Anyone in san diego wanna help a lil lady out?

joes3series · 03-30-2006, 04:33 PM

You should consider doing a fair amount of research on HIDs. Not only are "xenon" halogen not HIDs, but, many HID kits are junk. They may have HID lights, but, the parts are no good (I think the projector and lens tend to suck), and, in the end, the lights are less effective than halogens. This is something I remember researching for a VW JettaMKIII when I was considering an HID conversion. In the end, I put in "Xenon" halogens from Target, and, for 30USD, they worked awesome (and looked cool)-- no need for the expensive HID kit. I would imagine many of these aspects apply similarly to the BMW. If you are in it for visability and a slight blue hue, the "Xenon" halogens might be fine- and, a lot cheaper and less of a hassle. I am in SD and, although my mechanical skills are limited, I could help pending my work schedule.

-joe

timzerofive · 03-30-2006, 04:41 PM

Here's my old car retrofitted with BMW 5 series projector & HID

18LLC · 03-30-2006, 06:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BellasBmw

Im also available saturday morning/afternoon.

you know what? it's because you are only partly available, guys looking for fully available guy (such as me), or maybe available at night will do. hahaa :rocks: j/k. I wish I live in sc, can't help...

timzerofive · 03-30-2006, 06:24 PM

You want fully available guys to look for you at night??? Huh????

>>>home is where you make it---you like seeing homo's naked<<<

Squawks · 03-30-2006, 06:31 PM

Hahahha - I was about to say the same thing, tzf!

NaTuReB0Y · 03-30-2006, 06:33 PM

West Coast! :rocks:

East Coast!

ashecnc · 03-30-2006, 06:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 18LLC

you know what? it's because you are only partly available, guys looking for fully available guy (such as me), or maybe available at night will do. hahaa :rocks: j/k. I wish I live in sc, can't help...

jamesna120 · 03-30-2006, 06:55 PM

iirc halogens are less brighter than that of HID(high intensive discharge) simply because the energy is being used to create more heat(energy) than light(lumens)... two of HID i can think of is HPS(high pressure sodium(Best)) and MV( mercury vapor), which provides broad range of spectrums expecially towards the red. can anyone tell me what type of HID is being used for aftermarket xenons??

firstkill · 03-30-2006, 07:16 PM

Bella, I think a lot of advice you got here is confusing haha.
The HID kit will be MUCH MUCH more work. I have installed them in many different EURO cars and they require computer reprogramming so there is no "bulb" out warning.

If you do not get the "right" kit you might need to
1. CUT/Splice wires for a power supply.
2. You will also need to mount a box (ballast) somewhere.
3. THere is a cover on the back of your halogen headlights that you will need to drill a hole into and replug back up.

The bulbs you got may or maynot be brighter.. but the Color is what you are after. It wont be that much of a change in brightness either way, but do you have problem seeing at night? I never did when i lived in SD unless u travel way east on Highway 8.

If there is no way to get to the back of the headlight from the engine bay then I would pay for someone to help you if install em.

I just looked on my car, 330 with HID... you can access the passgener side from the engine bay, but my air filter box is in the way of the driverside. So it looks like you have to remove the wheels

~fk

visor · 03-30-2006, 07:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jamesna120

iirc halogens are less brighter than that of HID(high intensive discharge) simply because the energy is being used to create more heat(energy) than light(lumens)... two of HID i can think of is HPS(high pressure sodium(Best)) and MV( mercury vapor), which provides broad range of spectrums expecially towards the red. can anyone tell me what type of HID is being used for aftermarket xenons??

You do know why they're called xenon HID lights, right?
Xenon is the inert gas that is inside the bulb. It is excited into a plasma state by an arc of electricity, causing light to be emitted. Similar to mercury vapour and high pressure sodium gas type lights that you mentioned.

BellasBmw · 03-30-2006, 07:59 PM

Hahaha im so freaking confused its funny.

Ok, heres what i want.. BRIGHT LIGHTS THAT ARENT YELLOW.

I know men like to hear things cut and dry.. so there ya go.

If i was talking to a bunch of females, i woulda have said .. "bright lights, with a touch of blue and white, but not too much blue cause then they look real cheap.. but not too bright cause i dont want it to blind people or look tacky.. esp not look tacky"

see im rephrasing just for you guys!

Help

mava330 · 03-30-2006, 08:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NaTuReB0Y

West Coast! :rocks:

East Coast!

Rap wars here. Bad Boy Records vs. Death Row.

Bella good luck on your HID selection.

18LLC · 03-30-2006, 08:04 PM

if just the bulb, get a set of PIAA, low price, long life. HID, don't know if catz still making HID, if so, that's the good one. Is this info worth for a date? Am I always been naughty? just like to talk to you at this way, can't help...

BellasBmw · 03-30-2006, 08:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 18LLC

get a set of PIAA, low price, long life. is this info worth for a date? Am I always been naughty? just like to talk to you at this way, can't help...

Well technically the blubs that i purchased are better than PIAA..so arent i better off sticking with what i got?

