Not joined yet? Register for free and enjoy features such as alerts, private messaging and viewing latest posts and topics.

Projector upgrades!

2003 - 2009, roadster, coupe, facelift
Post Reply
mjennings23
Senior Member
Senior Member
Posts: 1176
Joined: Tue Mar 21, 2017 11:11 pm
Location: North West

Projector upgrades!

Post by mjennings23 » Tue Oct 02, 2018 4:15 pm

So, being rather unhappy with my new Osram D2S bulbs, I figure the issue is more likely with the projector housing itself than the bulbs within.

So, I've just ordered myself a kit to fit the Morimoto Mini D2S 4.0 projectors to replace the stock Hella E55 unit, should be here soon so I can get it all fitted before they really become needed.

I know a couple of guys on here have them fitted, any advice for me at all? All seems pretty much plug and play, I've got the updated locking rings too which should work alongside the Hella ignitors.

Online
User avatar
LittleZ4
Member
Member
Posts: 708
Joined: Sun Sep 03, 2017 8:49 am

Projector upgrades!

Post by LittleZ4 » Tue Oct 02, 2018 7:00 pm

Do you need to split the headlights for this or do they unscrew from the inside?
3.0i Maldives blue, Coilovers, Bola B1's, Buckley06 Gear knob, Handbrake & Indicator badges, Backbox delete, CDV delete, cupra r splitter, RAM air filter, Bigger Brakes, M3 ARB, SMF.

mjennings23
Senior Member
Senior Member
Posts: 1176
Joined: Tue Mar 21, 2017 11:11 pm
Location: North West

Projector upgrades!

Post by mjennings23 » Tue Oct 02, 2018 7:11 pm

They do indeed, 4 nuts holding them in and that's it. The Mini D2S requires a bracket to fit the old E55 fitting, unfortunately all the E55 direct upgrades are LHD only it seems. Readily available ones anyway!

Online
User avatar
LittleZ4
Member
Member
Posts: 708
Joined: Sun Sep 03, 2017 8:49 am

Projector upgrades!

Post by LittleZ4 » Tue Oct 02, 2018 7:14 pm

Might have to look into this upgrade. Although need to replace the seals first......bloody condensation since changing the sidelights :headbang:
3.0i Maldives blue, Coilovers, Bola B1's, Buckley06 Gear knob, Handbrake & Indicator badges, Backbox delete, CDV delete, cupra r splitter, RAM air filter, Bigger Brakes, M3 ARB, SMF.

rally-chris
Member
Member
Posts: 696
Joined: Wed Jul 26, 2017 12:32 pm
Location: Newbury, Berks UK

Projector upgrades!

Post by rally-chris » Tue Oct 02, 2018 7:17 pm

There was a post a few months ago that did this, so it’s worth doing a search.

Incidentally, you will probably find that the lenses of the existing projectors are quite dirty and that may be reducing light output. You can take the existing projectors out from the back of the lights through the wheel arches, clean them and put them back.

Here’s a picture of one of mine when I took them out to clean them earlier in the year:
58CC4599-1411-483B-A3AA-AEFA1DAB05C7.jpeg
58CC4599-1411-483B-A3AA-AEFA1DAB05C7.jpeg (229.13 KiB) Viewed 1628 times
Chris
08 Z4 3.0si Sport Coupe in Montego Blue

mjennings23
Senior Member
Senior Member
Posts: 1176
Joined: Tue Mar 21, 2017 11:11 pm
Location: North West

Projector upgrades!

Post by mjennings23 » Tue Oct 02, 2018 9:06 pm

Had considered this, but as expected design has advanced a lot in 15 years and the new Morimoto D2S 4.0 projectors seem pretty much spot on, a lot of people even rate them as better than current OEM solutions. Paired with the Osram Nightbreaker Unlimited bulbs installed earlier this year, should give an awful lot of well controlled light output.

I'd expect the projector bowl will be well worn at this age too, and I'm all to aware how delicate the finish on them is from previous mishaps!

mjennings23
Senior Member
Senior Member
Posts: 1176
Joined: Tue Mar 21, 2017 11:11 pm
Location: North West

Projector upgrades!

Post by mjennings23 » Sat Oct 20, 2018 5:23 pm

Well, got them fitted today. Not had a chance to get them setup right yet owing to it being too bright but first impressions are good!

