a week than having steak and shrimp for dinner. My military pay check will only cover so many luxuries in life... Z or food??? Yup... One Z please! (Thus making any add ons "VERY" expensive for me)

 

theres a big diffrence between OEM HIDs and Aftermarket HIDs

trust me, go with the OEM HIDs

 

I was got the GP Thunder kit for $250.

Side by side, the GP Thunder kit is a little brighter than OEM HID.

The only benefit of getting an Enthusiast, imo, is the LSD. Then again, it hasn't hampered my track times. I can tell it would benefit the car in the rain though.

 

Thanks for the reply guys. I know the enthusiast model is the best buy. but unfortunately Northern VA/MD is all out of them. I cant find a single black or silverstone in both states so i will have to settle for a new base or settle for a used enthusiast.

I take it adding the Aftermarket HID kit to the bast model isnt that hard and i can do it myself?

 

I would "if all possible" get the Enthusiast, you get :
Home link feature
HID lights
TCS
LSD
Auto dim rear mirror
Best bang for your buck!!

 

That should have read, "I got the GP Thunder kit for $250."

Dern typos.

 

It depends on the kit, but you will have to take off the fenderwells.

There is a little work involved, but its mostly plug and play, aside from drilling a hole in the back cover, where the boot of the new HID assembly will seat.

This needs to be done to the kits specifications, which with the GP Thunder kit was 23mm.

The headlight fuses will have to be replaced also, as the ballast requires a higher amp fuse, 20amp, versus the 15 amp. They are located behind the battery, and you will need to remove the cover behind the battery to get to them. The manual does not inform you of location either, or which fuse to remove. I found them by pulling the 15 amp fuses while the lights were on, before the HID swap.

You will also need to find a spot to mount the ballast, which in my kits case came with two side tape. The area it was being mounted too was cleaned thoroughly before the tape was applied.

There are more detailed posts on the conversion, if you do a search.

It took around 1 and a 1/2 hours for the conversion.

 

If you want an Enthusiast, find one some where and fly to it and drive it home.
The flight might cost you $100 and say a weekend on the road with hotel and food for another $200 and you get to have a blast in your car. Or... find a local Z owner willing to make a run out of it, drive up together to pick it up and drive solo on the way back going non-stop you would only need food and gas and if it's within 450 miles you wouldn't even have to stop (provided you bladder holds out).

If you are going to be putting down a fair chunk of change and paying for it for years to come, get what you want.

Chris

 

You can get an OEM like HID kit for jun that isplug and play with OEM ballasts. I think it's well under 400, I can't remember what I paid for them.
the headlights look identical yes, but the projector part is slightly different. One optimized for HID one for halogen. All in all though, you put Jun's kit in, and you there is a negligible difference in beam pattern. I'd go with the Base, TCS is a pain to keep turning off, though a safety feature, the lsd would be nice but for the price difference you can get a much better aftermarket one. Just depends on how much you want or don't want to "mod"

 

Looks like you don't have a choice, but if you did the Enth. is the best choice. Unfortunately! I have the Base myself, this was due to financial issues. Nonetheless I very happpy wth the Base. Although LSD would be nice, I don't race or do high speed cornering like I used to. TCS? I live in San Diego it rarely rains here. HID's on the other hand are a must. I'm still saving some money to get mine, I can't wait....Good luck.

 

05s must be out of production. Almost none here.