Source for HID conversion on my 95 BMW 525i?

Russell · Oct 29, 2007

I am looking for a good Source for HID conversion on my 95 BMW 525i. Low beam only. These are halogen 9006 bulblights in a projector style round lens. I am so tired of not seeing well with my low beams. Old eyes I guess.

I even went to HIR bulbs with some improvement but not enough. Thankks

97prizm · Oct 30, 2007

Russell,

If you want to retrofit your BMW, use only OEM parts i.e. no HID kits. It really depends on what you want to spend. If you look around an inexpensive setup (Bulbs, ballast, projectors) will be around $300. Like any hobby, car, etc the projector will be the main factor in dictating how much you pay, i.e. Stanley projectors out of a Honda S2000 (some call them S2000 projectors) will cost you $500 for everything due to their intense output and sharp cutoff and they flicker like mad too.

gtx510 · Oct 31, 2007

look for stuff that uses Phillips ballasts
http://www.google.com/search?q=e34+hid

http://www.google.com/search?q=9006+hid

http://www.google.com/search?q=9006+xenon

y_p_w · Nov 1, 2007

I would note that this is illegal in the United States, although you're not likely to get caught. The only HID systems that are legal are ones that are factory installed. Even if you could find an OEM kit with HID-specific reflectors, it wouldn't be legal.

Many dealers of these kits note that they are only legal for off road use or for vehicles that aren't registered (like pure show cars). Of course they also show them being used in normal driving conditions, so it's kind of a wink, wink deal where they know how people are going to be using them but they disclaim any responsibility.

Russell · Nov 1, 2007

IMO, I thnk mny of the so called "off road" HID dealers are selling low quality parts with no real assurances they work well. Therefore, I doubt if I am going to buy a $75-$100 HID conversion kit off e-bay. However, on the various BMW forums there are many that have done so and are very pleased.

G-MAN · Nov 2, 2007

Quote:

I would note that this is illegal in the United States, although you're not likely to get caught. The only HID systems that are legal are ones that are factory installed. Even if you could find an OEM kit with HID-specific reflectors, it wouldn't be legal.

That is not true. If you replace your halogen headlamps with OEM HID lamps made for your particular model, you are fine. That's what I did with my 300M. The 300M Special comes std with HID; the std 300M comes with halogens. I ordered a set of 300M Special HID headlamps and installed them. It was a simple plug-n-play replacement.

Click here.

y_p_w · Nov 2, 2007

I apologize then. I recall hearing that the DOT had only approved of factory-installed HID lamps. I once asked a question about whether I could theoretically install an STi HID kit into my WRX, and I was told it would fit but wouldn't otherwise be legal (maybe just in California) since it wasn't installed at the factory. I've seen some disclaimers like the following that suggest only "factory installed" HID lamps are legal. At the very least, a lot of the stuff going into HID conversions is illegal.

http://www.burtmanindustries.com/zoomprod.php?id=hid_kit

Quote:

Only cars that come with "factory installed" HID's are legal. Due to legality issues, this kit cannot be returned after installation.

Regardless - some of the conversion kits on the market would never pass DOT muster. I saw one website where they had a disclaimer saying that anyone working for the DOT or investigating the legality of the company must cease all activities on said website, or otherwise be in violation of some internet privacy law. At the very least, I'm certain that any HID replacment that isn't an OEM type for a specific vehicle model is likely not street legal.

Buffman · Nov 2, 2007

yes not street legal, but you're not very likely to be ticket/caught unless you have mad glare. That would come from installing an HID "conversion" kit into a halogen housing.

Russell · Nov 2, 2007

Buffman, A lot of peole seem to be installing hid conversions into halogen housings. I see everyone claiming great sucess on various e34 bmw forums. Most are installed in bmw projector low beam bousings with apparently have very stong cuttoff capability to reduce glare. Hence very little problems from police and other drivers. Even so, I have extreme doubts as well of how well they really work.

seotaji · Nov 2, 2007

what is your price limit?

there are a few really nice kits out there that are $550+ and come with new projectors, HID kit, and wiring. i have no idea if you want to spend that much though.

gtx510 · Nov 3, 2007

What about the 5-3/4" HID conversions?
http://www.suvlights.com/index.php?cPath=23 scroll to the bottom
http://www.american-made.com/kuryakyn/pages/general/xe5r.htm
http://www.brightheadlights-hid.com/Headlights-x5006.htm

And does Hella still make the E-code projector beam "conversion kit" for the pre-projector beam cars?

Russell · Nov 3, 2007

Quote:

what is your price limit?

there are a few really nice kits out there that are $550+ and come with new projectors, HID kit, and wiring. i have no idea if you want to spend that much though.

Nope, just considering the possibility at this point. Looks like the cheap e-bay stuff is just junk form what I have read.

I just may use the HIR 9011 bulbs in my low beams and call it a day. They will fit with slight modifications of the mounting tabs. I will spend about $60 bucks.

Buffman · Nov 3, 2007

Quote:

Buffman, A lot of peole seem to be installing hid conversions into halogen housings. I see everyone claiming great sucess on various e34 bmw forums. Most are installed in bmw projector low beam bousings with apparently have very stong cuttoff capability to reduce glare. Hence very little problems from police and other drivers. Even so, I have extreme doubts as well of how well they really work.

Russell IMO while an HID setup in any halogen based setup is not ideal, installing one in a projector is like 100x better than your standard headlights.

I have a set of custom projector headlights on my car. 90mm Hella Modules. Low is a halogen projector that uses the h9 bulb. High is a free form module utilizing the same h9 bulb.

The cutoff is very sharp with these modules. Even after installing the HIDS (HID bulbs longer, so puts bulbs closer to cutoff shield) the Cutoff is still very pronounced and I have never been flashed or complained to about my lights.

gtx510 · Nov 3, 2007

E-code headlights and powering the lights directly off the battery (w/ realys) is usually a nice upgrade it you don't have that already. They use H1 and H4 bulbs.
Those'll cost about $200-250. But they probably aren't legal in your state b/c they don't say "DOT" on the lense. I've never known a cop to even notice...
http://www.classicgarage.com/hel534rounh4.html
http://www.classicgarage.com/hel534h1head.html

Or you could retrofit the projector beams from a newer BMW?

Russell · Nov 3, 2007

Are suggesting sealed beams for a BMW that alreadly has halogen bulbs? If so that is not doable on my bmw without replacing the entire headlamp unit.

Also you must no know how much of a pain it is to remove the headlamp assembly. The painted front grill surround must come off (without damage), grills must be removed etc. NO No No.

gtx510 · Nov 4, 2007

no, not sealed beams. E-code lights use replaceable bulbs.
I wasn't paying attention to his model year, he's probably already got the BMW projector beam lights.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BMW_5_Series#E34_.281988-1996.29
You both have an E34, the last gen 5-series with 5-3/4" lights. The E39 used a headlight assembly like you mention.
The headlights in your 5-series should be that tough to remove.

Russell · Nov 8, 2007

Think I am going to carefully align my low beams, then add HIR 9011 bulbs to my low beams. The projector Eppisloid reflectors should keep glare down. At least I hope so.

Source for HID conversion on my 95 BMW 525i?

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