[wagon91]

I'm a noob here, so apologies if this is covered elsewhere -- searched but didn't find an answer.

My halogen low beams are crap. I am running Osram 65W bulbs, which help a little, but they are NLA.When they die, I'm SOL.

I want more/better light output. I don't care about color; I don't care about the angel eyes. I want safer night driving.

Halogen projectors would be OK. Xenons would be OK.

If it is a true plug & play solution, I can probably DIY. If not, I'd love to hear of a SF Bay Area shop who can do the work.

Thanks in advance.

[uber]

hey man, if you want to bust open your headlights and retrofit projectors, I can give advice and tips on how to do it. I've opened up many.

[wagon91]

Originally Posted by uber

hey man, if you want to bust open your headlights and retrofit projectors, I can give advice and tips on how to do it. I've opened up many.

The covers on my old lights are starting to get a little cloudy, so I might just buy new ones to modify. What kind of projectors, and how do they attach? I saw some interesting HID kits sold in Europe based on (I think) units from the Mini, but the mounting looks a bit dodgy to me -- they cantilever a fair bit of mass out front and screw down onto the back of the old Halogen reflector.

https://www.retrofitlab.com/en/bmw-3...eadlights.html

Thanks!

[uber]

Originally Posted by wagon91

The covers on my old lights are starting to get a little cloudy, so I might just buy new ones to modify. What kind of projectors, and how do they attach? I saw some interesting HID kits sold in Europe based on (I think) units from the Mini, but the mounting looks a bit dodgy to me -- they cantilever a fair bit of mass out front and screw down onto the back of the old Halogen reflector.

https://www.retrofitlab.com/en/bmw-3...eadlights.html

Thanks!

Hey, you know what? I have a pretty decent pair of LCI halogens I have sitting in my room if you're interested

https://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1550223

I installed FX-R projectors into my old car's halogens and it required boring out a hole from the reflector and a fair bit of steel epoxy. I think there are some d2s minis that require very slight modification to the bulb hole (widening) and they'll screw to the back.

https://www.theretrofitsource.com/bi...2S5?quantity=1

[wagon91]

Originally Posted by uber

Hey, you know what? I have a pretty decent pair of LCI halogens I have sitting in my room if you're interested

https://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1550223

I installed FX-R projectors into my old car's halogens and it required boring out a hole from the reflector and a fair bit of steel epoxy. I think there are some d2s minis that require very slight modification to the bulb hole (widening) and they'll screw to the back.

https://www.theretrofitsource.com/bi...2S5?quantity=1

TBH, I am mostly in information-gathering mode at this point -- I'll be in a better position financially to do this early next year.

Also, I just discovered that a different company is now making the 65W H7s, so in the short term I'm not as desperate. How much do you want for the old set you have?

Thanks again!

[aphael]

Don't run high wattage bulbs, I have on other cars but the e9x have very sensitive electronic equipment. You might be able to do it if you upgrade the wiring to support it but theres not much information on it for the e90.

These are also very good high output 55w bulbs. I would do this in you don't want to mess with the wiring. Lastly, adjust and aim them properly. This is key for any setup. Lastly avoid any blue tint or high color temperature halogen. They just suck period. You should be aiming for something at 3400k

https://www.bulbfacts.com/halogen-bulbs/recommended/

They don't last long and you pay for that with halogen, just keep a spare in the car

You can also go xenon retrofit if you want. IMO, its not worth it, the entire setup is extremely costly and the performance isnt that much better.

[wagon91]

Originally Posted by aphael

Don't run high wattage bulbs, I have on other cars but the e9x have very sensitive electronic equipment. You might be able to do it if you upgrade the wiring to support it but theres not much information on it for the e90.

These are also very good high output 55w bulbs. I would do this in you don't want to mess with the wiring. Lastly, adjust and aim them properly. This is key for any setup. Lastly avoid any blue tint or high color temperature halogen. They just suck period. You should be aiming for something at 3400k

https://www.bulbfacts.com/halogen-bulbs/recommended/

They don't last long and you pay for that with halogen, just keep a spare in the car

You can also go xenon retrofit if you want. IMO, its not worth it, the entire setup is extremely costly and the performance isnt that much better.

I've been running the Osram 65s for a few years now without issues, but I frankly don't do a lot of night driving with this car.

Completely agree about avoiding blue tinted bulbs -- how can putting a filter in front of the filament improve output?

It seems like LEDs have improved a lot since the last time I looked into this. I may try the Morimoto 2Stroke 3.0s.

Thanks for the input.

[aphael]

Originally Posted by wagon91

I've been running the Osram 65s for a few years now without issues, but I frankly don't do a lot of night driving with this car.

Completely agree about avoiding blue tinted bulbs -- how can putting a filter in front of the filament improve output?

It seems like LEDs have improved a lot since the last time I looked into this. I may try the Morimoto 2Stroke 3.0s.

Thanks for the input.

yea the 65s seem to be fine. I had hella 80w and 100w before and they were insane insane bright. so bright I couldn't even look at road signs. some of the aftermarket housings with projectors are a hit or miss. they can be good or are crap

[Sindre2104]

I retrofitted bixenon projectors in my halogen headlights (E90).
The difference is massive, I don't feel like I have to drive with high beams as soon as there is dusk. Driving at night in rain is now livable instead of dangerous.

[Sindre2104]

I have had some problems tho. When using my light selector switch, the one with DRL, off and normal, my right side ballast has died twice now. Completely dead. The site I have bought the kit from has sent me a new one free of charge, but I want to make sure the problem isn't on my end. Any idea what could fry the ballast?

[wagon91]

Originally Posted by Sindre2104

I retrofitted bixenon projectors in my halogen headlights (E90).
The difference is massive, I don't feel like I have to drive with high beams as soon as there is dusk. Driving at night in rain is now livable instead of dangerous.

What kit did you use?