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Thread: LED headlight conversion

  1. #51
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    Quote Originally Posted by killian665 View Post
    You have projector housings.
    Yep, but still illegal to fit HID bulbs to projector housing's that were supplied by manufacturer with halogen bulbs. Strange I know, but 'tis the law here.

    https://www.nzta.govt.nz/resources/g...-lights-right/

    "High intensity discharge (HID) conversion kitsHID conversion kits (an HID bulb with a high voltage power unit or ‘ballast’ which fits into the original headlamp unit in place of the original bulb with no change to the headlamp lens, reflector or housing) are illegal on any vehicle being used on New Zealand roads.
    However, a complete halogen headlamp unit can be replaced with a complete HID headlamp unit provided that the replacement headlamp unit complies with approved standards. If in doubt, get advice from a vehicle lighting retailer you trust."

  2. #52
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    Nobody would know. It’s illegal in GA too, nobody gets tickets for that.

  3. #53
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    Quote Originally Posted by killian665 View Post
    Nobody would know. It’s illegal in GA too, nobody gets tickets for that.
    Sadly, it's the one of the first things they look for when conducting a WOF (warrant of fitness - regular vehicle inspection - every six months for a 10 year old+ car). Mainly because there are a lot of young fellas and gals that modify in ways that are just awful for other road users. As usual, one size fits all when it comes to common sense.

  4. #54
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    Quote Originally Posted by jeffbebe View Post
    regular vehicle inspection - every six months for a 10 year old+ car
    OMG, looks like they just hate old cars...
    I will never complain again about Cali smog check every other year =)
    Last edited by mr1173; 04-01-2018 at 10:45 PM.
    WBR, Tony

  5. #55
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    Quote Originally Posted by mr1173 View Post
    OMG, looks like they just hate old cars...
    I will never complain again about Cali smog check every other year =)
    Yeah, it can be a pain but if you keep your care well it's okay and the inspection only costs about US$30 each time. Ironically, because it is an old car, I am not required to meet current emissions standards (nor in fact, the standards at time of manufacture), so my car happily runs on a custom catless exhaust!! The inspections is 100% about vehicle safety rather than the environment. Always feels like a missed opportunity but it least it means I can keep my v12 on the road, I just rely on my own environmental guilt to not drive it every day!

  6. #56
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    Projector housings for halogen bulbs have completely different optics not meant for the much higher lumen output/orientation of an HID bulb though, so I understand the argument motor vehicle regulation boadies have--we have something similar in BC. The E31 projectors are amazingly good though, considering their time, but many halogen ones can't contain glare from the much brighter HID bulb and get bad hotspots in the beam pattern.

    That said, I have a set of Lexus RX350 projectors I have put aside to fit into the E31 housings once I get around to it...
    Last edited by adamnur; 04-02-2018 at 02:49 AM.

  7. #57
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    Quote Originally Posted by adamnur View Post
    Projector housings for halogen bulbs have completely different optics not meant for the much higher lumen output/orientation of an HID bulb though, so I understand the argument motor vehicle regulation boadies have--we have something similar in BC. The E31 projectors are amazingly good though, considering their time, but many halogen ones can't contain glare from the much brighter HID bulb and get bad hotspots in the beam pattern.

    That said, I have a set of Lexus RX350 projectors I have put aside to fit into the E31 housings once I get around to it...

    That’s not entirely true. The main difference is where the bulb mounts to the projector itself and the style of base. But with aftermarket HID bulbs, or what are called "halogen rebase" bulbs, the HID optic is designed to be located in the same position that the halogen filament is in so that the output pattern and hotspot is correct and in the correct location just on average 3 times brighter.

    Glass wise for the optics is usually the same, just maybe a different focal height to adjust the output.

  8. #58
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    The problem is the same for LED's as it is for Xenon's - there will be a bit of light scatter above what there normally is as neither can imitate the tungsten element. But, it would be a pretty switched-on tester that noticed either modification!
    Timm..2007 E64 650i Individual Sport..1999 E31 840ci Individual Sport..ex owner of 2000 E38 740..1999 E38 740i V8 M62..1998 E38 735i V8..1993 E32 730i V8..1988 E28 518i


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  9. #59
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    Quote Originally Posted by killian665 View Post
    That’s not entirely true. The main difference is where the bulb mounts to the projector itself and the style of base. But with aftermarket HID bulbs, or what are called "halogen rebase" bulbs, the HID optic is designed to be located in the same position that the halogen filament is in so that the output pattern and hotspot is correct and in the correct location just on average 3 times brighter.

