The invention relates to a lamp for motor vehicle headlamps, and in particular a high intensity discharge lamp, comprising at least one envelope which is arranged on a base and which is provided with two coatings arranged diametrically opposite one another, wherein the coatings (3) are identical in form and project at least 0.5 millimeters upwards beyond a horizontal plane in which, when the lamp is in the burnt-in position, the reference axis (R) which passes through the center of the base (4) lies.