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."
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.
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!
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.
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.
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
My BMW Repair YouTube Channel
My Current 840ci Sport Individual
My Current 650ci Sport Individual
My E31 Repair and Information Website
My E38 Repair and Information Website
My E63/E64 Repair and Information Website
Chase - Heroes to a generation
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.
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
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?
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.
are these plug and play?
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.
Thanks Dragon, as always, excellent information. The problem is you are expensive to follow. Keep up the good work.
Desecrator of all things Sacred
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
My BMW Repair YouTube Channel
My Current 840ci Sport Individual
My Current 650ci Sport Individual
My E31 Repair and Information Website
My E38 Repair and Information Website
My E63/E64 Repair and Information Website
Chase - Heroes to a generation
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.
Bookmarks