[getby25]

guys i need your feed back...

this is my situation now, i put DEPO headlight housing because my e90 06 pre LCI 325XI did not come with angel eyes. so after i install the DEPO, i am very satisfied with the angel eyes, but i want to make my low beams brighter.

i am using HID 35watt ballast and H7 6000k light bulbs now for the low beams.

seems like i have couple options...
1. changing fog light to HID (maybe 5000k 55W? or 35W because of burning issue?)
2. getting new light bulb for low beams...i don't know which specific one will make sight brighter though...

please share some your thoughts for this issue... thanks.

[buckshizzo]

Well the truth is that the higher you go in color, the less light output you will get. So your best option is to go with 4300K HIDs for your low beams because that offers the most amount of lumens or brightness. However, that even has limitations because the reflectors are not designed for HIDs and will cause uneven light distribution and glare.

For the best results, you will need a projector headlight in combination with 4300K HIDs because that will distribute the light evenly. Preferentially, you should do a HID projector retrofit in your headlights, but that is expensive and a lot more work. But HID projector retrofits are the best way to go for the best light output.

I did a projector retrofit with a Honda S2000 projector and 55W 4300K HIDs in my brothers Dodge Charger and the light output is amazing. Well worth it in my opinion.

[Spydeputy]

4300K is the best match for the light from the sun, but 6000K will give you a very white looking color, but just won't shine as far down the road.

[cn555ic]

If you have the dough the best possible lightin for night is direct AE ring replacement and HID fogs. I went from stock to this setup and OMG at night the roads are clear as day. So much more light then before. You will not notice much difference if you do the bulb replacement other than looks. It probably will be a drop brighter than he OEM bulb, but for what your looking for as more lighting for nightime driving, the gain is marginal at best.

[E90Company]

Originally Posted by cn555ic

If you have the dough the best possible lightin for night is direct AE ring replacement and HID fogs. I went from stock to this setup and OMG at night the roads are clear as day. So much more light then before. You will not notice much difference if you do the bulb replacement other than looks. It probably will be a drop brighter than he OEM bulb, but for what your looking for as more lighting for nightime driving, the gain is marginal at best.

+1

[JYohay]

Cage your low beam ballasts To 55w and start from there
There is no reason to even do .35w as 55w are brighter

[getby25]

Originally Posted by cn555ic

If you have the dough the best possible lightin for night is direct AE ring replacement and HID fogs. I went from stock to this setup and OMG at night the roads are clear as day. So much more light then before. You will not notice much difference if you do the bulb replacement other than looks. It probably will be a drop brighter than he OEM bulb, but for what your looking for as more lighting for nightime driving, the gain is marginal at best.

thanks for sharing your thought. BTW i am pretty much satisfied with the AE ring now what i have... i never knew the Angel Eyes can make sight brighter at night.
actually i am looking for cost effective way so i don't think i will change my AE so then HID fog light will be the only option? to make my night drive brighter noticeably?

how about 55w 4500k for fog light? i heard 55w can give some damage on housing or others... is that true?

[getby25]

Originally Posted by JYohay

Cage your low beam ballasts To 55w and start from there
There is no reason to even do .35w as 55w are brighter

yea i think changing to 55w is very straightforward way to make night view brighter, def no doubt about it..

but some people aware me burning issue of using 55w instead of 35w...

how you think about this? and if i am using 55w i don't wanna go for my low beams but fog light... because i do not want to disturb other guys' night driving by using 55w low beams... but for the fog light, we do not have to turn all the time, that's why....

[BMWWW]

Properly aim your headlights.
Look up guides on HIDplanet.. iirc, you want a 1.5"-2" drop from 25' away from a wall.
Did mine a few weeks ago, and it makes a massive difference. (LCI xenon here)

[getby25]

Originally Posted by BMWWW

Properly aim your headlights.
Look up guides on HIDplanet.. iirc, you want a 1.5"-2" drop from 25' away from a wall.
Did mine a few weeks ago, and it makes a massive difference. (LCI xenon here)

I wish but somehow the spinning thing which it controls the levels of lowbeam, is not working on mine i think it is broken. Any solution???

