Author Topic: H1/H4 headlight upgrade (Read 18952 times)

gearheadE30 · « **Reply #15 on:** July 05, 2008, 08:39:08 PM »

Actually, the H1 and H4 bulbs still aren't used by most U.S. automakers due to restrictions on the bulbs. Euro ellipsoids are also illegal, which makes no sense becasue they make driving safer. Most modern U.S. spec cars still use the old 9006 and 9005 bulbs found in e30 and e34 U.S. ellipsoids.

BMWManiac · « **Reply #16 on:** July 16, 2008, 08:11:40 AM »

So, bottom line, can I go to Advance, get some Silverstone H4 bulbs and plug them into my low beams?

Wise Old Dog · « **Reply #17 on:** July 16, 2008, 06:39:33 PM »

No, you have to switch to a headlight made for the H4 bulb. OEM is a sealed beam.

BMWManiac · « **Reply #18 on:** July 16, 2008, 08:28:19 PM »

Gotcha....a headlight like an ellipsoid headlight? When he said sealed beam, that is what I thought, but at the same time, it sounded like just a straight swap. So the headlights go out, you have to replace the whole unit?

RustyTheDriver · « **Reply #19 on:** August 26, 2008, 06:34:43 PM »

Go on Bavauto.com and order yourself a pair of the Hella Quartz Headlight replacements. They're technically not DOT approved and they're not the popular 'smiley' lenses, but their light output is significantly better than stock and comparable to projector lenses in those fancy-pants new cars. BavAuto will be nice and send you a low beam H4 bulb with the correct adapters and wiring doodads per lens you order, however I recommend you buy a pair of the PIAA Xtreme White H4 bulbs (Keep the ones they send as backups). You will need to bump up the fuses for the headlights to the next highest rating (I forget if it was 10 or what...)Not only will your lows light up the road like the sun but the blue reflection in the back of the bulb housings looks pretty cool. Take a look at my sig for an example. Oh and Hella's High-Beam lenses pack quite a punch as well. There's my 2cents.

P. Kennedy · « **Reply #20 on:** August 26, 2008, 09:51:15 PM »

What he said ^^^

vonkamp · « **Reply #21 on:** August 27, 2008, 11:33:46 AM »

Thanks for the input! I'm on the night shift and was thinking I really need some more lighting. I almost hit a deer a couple of months ago, did'nt see it till it was just about too late...

Here's the Bav Auto part numbers and prices. I should have shopped the bulbs for a better price but it's done.

71 456
Hella Quartz Headlight Replacement - 5 3/4" round low beam H4 bulb - 55 watt 1992 318i Convertible $59.95 2 $119.90

15260
PIAA Xtreme White Bulbs - H4 Bulbs - 60/55 watts- sold as a pair
1992 318i Convertible $64.95 1 $64.95

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Subtotal: $184.85
UPS Ground: $0.00

Total: $194.85

RustyTheDriver · « **Reply #22 on:** August 28, 2008, 05:48:57 PM »

you won't regret it dude congrats with the purchase

***Edit: I picked up a $70 set of H.I.D.'s today, H4 bulb 5000K colour and.....holy hell....highly highly recommend these!!!! the __/__/ pattern is twice as significant with these bulbs!

bmw327 · « **Reply #23 on:** March 15, 2009, 07:33:52 AM »

I just did this conversion yesterday (Hella H1/H4 with standard 55 & 55/60 watt lamps +2 10A fuses) and am impressed with both the light output and beam pattern. I have to adjust the lights downward a little, but that's it. For the money and ease of installation, I cannot imagine why anyone would bother fooling with elipsoids, smileys, or any other conversion. Working at a relaxed pace, it took me a grand total of 45 minutes and required one screwdriver. Btw, I purchased the bits (genuine Hella kit, exactly the same part #'s as retail suppliers) on EvilBay for quite a bit less than the catalog price. Lamps, bulbs, wiring bits, and rubber pieces were a grand total of $173.22 including shipping and NYS sales tax.

Selfish · « **Reply #24 on:** April 22, 2009, 11:58:03 AM »

I�m about to do the conversion too. Is the Hella low beam housing the same size and part number as the high beam? In other words, is the bulb (H1 or H4) that goes inside it the only difference?

gearheadE30 · « **Reply #25 on:** May 04, 2009, 08:05:09 PM »

no, the housings are actually slightly different. The beam pattern comes from the fluting on the lense as well as the bulb, so the lenses are slightly different.

Selfish · « **Reply #26 on:** May 04, 2009, 09:19:56 PM »

awesome, thanks!

txleadfoot · « **Reply #27 on:** May 05, 2009, 11:43:20 AM »

I used those bulbs for years on my 318is when I had it. I loved the light quality, but be prepared to replace bulbs every 6 months or so. I'm using Hella bulbs on the 318ic.

Quote from: BMWManiac;53359

So, bottom line, can I go to Advance, get some Silverstone H4 bulbs and plug them into my low beams?

aeroeric · « **Reply #28 on:** January 05, 2010, 10:18:38 AM »

I made the switch using the PIAA bulbs about a year ago and have not had any issues. The coolest mod is to use a jump wire across the relay to utilize both low / high beams together. The high beam + PIAA = lighty goodness :-)

Author Topic: H1/H4 headlight upgrade (Read 18952 times)

RustyTheDriver

RustyTheDriver