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I recently bought a 2000 EX sedan to stop putting 40 miles a day on my 335i, but one of my biggest complaints are the headlights. I don't care much about the looks necessarily, but it's pretty difficult to see when it's dark and raining. I've done quite a few searches on this forum and on the internet in general, and there are too many options. So I'm hoping you guys would have some input.

What I'm looking for is something that will increase my visibility for relatively cheap. I'm fine with keeping stock housings unless it would be better to upgrade those too. I know HID conversions are out there, but what do you guys recommend as being an inexpensive upgrade for this. Thanks in advance!

 
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Do a retrofit, which is when you put HID projectors in a headlight that is a reflector type. I would suggest a Morimoto Mini projector with morimoto ballasts. You can reuse your stock headlights so you will save money there. I think my retro costs me about $300. Check out theretrofitsource.com and HIDplanet for more info on retrofitting.

I have an 01 civic but here is my headlight apart with the projector in it:

 
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A retrofit is the proper way to do it but a 55 watt 5000K H4 hi/low HID kit from DDMtuning is only $75 shipped and I'm happy with it on mine but other drivers won't/aren't.
See https://www.civicforums.com/forums/1...-i-d-help.html

 
Rep Power: 181

I did a retro with the same equipment as Golnat (but with DDM ballasts) and it only cost me $200. I also happened to get most of my supplies during a black friday sale though :P

But a DDM HID kit will run you about $80. You don't necessarily need projectors. Just be aware that your stock housings might glare at other drivers. Our cars are actually low enough that it's not that big of a deal to go without projectors.

Also, this is kinda obvious, but make sure your headlight lenses aren't badly fogged up or oxidized. That can create a big loss of visibilty. Just need to buy a restoring kit and buff them till they're clear again.

 
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Polishing your headlight with toothpaste is a quick and cheap alternative to a headlight restoring kit.. Just make sure you seal the surface with a good sealing wax or something (and keep reapplying every wash or so), otherwise it'll go back to being hazed and yellow

 
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Thanks for the replies...looks like I'll probably go the retrofit route. My stock headlights look decent, but I was gonna wetsand them and polish them with my PC 7424. The price doesn't seem to bad, and it'll be well worth it when I can actually see in the dark. Driving to work this morning was an adventure since it was raining pretty good. Thanks again.

 
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So is this link that I'm looking at correct?
http://www.theretrofitsource.com/pro...roducts_id=236
The price here is only $110 for the pair. I'm thinking I'll do it right the first time and get these so I don't have any glare that will potentially blind other drivers. I want to be able to see, but not at their expense. Thanks again...I've never done an HID retro as my last 2 vehicles had them stock. I'm stoked about seeing the difference though.

 
Rep Power: 181

If you want to do projectors, it's more than just those.

Those are just the fisheye lenses that go over the bulbs and have an electronic shutter for the hi-beams.

For an HID retro, you will need ballasts, bulbs that fit those projectors, and the wiring between all of it.

To make it easy, most HID manufacturers have a kit that you can order. I bought the DDM Tuning 35W HID Kit and later some Morimoto bulbs. These kits should include everything you need to plug and play, just make sure the bulbs are the right size and color you want.

DDM is not the highest quality, but their HID kits are only $30 and so far I haven't had any problems with mine. I would recommend getting their upgraded wiring harness though (I didn't, lol) That should help them operate more smoothly.

My friend's car also has the DDM kit without projectors and it looks fine. He's had it for about 4 years and it doesn't really blind people at all. It's not like you're driving an SUV or pickup where the headlights are sitting right at eye level... Also without projectors you won't have to open up your headlights to install them. (haha, it's weird that I'm defending the simple option, because I love my projectors!)

 
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what about the projector headlights from eBay? They are only $100 shipped. it sounds like you would get the same end result with less work on your side

 
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The eBay headlight projectors are lower quality. Not only is the projector not good the headlight housing is crap.

 
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are you speaking from experience? It sounds like I may have dodged a bullet

 
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I can.....my good friend had them on his car....they would fog up when it was humid, and the light output was worse than stock.


Check these out. Everything you need to do a retrofit for $190. All quality parts as well.

http://sportsautotech.com/shop/compl...-retrofit-kit/

 
Rep Power: 193

Whatever you do, dont do what danwat did, its the most annoying thing when you're at a stoplight facing someone like that. It's just dangerous for everyone else on the road.