Confused - Xenons!

[kdw215b]

I've read what I can from searching, with regards what various people have done to convert to Xenons.

What I don't quite get is:

1) Why do you need projectors from other cars? Whats wrong with std?
2) Do you need to make the fullbeam Xenon as well?
3) And would you need the same type of projectors in the mainbeam headlight as the lowbeam?

[mrLEE30]

i have seen kits that convert your existing light (projector type) to xenon by replacing the bulb and fitting the ballast, but in uk it is illegal i believe to fit xenon lights to cars without electrically adjustable headlights (i.e. to move the beam up and down.

E30's have a hydrualic type system but they rarely work.

as for main beams have not seen a kit for this, you can just change the b ulb to a blue/white light halogen which will give you the look only. no more than 100W or you blow fuses.

[kdw215b]

So if they are illegal, what /how are all you guys that are using them getting away with it????????????

[Simon]

I've got HID's fitted to the M3, I bought a kit that uses the same fitment bulb as standard, it fits in the H1 bulb slot and clips in as normal, you've just got to drill a circle out of the back of the plastic cap that sits on the back of the headlight, the kit comes with a seal, and this makes it look factory, the biggest job is tapping into the headlight circuit (which is simple!!).
You can also do the same with the main beam (same H1 bulb as dipped beam), but I wouldn't advise it, as it could be very dangerous for other road users, as they are very bright!!

As for legality, I've read loads of different things, some say the car must be fitted with headlamp wash wipe and level adjust, but some say this only applies to cars that left the factory with HID's as standard, I haven't had any problems with mine come MOT time, (he actually made a comment on how nice they were ) and it doesn't have functioning aim or wash wipe!

[kdw215b]

Are they worth it?

Whats the view on the e30 projectors being not very well suited to HID, I believe this is why people cobble together units from Audis etc????

[Simon]

Are they worth it?

Whats the view on the e30 projectors being not very well suited to HID, I believe this is why people cobble together units from Audis etc????

I am very happy with mine, very much improved over halogen H1's.

[Brianmoooore]

The problem is that the brightest part of a filament lamp is the middle, tailing off towards the ends, whereas the HID arc is brightest at the ends and dimmer in the middle.
This requires suptle changes in the reflector or lens design to produce an even beam pattern, but Simon's can't be too bad if they satisfy the MOT beamsetter.
Another supposed problem with HID conversions, is that they put too much light on the road near the car, which closes the iris of your eyes down and actually reduce long distance vision.

[Simon13]

my xenons went through the MOT but mine are different to Simons

They are out of an X5 complete with ballasts and projectors. You have to modify the back of the light to get the projectors to fit. Also there is some wiring to do.

Sounds easy but it's not

theres only 4 cars on this forum done this way, everyone else has bought the kits.

Why fit them? take a drive in a car with them, one of the best mods i did to my car and worth everypenny. If u can see further in the dark, like miles further and much brighter light too.

The reason u are supposed to have washwipe is because the operating temp of a xenon is alot lower than halogen bulbs. So if u have snow covering your lights the xenon lamps will not melt this away. this is the powers that be have decided this i believe

[astondg]

I am happy with the 100W bulbs I have in the main beam (that's the full brightness right? Opposite of dipped/low beam anyway). It gives me enough light to feel comfortable, length is plenty and spread is ok although not quite up to driving light standards. The problem is I hardly get to use them because of the other cars around.

I have 50% brighter Philips bulbs in my dipped/low beam and they could be better, which is where the xenons would be nice, although my lenses are cracked and a bit dirty which wouldn't help. Because of the cutoff my lights have very little length and spread isn't the great either. The xenons would complement the main beam too by adding some more spread.

Aston