E30 Zone

Right ive got my E30 back from the respray looking all shiny, now just got a few annoying parts to replace and its all good, but i got a problem, the headlights are about as bright as candles behind dirty glass and i cant see nothing at night, id prefer both of the lights at the front to light up for looks just wondering if anyone knew of simple easy to fit mods? for somewhat modern bright headlights?

Hids, or try some of them 100% brighter lights from halfrauds, i bought the 50% ones for my golf and they were noticably brighter. They seem expensive mind

try amazon, i got a xenon bulb kit for just under £19, 5000k,50% brighter, made hell of a difference.

i'd be interested in a mod to make the driving lights light up too, so if you get any suggestions i'd be all ears

Clean the lenses and fit some hids. They're the best performance mod for the price available for the E30* and very easy to fit.
http://www.e30zone.net/e30zonewiki/inde ... Conversion


*performance only improved at night

ill have a look amazon, 19 quid seams cheap

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-3-Series- ... 2a1097e42c

would these be any good and can they be fitted into any of the facelift lights ellipsoids or smilies

ring automotive have just released a new 120% brighter bulb. i fitted a set the other day and the difference was amazing! theyre not cheap mind but ebay are selling them approx 30% less than retail. i sell them for £29.99 a pair. the advantage is a brighter light but with a legal 55w rating. have a butchers here....

http://www.ringautomotive.co.uk/product ... ?prod=2421

this is the cheapest guy on ebay

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Ring-RW1248-1 ... 35b5f8ab19

hids are also very good but the downside is they are quite dazzling to oncoming drivers due to the light pattern. a standard fit hid has a projector lense that focuses the light down as opposed to a full on beam retro fitted to a non hid light unit. ive fitted hids before in the past and they are good but the glare to oncoming drivers is a bit naughty.

Jonny -They look fine to me. I've never worked out what the "digital" means in the description but they'll work fine. I've had identical looking ballasts from a couple of different ebay suppliers. Bear in mind those are 35W, which are still way better than Halogen (any halogen). 55W cost a little more, but give more light. The problem with 55W is you really need to upgrade your main beams because it's hard to see them over the light from your dipped beams.

Smileys and Bullseyes are ellipsoid/projectors which are perfect for H1 HIDs. Pre face-lift are reflectors and not suitable for HID because the beam pattern suffers.

excellent at that price i think once ive got a few spare pennies i will try them

Morat wrote:Jonny -They look fine to me. I've never worked out what the "digital" means in the description but they'll work fine. I've had identical looking ballasts from a couple of different ebay suppliers. Bear in mind those are 35W, which are still way better than Halogen (any halogen). 55W cost a little more, but give more light. The problem with 55W is you really need to upgrade your main beams because it's hard to see them over the light from your dipped beams.

Smileys and Bullseyes are ellipsoid/projectors which are perfect for H1 HIDs. Pre face-lift are reflectors and not suitable for HID because the beam pattern suffers.

if you cant see your mains over your dips then surely your lights are too damn bright and your blinding other road users.

HiD's on dip and 100w bulbs on main.

Think I might purchase some HID's as I dread seeing someone elses lights around the corner knowing I have to turn off my full beams just to be blinded by some nobber in a 4x4. I just think they can look a bit "mehh" but I think that's cause my mate has 6000k and I'm not keen on the blue tinge it has.
4300k seems to be the safe bet then, although I'm rather tempted to get some 3000k for the whole "euro" thing and all.

Shamelessly lifted from another Forum, I can't comment on it's accuracy, or lack of
but it may be something to bear in mind.


MOTs 2012



There are to be some changes to the MOT test from 1st January 2012 which are being introduced in response to European Commission Directive 2010/48/EU of the 5th July 2010 and which will effect those with aftermarket HID headlights and remapped ECUs:

4.1.4 Compliance with requirements:
(a) Lamp, emitted colour, position or intensity not in accordance with the requirements
(b) Products on lens or light source which obviously reduce light intensity or change emitted colour
(c) Light source and lamp not compatible

4.1.5. Levelling devices (where mandatory):
(a) Device not operating.
(b) Manual device cannot be operated from driver’s seat.

4.1.6 Headlamp cleaning device (where mandatory):
Device not operating.

I was going to post up the possible MOT implications coming into effect but Gooner beat me to it.

Fair point for the HIDs though as it is a distraction for other road users being dazzled!! Bad enough with a Range Rover behind you dazzling in the rear view, but some council scrap blinding you on a narrow unlit road is rather annoying!

It's the ones who put the hids into reflective lights that p155 me off, older cars, mainly JAP!

diable wrote:Move to London, you don't need lights........

Not with all the light emanating from burning shop,houses,
cars you won't.

HairyScreech wrote:

Morat wrote:Jonny -They look fine to me. I've never worked out what the "digital" means in the description but they'll work fine. I've had identical looking ballasts from a couple of different ebay suppliers. Bear in mind those are 35W, which are still way better than Halogen (any halogen). 55W cost a little more, but give more light. The problem with 55W is you really need to upgrade your main beams because it's hard to see them over the light from your dipped beams.

Smileys and Bullseyes are ellipsoid/projectors which are perfect for H1 HIDs. Pre face-lift are reflectors and not suitable for HID because the beam pattern suffers.

if you cant see your mains over your dips then surely your lights are too damn bright and your blinding other road users.

No, the pattern is fine and I've tested very carefully from other cars. The "problem" if it is one is that the nice bright dip beam pattern cuts off at the correct place and the feeble halogen H1s just don't bounce enough light back from further down the road to show up. 35W is a better compromise.

