US or euro Ellips

[salvine]

Looking at my options and not sure which to buy. The US models are more common and cheaper but how is the light output compared to the euro smiley versions. If I got the US version what are people using for the best bulb. I assume you can put a higher watt bulb in the US ellip and get close to the light output of the H1 euros Thoughts? Anyone had both versions?
TIA, Steve

[SynSyx]

I had US ellips from the factory with 9006/9007 bulbs whatever they are, light output was okay. Best bulbs you can get are probably the sylvania silverstars.

Over the summer I upgraded to Euro (smoked) ellips. I used run-of-the-mill H1 bulbs for a little while before upgrading to 6000K HID lows, and Osram silverstar highs.

The HIDs are obviously the brightest, but the Osram Silverstars are only available in H1 (I think) and therefore can only go in the euro ellips. If you do sylvania silverstars in the US ellips you will be fine, but in terms of light output it won't be the best you can do.

[salvine]

Trying to stay away from HID's Not really looking to do that to the daily driver. Just need to get the best bang for the buck and ge rid of the sealed beams.

[e34john]

Get US ellipsoids and do the 9005 bulb mod. My euro smileys in my E30 are great, by in my E34 not so, it's 9005s were better than it's H1s so it still depends on the condition of your lenses. HIDs are cheap now so US ellipsoids with those will still probably be cheaper than getting Euros. Plus the Sylvania Silverstars don't usually last too long.

[SynSyx]

US ellips are easier to find and cheaper. With Sylvania Silverstars in those you will be fine.

If you want the baller factor, get euro ellips, either smoked or not. If you get these get the OSRAM silverstars (you will have to order them online, i got mine at powerbulbs.com)

[stevofthahill]

Trying to stay away from HID's Not really looking to do that to the daily driver. Just need to get the best bang for the buck and ge rid of the sealed beams.

For what reason are you trying to stay away from HID's?

[blueapplesoda]

After much experimenting, i have come about many problems with Euro ellipsoids.

Majority of the Euro lights look nice from the outside, but the problem is their light output sucks. The parabolic reflector usually becomes dull over time and can't be refinished cheaply. the US spec ones are usually much cleaner inside and reflect much more light.

And for the price of euro ellips, you can get a set of us ellips and a set of HIDs, and still have money left over.

If you wanted HIDs, it will be harder to seal the housing from the environment with euro ellips. The 9005/9006 US housings seal on the bulb, so no problems there.

Its 40$ for set of non-osram silverstar's. there are HID kits selling at $40 right now (i.e DDM, ect.) It is really pointless to use halogens when HIDs are this cheap. You will see a night and day difference.

[tjts1]

I prefer the beam pattern of US projectors over ecode and usually the light output is much better.

US ellipsoids with clear lenses and 9005 bulbs soon to be HIDs.




Bosch smiley. I lucked out and got a set of good reflectors but I prefer the US beam pattern.

[e34john]

^^^Man you still want HIDs after that? Already looks great to me plus that is a really nice light temp.

[salvine]

For what reason are you trying to stay away from HID's?

HID's are not off the table. If the right deal came along I would entertain it. The 40.00 dollar sets are a little scary for the longevity standpoint. I have a line on a set of US lights so I think I will pick them up and go from there.
Thanks for the photos as well.

[blueapplesoda]

longevity? mine have been working fine for 2 years....i just overpaid for them (large ballasts for $150, made in good ol China) I don't see what kind of longevity issues would arise.....lets say they do take a dump in 2 years. another $40? that's like a tank of gas.

halogens produce somewhere around 1000 lumens
35w HIDs produce 2000+ lumens

for comparison, a 2 D-Cell maglight produces about 40 lumens at the hotspot, a surefire 6p can produce 120 lumens with a given 120 bulb....

[ciz28]

Have you considered just upgrading the buckets to new Hella H1/H4's: http://www.classicgarage.com/53hehekit.html

I just ordered some, so I can report later when I get them installed. But I hear they're somewhere between US ellipsoids and Euro ellipsoids, but with the advantage of being brand new instead of unknown quality.

[88e30is]

Have you considered just upgrading the buckets to new Hella H1/H4's: http://www.classicgarage.com/53hehekit.html

I just ordered some, so I can report later when I get them installed. But I hear they're somewhere between US ellipsoids and Euro ellipsoids, but with the advantage of being brand new instead of unknown quality.

Not a bad idea.

[smonkbmw]

Have you considered just upgrading the buckets to new Hella H1/H4's: http://www.classicgarage.com/53hehekit.html

the classic h1/h4 vs elipsoids debate.

find one current high end european automobile that utilizes that technology. now find one that uses elipsoids. shouldnt be hard to figure out which is the better choice.

[salvine]

Just for fun I started looking at HID kits. Pretty amazing how cheap this technology is now. I worked for Benz when this stuff first came out and I could never imagine it being this cheap. Any one else use these inexpensive DDM kits? How are they holding uo. I am putting euro light in my wifes 500E so I may put a set in her car. Whats the preferred color temp out there?