headlight question

[Alkasquawlik]

i have stock sealed beam headlights. my drivers side low beam just went out. correct me if im wrong, but since its a sealed beam i would need to replace the whole housing for the light instead of just a bulb.
how much is it to buy a new sealed beam?

i want to switch to ellipsoids, but want to see if its worth it. i dont have a whole bunch of money to go and blow around right now, but depending on the cost to fix my low beam, i'll go buy some used ellipsoids.

and if i get ellipsoids and they do go out, i can just switch the bulbs correct?

TIA

[StereoInstaller1]

Sealed beams are like $10

[accident]

If you have the money, buy a set of ellipsoids. The difference between the two in terms of light output is phenominal, especially since you can pick the bulbs you want.

[Philo]

Ellipsoid upgrade all the way! P.S. nice roof rack. i'm trying to track one down.

[StereoInstaller1]

I have US ellipsoids, as does my wife. Both cars are doing HID lows soon.

Her '89 came with them, I bought mine for $125.

2 HID kits are gonna be under $200, and us old people need all the light we can get.

US ellips + HID is a great combo.

Luke

[lordofthewaters]

Sealed beams are cheap as has been said. I'd recommend the ellipsoid conversion, but it does require a bit of electrical work, as it isn't a "plug and play" job.

[E30_fiend]

The conversion consists of cutting 12 stock wires and splice the ellipsoid wires to the correct ones. Its not hard at all

[Alkasquawlik]

do you think $80 for all 4 headlights is a good deal?

Ellipsoid upgrade all the way! P.S. nice roof rack. i'm trying to track one down.

thanks, my dad had this lying around when I got my E30 so I didnt have to look around for one

[e34john]

80 for a set of ellipsoids? Good deal if they are in good shape. ANd yes you just change out the bulbs when they go out. I have only had to change 1 bulb ever though, those things last forever. I'm going HID soon and hope those last.

[gearheadE30]

Also, if you come across a set of H1/H4 lights for cheap, they are a great upgrade. I personally like them a lot better than U.S. ellips, and about equal to smileys. The light output is similar to smileys, with a very sharp cutoff for a non-projector light. You should not use HID lights in H4s, though.