Headlights not bright enough, don't shine far enough

RGT88 · 08-11-2009, 03:10 PM

2000 328i with xenons. What can I do to get not so much appearance, but performance out of the headlights. I ride in my friend's 2009 Subaru Legacy and his are perfect. Is it just a technology gap in innovation, or can I actually do something to address this issue?

Just like other threads have mentioned I'm not looking to see the side barn, but see farther and higher down the road.

Thanks

Tater49 · 08-11-2009, 04:00 PM

Same for me, would like to hear the answer as well.....

Brandond11 · 08-11-2009, 04:03 PM

are you running 4300K?

RGT88 · 08-11-2009, 04:03 PM

maybe replacing headlight lens and getting these may help
Piaa DS2 Super Cobalt Bulbs?

Tater49 · 08-11-2009, 04:07 PM

I have GE 5200k bulbs and there is a difference but not that amazing.

Brandond11 · 08-11-2009, 04:11 PM

You could always try to upgrade to a 55w and that should help on light output as well. Just keep your temp under 6000K and it should work much better.

RGT88 · 08-11-2009, 04:19 PM

So which are best to go with prolumenens, phillips ultinons, or PIAA super cobalt?

packrat555 · 08-15-2009, 12:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RGT88

maybe replacing headlight lens and getting these may help
Piaa DS2 Super Cobalt Bulbs?

Ya, sure those are nearly $400 a pair. I will probablly upgrade my stock D2S to MTEC which can be found for about $130. They are the best quality IMO before making the jump to the $200 bulbs.

I don't think it is a bulb thing that will improve the performance. I also own a 2004 TSX and the D2S HID's are way stronger the the BMW. The BMW doesn't seem to have the same sharp cutoff so I am thinking it is the projector lens that is different.

RGT88 · 08-16-2009, 08:49 PM

I ended up replacing the headlight lens and popped in the PIAA DS2 Super Cobalt Bulbs (part #19994), so far I really like the result, definitely shines much brighter and farther. Of course true indicator will be the visibility in adverse conditions such as heavy rain. We have some of that coming to MI next week, so I'll know soon!

Only adjustment I want to make is to lift up the driver's side headlight. I know it's supposed to reduce the blinding of oncoming traffic, but since I'm at at 6300k and the light emitted is blue, it is much easier on the eyes. I hope it'll be just as easy as it was on my 1992 Firebird back in 1999! lol I know there is a guide on this forum, not a lot of room for error.

BrianJ1888 · 08-16-2009, 10:17 PM

it's a technology gap thing. Go drive a car with halogens for a while and go back to your car. Things will look a lot better.
Remember that in 2000, HID headlights were cutting-edge. 8 years is a lot of time to improve tech. Now, they're standard on a lot of cars that are way cheaper than your's was new.

snowcatxx87 · 08-17-2009, 11:17 AM

Getting aftermarket ballasts and bulbs will not help.

4300K is most light output, as you increase color temperature, you'll lose output.

The projector technology has increased over the years. Everything from projector itself, to spacing of the bulb, etc. etc. Projectors are very scientific! You could try swapping in the innards of a 2002+ plus car?

4g63GSX · 08-17-2009, 04:44 PM

There is a thread somewhere on here or bf.c about the projector/lens getting burnt up and discolored, drastically reducing light output on OEM HIDs. I don't think you can tell until you take them apart.

joedaddy · 08-17-2009, 05:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4g63GSX

There is a thread somewhere on here or bf.c about the projector/lens getting burnt up and discolored, drastically reducing light output on OEM HIDs. I don't think you can tell until you take them apart.

along the same lines.. don't the HID bulbs lose performance with usage? It's not as bad as halogen, but the filaments still "wear" out?

RGT88 · 08-18-2009, 04:55 PM

Oh it is absolutely the technology gap, but I wanted to maximize results with what I have. I've driven a number of cars with current HID technology and of course the difference is huge, and it's not just down to the bulbs. My logic was to do something since I do a lot of highway driving you can imagine how unpleasant it is to be going 65+ and not having a full view of the road, or the markers.

