Euro/HID lights with Dinan cold-air intake: Is there any hope?

[jtroll]

Greetings -- this is my first post, so I apologize if I don't yet know the etiquette here. I'm simply looking for advice regarding lighting choices with my Dinan cold-air intake on my E36 328is.

I've heard it said that it's nigh-impossible to install any Euro-spec/ZKW/HID headlights with the Dinan cold-air intake installed on an E36; that the intake simply takes up too much room. Now and then, though, I'll hear rumors about how someone "just barely" made it fit through filing or other tricks. Does anyone have any definitive advice on this?

I'm dying to upgrade my headlights, as the current lenses have yellowed and I'd really prefer some brighter-white light. I don't want to get some more plastic lenses just to have them yellow and road-scar again, and I'd love to get some HIDs. Any advice would be appreciated!

[liilpa09]

I did it with no problems...all i did was remove the heatshield and put a smaller filter on the end and cut a hole into the brake duct so that the filter would sit in the brake duct. You can see pics of it if u click on the picture in my signature. Its by no means impossible. if you do decide to upgrade your lights, contact me if you need help with it.

[jtroll]

No problems, you say? Sounds like some non-trivial retrofit work! But I definitely appreciate the advice. I clicked through your photos and couldn't find a shot of the engine compartment that clearly showed what you were talking about (although I love your car), so I'll look in my own engine compartment and see if I can figure out your instructions. I'm definitely going to upgrade my lights, so thanks again for this.

[habbie]

No problems, you say? Sounds like some non-trivial retrofit work! But I definitely appreciate the advice. I clicked through your photos and couldn't find a shot of the engine compartment that clearly showed what you were talking about (although I love your car), so I'll look in my own engine compartment and see if I can figure out your instructions. I'm definitely going to upgrade my lights, so thanks again for this.

remove the the bracket holding the pipe, put the lights in and enjoy.
that bracket is overkill.

[wheresmym3]

Like he said...just remove the bracket and it will "squeeze" in.

[98dinan3]

dinan cf cai and bosch ellipsoids here and mine fit. Like posted above, run without the bracket/heatshield.

[JRT198]

I had ZKW's with the dinan carbon fiber intake on my 96 328i and had no problems. You dont really need that bracket for the intake anyway.

[fcvapor05]

Mine fit without the bracket installed, but it made the tube rub against the fender well. If I was still running that setup, Id cut a little out of the hole in the fender, and it would fit perfect.

[uhhhmeeer]

Anyone have a bracket (big one) for me to buy?