Can I install HIDS on my Projectors headlights?

duong · 07-27-2007, 10:00 AM

Can I buy an after market ballast for my z4 halogen headlights? Will it work well?

has any of you guys done this?

thanks

em2b96p · 07-28-2007, 02:08 AM

you cannot simply purchase a ballast and use it with your existing halogen headlights.

you need to purchase a complete HID kit with bulb and ballast

duong · 07-29-2007, 09:47 AM

I apologize, thats what i meant. I want to purchase a full kit and bring it to a garage and get it installed.

something like
http://www.shophid.com/images/PromaxKit.jpg

BimmerZealot · 07-29-2007, 02:19 PM

Yes that will work, you may need a re-flash for HIDs at the dealer, it was required for the E46 not sure with the E85

duong · 07-29-2007, 11:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BimmerZealot

Yes that will work, you may need a re-flash for HIDs at the dealer, it was required for the E46 not sure with the E85

oh ok. Thanks but what does the re-flash do? would it matter if i didnt bring it to BMW for em to re-flash?

pbdm4k · 07-29-2007, 11:40 PM

MTEC HID kit from Ebay.

Installed, working, and proven! No reflash or any other messy stuff necessary.

Plug and play!

BimmerZealot · 07-30-2007, 02:11 AM

Well the reason for the reflash is HIDs pull a different amount of current then halogen bulbs both on startup and under normal operation. So for SOME cars you will get a bulb out warning telling you that your headlights are out even if your HIDs are working. The reflash will tell the computer it now has HIDs and to check for the amount of current the HIDs pull instead of the halogens. Without a reflash you may have a bulb out warning, which can cause fast blinking, flickering, etc. However you can get the kit first and see if you get a bulb out warning, if not then nothing to worry about.

pbdm4k · 07-30-2007, 08:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BimmerZealot

Well the reason for the reflash is HIDs pull a different amount of current then halogen bulbs both on startup and under normal operation. So for SOME cars you will get a bulb out warning telling you that your headlights are out even if your HIDs are working. The reflash will tell the computer it now has HIDs and to check for the amount of current the HIDs pull instead of the halogens. Without a reflash you may have a bulb out warning, which can cause fast blinking, flickering, etc. However you can get the kit first and see if you get a bulb out warning, if not then nothing to worry about.

Just need to look for what kid you buy out there, some kits (such as the MTEC one) are made in such a way that they draw the same amount of power as your halogens would so as not to throw off the ecu and give you a bulb out warning.
Cheaper HID's would most likely cause a bulb out warning. May also be messier to wire as ignitors are seperate from the ballasts, so more stuff to mount. Nicer kits have the ignitors integrated into the ballasts to save space.

BimmerZealot · 07-30-2007, 11:51 PM

That is 100% not true, all HID kits draw the same amount of power and that is 35W constant and +/- on startup usually more. Unless it is a 50W (brighter) kit they will all pull the same amount. Generally low beam halogens pull 55W and high beam halogens are 100W (brighter, on less). Also it does not matter whether the igniter is inline or built into the ballast they still all pull the same amount of power. I work at a wholesale importer of HID kits on the West Coast so I know all about them.

All the misleading that is thrown into eBay and other online kits is just to sell more kits, essentially they are all the same ballast/bulbs just with each companies sticker on it. Of course not all factories make their ballast/bulbs the same so there is a quality issue. Personally our ballast/bulbs have a very low failure rate.

Long story short, all HID kits are the same when it comes to power regardless of how they are wired, how they are designed. Quality and longevity are a different case. Whether or not a car has compatibility issues with an HID retrofit is car to car specific. An example being Mercedes Benz we've had numerous problems with MB cars rejection HID kits but most can be fixed with a wiring harness which pulls direct power from the battery or inline capacitors and diodes.

duong · 08-01-2007, 10:27 AM

Thanks!

would our cars be H8 or H7?

pbdm4k · 08-01-2007, 10:40 AM

H7

BlackSapphireZ · 08-23-2007, 10:16 AM

i bought a cheap kit and didn't require a reflash

yonimation · 09-24-2007, 11:58 PM

anyone bought a cheaper set of hids other than mtec that dosnt require a reflash? post link plzzz thanks!

mister_roger · 09-25-2007, 02:06 AM

Where does one mount the ballast box when installing one of these aftermarket kits? I'm contemplating an HID conversion some time in the next few months and would definitly like to hear some installation stories.

pbdm4k · 11-05-2007, 12:54 PM

Some people have atteched them to the back of the fender well covers, mine are currently double sided taped to the inside of the engine bay, however future relocation, i will remove the bumper and mount them either behind or below the rebar.

Hawkeye · 11-20-2007, 11:17 AM

Speaking of this, BimmerZealot, you said you have a HId kit for your fogs as well, or are they just different bulbs?