18LLC · 03-30-2006, 08:08 PM

It won't hurt your wallet for just the bulbs, so why not? wait until it burn out or till you don't like it anymore, then you change another set. by the way, if you willing to come to UCLA, then I think I can help.

joes3series · 03-30-2006, 08:10 PM

stick with what you got or, if they carry and make them in proper size, go to the walmart off of balboa and pick up the philips super bright headlights (whichever ones look the fanciest, cost the most (around 30-40/pr), and claim to do the most). that'll do the trick, and it'll be cheap.

tim916 · 03-30-2006, 08:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BellasBmw

Ok, heres what i want.. BRIGHT LIGHTS THAT ARENT YELLOW.

In that case you might as well have that mechanic throw the ones you have in there for 80 bucks. At least it will make your car look different even if the light output/pattern isn't any better.

To convert to a true HID projector setup will cost considerably more than $300. Probably closer to $1k.

18LLC · 03-30-2006, 08:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tim916

In that case you might as well have that mechanic throw the ones you have in there for 80 bucks. At least it will make your car look different even if the light output/pattern isn't any better.

To convert to a true HID projector setup will cost considerably more than $300. Probably closer to $1k.

$1k is with projector, but I don't think there is any aftermarket projector for e90 yet. so the oem will go over $1500 just for the projector. w/o projector will cost only $200-300 plus labor.

BellasBmw · 03-30-2006, 08:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 18LLC

$1k is with projector, but I don't think there is any aftermarket projector for e90 yet. so the oem will go over $1500 just for the projector. w/o projector will cost only $200-300 plus labor.

And thats a big HELL NO. So F it, ill just install my damn blubs that i bought, and if they look like shit ill return em. What the heck.

tim916 · 03-30-2006, 08:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 18LLC

$1k is with projector, but I don't think there is any aftermarket projector for e90 yet. so the oem will go over $1500 just for the projector. w/o projector will cost only $200-300 plus labor.

Yeah, probably over $2,000 total for OEM housings, bulbs, and labor. Ouch.

timzerofive · 03-30-2006, 09:04 PM

Hahah, it's not that hard getting to the headlights. I was looking around under the hood just now to see what all the fuss is about. There's a small panel behind the wheel well that you can get to by turning the wheel. By removing that and removing the intake box (which takes about 2 min), you have enough room to access the bulb. Passenger side is even easier. Looking at the DIY for fog lights, its also just a few bolts. Everyone make it out to seem like it'll take hours.

As far as splicing goes, those plug and play set no splicing is required. The only wiring necessary is one wire to power and one wire to ground. You can mount the ballast where they mount the ballast for the car with factory HID's, right next to the headlight. Then depending on the hid kit, cutting a small hole with a dremel would be sufficient on the back cover to make it water proof. It's not that much work guys, really.

I was able to retrofit a set of projectors & hid to my reflector headlights housing (old car) in 1 weekend. That's only because I needed to wait for the adhesive to dry, otherwise I could've finished it in one day.

wannabe_MW · 03-30-2006, 09:08 PM

shes not really hot at all! (the bella part is b.s.)