    Glass wise for the optics is usually the same, just maybe a different focal height to adjust the output.
    True about rebase bulbs. But even then, only for the *best* rebase bulbs, but the vast majority of aftermarkets are not manufactured very well. I've had to shim even the Morimoto XB to get the hotspot placement correct and some playing around with rotation is often required.
    Last edited by adamnur; 04-02-2018 at 04:45 PM.

  10. #60
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    Led & hdi

    All

    Two weeks ago my yearly MOT in the UK was due during the light test the examiner told me my HDI low beam will fail the test after May this year on car where the HDI fit was not standard fit.
    So looks like the LED bulbs will need fitting for the next test to pass.DSC01341.jpgDSC01341.jpg

  11. #61
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    Can y’all not just like, keep some cheap halogens for the inspection then pop your HIDs back in when you get home till next inspection?

  12. #62
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    Quote Originally Posted by killian665 View Post
    Can y’all not just like, keep some cheap halogens for the inspection then pop your HIDs back in when you get home till next inspection?
    Yep, of course. But in the unlikely event of an accident, your insurance would be voided. Would prefer to have some legal that is better than stock halogen!

  13. #63
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    Quote Originally Posted by killian665 View Post
    Can y’all not just like, keep some cheap halogens for the inspection then pop your HIDs back in when you get home till next inspection?
    This type of behaviour is for ricers, not gentlemen that drives eight series.

  14. #64
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    No it’s the type of behavior that allows someone to do what they want to their property and ignore a meaningless government regulation. I don’t think you know what a ricer is.

  15. #65
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    Quote Originally Posted by killian665 View Post
    No it’s the type of behavior that allows someone to do what they want to their property and ignore a meaningless government regulation. I don’t think you know what a ricer is.
    I do, and keep my opinion.
    Attached Images Attached Images

  16. #66
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    are these plug and play?

  17. #67
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    Quote Originally Posted by yayobeatz View Post
    are these plug and play?
    Yes and no. You will need to read the post from the beginning and draw your own conclusion. There is talk of flickering, thermal resistors etc.
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  18. #68
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    Would like to give an update on these, so far I have been extremely satisfied with this upgrade. I did have to add resistors because of some error messages and flickering. I mounted outside the headlight bucket because they were getting quite hot. Resistors are plug and play. So the entire system works very well and the difference in light output is night and day.
    Link to the resistors that need to be purchased with the lights: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06XX5KTMF...iglink20399-20
    Last edited by dragon850; 04-07-2018 at 10:37 AM.

  19. #69
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    Thanks Dragon, as always, excellent information. The problem is you are expensive to follow. Keep up the good work.
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  20. #70
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    Quote Originally Posted by toomanyparts View Post
    It's the headlight shocks or the reinforcement brackets that connect the light frames to the radiator support are loose.
    Yep had replace shocks. Also everything was loose snugged up and shock. Ready for spring.

  21. #71
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    Quote Originally Posted by Timm View Post
    There are links in the article to find all the parts used. The polarity change is only for the LED units used in the E64 fogs - their polarity was wrong to start with!
    Timm, at the bottom of the article it says "Parts and Tools Used" but nothing is listed. I don't find a link to the PTC specs.
    SteveCT
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  22. #72
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    You need to turn your ad-blocker off to see them!

    Here's the link:

    https://www.amazon.co.uk/Resettable-...SIN=B00X77HL1Y
    Timm..2007 E64 650i Individual Sport..1999 E31 840ci Individual Sport..ex owner of 2000 E38 740..1999 E38 740i V8 M62..1998 E38 735i V8..1993 E32 730i V8..1988 E28 518i


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  23. #73
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    Quote Originally Posted by dragon850 View Post
    I did a lot of research before deciding on LED kit. LED technology produces less heat and the ballast is much smaller, not all LED bulbs are as good as HID, you have to go for the best available.
    Here is what I got: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
    I was actually blown away by the result, its as bright as factory xenon on my Porsche Cayenne which I think are exceptional.
    A small tip, in order for the bulbs to fit the headlight has to be adjusted all the way down first, the bulbs have a fan on the back.
    On sale for $49.99 today ($20 off).

  24. #74
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    tvjake2 is offline SoCalEights - CA BMW CCA Member
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    Quote Originally Posted by BMSman View Post
    On sale for $49.99 today ($20 off).
    Sale gone now? Back to $69

  25. #75
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    I just did this, waiting for it to get totally dark out to see results, but they look great on the garage wall. Thanks for posting this, its an excellent upgrade over the stock bulbs.

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