Adaptor bracket needed a bit of modifications to 2 holes in order to get it to fit, but other that that... My suggestion there would be buy the proper ones from TRS and not a reseller who makes their own.

Following the How To guide also suggested Valeo igniters are needed. Well it seems Morimoto now have a plastic locking ring for the bulbs rather than the spring and metal ring shown there. The OEM Hella ignitors can fit over this plastic locking ring so no longer is a replacement needed :thumbsup:

Initial impressions are that there's a whole hell of a lot more light!

User avatar
kis
Lifer
Lifer
Posts: 4536
Joined: Wed Jul 20, 2016 2:33 pm
Location: Surrey / West Sussex Boarder

Projector upgrades!

Post by kis » Sun Oct 21, 2018 2:59 pm

You got pics of the plastic locking ring? Just trying to figure out what you mean! Thanks :)
My E85 Z4 3.0i SMG

BMW Family History (past and present):
1 Series - E87
3 Series - E46 Coupe, E46 M3, E90 (x3)
4 Series - F36, F82 M4
5 Series - E34 (x2), E39
7 Series - E32
X5 - E53, E70
X6 - E71

parabolica
Member
Member
Posts: 473
Joined: Mon May 28, 2018 8:24 pm

Projector upgrades!

Post by parabolica » Sun Oct 21, 2018 4:16 pm

mjennings23 wrote: Sat Oct 20, 2018 5:23 pm Well, got them fitted today. Not had a chance to get them setup right yet owing to it being too bright but first impressions are good!

Adaptor bracket needed a bit of modifications to 2 holes in order to get it to fit, but other that that... My suggestion there would be buy the proper ones from TRS and not a reseller who makes their own.

Following the How To guide also suggested Valeo igniters are needed. Well it seems Morimoto now have a plastic locking ring for the bulbs rather than the spring and metal ring shown there. The OEM Hella ignitors can fit over this plastic locking ring so no longer is a replacement needed :thumbsup:

Initial impressions are that there's a whole hell of a lot more light!
Do you mind sharing if you need any of the optional extras that TRS have on their site, or do you just need the units and that's all? Also probably a stupid question, but do they sell the projectors individually or as a set? Site asks you the quantity you want to buy but it's not clear if 1 = 1x projector, or 1x set!

Really tempted to get a set after swapping to my Z from a 640i which had fantastic lights

Johnr32
Member
Member
Posts: 230
Joined: Mon Dec 28, 2015 1:07 pm
Location: SE London

Projector upgrades!

Post by Johnr32 » Sun Oct 21, 2018 6:40 pm

https://www.theretrofitsource.com/proje ... rings.html
https://youtu.be/xV-XwlkAJcE

Nothing wrong with the metal spring just a bit more faffing out.
kis wrote: Sun Oct 21, 2018 2:59 pm You got pics of the plastic locking ring? Just trying to figure out what you mean! Thanks :)

mjennings23
Senior Member
Senior Member
Posts: 1176
Joined: Tue Mar 21, 2017 11:11 pm
Location: North West

Projector upgrades!

Post by mjennings23 » Sun Oct 21, 2018 7:51 pm

Johnr32 wrote: Sun Oct 21, 2018 6:40 pm https://www.theretrofitsource.com/proje ... rings.html
https://youtu.be/xV-XwlkAJcE

Nothing wrong with the metal spring just a bit more faffing out.
kis wrote: Sun Oct 21, 2018 2:59 pm You got pics of the plastic locking ring? Just trying to figure out what you mean! Thanks :)
Indeed, works fine but the stock Hella ignitor apparently won't fit over it, whereas they do work over the plastic ones. £15 for plastic bulb holders is cheaper than £60 for second hand Valeo igniters!

zmaster007
Member
Member
Posts: 218
Joined: Tue Jun 24, 2014 10:36 am

Projector upgrades!

Post by zmaster007 » Mon Oct 22, 2018 1:27 am

Good work! Good to see they have changed the design of the locking rings - might just get myself a new set of locking rings! It's just insane how wide and bright the beam is compared to the OE units isn't it? Enjoy!
Image

mjennings23
Senior Member
Senior Member
Posts: 1176
Joined: Tue Mar 21, 2017 11:11 pm
Location: North West

Projector upgrades!

Post by mjennings23 » Mon Oct 22, 2018 9:34 am

Not quite a design change, but an optional extra! Apparently it's the design they've decided on for the v5.0, but they also work for the current housings too

Post Reply