BimmerZealot · 11-20-2007, 05:15 PM

I do have an HID Kit in my fogs, the fogs are H11 bulbs, whereas the halogen low beams are i think H7 bulbs. You'd need a whole separate kit (pair of H11 bulbs & pair of ballast) to install HID fogs

Hawkeye · 11-21-2007, 11:30 AM

About how much would a setup like that run if I install it myself? They do look nice

BimmerZealot · 11-21-2007, 12:02 PM

For the HID Fogs? Depends where you get them but I'd say an average of about 150$ for a pair of HID bulbs with the base of your choice and a pair of ballast. Of course there are the extremes of super cheap eBay kits and overpriced hyped up kits.

BMW^Z4 · 11-26-2007, 12:49 AM

Can I install HID withour remove front bumber? I want to just remove the front wheels and work from the back side of the lights ...

BimmerZealot · 11-26-2007, 01:00 AM

Yes you can, after removing your front wheel, unscrew the two quarter screws on the upper panel and that will give you access to the back of your headlights. That should give plenty of access for the install.

jefflazo · 11-27-2007, 10:12 AM

Oh man you guys are gonna make me spend more money! At some point I think I am going to install the factory fogs, then an HID upgrade now...

Is there wiring harness there even if I didn't have them originally installed? I also assume that I have to cut out the holes in the bumper as well.

07-27-2007, 10:00 AM	#1
duong Enlisted Member 2 Rep 30 Posts Drives: BMW Z4 Join Date: May 2007 Location: Ottawa iTrader: (0)	Can I install HIDS on my Projectors headlights? Can I buy an after market ballast for my z4 halogen headlights? Will it work well? has any of you guys done this? thanks
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07-28-2007, 02:08 AM	#2
em2b96p Private First Class 15 Rep 184 Posts Drives: cbr600rr Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: philadelphia iTrader: (0)	you cannot simply purchase a ballast and use it with your existing halogen headlights. you need to purchase a complete HID kit with bulb and ballast
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07-29-2007, 09:47 AM	#3
duong Enlisted Member 2 Rep 30 Posts Drives: BMW Z4 Join Date: May 2007 Location: Ottawa iTrader: (0)	I apologize, thats what i meant. I want to purchase a full kit and bring it to a garage and get it installed. something like http://www.shophid.com/images/PromaxKit.jpg
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-29-2007, 02:19 PM	#4
BimmerZealot Major 61 Rep 1,210 Posts Drives: 2019 BMW X3 xDrive30i Join Date: May 2007 Location: San Diego, California iTrader: (2)	Yes that will work, you may need a re-flash for HIDs at the dealer, it was required for the E46 not sure with the E85
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07-29-2007, 11:40 PM	#6
pbdm4k Lieutenant Colonel 74 Rep 1,689 Posts Drives: 2010 335d Join Date: May 2007 Location: North of the Border iTrader: (3)	MTEC HID kit from Ebay. Installed, working, and proven! No reflash or any other messy stuff necessary. Plug and play!
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07-30-2007, 02:11 AM	#7
BimmerZealot Major 61 Rep 1,210 Posts Drives: 2019 BMW X3 xDrive30i Join Date: May 2007 Location: San Diego, California iTrader: (2)	Well the reason for the reflash is HIDs pull a different amount of current then halogen bulbs both on startup and under normal operation. So for SOME cars you will get a bulb out warning telling you that your headlights are out even if your HIDs are working. The reflash will tell the computer it now has HIDs and to check for the amount of current the HIDs pull instead of the halogens. Without a reflash you may have a bulb out warning, which can cause fast blinking, flickering, etc. However you can get the kit first and see if you get a bulb out warning, if not then nothing to worry about.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-30-2007, 11:51 PM	#9
BimmerZealot Major 61 Rep 1,210 Posts Drives: 2019 BMW X3 xDrive30i Join Date: May 2007 Location: San Diego, California iTrader: (2)	That is 100% not true, all HID kits draw the same amount of power and that is 35W constant and +/- on startup usually more. Unless it is a 50W (brighter) kit they will all pull the same amount. Generally low beam halogens pull 55W and high beam halogens are 100W (brighter, on less). Also it does not matter whether the igniter is inline or built into the ballast they still all pull the same amount of power. I work at a wholesale importer of HID kits on the West Coast so I know all about them. All the misleading that is thrown into eBay and other online kits is just to sell more kits, essentially they are all the same ballast/bulbs just with each companies sticker on it. Of course not all factories make their ballast/bulbs the same so there is a quality issue. Personally our ballast/bulbs have a very low failure rate. Long story short, all HID kits are the same when it comes to power regardless of how they are wired, how they are designed. Quality and longevity are a different case. Whether or not a car has compatibility issues with an HID retrofit is car to car specific. An example being Mercedes Benz we've had numerous problems with MB cars rejection HID kits but most can be fixed with a wiring harness which pulls direct power from the battery or inline capacitors and diodes.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

