BMW Ellipsoid Euro Headlights

[qwik510]

Anybody tried these? I am wondering how the quality is. A 510 friend of mine gave me a pair of the US spec ellipsoids but I am thinking about getting a complete set of matching lights. I like these Euro Spec ones as the bulbs can be changed out and they have the city light feature.

I know that there was an article in the DQ about installing the Hella Lights like these but these are half the price.

Comments and opinions, good or bad, welcomed.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=200310057725&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWAX%3AIT&viewitem=

[icehouse]

I did it It requires cutting the shit out of the headlight buckets and bashing in the inner fender wells.

[thisismatt]

I don't believe the ones you linked to on ebay are genuine BMW lights if that matters to you.

[qwik510]

I did it It requires cutting the shit out of the headlight buckets and bashing in the inner fender wells.

Did you use this same kit from eBay?

I have a set of the low beam ellipsiods from a 5 series and I started to cut up the headlight buckets and carriers today. I have no issues with the install, I am confident that I can do it.

I am concerned about the quality of this particular set from eBay.

Thanks,

[qwik510]

I don't believe the ones you linked to on ebay are genuine BMW lights if that matters to you.

I am not conerned with using genuine BMW ones, just if the quality of these others is good or not.

Thanks,

[icehouse]

My buddy ran the fancy real ones and he had to do all the same stuff.

As for quality... This actually gets into my personal life if you can believe that.... For some reason every 510 I've had in the last 5 years I been unlucky and had something smash out the headlight on the drivers side. A mud flap twice and big rocks a few times haha Once was on the way to Shasta, Lucky for me James sold me a new one for a dollar Only in my 510's too!! The BMW light faired the best out of the sealed beam units by far!!! It only has 1 crack, it's from top to bottom though, which sucks but doesn't seem to affect the light diffusion. The only thing I would do is be more careful cutting the plasic on the light, it's kinda thin and easy to go through. The lights work awesome compared to H4's 5x better!!! I wonder how nice they would be with HID's

[qwik510]

My buddy ran the fancy real ones and he had to do all the same stuff.

As for quality... This actually gets into my personal life if you can believe that.... For some reason every 510 I've had in the last 5 years I been unlucky and had something smash out the headlight on the drivers side. A mud flap twice and big rocks a few times haha Once was on the way to Shasta, Lucky for me James sold me a new one for a dollar Only in my 510's too!! The BMW light faired the best out of the sealed beam units by far!!! It only has 1 crack, it's from top to bottom though, which sucks but doesn't seem to affect the light diffusion. The only thing I would do is be more careful cutting the plasic on the light, it's kinda thin and easy to go through. The lights work awesome compared to H4's 5x better!!! I wonder how nice they would be with HID's

Wow. What a run of bad luck with headlights. I guess I have been lucky. I have never had a 510 headlight broken. Knock on wood.

5x better then hella's. That sounds great.


I cut the plastic on the ones I have today. I used a dremel with a cut off wheel. I took my time and it was easy.

I will probably give these a try. I plan to install an NOS SSS grill I have along with NOS head light bezels so clean new headlights would look great with them.

My friend Vince just did the HID's to his Ellipsoids. I saw them lit in his shop and they are bright! I may have to do that too.

[icehouse]

Dremal That's what I should have done, I used my angle grinder I use it for everything though

[qwik510]

Dremal That's what I should have done, I used my angle grinder I use it for everything though

I have a 4" angle grinder. Too big for the delicate stuff. Dremel gives you good control. Even one handed. Watch the speed you set it to though. Too fast and it melts the plastic.

[Benzo]

I am curious to hear from others who may have used the light housings from TooIntenserestoration. seems like a good kit and turn key.

[qwik510]

I am curious to hear from others who may have used the light housings from TooIntenserestoration. seems like a good kit and turn key.

I have the H4's like the ones too intense sell but they are not that bright. Even when using relays to power them. The ellipsoids are so much better. That is why i am planning on upgrading. And the cost is the same.

The H4's are plug and play though and much better then stock.

[icehouse]

I agree, H4's are over rated, yeah they are better than 35w sealed beams but that's not saying much...

[Benzo]

thanks David and Ice house for the reply's. I had changed my lights to some new ones from Kragen which they say are 55W so are these better than actual oem headlights as they don't seem too bad but I like the H4's like the ones too intense restoration sells as they seem simple and no need to modify anything

David would you be selling your headlights if you upgrade?

Benzo

[gnar510]

I'm currently researching this conversion as well. What I've been wondering is, has anyone installed the aftermarket type "angel eye" bulbs? Wonder if fitting them would be the same.

[djlotus]

My friend Vince just did the HID's to his Ellipsoids. I saw them lit in his shop and they are bright! I may have to do that too.

http://ddmtuning.com/ <--- cheap but reliable HIDs, or so I've been told and heard plenty of times.