HID help for e46 coupe

[LMC]

Hi, I just fitted a set of aftermarket HIDs today. Easy enough job, despite the "Engrish" instructions ! They are for the dipped beams, 50w and 6000k bulbs. They looked superb when I put them on after fitting, pure white with the tiniest hint of blue.

HOWEVER......visiting friends this afternoon, just left theirs (its dark now), and I didn't dare drive at more than 30mph when I got out into the unlit countryside. I couldn't see Jack Sh!t :-(

The beams are so low that while they look like they could burn through plywood at 10ft, they wouldn't even reach to 12ft !!

Now I didn't touch the headlamp unit itself during the installation, so I don't think I knocked anything out of alignment. When I got home I turned the car and lights off, then back on again. That activated the self levelling, which raised the lamps as normal.

What else can it be ? Luckily its a 2 minute job to pop the halogens back in, but as the HIDs were part of my birthday from my wife, we're both a bit gutted.

Any ideas guys ?

[roofer]

HID's are designed to work with a projector, not a reflector lense.

[LMC]

Oh cack !

Thanks for the quick reply mate ;-)

[roofer]

Also, 50w are non standard fare, 35w is the norm. Some sell the kit as super dooper 50w blah, blah, when in reality the brightest are the 4300k oem bulbs.

[ccfj1]

Did you try using the wheel inside the car on the LCM to lift the beams up?

[LMC]

Yeah its at its max, beam goes up and down as it should. I suspect that the post saying that the reflector lenses are no good is about right.

[Disco_Biscuit]

I've got them in my Z3M and there chuffing brill, make sure you've got them sitting in the holders correct, slightly miss aligned will throw the beam pattern.

[LMC]

Disco_Biscuit said:

I've got them in my Z3M and there chuffing brill, make sure you've got them sitting in the holders correct, slightly miss aligned will throw the beam pattern.

Have you got projector lenses or the ordinary big torch-like thingies with the serrated outer edges ?

[Disco_Biscuit]

LMC said:

Disco_Biscuit said:

I've got them in my Z3M and there chuffing brill, make sure you've got them sitting in the holders correct, slightly miss aligned will throw the beam pattern.

Have you got projector lenses or the ordinary big torch-like thingies with the serrated outer edges ?

Bog standard refector type or ordinary big torch-like thingies with the serrated outer edges as you call them

[LMC]

Interesting. I'll have a jiggle about with them and see if I can adjust. BTW I was just about to buy a set of FK projectors....

[Rags]

Get the Fk Projectors as it looks crap otherwise.

[LMC]

Yeah I was looking at them. I was also looking at the Projector 46's which seem to be the big thing, but only on the USA websites, like E46fanatics. Can't seem to get them here though, and they are a bit dear, probably not much cheaper than OEM when you add the postage and the inevitable customs rip-off.

[Ment-Al]

Being a 2001 330, it will be pre-facelift and therefore wont have the projector lenses. I wouldnt waste your time or money on putting them in without to be honest. In my experience, the light scatters pretty badly at all angles.

[roofer]

Pre facelift HID lights will go into a facelift saloon, just change the lenses.The other difference with the coupe lights is the earlier ones have a clip indicator instead of the screw basket. HID light guts will also go in the halogen carcass with a bit of work, look for single/a set on Fleabay, the aftermarket ones are pikey.

[LMC]

I've took the HIDs out, they were driving me nuts. I'm not even sure if I like the pure white light any more. I think I prefer the warmer glow of the halogens. I'll probably end up with the FK projectors and forget about HID altogether.