[spiike32]

6000k bulbs are bluish which have a shorter wave length. Looks nice but not as bright and when it is wet, the light doesn't reflect as well off the roard.

Like someone posted above get 4300k bulbs and you will be happy with the brightness difference. If you really want to go bright, get HID fogs as well and put 4300k bulbs in those. Just make sure you aim them properly.

[getby25]

Originally Posted by spiike32

6000k bulbs are bluish which have a shorter wave length. Looks nice but not as bright and when it is wet, the light doesn't reflect as well off the roard.

Like someone posted above get 4300k bulbs and you will be happy with the brightness difference. If you really want to go bright, get HID fogs as well and put 4300k bulbs in those. Just make sure you aim them properly.

is it possible to aim fog light too? if it is how? sorry for the noob question tho

[ChasVS]

I'd drive in the Arctic Circle in the Summer time.

[getby25]

Originally Posted by ChasVS

I'd drive in the Arctic Circle in the Summer time.

[edirtaynine]

depo headlights are janky

[getby25]

Originally Posted by edirtaynine

depo headlights are janky

the people who do not have AE rings and can't afford OEM stuff which it is around 2K. i still recommend DEPO which it is around $500.
You pay what you get but price diffrence is too much
very satisfied by the price.

if you can spend 2K for headlight go with OEM, but a college students like me, save up money and enjoy the Angel Eyes and HID with DEPO. also it is not too bad too

[Spydeputy]

I have DEPO tail lights (LED) w/ no issues in 4 years.

[getby25]

do you guys think DEPO can held 50w lowbeams?

[BOOSTLEE]

Originally Posted by getby25

do you guys think DEPO can held 50w lowbeams?

I'm sure it can, but you're missing the point, as stated in the second post, you're putting an HID bulb into a halogen headlight, which is not designed to handel the light from a HID bulb; besides that you're using an aftermarket H7 HID bulb, true HID bulbs only comes in D2S, D2R, D1S, D1R, everything else is fake. So, no matter how many watts you put in there it will not be any brighter, you're better off putting in a halogen H7.
Go here if you want to learn more www.hidplanet.com

[getby25]

Originally Posted by outPHUKINGstanding

I'm sure it can, but you're missing the point, as stated in the second post, you're putting an HID bulb into a halogen headlight, which is not designed to handel the light from a HID bulb; besides that you're using an aftermarket H7 HID bulb, true HID bulbs only comes in D2S, D2R, D1S, D1R, everything else is fake. So, no matter how many watts you put in there it will not be any brighter, you're better off putting in a halogen H7.
Go here if you want to learn more www.hidplanet.com

you mean DEPO projectors are designed for halogen? then why it come with HID together why they make it together?

[rollinstone157]

The issue is that the DEPO projectors are just pretty crappy. Narrow, streaky, and a blob of light in the foreground.

You'll want to retrofit a less-crappy projector with high beam functionality (like theRetrofitSource.com's FX-R or Mini H1) and that will help immensely. The advantage to the FX-R is that its beam pattern is REALLY wide.

See this thread for a better idea http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=687893

And here's one with the Mini H1's: http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=731237

Go on HIDPlanet.com if you want more information. I'm sorry to say this, but we've been a bit screwed over with the DEPO headlights. We pay a premium for the "super cool xenon lights with angel eyes" when in reality they're shitty halogen projectors never intended for an HID kit.

The folks at HIDPlanet can direct you to a professional retrofitted, or you can attempt it yourself.

One of these days I'm gonna take apart my LCI xenons and do a clear lens upgrade for a sharper cutoff line, as well as a custom paint job and LED rings. That'll be the day!