M42club.com - Home of the BMW E30/E36 318i/iS

DISCUSSION => Electrical => Topic started by: gundy318 on March 01, 2007, 07:24:55 PM

Title: Ellipsoid question
Post by: gundy318 on March 01, 2007, 07:24:55 PM
hey im wondering when you guys put the ellipsoids on your car where you get them from? the 600 dollar HELLA kit? the 150 dollar kits on ebay? or do you find them used at a junkyard? I really want some smileys for my car but cant spend 600 bucks on lights. thanks.
Title: Ellipsoid question
Post by: Alpine003 on March 02, 2007, 11:16:43 AM
Just search Ebay for genuine Bosch or Hella Ellipsoids. Avg used prices seem to be $200-$300 in good condition w/connectors. You can also look on German Ebay and England Ebay for sellers willing to ship to the USA.
Title: Ellipsoid question
Post by: shellback on March 03, 2007, 08:46:52 PM
there was a gent named Maraka (I believe he was Army stationed in Germany) that lurked in BF.com and r3v that sold quite a bit of ellipsoids, and other euro parts. Haven't heard from him in a while but he might still be in business.
Title: Ellipsoid question
Post by: turbo_negro69 on March 07, 2007, 08:51:03 PM
Quote from: shellback;20482
there was a gent named Maraka (I believe he was Army stationed in Germany) that lurked in BF.com and r3v that sold quite a bit of ellipsoids, and other euro parts. Haven't heard from him in a while but he might still be in business.


mikeedler on r3v sells euro smileys/ellips with euro grills for like $300, look at my sig, I bought those from him they are FAWESOME!
Title: Ellipsoid question
Post by: Jimmy Lewis on March 07, 2007, 09:13:18 PM
So it's a combo deal? That doesn't sound too bad, I've been on the hunt for some stylish headlights that put out more than my currect scratched and faded stockers. By the way, turbo_negro69, your front end is teh secks.
Title: Ellipsoid question
Post by: turbo_negro69 on March 07, 2007, 09:49:09 PM
Quote from: Jimmy Lewis;20800
So it's a combo deal? That doesn't sound too bad, I've been on the hunt for some stylish headlights that put out more than my currect scratched and faded stockers. By the way, turbo_negro69, your front end is teh secks.


thank you!,
yeah it's a package deal it's smoked smiley's, euro grills, and a euro license plate. he does very good work and they are usually in pretty good shape. WAY better than the crappy sealed beams i had on there before.
Title: Ellipsoid question
Post by: gundy318 on March 09, 2007, 06:52:26 PM
i bought some bosch smileys from someone in germany on ebay for 160 shipped. now i just have to sit around and wait for them to arrive and find the adaptors i need. any advice on the adaptors/plugs?
Title: Ellipsoid question
Post by: 318kid on March 09, 2007, 07:23:39 PM
The lights look pretty cool but if im going to drop this much into lights I want to know how much better is the light projection is than with the sealed beams? If buy these can I run Xenon Headlights? Im a newbie so any help would be great, Thanks
Title: Ellipsoid question
Post by: turbo_negro69 on March 09, 2007, 09:05:08 PM
Quote from: 318kid;20933
The lights look pretty cool but if im going to drop this much into lights I want to know how much better is the light projection is than with the sealed beams? If buy these can I run Xenon Headlights? Im a newbie so any help would be great, Thanks


sealed beam headlights Vs. euro smileys = SMILEYS WIN!!!
it's like comparing a candle to a flashlight, and you can run HID's with the euro smileys.
Title: Ellipsoid question
Post by: turbo_negro69 on March 09, 2007, 09:06:12 PM
Quote from: gundy318;20926
i bought some bosch smileys from someone in germany on ebay for 160 shipped. now i just have to sit around and wait for them to arrive and find the adaptors i need. any advice on the adaptors/plugs?


