It IS bright! I will say about twice as brighter (you can see it on the picture of the blanket), and my halogen lights were already boosted (supposed to be 90% more the normal ones).
But the most important is that they are closer to the sun light (5000K compared to the 5600K of a sunny day), therefore your eyes see better, even with the same output power.
The funny thing is I drove my parents to the airport just after installing the lights, it was 8.30 pm, starting to get dark but still a lot of light. I was so wanted to test the lights that I lighted them up even when I didn't need yet: Nothing, nothing that I can see at least. Turn them off and on, still nothing. Man, that doesn't work!! and then I drive through a darker place and I see the lights on the road, Ouff. It is so close to the day light that you cannot see it if it still has some day light, amazing.

I heard it is illegal in Canada to put HID lights in halogen assemblies (not same light pattern apparently, but US Rogue light assemblies are about 600$), but there are more and more HID lights cars so I figured that as long as nobody complain, the police should not complain either (and ticket me).
The cut out of the lights seems to be pretty sharp so I foresee no problem.

As for the damage, the output power is 35W compared to the 55W for the halogen, so you use less power from the car than before, with more light output.
I don't think that there is any worries about the heat as it seems to be as the same level as the halogen ones, maybe even a little bit less warm.

You sould do it, it is really easy and the result is awesome.

PS: Since you are from Montreal too, PM me if you want to see how it looks in real life.