Dipped beam

[jimes256]

I find it hard to believe the non xenon headlights on my facelift were deemed acceptable by bmw. My mk1 golf had better lights and that's saying something! Are the hid conversion kits any good? High beam is fine but not only does dip not project very far they are just so dim!

[kkodal78]

HID is the way to go

[Raj]

[quote="kkodal78"]
HID is the way to go
[/quote]

Agreed and tbh even the standard xenons aren't much better on the E53.

[jimes256]

Thanks guys. Where/which ones did you get?

[kkodal78]

Mine had xenons but did nit like the brightness so went for the 75w kit.

[crofter]

Hi, jimsy, I have to agree, the dip on my 02  prefacelift is also terrible!! I fitted Osram Nightbreakers today so will see what they are like tomorrow. What wasn't helping was the condensation inside the unit!! I have dried it out with a hairdrier then siliconed all round the joint. As a final touch I sprayed all round the joint plus all the lamp entries with ignition sealer so fingers crossed!! Just a thought, might be worth checking yours for condensation too.

cheers crofter

[Raj]

[quote="jimes256"]
Thanks guys. Where/which ones did you get?
[/quote]

Something like THIS will do you nicely.

[crofter]

Sod's law, with all the muking about and cold hands working on the lights, I didn't shut the boot properly and flattened the battery, DOH!!  Got her started today, Nightbreakers a definite improvement but still not great so am waiting for quote for reflector suitable kit, will post update,

cheers crofter

[kkodal78]

why not go for a projector type headlight assembly first?

[Raj]

[quote="kkodal78"]
why not go for a projector type headlight assembly first?
[/quote]

But that's an additional cost tbh.

[BIG DIN]

Guys i already have the factory fit xenons on mine. If i wanted to change the bulbs for brighter ones can i fit new ones straight or do i need to upgrade the ballast as well?

[X5Sport]

Ideally you should also upgrade the ballast at the same time.  From recent tests you can run a bulb from a higher powered ballast (bulb longevity still unknown) but probably not the other way around.

If the OEM ballasts can cope with a 55W lamp then you could be OK though.  There was a discussion about the 35W/55W ballast actually being the same beast and really being a 55W 'under the hood'.

[BIG DIN]

So at the moment i probably got 35w bulbs???

[Raj]

[quote="BIG DIN"]
Guys i already have the factory fit xenons on mine. If i wanted to change the bulbs for brighter ones can i fit new ones straight or do i need to upgrade the ballast as well?
[/quote]

After many discussions with xenons it is the ballast supplying the different wattages to the bulbs so I'd say upgrade the ballasts first for 55w versions as I'm planning on doing.

[X5Sport]

[quote="BIG DIN"]
So at the moment i probably got 35w bulbs???
[/quote]
OEM Default is for 35W, yes.