headlight lens w/o fluting (ribs)

[e30trooper]

bump from the past. Anyone know where i can find these? Only thing holding me back with my bi-xenon retro fit

[s_ribs]

I like it! But... I'm not a BMW purist or E30 fan-boy.

[doogie howser]

wow, i haven't been here in a while.

tjts1, that looks awesome. mine is exactly the same setup except that i matte-blacked the reflector and i have a 4300k HID kit behind them. it's almost the same pattern as current DOT HID setups other than that it lacks the spread of modern xenons. but, hey, my fogs help me out in that department.

[PiercedE30]

Well, I got the headlight lenses in. I am waiting for my Lamin-X order to come in before I install them. I would post some pictures of them, but I am having to rebuild my desktop due to a stupid Seagate hard drive failure. Oh, and these are definitely going on a set of smoked Euro smileys.

[tjts1]

Ecode ellipsoids already have clear lenses in the center where it counts. Its a moot point.

[reelizmpro]

I did read the whole thread. I'm asking if you put new clear lenses on the euro ellipsoids? Because it's not fair to compare DOT projectors with brand new clear lenses and euro projectors with 20 year old pitted lenses.

[tjts1]

How can you say this without getting a set of euro projectors and installing the same free form lense? Having had a brand new set of DOT ellipsoids, they aren't that great. Switching to 80W 9005's made them much better but before they were marginally better than sealed beams and look a hell of a lot better on the car. I'd bet euro e codes with new unpitted free form reflectors are even better than US DOT specs.

Interesting thread. I kind of like the unfluted free form look. Reminds me of Cibie CSR high beams.

Read the whole thread bud. I've had DOT, ECE and freeform H4 headlights on this car. DOT with unfluted lenses have the best beam pattern by far.

You've effectively made these...assuming the projectors are comparable

http://www.octanemotorsports.com/pro...oducts_id=9143

I lost you there.

[reelizmpro]

Also discovered that the DOT reflector and beam pattern on the DOT projector is a hell of a lot nicer than smileys. I'll try and get some beam pattern shots soon.

How can you say this without getting a set of euro projectors and installing the same free form lense? Having had a brand new set of DOT ellipsoids, they aren't that great. Switching to 80W 9005's made them much better but before they were marginally better than sealed beams and look a hell of a lot better on the car. I'd bet euro e codes with new unpitted free form reflectors are even better than US DOT specs.

Interesting thread. I kind of like the unfluted free form look. Reminds me of Cibie CSR high beams.

You've effectively made these...assuming the projectors are comparable

http://www.octanemotorsports.com/product_info.php?products_id=9143

[e30nub]

Cool, 'cause I also need new lenses!

[PiercedE30]

Well, having one of my lenses missing a small chunk of glass on the bottom has forced to me try these on my own. I will report back when they come in.

[PiercedE30]

Any updates? I need new lenses............badly.

[gearheadE30]

Cool, thanks for the explanation.

[tjts1]

Nothing wrong with smileys except every set I've seen is either rusty, dull, dented or all of the above. And I don't like the beam pattern they make. If you look any any modern projector made in the last 5 years, the beam patter looks much more like the DOT projector with clear lens than ecode smileys. The only reason to go for smileys if you like the look. I might find a way to install these DOT projectors or or a modern high/low projector + cheap HID kit into my smiley housings with clear lenses. To be continued.

[gearheadE30]

How is that better than smileys? Light output appears similar; but its tough to tell from pics coming from different cameras.

[tjts1]

Finally got some beam pattern pics. Stock DOT projector, clear lenses, 9005 bulbs.