Smileys Worth The Upgrade?

[Low Level E30]

On the basis of pure lighting performance, are smiley headlights worth the upgrade from non-smiley US ellipsoids ('89 E30) ?

Also, what would be the best drop-in bulb solution for maximum lighting performance w/ smileys (without having to go to HID) ?

Thanks!

[RCWells]

Answers: No to the first question, and Osram Silverstars to the second question.

[Low Level E30]

Answers: No to the first question, and Osram Silverstars to the second question.

Thanks for the reply!

Don't know if this makes a difference to your answer - these will be brand-new European Hella smileys.

[RCWells]

I believe the primary difference between the non-smiley's and the smiley's is the cutoff.

As for the EURO non-smiley vs. U.S. ellips, I *think* the difference is in city lighting on the EURO version, but someone else may want to chime in here.

[RCWells]

Why are you going with the non-smiley's? j/c.

[King Luis]

how are the philips (non-blue) h1 bulbs compared to the osrams?

[Ryan Stewart]

They are similar.

I say not the Superstars if you are staying with the US ellips because in the 9006 you are going to be getting the tinted ones because the 9006 is unique to the US. Just get the clear pink ones in 9005 and modify them to go into your low beams.

[Avus E30]

I have hella non smileys and I have the angled cutoff as well. The US elipse have a straight while the Euro cuts across then up to the right. there are no differences in output of smilie versus non in the Euro.

[KenC]

I have hella non smileys and I have the angled cutoff as well. The US elipse have a straight while the Euro cuts across then up to the right. there are no differences in output of smilie versus non in the Euro.

correct

The cut-off is different between the US and the Euros. The smiley and non-smiley Euros have the same angled cut-off, whereas the US is flat.

I think it's worth the upgrade to the Euros.

[Low Level E30]

I will be going from US non-smileys to Euro smileys --- so it is agreed that this -is- in fact an upgrade :D ?

And the best bulb w/ out going to HID will be a Phillips H1?

[wastedincome]

I will be going from US non-smileys to Euro smileys --- so it is agreed that this -is- in fact an upgrade :D ?

And the best bulb w/ out going to HID will be a Phillips H1?

How come you have US spec'd headlights?? Your location says Germany so I would have thought you'd have a euro spec'd car.....
Any how good luck w/ the swap and use Osram bulbs for best performence ;)

[Digitalwave]

I will be going from US non-smileys to Euro smileys --- so it is agreed that this -is- in fact an upgrade :D ?

And the best bulb w/ out going to HID will be a Phillips H1?

If you consider the city light to be an upgrade, then yes. The Euro lights light up signs on the side of the road better but as far as the light pattern projected on the road, its not really an upgrade.

[NC325iC]

I have hella non smileys and I have the angled cutoff as well. The US elipse have a straight while the Euro cuts across then up to the right. there are no differences in output of smilie versus non in the Euro.

i have US elips and my driver side light is much lower than the passenger

[Ryan Stewart]

If you consider the city light to be an upgrade, then yes. The Euro lights light up signs on the side of the road better but as far as the light pattern projected on the road, its not really an upgrade.

Even before my HIDs there was a noticeable difference between mine and regular ellips I could compare to. The light was undiffused and broader, I dont know if that is design or because my glass was new but it was pronounced.

Now, if you modify the high beam into low beam on US ellips it gets hard to distinguish from inside the car.

[T.Dot E30]

The main difference is that you have better selection of bulb in H1 rather than 9006 in the US ones.

I'd keep the US and get a HID kit, instead of spending the money on the Euros and having no HIDs