RIP Kizashi :-(

[murcod]

The 3 looks very nice. If they'd continued the bonnet all the way to the grille slats - to get rid of the bonnet/ grille separation- I reckon it would look more aggressive and cleaner.

Bootymac, only the lower spec Kizashi has halogen lights here- so they would have been HID from the factory.

[SamirD]

Bootymac, only the lower spec Kizashi has halogen lights here- so they would have been HID from the factory.

Wow! This is interesting. How much do the headlight assemblies go for from the wrecking yard? I wonder if it's a simple bolt in affair for us in the US to convert ours?

If so, I think this will be better than trying to change my driver's side bulb.

[murcod]

LHD vs RHD so beam patterns are all wrong.

[bootymac]

Are there any pictures of the Kizashi's factory HID beam pattern? I'm curious to see how it compares to our drop in kits.

CLLee's comparison makes me wonder if there even is a difference

[murcod]

I was actually thinking after posting that given the (apparently) poor beam pattern results with the "drop in" HID kits, the factory RHD HID's might be able to be adjusted to a "suitable" pattern? Basically, for RHD vehicles, the LHS head light beam is shaped broader (to light up the side of the road) and has bit higher cut off. The RHS (driver side) is shaped to be lower/ flatter cut off to avoid blinding oncoming drivers. Your LHD vehicle's would be the opposite. How much of that you could negate with the adjustment is anyone's guess.

This is interesting for anyone looking at aftermarket HID's. http://besthidkit.com/hid/whats-a-hid-cutoff-line

To ensure optimal light output, the Xtreme HID Kit uses laser calibrated bulbs so that the focal point of the HID bulb matches the focal point of the corresponding halogen bulb. This will result in both proper fitment and optically correct beam patterns.

This might explain why the 3's HID's are superior:

CLLee, how's the ride and handling compare?

[sx4rocious]

all right!! That's it!! I'm getting one of these someday!! Love it!!

[CLLee]

Beam pattern wise: on a straight line, they are both practically identical.
Both Kizashi and Mazda3, equipped with factory HID has a flat pattern with the LHS (RHD) slightly raised.
Eg:


But what my wife and I both noticed was that the light output is significantly brighter and wider (steering straight). Shining more over the nature strip.

I'll try to take a pic tonight.

[CLLee]

Ride and road noise is better. Mind you, tyres and suspension are brand new.
I'm not good at describing these things. I'll try...
Steering is very similar to the Kizashi... The steering wheel is thicker, which I like. Handling wise, the Kizashi feels more planted on the road (heavier car perhaps). It handles very well, just the Kizashi has a slight edge.

[murcod]

Had a quick check and they've both got exactly the same wheelbase length (2700mm) but the Kizashi has a slightly wider front and rear track (only 10mm front, 15mm rear.) Weight is 1320kg vs 1485kg - so virtually an extra two adults weight in the Kizashi. Mind you, the full size spare vs the 3's 125/70R16 space saver would save Mazda a few kgs.

With the same tyres on both -who knows? They can make a big difference.

Let us know how the real world fuel economy compares - once you've done a few kms.

[CLLee]

Could be just I'm still getting use to the car...
It's only been 2 days and driving to/from work/shops. Don't get me wrong, I'm loving the Mazda3 very much (probably the best car to buy for the money atm), and it has so much to offer. Just that the Kizashi has treated me so well (and I'm sure most of you guys too), I'm missing a few of the 'nice feelings' of the car.

Now back to the HIDs.
Both are taken with steering pointed straight.





You can see the both sides of the nature strips are very well-lit, all the way to the side walk.
I don't have pics of the Kizashi's ones, but I don't recall them being this wide spread.