Hella H4 installation

[Level8Drummer]

I've got an 89 E30 with us ellipsoids (I think). I'm about to put H4's in for my low beams...is the installation any different from the one at stricktlyeta? Or do my US Ellipsoids make it more complicated?

http://www.strictlyeta.net/technical/headlights.html

Level8Drummer

[Level8Drummer]

Let me rephrase that ;) ...if hellas aren't much better than my us ellipsoids (I've done the 9005 into low beam conversion), what's my best bet?

Level8Drummer

[John in VA]

I thought ellipsoid buckets differed from "regular" ones, but could be mistaken. I was never impressed with low ellipsoid beams, and enjoy the add'l light from the H1 & H4 Hella setup in my '85 eta.

[der affe]

$40 hid kits.
problem solved.

IIRC if you have the plastic bases, you can not switch out to the H-4's assemblies. you must have the metal "sealed beam" bases/assemblies.

i had sealed beam assemblies originally on my car, i installed the hella H-4's. it was a BIG upgrade! i am looking into putting a "re-based" H-4 HID kit in next. i also have a set of US elips that need new lenses. i might see if i can fit those along with the HID's on the low beam side

[gearheadE30]

The H4s are a huge improvement over stock elips, although I can't recommend using HIDs in them. You do need the sealed beam buckets though. Go to the junkyard; most e30s had them.

[smonkbmw]

replacing us elips with h4s are a down grade. you should be able to plug a DDM hid kit in no problem. that will solve the majority of your lighting issues. unless your elip housings are dull or worn.

[der affe]

so, is there a problem with installing DDM HIDs in a us elips housing?

can you install an elips low beam into a sealed beam base plate?

is the adjuster and mounting stuff in the same location on either base plate?

[smonkbmw]

no. i have them in my eta, just put them in the other day. plug your 9006 plug into the ballast, ballast/ignitor into bulb, bulb into housing. turn on and drive and for the first time be able to see whats in front of you :D

i dont think so, the plates are different, sealed beams are not as "deep" as elips housings. i could be wrong, ive never experimented with that idea.

again, im not sure, never played with it. i dont think its a viable option though.

[Desaevious]

replacing us elips with h4s are a down grade. you should be able to plug a DDM hid kit in no problem. that will solve the majority of your lighting issues. unless your elip housings are dull or worn.

What if my lenses are cracked? I was going to get the acrylic ones from bmwlight and I don't want those to melt.

[der affe]

The H4s are a huge improvement over stock elips, although I can't recommend using HIDs in them. You do need the sealed beam buckets though. Go to the junkyard; most e30s had them.

this made me wonder if the plastic housings melted or something.
are the euro housings metal as opposed to plastic?

[JasonC]

What if my lenses are cracked? I was going to get the acrylic ones from bmwlight and I don't want those to melt.

I got the BMWlight lenses in my euro ellips. I've had no proplems with melting or anything from my 35w 6000k HIDs.

[Desaevious]

I got the BMWlight lenses in my euro ellips. I've had no proplems with melting or anything from my 35w 6000k HIDs.

That's probably the 50th good piece of advice from you. Thanks again Jason.

[Level8Drummer]

So who makes the best 9006 HID kits for the E30 for the dollar? Best quality/reliability for $200 or less...

Level8Drummer

[smonkbmw]

So who makes the best 9006 HID kits for the E30 for the dollar? Best quality/reliability for $200 or less...

Level8Drummer

DDM 55watt 5k 9006 kit for $98 i think shipped. just make sure to get the 2 day shipping, they drag ass on the 5 day ground.

[e30s52]

What do you guys think I should run in my Euro smoked bosch? I have no clue right now.