The MOT changes have been introduced for two reasons.

1. Council dickheads in scrap chariots taking the piss with purple lights and poor beam patterns.

2. Manufacturers don't like people upgrading old cars.

Fuck the MOT, I'd rather be able to see where I'm going!

There are to be some changes to the MOT test from 1st January 2012 which are being introduced in response to European Commission Directive 2010/48/EU of the 5th July 2010 and which will effect those with aftermarket HID headlights and remapped ECUs:

4.1.4 Compliance with requirements:
(a) Lamp, emitted colour, position or intensity not in accordance with the requirements
(b) Products on lens or light source which obviously reduce light intensity or change emitted colour
(c) Light source and lamp not compatible

No problem, my lights are 4300k and my lenses are clear.

4.1.5. Levelling devices (where mandatory):
(a) Device not operating.
(b) Manual device cannot be operated from driver’s seat.

E30 was type approved before levelling devices were mandatory.

4.1.6 Headlamp cleaning device (where mandatory):
Device not operating.

E30 was type approved before cleaning device was mandatory.

So, no problem there! Unless they make a retrospective change to the type approval regs then we're fine.

IF I get problems when I next MoT my two,I will prepare a spare pair of headlight units just to satisfy the MoT man,but no comment was made last time.

IMO,properly set up HiD's of a sensible level,are a major safety aid.

Morat wrote:Jonny -They look fine to me. I've never worked out what the "digital" means in the description but they'll work fine.

digital balasts..

I found the halfords ultra brilliance bulbs very good, however £29 for HID's for the winter

Morat wrote:

There are to be some changes to the MOT test from 1st January 2012 which are being introduced in response to European Commission Directive 2010/48/EU of the 5th July 2010 and which will effect those with aftermarket HID headlights and remapped ECUs:

4.1.4 Compliance with requirements:
(a) Lamp, emitted colour, position or intensity not in accordance with the requirements
(b) Products on lens or light source which obviously reduce light intensity or change emitted colour
(c) Light source and lamp not compatible

No problem, my lights are 4300k and my lenses are clear.

4.1.5. Levelling devices (where mandatory):
(a) Device not operating.
(b) Manual device cannot be operated from driver’s seat.

E30 was type approved before levelling devices were mandatory.

4.1.6 Headlamp cleaning device (where mandatory):
Device not operating.

E30 was type approved before cleaning device was mandatory.

So, no problem there! Unless they make a retrospective change to the type approval regs then we're fine.

My view also. However, there is more to the new MOT's than that. There is also this.


6.1.9 Engine performance:
(a) Control unit illegal modified.
(b) Illegal engine modification.


There will also be a new check on the general condition of the wiring:

4.11. Electrical wiring
(a) Wiring insecure or not adequately secured.
(b) Wiring deteriorated.
(c) Damaged or deteriorated insulation



7.1.4. Safety belt Pre-tensioners:
Pre-tensioner obviously missing or not suitable with the vehicle.

7.1.5. Airbag:
(a) Airbags obviously missing or not suitable with the vehicle.
(b) Airbag obviously non-operative.

7.1.6. SRS Systems:
SRS MIL indicates any kind of failure of the system.

Though how that lot, particularly the Engine Mods, remaps, chipped ECU's, will be monitored is anyone's guess.

You do have to wonder how this counts as democracy.

6.1.9 Engine performance:
(a) Control unit illegal modified.
(b) Illegal engine modification.

what the hell is classed as an illegal modification i cant think of one.
The problem with uk mots is very strict rules but open to different interpretation i used to use an mot station that would fail you if the front fogs had a blown bulb another one i now use says it doesnt matter not testable

possibly a modification such that it will invalidate your insurance? I'm guessing that come MOT time if a mod is spotted it's a chance for the authorities to be aware. Sounds like there there's some planned (or possibly existent) integration with the MOT database & MID to such an extent that it will flag up a naughty.

Databases and their data are constantly being juggled to perform these correlative tasks

but they would have no idea what your insurance would cover ie nitrous its not illegal but some insurance wont cover you but the mot station wouldnt know that or care

So the chipping thing seems a bit pointless for all but dullards who leave the "tuning box" on the car come MOT time.

The other tuning companies that use the OBD to access the ECU to carry out a remap, will be ok when it comes to the MOT as there are no signs of modifications. The only time that this type of tuning will become a problem is if the software that is used is poorly written and clearly has no respect for emissions levels or smoke levels on diesels and will fail the basic emissions tests.

Surely, any car running like that would of failed without any new legislation

theres an important point to make here and that is that they are not allowed to remove anything from the vehicle in order to test it.

as most ecus are under the dash/carpets then there is nothing that can be inspected.

unless they expect the tester to go ripping up carpets in a new £50k 5 series?

i thought the illegal engine modification thing was scrapped, as the testers turned around and said we cant test for this and even if we could we dont know the first thing about the standard equipment of EVERY vehicle ever produced.

HID head lights require either a light type approved for HID fitment or a head light wash and wipe system.

as the e30 has wash and wipe it will present no problems.

and lets face it, unless you have butchered your loom to fit them then its only a case of fitting normal bulbs for an mot, which is hardly the end of the world.

the airbag issue is an interesting one though, is that an if fitted must be functional thing or a MUST be fitted and work?

lets face it and i have been saying this for a while - this (and i mean this specifically) is all the fault of the European Union. Brussels does not want you to modify your car in any way. A time will be coming shortly where all modifications inside the EU zone will be banned.
I am hoping i will not be here when that happens and will have left for pastures new. edit - and the E10 fuel as well.

and yes gooner they SHOULD have failed under the current regulations.