usually when people sell these they include the plugs, but you can always go to the bmw dealership and buy 'em new, or look for 'em online.
Title: Ellipsoid question
Post by: gundy318 on March 10, 2007, 10:47:16 AM
alright thanks. i'm guessing that since these are comin from germany they probly arent coming with the US adaptors so i'll start lookin around.
Title: Ellipsoid question
Post by: christophbmw on March 10, 2007, 10:06:35 PM
the hella lights that take the H1 bulbs for the high, and the H4 bulbs for the low that replace the sealed beams (5 3/4") are far superior to any light upgrade out there, they cost about $50 each (so $200 for a set of 4). ive used the euro smileys, and the elipisiods and the results are not that impresive (the high beams were alright). just my thoughts, and observations.
Title: HID's?
Post by: 318kid on March 13, 2007, 04:35:32 PM
Quote from: turbo_negro69;20940
sealed beam headlights Vs. euro smileys = SMILEYS WIN!!!
it's like comparing a candle to a flashlight, and you can run HID's with the euro smileys.


So since you can run HID's with the euro smileys how hard is it to set up? Is there a write up anywhere? Thanks
Title: Ellipsoid question
Post by: Nick_318is on March 13, 2007, 05:33:52 PM
Quote from: christophbmw;20985
the hella lights that take the H1 bulbs for the high, and the H4 bulbs for the low that replace the sealed beams (5 3/4") are far superior to any light upgrade out there, they cost about $50 each (so $200 for a set of 4). ive used the euro smileys, and the elipisiods and the results are not that impresive (the high beams were alright). just my thoughts, and observations.


A friend of mine has those on his and they are great, after I recover from my recent spending spree I intend to do the H1/H4 setup.
Title: Ellipsoid question
Post by: gearheadE30 on March 13, 2007, 07:41:27 PM
Any idea if those lights will fit the E34? a bitOT, I know, but parents are looking for a lighing upgrade for the 5
Title: Ellipsoid question
Post by: D. Clay on March 13, 2007, 07:53:26 PM
http://www.rallylights.com/hella/5.75_lo.asp
$175 for a set of 4 Hella's with bulbs and boots.
Title: got mine on e30tech
Post by: kramerica5000 on March 13, 2007, 09:26:59 PM
I got mine (Bosch smileys) on e30tech from a guy for $140. I had to source my wiring parts but finally got it all together. I'm just using silverstar H1's but the difference is huge.
Title: Ellipsoid question
Post by: sheepdog on March 14, 2007, 04:22:56 PM
I went the Hella route. Got them used from a member of this site.
Added a set of  Silverstar bulbs and never looked back.

They are as bright as anything else out there short of the newest Xenon stuff.

Keep in mind, it is illegal to add  HID bulbs to regular reflectors.  While odds of getting caught and fined are slim, it is blinding to oncoming drivers as the lens is not designed to focus that type of bulb.


Just get some elipsoids or Hellas and some good bulbs, you will be more than happy. Sealed beams should have not been allowed to be used, they are scary. Pretty sad when an 87' Nissan Sentra (one of the cheapest cars that year) with faded plastic lenses puts out more light than your BMW lights.

I think I have $130 invested in my headlights and they rock.


By the way, with Hellas (not sure with elips.), you DO NOT need a wire kit or adapters.

If you look on your connector you will see a slot, shove a thin screwdriver in there, the plastic slides off, leaving blade connectors, which are used on the new lamps (high beam lights only if I remember right).

Shove the plastic in a drawer for safe keeping.
Title: Ellipsoid question
Post by: turbo_negro69 on March 15, 2007, 07:32:44 PM
yeah but.............they don't look as cool as smoked euro smileys!:D
I might consider going the Hella route for my red 318IS. I don't feel like spending damn near $300 dollars on headlights again.
Title: Ellipsoid question
Post by: ScreamerBeemer on March 30, 2007, 10:22:04 PM
I took a chance on the black elipsoids on ebay, the low beams are great, much better than the sealed beams. The high beams suck, though. I like the angel eyes. shouln't have gotten the black ones.