Page 3 of 3
Headlights upgrade
Posted: Mon Jan 30, 2023 10:02 pm
by smorris_12
I picked up my E85 and promptly drove it across Dartmoor in the pitch dark. I boggled at just how poorly an H7 halogen works in a projector lens. Clever idea to give a good spread but it needs something far brighter than behind it to be actually useable.
About the first thing I did was but a set of Bevinsee v35 H7 LEDs + clamping adapter rings. Think they were about 6000/7500 lumen as I didn't want to go insanely bright/hot but can't seem to find them on eBay any more. I wanted 4500k but LEDs seem to all be 6000k.
Long, tedious story short; they're marvellous. Beam pattern looks perfect. Throw is fine. The only (slight) dazzle comes from one headlight that's starting to go foggy; the other headlight is crystal clear and fine. Went through the MoT without demur.
Even shorter version; they could be factory. Technically they're the wrong colour for the year but since 6000k lights are so prevalent, I doubt anyone will notice.
Headlights upgrade
Posted: Fri Feb 17, 2023 10:58 am
by DFR
Simiewimie wrote: ↑Mon Jan 30, 2023 4:07 pm
Have you had to take them out to pass the MOT?
I've fitted HID to mine and I have an MOT next week. Could swap the headlights with the factory one because I have another pair, but i kind of want to see if they pass MOT, so I'll take one for the team and report back after.
I also fitted angel eyes to my headlights, don't know if that matters...
Headlights upgrade
Posted: Fri Feb 17, 2023 1:08 pm
by rocket70
smorris_12 wrote: ↑Mon Jan 30, 2023 10:02 pm
I picked up my E85 and promptly drove it across Dartmoor in the pitch dark. I boggled at just how poorly an H7 halogen works in a projector lens. Clever idea to give a good spread but it needs something far brighter than behind it to be actually useable.
About the first thing I did was but a set of Bevinsee v35 H7 LEDs + clamping adapter rings. Think they were about 6000/7500 lumen as I didn't want to go insanely bright/hot but can't seem to find them on eBay any more. I wanted 4500k but LEDs seem to all be 6000k.
Long, tedious story short; they're marvellous. Beam pattern looks perfect. Throw is fine. The only (slight) dazzle comes from one headlight that's starting to go foggy; the other headlight is crystal clear and fine. Went through the MoT without demur.
Even shorter version; they could be factory. Technically they're the wrong colour for the year but since 6000k lights are so prevalent, I doubt anyone will notice.
Sounds a nice upgrade. Do you have a link to the adaptor rings?
Headlights upgrade
Posted: Fri Feb 17, 2023 4:00 pm
by smorris_12
DFR wrote: ↑Fri Feb 17, 2023 10:58 am
I also fitted angel eyes to my headlights, don't know if that matters...
Sidelights are barely looked at. My E46 once went straight thru it's MOT with an angel eye one side and a standard bulb the other (one ballast had gone phut the day before!)
Headlights upgrade
Posted: Fri Feb 17, 2023 4:09 pm
by smorris_12
rocket70 wrote: ↑Fri Feb 17, 2023 1:08 pm
Sounds a nice upgrade. Do you have a link to the adaptor rings?
Here you go:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/393733722645 ... media=COPY
Headlights upgrade
Posted: Fri Feb 17, 2023 4:59 pm
by rocket70
Thank you.
Headlights upgrade
Posted: Thu Feb 23, 2023 3:48 pm
by DFR
Passed MOT with HID kit at my local friendly garage.
Headlights upgrade
Posted: Mon May 08, 2023 4:59 pm
by Penelope
MOT passed twice since fitting without having to revert to stock. Driving with them is normal now with good visibility. Previous lights were absolutely useless and it was dangerous to drive at night.
Simiewimie wrote: ↑Mon Jan 30, 2023 4:07 pm
Penelope wrote: ↑Mon Mar 28, 2022 7:55 pm
HGoward wrote: ↑Mon Mar 28, 2022 3:37 pm
Did you just stuff those wires to the side of the light fixing in the waterproof casing?
There's room in there to stuff everything behind the watertight sealed cover yes
Hi, Penelope.
I hope you don’t mind me reviving this post. Just wondering how you are still getting on with the HID’s you fitted? Have you had to take them out to pass the MOT?
Headlights upgrade
Posted: Wed May 10, 2023 9:55 am
by Spriteracer
I fitted the Morimoto 5.0 kit in 2019 and have had no issues with MOTs since. Not cheap but the light is chalk and cheese compared with the original halogens. All the ballast parts are hidden and the lenses look oem. The units use the same fixing posts as the oem halogen lights but require very slight modification. A couple of additional wires are needed to operate the bi-zenon shutter and to make the second main beam lamp work, but nothing complicated. I got them from Trups at E M Tuning who was every helpful and provided any information or support needed. He provided the modified parts, wires, connectors etc, and will also fit if you want. If you search for Morimoto on here there is plenty of information.
www.emtuning.co.uk.
Headlights upgrade
Posted: Fri May 12, 2023 12:23 pm
by dj_jormi
Headlights upgrade
Posted: Fri May 12, 2023 7:45 pm
by Dubbedown
Not sure if starting with halogens, but replacing the factory xenon projectors don’t require you to pull the boomer. In fact the headlight stays in and everything can be swiped directly from the access panel.
- IMG_6228.jpeg (70.47 KiB) Viewed 333 times
- IMG_4913.jpeg (43.52 KiB) Viewed 333 times
Headlights upgrade
Posted: Sat May 20, 2023 12:28 pm
by Homer
[quote=smorris_12 post_id=<a href="tel:<a href="tel:1984785">1984785</a>">1984785</a> time=<a href="tel:<a href="tel:1676646541">1676646541</a>">1676646541</a> user_id=39585]
[quote=rocket70 post_id=<a href="tel:<a href="tel:1984753">1984753</a>">1984753</a> time=<a href="tel:<a href="tel:1676635727">1676635727</a>">1676635727</a> user_id=41288]
Sounds a nice upgrade. Do you have a link to the adaptor rings?
[/quote]
Here you go:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/393733722645 ... media=COPY
[/quote]
Are these different to the oem clamping rings?