08-11-2009, 04:00 PM	#2
Tater49 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: CT Posts: 746 My Ride: blkonblk 00' 328i View My Garage	Same for me, would like to hear the answer as well..... __________________ 2000 328i 5 Spd Black on Black FS. JB Racing Lightweight Flywheel (Non-M 6 Speed ONLY) - $450 obo FS. Spec Stage 3 Clutch Kit (Non-M 6 Speed ONLY) - $400 obo Dinan - Remus - UUC - Koni - AC Schnitzer - VMR Wheels - Brembo - Bridgestone - Umnitza - Bimmer Evolution - Tischer BMW - WeissLicht - Alpine - Rockford Fosgate

08-11-2009, 04:07 PM	#5
Tater49 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: CT Posts: 746 My Ride: blkonblk 00' 328i View My Garage	I have GE 5200k bulbs and there is a difference but not that amazing. __________________ 2000 328i 5 Spd Black on Black FS. JB Racing Lightweight Flywheel (Non-M 6 Speed ONLY) - $450 obo FS. Spec Stage 3 Clutch Kit (Non-M 6 Speed ONLY) - $400 obo Dinan - Remus - UUC - Koni - AC Schnitzer - VMR Wheels - Brembo - Bridgestone - Umnitza - Bimmer Evolution - Tischer BMW - WeissLicht - Alpine - Rockford Fosgate

08-17-2009, 11:17 AM	#11
snowcatxx87 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Alberta Posts: 2,459 My Ride: 04 330CI View My Garage	Getting aftermarket ballasts and bulbs will not help. 4300K is most light output, as you increase color temperature, you'll lose output. The projector technology has increased over the years. Everything from projector itself, to spacing of the bulb, etc. etc. Projectors are very scientific! You could try swapping in the innards of a 2002+ plus car? __________________ My Car \| Why Projector46 Suck \| Fix Crappy P46 w/ F1 Autohaus FXR \| Coupe One Touch Close Vents

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08-11-2009, 03:10 PM	#1
RGT88 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Detroit Posts: 94 My Ride: 2000 328i View My Garage	Headlights not bright enough, don't shine far enough 2000 328i with xenons. What can I do to get not so much appearance, but performance out of the headlights. I ride in my friend's 2009 Subaru Legacy and his are perfect. Is it just a technology gap in innovation, or can I actually do something to address this issue? Just like other threads have mentioned I'm not looking to see the side barn, but see farther and higher down the road. Thanks Last edited by RGT88; 08-11-2009 at 03:19 PM.

08-11-2009, 04:03 PM	#3
Brandond11 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Denver Posts: 1,338 My Ride: 2002 M3 View My Garage	are you running 4300K?

08-11-2009, 04:11 PM	#6
Brandond11 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Denver Posts: 1,338 My Ride: 2002 M3 View My Garage	You could always try to upgrade to a 55w and that should help on light output as well. Just keep your temp under 6000K and it should work much better.

08-11-2009, 04:19 PM	#7
RGT88 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Detroit Posts: 94 My Ride: 2000 328i View My Garage	So which are best to go with prolumenens, phillips ultinons, or PIAA super cobalt?

08-16-2009, 08:49 PM	#9
RGT88 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Detroit Posts: 94 My Ride: 2000 328i View My Garage	I ended up replacing the headlight lens and popped in the PIAA DS2 Super Cobalt Bulbs (part #19994), so far I really like the result, definitely shines much brighter and farther. Of course true indicator will be the visibility in adverse conditions such as heavy rain. We have some of that coming to MI next week, so I'll know soon! Only adjustment I want to make is to lift up the driver's side headlight. I know it's supposed to reduce the blinding of oncoming traffic, but since I'm at at 6300k and the light emitted is blue, it is much easier on the eyes. I hope it'll be just as easy as it was on my 1992 Firebird back in 1999! lol I know there is a guide on this forum, not a lot of room for error.

08-16-2009, 10:17 PM	#10
BrianJ1888 Registered User Join Date: May 2005 Location: Miami/Gainesville Posts: 564 My Ride: 330i ZHP Imola Red View My Garage	it's a technology gap thing. Go drive a car with halogens for a while and go back to your car. Things will look a lot better. Remember that in 2000, HID headlights were cutting-edge. 8 years is a lot of time to improve tech. Now, they're standard on a lot of cars that are way cheaper than your's was new.

08-17-2009, 04:44 PM	#12
4g63GSX Registered User Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: ID Posts: 81 My Ride: 07 RRS 03 325 94 GSX View My Garage	There is a thread somewhere on here or bf.c about the projector/lens getting burnt up and discolored, drastically reducing light output on OEM HIDs. I don't think you can tell until you take them apart.

08-18-2009, 04:55 PM	#14
RGT88 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Detroit Posts: 94 My Ride: 2000 328i View My Garage	Oh it is absolutely the technology gap, but I wanted to maximize results with what I have. I've driven a number of cars with current HID technology and of course the difference is huge, and it's not just down to the bulbs. My logic was to do something since I do a lot of highway driving you can imagine how unpleasant it is to be going 65+ and not having a full view of the road, or the markers.