[digimurda]

hi all,

has anyone here converted their stock hid system with an aftermarket hid kit? i'm looking to convert since the stock system is too expensive to fix right now I have both lights out.

[Seattlesquash]

Originally Posted by digimurda

hi all,

has anyone here converted their stock hid system with an aftermarket hid kit? i'm looking to convert since the stock system is too expensive to fix right now I have both lights out.

Have you checked the bulbs! That is not so expensive and easy labor, buy quality products though. I think stock bulb is around 4300k so if you buy bluish 6k+ just make sure that's the look you are going for. Some ballasts can be re-built but not sure on your car. I would not give up yet as stock system is quality on lots of stuff out there is garbage.

[Meeni]

I have not, but I have used DDM bulbs and ballast on other vehicles, and they are delivering for a very moderate price. Good build quality and durable.

I believe the e90 uses DS1 types of bulbs (check), which have an integrated ballast, and cost more than regular separate ballast HID kits.

[Mastermixlee]

I looked into this myself and unfortunately got no help on here with regards to wiring.
Seems not many people have knowledge of the wiring setup on here in order to change them out.

When I looked into it a few years back I found the ballast only had 2 wires going to it which I couldnt figure out how the high/low beam would be activated from this and how exactly this wiring would translate onto an aftermarket ballast.

I think it may be receiving a digital signal as opposed to just a voltage on/off like most systems I've worked on though haven't done any tests to confirm.

I ended up just getting a refurb ballast on eBay.

You'll have 3 parts of the hid system that are easily replaceable if your setup in the e90 is the same as e92.

Bulb, ignitor (mini ballast shaped unit which is a bulb holder) and the ballast itself (screwed onto underside of headlight housing)

For easy fault finding if buy a cheap set of bulbs for it (many come with the ignitor already installed) and do a quick bit of fault finding to ensure its the ballast has gone.

If you do pursue the aftermarket option then please let me know how you get on as I'd love to have a 55w aftermarket kit on here as my previous cars headlights were so much brighter than what I've managed to get out of even the most highly regarded d1s bulbs.

[ctuna]

There us a whole sub forum on lighting here.
as well as many useful other sub forums

http://www.e90post.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=16

[maddmatth]

Sure you don't just need new bulbs? New headlights will be even more expensive and an unnecessary waste of money. The BMW Xenon headlights are good.

[digimurda]

I purchased the bulbs and it wasnt the bulbs, everything is pointing towards the ballast, i would swap them out but i keep hearing about the issues these things always have with burning out

[Seattlesquash]

Originally Posted by digimurda

I purchased the bulbs and it wasnt the bulbs, everything is pointing towards the ballast, i would swap them out but i keep hearing about the issues these things always have with burning out

Mine are 2007 and never touched bulbs or ballasts so they can't be that bad!