Better E30 headlights?

[dinanm3atl]

Sweet! :)

[MOTOMAN]

Ordered a set of Bi-Xenons with Premium upgrade ballasts & LED high beams from dinanm3atl. Can't wait to try them on the car!

Will probably order some of his other LEDs for the reverse, interior and trunk lights as well soon.

Thanks.

[dinanm3atl]

Thank you for the thorough description Mo Brighta.

What's the consensus on some of the bi-Xenon retrofits with LED highs currently being offered?

Thanks.

They are awesome. For reals. Done a few with more in process. You would not be disappointed :)

[MOTOMAN]

Thank you for the thorough description Mo Brighta.

What's the consensus on some of the bi-Xenon retrofits with LED highs currently being offered?

Thanks.

[Mo Brighta]

headlight upgrades

Best bang for the buck? Go with the Hellas, cheaper and easier to replace when the rocks chip them.

Put headlight protection film on them, no rock damage worries.

Are you referring to the Hella bifocals?
Thanks.

Hella BiFocals are my current favorite for low beams, if you can afford them you will NOT be disappointed. Their output is stellar and very even edge to edge, because the entire reflector and lens are designed for low beam output. Clever Germans! They work full time, so the low beam relay has to be 'convinced' to stay on when the lights are on; instructions provided. There are older conventional style H4 (high/low) Hellas too; less money, less light.

Cibie are about the best high beams, they have the lens down to a science and make a spectacular beam pattern that goes for miles. Cheaper than you'd expect too, for the amount of light.

Both above lights are standard drop-in replacement for sealed beams.

Any good lights should have the lens protection film on them, it works and is cheap insurance (currently on sale for Thanksgiving). No chips or cracks in the lens, 'almost' guaranteed.

Any H1 or H4 light should have a high output bulb in it, not much more $ than the cheap standard bulb. I have Narva- standard watts, high output. German, so you know they are good.

Elipsoids can be upgraded with high output 9011 and 9012 lamps, the third generation HIR (Halogen Infrared Reflector) lamps from Philips. A little pricey, but double the output at the same watts as stock HB3, HB4 lamps. They really boost the output of projector lows, especially.

Good luck, let me know if you need anything at all.

[shootnjunky]

Tag I'd like to know the answer as well


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[blazinxpk]

lets establish what all of your options are:

1) Projectors---will be paired with either HIDS or high output bulbs.

-Hella/Bosch smileys (used/25+ yr old)

-Hella US ellips (used/25+ yr old)

-Depo (replicas)(new/used)

-retrofit new projectors into old projectors(new)

NOTE: everything other than the depos/retrofit will have 25+ years old projectors, therefore, you can assume they will not output at 100%.

2) Reflector---will be paired with high output bulbs only.

-Hella BiFocal(new/used)

-Cibie(new/used)

NOTE: keep in mind these will be brand new, assuming you dont buy used, and will output light at 100%

now, you should put a price next to each of the items i listed and then determine what you feel is the best bang for the buck.

if i have left out any options please add them in.

[MOTOMAN]

Best bang for the buck? Go with the Hellas, cheaper and easier to replace when the rocks chip them.

Are you referring to the Hella bifocals?

Thanks.

[uturn]

Best bang for the buck? Go with the Hellas, cheaper and easier to replace when the rocks chip them.

[MOTOMAN]

http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=334417

http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=339020

read those two threads and come back to us with questions.

I had read the 1st thread but not the 2nd one. Thanks.

So, Hella bifocals are one option and smilies ellipsoids are only brighter if used with high output bulbs. I've seen new Depos for around $250 shipped. Also, lots of other options on eBay.

The Squared Motorwerkes option allows you to run Bi-xenon headlights for around $315 plus the cost of the smilies if you don't happen to already have a set. This seems to be a good option but at over $600 when all set and done.

Still unclear as of what's the best bang for the buck.

Thanks.

[blazinxpk]

Additionally, sealed beams will always have fresh reflectors.

i think this is the most overlooked fact when people are looking for lighting upgrades.
though, i do have a set of smileys myself, i often question how a set of reflector housings with high output bulbs will compare for my 25+ year old worn out projectors.

[nrubenstein]

When I went from sealed to elips, it seemed as though i had less output with the elips than the sealed beams. My only option is to upgrade the bulbs, and I prob will not go back to sealed.

Projectors are less efficient than reflectors, but offer better light control. Hence the option to use higher output options.

Additionally, sealed beams will always have fresh reflectors.

[rcsoundn1]

When I went from sealed to elips, it seemed as though i had less output with the elips than the sealed beams. My only option is to upgrade the bulbs, and I prob will not go back to sealed.

[DER E30]

http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=310439
http://squaredmotorwerks.com/

[estoguy]

+1 on H4/H1. Mine had them installed already when I bought it. Puts out good light, especially with the high beams...