E39 HID kit poll

Wanted some opinions on what setup to get for lowbeams. I have 2003 530i with halogen setup. Anything I should keep in mind when considering ddm HID kit slim ballast? Should I be worried about heat with 55w setup?


Update: 01/03/2013

I went with DDM 35w 5000k slim ballast. I was lucky to have a good experience. Ordered December 16, kit and error eliminators were at my door December 28 and everything worked. The ebay bulb holders did not snap on, glue and sliding the rubber circle piece that comes on HID kit against bulb holder did the trick. I used the following DIY instructions:

http://www.bmwland.co.uk/forums/view...=66833&start=0

I noticed that these are at least three times brighter than stock halogen setup but in person angel eyes are still clearly visible. Highway signs reflect in white at least 200 feet out now even though I adjusted bulbs to be no higher than bumper in front of me. Attached are some pictures (5 megapixel Iphone camera).

remember using the 55w kit will wash out the color of the bulb

Originally Posted by jose6789

remember using the 55w kit will wash out the color of the bulb

Im sorry can you elaborate? Washes out the color as in 5000k white may have a hint of yellow?

Originally Posted by energizedmortal

Im sorry can you elaborate? Washes out the color as in 5000k white may have a hint of yellow?

yes

55w 6000K H7 HID kit from DDM, Error Eliminators, Bulb holders.

Originally Posted by tmvE39/E53/Z32

55w 6000K H7 HID kit from DDM, Error Eliminators, Bulb holders.

so hid harness, adapter cables and bracket are not needed or is that all part of the "kit"? Did you have to remove your headlights to do the install? I have facelift headlights.

I have the 55w with 4600 K - close to 5000 K.
Had the 35w kit before, and it's a world of difference. The light output is much better.

55w with 8000k...

Thank you all for voting. I'm going with 35 w 5000k for low beams.

Here is a good YouTube video with comparisons:

Get all the brightness you can. 55W FTW.

As far as safety can never be too bright at night. However being in the tri state area and rarely being in dark rural settings 35w will still be a huge enough improvement from halogen. Cops and negative attention from drivers is also something I hope to avoid. Thanks for the pm .

Energized, thanks for the info. I am going with 55w and 6000K bulbs. I like the brighter here in LA to keep the idiot drivers away.

I see the kit from DDM with Angel Eyes and my set up is $400. But you mention your kit was $62. Was that a typo?

$62 is correct. This is the kit I went with :

http://www.ddmtuning.com/Products/DD...ast-35W-or-55W

Note many argue that you get what you pay for and slim ballast may be less reliable but so far so good from my experience.

Hello guys,

I am thinking to do the upgrade too as my 528i - 2010 comes with Halogen lights
I have heard that wiring this HID kit, might damage the electricity of the car.
Does anyone know if this is true, would it have any negative effects on the car if I connect these HID kit?

Thank you all

4300k 55w. The more color, the less light output

Please for the sake of everyone else on the road aim them properly if they aren't behind projector lenses. Too many people swap in HIDs and don't adjust their aim accordingly. It can be done without blinding people, just take the time to do it. Many inspection stations will let you pull in and use their board to adjust your aim.

Originally Posted by waehrik

Please for the sake of everyone else on the road aim them properly if they aren't behind projector lenses. Too many people swap in HIDs and don't adjust their aim accordingly. It can be done without blinding people, just take the time to do it. Many inspection stations will let you pull in and use their board to adjust your aim.

Do mine look okay or should I lower them? Judging by the pole on the right seems like mine are aiming below the windshields of cars that would be in front of me.

IllesztE39 has some great attachments here where his low beams (way brighter) aim below windshield of cars that are about 25 feet out:

http://wwww.bimmerfest.com/forums/sh....php?p=6340267

By the way low beam 35w 5000k slim ballast have not caused my e39 any electrical damage.

Originally Posted by energizedmortal

Do mine look okay or should I lower them? Judging by the pole on the right seems like mine are aiming below the windshields of cars that would be in front of me.

IllesztE39 has some great attachments here where his low beams (way brighter) aim below windshield of cars that are about 25 feet out:

http://wwww.bimmerfest.com/forums/sh....php?p=6340267

By the way low beam 35w 5000k slim ballast have not caused my e39 any electrical damage.

It's hard to tell by those pictures since it doesn't show the oncoming glare.

Do you have the HID kit in a projector or reflector housing? I believe all of the facelift models have projector lights, just with halogen bulbs behind them (and a different projector design). But they seem to work quite well even with an HID retrofit.

One easy way to tell is to look at the cutoff line on a car in front of you. It should be around their boot lid when you're a car length behind them.

Halogen reflectors have a different focal point with the standard halogen bulbs vs. an HID kit. The filament on a halogen bulb is relatively long compared to the pinpoint arc of an HID lamp. This causes a focus problem where instead of the light being sent where it's supposed to it spills over everywhere and into other drivers' eyes. This is why HID retrofits into halogen housings are generally not a good idea. They tend to work alright if the bulbs have a shield (see attached image) that limits the light to only travel upwards into the reflector. That, plus proper aiming makes the lighting safe for others on the road. The dangerous ting is when people install HID bulbs without the shield which allows light to go downward into a reflector bowl which then gets reflected directly upwards into everyones' eyes. HID projectors have a small shield to prevent it from happening.