X2. Silverstars are xenon bulbs, but they are not HID.

They are HID. mercedes calls all their HID xenon'* or bi-xenon'* if its low and high beams.

the main difference between a xenon projector and and a bi-xenon projector is that there is a small motor that moves the cut off shield. There is no change in the state of bulbs.

I find what you are saying hard to believe. pictures are worth a thousand words...

from what i understand, the 97 SL600 there was a standard bulb headlight available, or an optional HID which would have projectors as seen in these pics, so as far as i can tell, me and corvette crazy are correct..

ok what about the older gen(one gen back fron current) Maximas that have HL'* like ours?? They have a HID option available and they dont have the projectors

im still doing research, but that maxima is an 00-01, which did not have an HID option

ok, in the 02-03 maxima, there was no projector, however, the housings are different for the HID than the standard halogen

that is the Max'* headlights

The point is that halogen reflectors/housings are vastly different from HID reflectors/housings.. The light patterns are totally different.

correct. i always thought all HIDs had projectors, but apparently not. ive learned something new again today