Morimoto Mini H1 - Super Easy in a Bosch Smiley

[nrubenstein]

Net-net, you're trading a bit of quality vs. an FX-R for HUGELY reduced size. They are still very decent projectors, and, IMHO, better than the TFX setup that dominated in early projector retrofits (FX-35 with TSX lens).

The really cool thing about the Minis is that you can install them ENTIRELY within the euro smiley casing, which solves the whole sealing problem. All I did was remove the existing lens assembly, and drill out the existing H1 mount. You need to use the H1 Mini as the D2S plug is wired out the side and will be a pain in the ass to fit. Pick the right drill size and you can also use the stock cap.

Positioning: ghetto rigging is pretty easy. The projectors came with ugly shrouds. At first, I thought that I would throw them out, but with a bit of trimming, they let you easily drop the projectors in flat against the shroud, and they space the projector lens back from the outer Bosch lens. I attached four aluminum strips to these and bent them to the back for mounting. So far, this is actually working as a press fit. If anything moves, I will drill a couple holes and fix in place.

One of the really nice things on the e30 is that you have some forgiveness on horizontal alignment. If you are in the ballpark, you can get it right by tweaking the whole assembly. I eyeballed the projectors into the housings, and was able to get them tweaked perfectly very easily.

One warning: for some idiotic reason, even american sellers are pushing a lot of RHD versions of the Minis. Because I'm apparently bad at reading, I bought one of those sets. It's fixable, but not as good as having the correct shrouds to start with. My cutoff isn't *quite* as good as it would otherwise be due to this. This is pretty damned minor, though. The improvement is HUGE.

I will eventually post pictures. I'll have the assemblies out to finish wiring in the bi-xenon solenoids.

[AndrewBird]

I'm assuming you did it like this?

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?1760020-HID-in-modified-E32-E34-headlight-housing

[nrubenstein]

Not really. My install was simultaneously way more half assed, but also better. I drilled THROUGH the rear bulb mount, but left the outside intact. This means that the stock plastic cap still works, which is preferable, IMHO. Additionally, the projectors are crammed in forward, so that they are all the way up against the interior shroud, as is stock. No visible gap.

Net-net, though, it's an extremely easy job if you have access to a drill press.

[Northern]

waiting for pictures. I've been thinking about doing a real retrofit because I hate the light output with halogens, and I hate everything about ebay HID kits. I've been apprehensive about hacking things apart though.

[AndrewBird]

I'd love to see some pictures of what you did. I more or less understand from what you wrote, but a picture is worth a thousand words as they say.

[nrubenstein]

I'd love to see some pictures of what you did. I more or less understand from what you wrote, but a picture is worth a thousand words as they say.

Well, as I noted, I had a massive reading comprehension fail when I ordered them, so I will be taking it all apart to install the correct, unmolested cutoff shields. Hopefully this weekend, if they get in the mail by tomorrow.

[MPLFoster]

any updates?

[nrubenstein]

Morimoto Mini H1 - Super Easy in a Bosch Smiley

Projector in trimmed down shroud:



The shrouds's only function is to act as a spacer and centering device:



Here's how I cut the back cover:



And let's charitably call these the retaining springs. :)



A quick low beam shot:



A quick high beam shot:



The low beams are very nice. Better, IMHO, than the TFX setup in my M3 - although these do have a wattage advantage as it's a pain in the ass the change ballasts on the E46.

The high beams, in combination with my HIR 9011s, are batshit insane. The pencil beam stock high beams have great throw, while the bi-xenons just fill in, well, everything. Sadly, my wife wanted to go home, so real throw pictures will have to wait. :)

Edit: I could have sworn that I took a picture from the front, but apparently not. I'll get that along with the throw pictures.

[nrubenstein]

Mike took a couple of throw pictures for me. I've been busy getting the 993TT drive cycled, so I haven't had the 330 around to take pictures with. Eventually, I'll get some better shots. For scale in the high beam shot, the turn in the road is a quarter mile away.

Low beams:



High beams:



The one thing that I'm not completely thrilled about is that one of the projectors required a LOT of tweaking to get it in focus. You can see how the right one is aimed well forward on the ground. Ultimately, it doesn't really impact light output, but it's annoying since I'd prefer symmetry.