i have h4 hi/lo 8000k head lights... h1 8000k high beams... h3 8000k fog lights.... never had a problem, passed road worthy, never been flashed or pulled over for them...
At 8000k you are doing it purely for looks, the light is far inferior. The bluer the light, the less penetration it has. Nice and bright close up, a waste of time in the distance.
I also got caught out with the salesman's recommendation too, when I began my search for better lights. I'm glad you have realised that much at least. Don't ask the salesman.
Suffice it to say that in the end, I tried every possible combination of light, colour and globe that was available for my car, and I finished with Phillips globes and Altezza lights. That combination WORKS THE BEST on a car without projectors, and having tried every combination rather than just listening to other peoples crap, I feel I can say it definitively. I would like to try projectors too, but they just aren't available for my car.
The guy that passed your car for roadworthy with HIDs in standard lights has broken the law, and his license would be potentially at risk if he were caught doing this too many times. He just hasn't noticed, not done his job properly. These laws apply in every state of Australia.
I'm hoping I can find such a guy when I have finished building my LED tail lights.. no ADR approval.. a shame you aren't in QLD, I'd be asking for his phone number
