Upgrading from sealed beams

[jeffnhiscars]

Seems legit...

What do GE or Philips know about automotive lighting. Next they will be spouting off about this Tom Edison guy and his friend Hank. Snake oil.

[Golfer_705]

DEPO are Junk

I recently installed the DEPO smileys on my '91 318is and couldn't be happier. There are many people who will decry the Taiwanese replicas as garbage and unworthy, but the fact of the matter is that they are new ellipsoid projectors for $125 shipped. The look identical to the real ones. And I do speak from experience as I had Hella smoked smileys on my M3 - I promise you there is not much difference after they're installed, but you do have to be gentle as the plastic frames aren't as hefty as the Hella/Bosch pieces. If the DEPOs collect moisture - fine, reseal or vent them. No big deal. They work great and I'd recommend them.

I will say that if I was updating a nice, low-mileage E30 M3 then I would spring for factory parts, but why would I buy a set of headlights that are worth 10% the market value of my car?

I was using the Bosch H4/H1 conversion since 2006 and couldnt have been happier with them. About a year ago i swapped in PIAA 4000K H4/H1 halogen bulbs, visibilty was great. unfortunaly it became time for new lenses in january. thinking it was a good time to update the look of the lenses I purchased a new set of DEPO euro smilies with 6000K H1 HID (lows) from Stealthauto. The headlight adjusters were of very poor quality, half broke during the initial aiming of the lights after installation. The DEPO's seem to put out a much wider and brighter inital low beam pattern, however I was extremly disappointed to find that the DOPO HID projector low beams cut off was about half that of my old Bosch lenses with PIAA bulbs. I reused my PIAA H1 bulbs for the DEPO hign beams. The range was decent, the beam pattern was very similar spot lamps, however the light output was again a disappointment from my Bosch lenses. After about 6 weeks of the DEPO`s installed in my car both low beam projector leses cracked a day apart. i went out the first morning swept the snow off and started my car to let it warm up leaving the lights on. when i returned to leave for work i was shocked to see the passenger low beam lens split in a complete circle around the out side of the lens. the very next morning warmed the car again with the lights on, came out to leave and found the drivers low beam lens spidered into about 8 pieces. Overall i was extremly disappointed by the DEPO lights: field of vision, quality and durability. I called and emailed STEALTHAUTO about the quality and durability of the lights. Noone has been bothered to return my calls or emails in over 2 weeks now. In conclusion I CAN NOT reccomend the DEPO headlight Brand to anyone or dealing with STEALTHAUTO.

[viceversa]

I recently installed the DEPO smileys on my '91 318is and couldn't be happier. There are many people who will decry the Taiwanese replicas as garbage and unworthy, but the fact of the matter is that they are new ellipsoid projectors for $125 shipped.....

Where did you find the DEPO smileys for 125 shipped??

[DMGSI E_TREINTA]

Help full tread. Hopefully I can show my setup soon

[Mo Brighta]

I suggest Hella or Cibie glass headlights to replace sealed beams, plug and play. NEVER had a problem seeing, and I'm rather picky about light on the road. Of course I use the halogen lamps the headlight is designed for, H1 or H3 or H4, as needed.

Not against HID, just against poor quality misaligned HID lamps. Reflector Headlights are very sensitive to filament position.

Glass headlights with headlight protection film are VERY resistant to damage; I had a pickup truck bumper bck into my headlight, completely bent the headlight bucket - lights were in the treetops, but no breakage. I'm a believer.

I suggest Hella or Cibie with high output standard wattage bulbs, clear glass of course. No re-engineering needed. Ask for pics, prices if interested.

[15Michaeljoseph]

I suggest Hella or Cibie glass headlights to replace sealed beams, plug and play. NEVER had a problem seeing, and I'm rather picky about light on the road. Of course I use the halogen lamps the headlight is designed for, H1 or H3 or H4, as needed.

Not against HID, just against poor quality misaligned HID lamps. Reflector Headlights are very sensitive to filament position.

Glass headlights with headlight protection film are VERY resistant to damage; I had a pickup truck bumper bck into my headlight, completely bent the headlight bucket - lights were in the treetops, but no breakage. I'm a believer.

I suggest Hella or Cibie with high output standard wattage bulbs, clear glass of course. No re-engineering needed. Ask for pics, prices if interested.

I can vouch for this. I've got the hella h4 lows, and kept the sealed highs because they really aren't that bad. anyway, I bought some HID look alike halogens... just waiting for my regular bulbs to burn out to put them in ;)


--Mike