03-30-2006, 04:33 PM	#89
joes3series Private 3 Rep 54 Posts Drives: 330xi Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: San Diego, CA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 330xi [0.00]	You should consider doing a fair amount of research on HIDs. Not only are "xenon" halogen not HIDs, but, many HID kits are junk. They may have HID lights, but, the parts are no good (I think the projector and lens tend to suck), and, in the end, the lights are less effective than halogens. This is something I remember researching for a VW JettaMKIII when I was considering an HID conversion. In the end, I put in "Xenon" halogens from Target, and, for 30USD, they worked awesome (and looked cool)-- no need for the expensive HID kit. I would imagine many of these aspects apply similarly to the BMW. If you are in it for visability and a slight blue hue, the "Xenon" halogens might be fine- and, a lot cheaper and less of a hassle. I am in SD and, although my mechanical skills are limited, I could help pending my work schedule. -joe Last edited by joes3series; 03-30-2006 at 06:58 PM..
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03-30-2006, 04:41 PM	#90
timzerofive there is no spoon 243 Rep 867 Posts Drives: 330i manual Join Date: May 2005 Location: Irvine iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 330i [0.00]	Here's my old car retrofitted with BMW 5 series projector & HID __________________ [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
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03-30-2006, 06:24 PM	#92
timzerofive there is no spoon 243 Rep 867 Posts Drives: 330i manual Join Date: May 2005 Location: Irvine iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 330i [0.00]	You want fully available guys to look for you at night??? Huh???? >>>home is where you make it---you like seeing homo's naked<<< __________________ [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
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03-30-2006, 06:31 PM	#93
Squawks One of my two dachshunds: 53 Rep 663 Posts Drives: B6 A4 3.0 Quattro Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Ithaca, NY iTrader: (0)	Hahahha - I was about to say the same thing, tzf! __________________ I'm sorry about my outlandish behavior - there's too much blood in my alcohol system.
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03-30-2006, 06:33 PM	#94
NaTuReB0Y Powered By 36DD 337 Rep 7,369 Posts Drives: 2006 E90 Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Inland Empire iTrader: (12)	West Coast! :rocks: East Coast! __________________ 2006 E90 330i Jet Black \| 20" WORK VS-XX \| FK452 \| H&R Sport on Koni Yellow \| REMUS QUAD
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03-30-2006, 06:55 PM	#96
jamesna120 Enlisted Member 12 Rep 47 Posts Drives: 06 bmw 325i Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: ca iTrader: (0)	iirc halogens are less brighter than that of HID(high intensive discharge) simply because the energy is being used to create more heat(energy) than light(lumens)... two of HID i can think of is HPS(high pressure sodium(Best)) and MV( mercury vapor), which provides broad range of spectrums expecially towards the red. can anyone tell me what type of HID is being used for aftermarket xenons??
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03-30-2006, 07:16 PM	#97
firstkill Second Lieutenant 12 Rep 247 Posts Drives: e93 Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Alhambra iTrader: (0)	Bella, I think a lot of advice you got here is confusing haha. The HID kit will be MUCH MUCH more work. I have installed them in many different EURO cars and they require computer reprogramming so there is no "bulb" out warning. If you do not get the "right" kit you might need to 1. CUT/Splice wires for a power supply. 2. You will also need to mount a box (ballast) somewhere. 3. THere is a cover on the back of your halogen headlights that you will need to drill a hole into and replug back up. The bulbs you got may or maynot be brighter.. but the Color is what you are after. It wont be that much of a change in brightness either way, but do you have problem seeing at night? I never did when i lived in SD unless u travel way east on Highway 8. If there is no way to get to the back of the headlight from the engine bay then I would pay for someone to help you if install em. I just looked on my car, 330 with HID... you can access the passgener side from the engine bay, but my air filter box is in the way of the driverside. So it looks like you have to remove the wheels ~fk
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03-30-2006, 07:59 PM	#99
BellasBmw If love is the answer,please rephrase the question 315 Rep 1,731 Posts Drives: Tit Silver 325i Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: San Diego, Ca iTrader: (1) Garage List 2006 325i [0.00]	Hahaha im so freaking confused its funny. Ok, heres what i want.. BRIGHT LIGHTS THAT ARENT YELLOW. I know men like to hear things cut and dry.. so there ya go. If i was talking to a bunch of females, i woulda have said .. "bright lights, with a touch of blue and white, but not too much blue cause then they look real cheap.. but not too bright cause i dont want it to blind people or look tacky.. esp not look tacky" see im rephrasing just for you guys! Help __________________ ~~BellasBmw~~ Proud mama to 325i/TiAg/Black lette/Pwr seats/Sirius/Sport/Walnut/Step/Xenons/Chrome exhaust/20% tint
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03-30-2006, 08:04 PM	#101
18LLC Major General 148 Rep 5,104 Posts Drives: e89 Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: California iTrader: (0)	if just the bulb, get a set of PIAA, low price, long life. HID, don't know if catz still making HID, if so, that's the good one. Is this info worth for a date? Am I always been naughty? just like to talk to you at this way, can't help...
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03-30-2006, 08:08 PM	#103
18LLC Major General 148 Rep 5,104 Posts Drives: e89 Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: California iTrader: (0)	It won't hurt your wallet for just the bulbs, so why not? wait until it burn out or till you don't like it anymore, then you change another set. by the way, if you willing to come to UCLA, then I think I can help.
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03-30-2006, 08:10 PM	#104
joes3series Private 3 Rep 54 Posts Drives: 330xi Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: San Diego, CA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 330xi [0.00]	stick with what you got or, if they carry and make them in proper size, go to the walmart off of balboa and pick up the philips super bright headlights (whichever ones look the fanciest, cost the most (around 30-40/pr), and claim to do the most). that'll do the trick, and it'll be cheap.
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03-30-2006, 09:04 PM	#109
timzerofive there is no spoon 243 Rep 867 Posts Drives: 330i manual Join Date: May 2005 Location: Irvine iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 330i [0.00]	Hahah, it's not that hard getting to the headlights. I was looking around under the hood just now to see what all the fuss is about. There's a small panel behind the wheel well that you can get to by turning the wheel. By removing that and removing the intake box (which takes about 2 min), you have enough room to access the bulb. Passenger side is even easier. Looking at the DIY for fog lights, its also just a few bolts. Everyone make it out to seem like it'll take hours. As far as splicing goes, those plug and play set no splicing is required. The only wiring necessary is one wire to power and one wire to ground. You can mount the ballast where they mount the ballast for the car with factory HID's, right next to the headlight. Then depending on the hid kit, cutting a small hole with a dremel would be sufficient on the back cover to make it water proof. It's not that much work guys, really. I was able to retrofit a set of projectors & hid to my reflector headlights housing (old car) in 1 weekend. That's only because I needed to wait for the adhesive to dry, otherwise I could've finished it in one day. __________________ [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
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03-30-2006, 09:08 PM	#110
wannabe_MW Private 9 Rep 91 Posts Drives: 01 accord Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: ? iTrader: (0)	shes not really hot at all! (the bella part is b.s.)
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