Anyone converted their headlights from non-xenon to aftermarket HIDs?

I'm planning to do this in the near future, but what happened to one of my friend's car worries me. The bulb couldnt fit the factory bulb fitting. As you guys know, HID bulbs are longer than normal halogen. so what happened was the bulb hit the reflector (I dont know exactly the name of that thing inside the headlight..but it lies directly ahead of the bulb in the headlight housing)

is this the case with mini headlights?

any comments are appreciated

 

There are other thread where i go into this at length if you want to search for them.

Summing things up

putting those aftermarket HIDs into your headlight housing without the correct Xenon housings and reflectors along with the auto-levelling and washing systems is not only illegal but dangerous for drivers around you. You will not be able to achieve the true HID look without xenon headlamps due to the glare given off by your halogen type reflectors.

If you were to get used xenon housings, that would be slightly different. running without the levelling is still unsafe, but better than running HIDs in halogen housings.

 

yes I'm aware of all the concequences of using aftermarket HIDs. I will try to adjust the headlights so that they dont blind another driver. As soon as I find out the bulbs fit, I will go ahead with the purchase.

I'll search for your posts. Thanks

 

Alright. If/when you decide to go ahead with it. Your best bet is to measure i guess. you could take the old one out, insert a pen or dowl rod and mark how far it can be inserted. Many of the HID kits will have measurements for bulb length.

 

Thanks for that..I'll give it a try

 

I don't know what the other guys talking about because my HID doesn't change the light output at all. And you can adjust the light shine by the two plastic screws on the housing. And it's not illegal cause its the same HID kit that Mercedes, BMW, etc. The only thing that you have to do because you have the halogen housing is you have to drill out a whole in the metal light bulb holder. You will notice it when you try to put in the HID bulb in the housing. It hits the metal bracket. It's not hard to do but if your not that handy with a drill.........get somebody who does.

Thanks,
Your Friend Ben

 

Thanks for your opinion.
I dont really care abt legality. Regarding the safety, many of my friends has HIDs (even on BMWs with no factory projectors) and I dont see any probs driving in front of them.

BTW, where do you mount the ballast? mind sharing some pics?

 

Yah, i dont care much about legality either....but what about the fact that you are now putting out less light than a halogen would? That doesnt seem safe...for YOU

 

would you be able to fit the halogen bulb back after the drilling?
the reason I ask is because, here, when the time comes to sell the car, it has to be road worthy. So I have to put the halogen bulb back

 

Install a Euro HID kit on US Spec E36 M3.
Load said M3's trunk with a set of R compounds.
Drive in front of him.
From a track event.
For several hours.

Appreciate the importance of auto-leveling then.

 

I just spent a few hours of head scratching and got a set in my 05 MCSa. I installed the HIDs as my high beams because I have factory xenons. So yah I have alot of light coming out of my car. I will take pics tonight when its dark to show the spectacle

So I have low beams stock MINI xenons of 4300k (white) and high beam 6500k kit (light purple)

 

are you sure of this? The high beam housing is even worse for the HID kit.....i dont think lighting would be improved. It may appear to be brighter, but without a proper housing, most light is being lost as it's shot in random directions.

 

True some of the light is scattered. But a majority of it is directly straight ahead. I have done some simple testing with the lighting. The HIDs fill in where the stock xenons don't.