You should also state that retrofitting, even if providing proper optics, cut off line and aligned to what would be considered factory/inspection spec's (like they do in England for the MOT)-- this particular option you stated as one way to properly run HIDs is illegal by the letter of the law. So if we're following your line of reasoning to ignore any advice prior in this thread...you should be up front about that little tidbit as well. On that note, TRS is a great outfit and their are many sources for proper retrofits out there, you can pay quite a bit more money going that route of sending headlamps off instead of doing it yourself (unless you go into a deep hole of trial/error/breaking headlamp pieces or mishaps when baking).
If it isn't DOT approved ie factory oem, then it's illegal in the US.
Lots of people in the Benz communities switch over to Hella or Bosch 'euro' headlamps because they were made of glass and lead to a much cleaner of a look for various 80's and 90's MB models. Compared to the abysmal plastic surrounds and yellowing with age headlamps that the DOT forced on MB to allow importation and it's ridiculous how much the 'euro' look cleans up the front of say a 500e500 w124. However, it's illegal to run the factory spec'd 'euro' lamps, even with superior lighting, and following much more strict TUV guidelines.
If you wanted to nitpick some more, DominicJE's Prada headlamps, they fall in the same boat as I'm pretty sure that Hyundai has never sought those for DOT approval because they were never intended for the US audience.
What is severely hazardous\dangerous are halogen reflectors with PnP HID kits installed, especially in SUV's and Trucks that sit higher. I can ignore glare off of easy to spot PnP HID kits (anything higher than 5k) from cars, it's trucks and suv's that truly do blind myself and I can imagine everyone else that's not riding up as high as them. It's like that person riding behind you on the highway that is ignorant of their brights being engaged and have no inclination to ever turn them off as it's painful for you to even use your rear view mirror.