08-01-2007, 10:27 AM	#10
duong Enlisted Member 2 Rep 30 Posts Drives: BMW Z4 Join Date: May 2007 Location: Ottawa iTrader: (0)	Thanks! would our cars be H8 or H7?
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08-01-2007, 10:40 AM	#11
pbdm4k Lieutenant Colonel 74 Rep 1,689 Posts Drives: 2010 335d Join Date: May 2007 Location: North of the Border iTrader: (3)	H7
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08-23-2007, 10:16 AM	#12
BlackSapphireZ Major 97 Rep 1,191 Posts Drives: 22 GLE 53 Coupe Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Ladson, SC iTrader: (0)	i bought a cheap kit and didn't require a reflash
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09-24-2007, 11:58 PM	#13
yonimation Private 8 Rep 85 Posts Drives: 07 z4 Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: so cal iTrader: (0)	anyone bought a cheaper set of hids other than mtec that dosnt require a reflash? post link plzzz thanks!
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09-25-2007, 02:06 AM	#14
mister_roger Private First Class 13 Rep 136 Posts Drives: 2003 Maldives Blue 2.5i Join Date: May 2007 Location: Bellevue, WA iTrader: (0)	Where does one mount the ballast box when installing one of these aftermarket kits? I'm contemplating an HID conversion some time in the next few months and would definitly like to hear some installation stories. __________________ 2003 Maldives Blue 2.5i -- 18" M6 wheels, 12mm rear spacer, ///MZ4 front bumper conversion, Eibach lowering springs, Koni shocks, Hotchkis F/R anti-roll bars, Helene Performance air filter.
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11-05-2007, 12:54 PM	#15
pbdm4k Lieutenant Colonel 74 Rep 1,689 Posts Drives: 2010 335d Join Date: May 2007 Location: North of the Border iTrader: (3)	Some people have atteched them to the back of the fender well covers, mine are currently double sided taped to the inside of the engine bay, however future relocation, i will remove the bumper and mount them either behind or below the rebar.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

11-20-2007, 11:17 AM	#16
Hawkeye Brigadier General 2070 Rep 4,365 Posts Drives: '07 Z4 Coupe, '21 X3, '16 GMC Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Iowa iTrader: (0) Garage List 2016 GMC Sierra SLT [10.00] 2008 Yamaha R6 [9.00]	Speaking of this, BimmerZealot, you said you have a HId kit for your fogs as well, or are they just different bulbs? __________________ 2007 Z4 3.0si Coupe • 6 MT • Black Saphire Metallic • PP • SP 2016 GMC Sierra SLT Z71 Premium Plus 4x4 2017 Harley StreetGlide • Denim Black • V&H Tune 2021 BMW x30i • Phytonic Blue Metallic • Fully loaded
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11-20-2007, 05:15 PM	#17
BimmerZealot Major 61 Rep 1,210 Posts Drives: 2019 BMW X3 xDrive30i Join Date: May 2007 Location: San Diego, California iTrader: (2)	I do have an HID Kit in my fogs, the fogs are H11 bulbs, whereas the halogen low beams are i think H7 bulbs. You'd need a whole separate kit (pair of H11 bulbs & pair of ballast) to install HID fogs
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11-21-2007, 11:30 AM	#18
Hawkeye Brigadier General 2070 Rep 4,365 Posts Drives: '07 Z4 Coupe, '21 X3, '16 GMC Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Iowa iTrader: (0) Garage List 2016 GMC Sierra SLT [10.00] 2008 Yamaha R6 [9.00]	About how much would a setup like that run if I install it myself? They do look nice __________________ 2007 Z4 3.0si Coupe • 6 MT • Black Saphire Metallic • PP • SP 2016 GMC Sierra SLT Z71 Premium Plus 4x4 2017 Harley StreetGlide • Denim Black • V&H Tune 2021 BMW x30i • Phytonic Blue Metallic • Fully loaded
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11-21-2007, 12:02 PM	#19
BimmerZealot Major 61 Rep 1,210 Posts Drives: 2019 BMW X3 xDrive30i Join Date: May 2007 Location: San Diego, California iTrader: (2)	For the HID Fogs? Depends where you get them but I'd say an average of about 150$ for a pair of HID bulbs with the base of your choice and a pair of ballast. Of course there are the extremes of super cheap eBay kits and overpriced hyped up kits.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

11-26-2007, 12:49 AM	#20
BMW^Z4 Enlisted Member 3 Rep 35 Posts Drives: Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: earth iTrader: (0)	Can I install HID withour remove front bumber? I want to just remove the front wheels and work from the back side of the lights ... __________________ Sterling grey ,108 starspoke, alarm,KW v3 suspension,clear lights,cd/mp3, ipod 20GB, hardtop,manual,wind deflector, aerodynamic package, silver trim,Michelin pilot sport tyres, cruise control etc ...http://www.freewebs.com/knb921/
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11-26-2007, 01:00 AM	#21
BimmerZealot Major 61 Rep 1,210 Posts Drives: 2019 BMW X3 xDrive30i Join Date: May 2007 Location: San Diego, California iTrader: (2)	Yes you can, after removing your front wheel, unscrew the two quarter screws on the upper panel and that will give you access to the back of your headlights. That should give plenty of access for the install.
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11-27-2007, 10:12 AM	#22
jefflazo Enlisted Member 7 Rep 46 Posts Drives: Mini Countryman Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Highlands Ranch, CO iTrader: (0)	Oh man you guys are gonna make me spend more money! At some point I think I am going to install the factory fogs, then an HID upgrade now... Is there wiring harness there even if I didn't have them originally installed? I also assume that I have to cut out the holes in the bumper as well.
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