As I mentioned in my blog entry here...

I wouldn't drop that kind of money on a car after waiting that long only to stick some knockoff box that would run even a slight risk of frying the entire system or causing a nice inferno.

 

I agree 100%. Messing around with the wiring of a brand new car in hopes of saving a few bucks doesn't make sense to me. Also while there will be HID kits in ebay, you won't see the halo part of the assembly because that is a big chunk of cost.

 

The wheels are also different and larger fwiw.



I'm leaning towards the RS/SS but will most likely wait for HUD.

 

According to the spec pdf... the SS comes with 20X8's up front and 20X9's in the rear.. The RS package is just a color difference with the wheels isn't it?

Edit - research indicates the following!

RS package includes (SS standard stuff in bold)
HID headlamps
spoiler on LT model
20-inch 5-spoke wheel with Midnight Silver paint finish(different finish for SS standard)
RS unique taillamp
body-color roof ditch molding
RS badging (front and rear)


THUS the RS package on the SS only gets you different color wheels (of the same size), HID headlamps(halos), different colored taillamps, roof ditch color match, and the badging..

Personally if the package is more than $5-600 I wont get it. I can get replacement part halos and wiring from GM, the roof ditch wont bother me one way or another and the taillamps/wheels slight difference. Badging doesnt really matter to me either...

 

The wiring is going to be tough to adapt from base to RS. The RS uses a bi-function HID (like all the Cadillacs), which means that the HID projector is always on, and when you flick the high beam it just moves a shutter out of the way to let more light out. The base lamp has a dual filament bulb, and only one filament is lit at a time.

If you try wiring the HID lamp onto a base car, it will turn off the HID when the shutter flips down because the base lamp powers high and low seperately. Same type of problems if you try to put the HID on a base car. If you did, then you would light both filaments at once and blow the bulb. Both conversions would require wiring solutions including some relays most likely.

The point, get it with the headlamps you want.

-Geoff

 

Hrm.. like you said i would have assumed it was just the houseing/bulb/ballasts/ relays. and that most of the wiring would be built in (sort of like how if fogs are option the wireing is there just not the relays/switches/housing)...

Guess I am going to have to wait till I can inspect a production to tell...

 

You've never bought a new car before, have you??

Dude, if you are going to spend $28-29,000 on a brand new car, it's completely dumb to go buy an aftermarket set of headlights and run the risk of frying your electronics, voiding your warranty, or both to save what? a few hundred dollars?

Even if charges $800 for the RS package in an SS, that's an extra $13 per month. $16 if the RS package is a grand. If you're going to be paying nearly $600 per month, you can cut back on a 1 Starbucks Latte per week to make up for it. Besides, your car will be worth a little more when it comes time to sell it.

 

I really like the HID's, tail lights, and the painted roof molding of the RS. What I dont like are the darker wheels. For some reason the darker wheels remind me of polished wheels covered in brake dust, they look like they need washed. I would rather have the polished SS wheels. That is my deciding factor about the RS package. Can I keep my polished SS's???

 

Get the RS package and I'll bet there will be people who will be willing to make a swap with you. I foresee lots of parts trading happening here!

 

That works for me. If anybody here is in the Pittsburgh-Altoona PA area and would want to swap their polished SS wheels for my painted RS wheels after I get it hit me up.