euro smileys vs h-4

[Lenwood]

just picked up a 90 325i with original sealed beams! i need more light. was thinking 5.75 round hella h-4 with either hid kit or some nice bright yellow h-4 55/60s. or is going to a eoro smiley conversion better? please chime in guys thx

[Vivek]

From what i've heard, new h4 (don't do HID, you'll blind everyone) is better than old euro smileys because of the faded reflectors that'll absorb some of the light. New projectors with HIDs will be the best.

[davem]

get US ellips with hid or new/good condition h4s, euro ellips are expensive for what they are.

[KenC]

Finding a good set of ellipsoids is a challenge now. Most are so old that the reflector is super dull.

Your best bet is to either buy new ellipsoids or H4s with good halogen bulbs. You can run HIDs in H4s, but it's illegal (I never had a problem).

[Thizzelle]

i run ellipsoids with HID in all 4 cars, never have had a problem (5 years so far)

[KenC]

i run ellipsoids with HID in all 4 cars, never have had a problem (5 years so far)

They'll work. That's not the issue. The 20yo reflectors within the headlight housings become hazy over time, which reduces the light output.

[hendrixvodu]

ive run both last car had hella h4s and they had awesome light out put but you just cant beat smileys with hids they have a great cut off and look really nice ...i have halogen color hids so it looks oem just really bright



old pick but they are very bright color is tuff to tell from the picture but its basically halogen color with a very slight hint of white ...they are not yellow though

[Thizzelle]

They'll work. That's not the issue. The 20yo reflectors within the headlight housings become hazy over time, which reduces the light output.

true. I've taken the lens off and cleaned the reflector which helped before. You could get that chrome spray paint from the auto store and refinish it I guess.

[Mr.Wiggles]

I did HID's in all my e30's and did them in all of the different housings. The H4's do blind the crap out of everyone, The U.S. spec ellipsoid are good for the money and provide enough light in my opinion but my all time favorite is HID's in the smileys..