I want HIDs, but Im completely lost!

[slim142 9]

Hi

So I have my BMW 328i 2008 4-door sedan. I want HIDs but I have no clue about this topic.

I dont know ANYTHING about HIDs. I know my local shop wants to charge me $220 for 8000k HIDs installed and 3 year warranty. A friend told me they are ripping me off but since I dont know anything about HIDs, Im not sure who is right.

Any help please?

[ctmaudi 0]

Hi

So I have my BMW 328i 2008 4-door sedan. I want HIDs but I have no clue about this topic.

I dont know ANYTHING about HIDs. I know my local shop wants to charge me $220 for 8000k HIDs installed and 3 year warranty. A friend told me they are ripping me off but since I dont know anything about HIDs, Im not sure who is right.

Any help please?

You can get cheap ebay ones that will make people hate you for about $40. You can get decent ones for under $100, or you can spend more for "name brand" ones. Its just like just about anything else, you get what you pay for, but you dont have to shell out the most to get quality.

Also, I dont suggest 8k if you are looking for more light output. 4300k is as bright as you can get, after that they let off less light, but change color from blue to purple. 5000k is what Id recomend.

Just make sure you get projectors if your car doesnt come with them, but being an 08 BMW, I think it would. That way you dont blind other drivers.

[Sir-Lancelot 216]

DDM - Click

I am running the 55w in low, high, and fogs. Low beams installed well over a year, no problems at all.

Best price I have found and the quality is excellent. ^

I have pics of mine if you want.

[Shogen 325]

DDM - Click

I am running the 55w in low, high, and fogs. Low beams installed well over a year, no problems at all.

Best price I have found and the quality is excellent. ^

I have pics of mine if you want.

Follow that link.... Use THIS link to find out the bulb size you need... Install is easy, just need to find a good place to mount the converter box...

Also you have a projector headlight assembly as most cars above the 30k price range offer... So you'll be okay, as they will direct the light in the right direction and won't make people hate you... As far as Kelvin goes.. I went for the one in the 5K range and it is white... Wish I went for the 4K since at certain weather conditions I notice a drop off in lighting... Get the 55w kit as it is stronger for the low beam setup.... GL!

[TRP 42]

DDM does offer a very good price, i sell them myself and most kits are $100 shipped or installed if local. Their kit appears to be just like the rest, except they have there own label on it. If you are looking for the brightest most natural light 5-6K would be best, 4300K is just a tad to yellow and 8K is just a tad to blue. Most OEM HID's are around the 5-6K range also, my '01 330I has OEM HID's and my truck has 5K and they appear very similar. If you do not have projectors i would suggest them also as some people have stated, and if you dont have them and would like to some i can get prices for you, please let me know. If you order from DDM would be a good idea to pick up the code eliminator box as BMW loves to tell you when any light might be out. Well man best of luck with your purchases and if i can help in any way please let me know, Thanks.

[hondakilla98 29]

I just ordered a set from sharphid, and a set of spare bulbs. I'd hate to try to track down a spare bulb in town.

[Optimus_Prime 30]

Do some research most important thing to look for is quality ballasts, and if Lancelot is having success with the brand of kit he has it's got to be decent as his truck puts them through their paces with all the vibration. Just make sure with whatever kit you go with to get the 12v relay for them if you have auto daytime running lights or you will burn up a ballast or bulb because the factory setup supplies a low voltage to kick on your factory bulbs which without the relay harness will cause them to strobe on bulb firing and eventually cause a failure and or dead component. Hope this helps. Oh yan and as mentioned in above post ditch the 8k's 5k is the way to go a tiny hint of blue but a classy diamond white.

[slim142 9]

Ok so this is what I get from the Sylvania site

2008 BMW 300 Ser. 4-dr. (With halogen capsule headlamps)

Low beam headlamp

H7

H7SU SilverStar Ultra: The brightest and whitest light. Up to 50% brighter, up to 40% more downroad visibility and up to 50% more sideroad visibility.

H7ST SilverStar: The brighter and whiter light. Up to 35% brighter, up to 30% more downroad visibility and up to 35% more sideroad visibility.

H7EB EcoBright - Your Environmental Choice. Save Energy - Save Money. Up to 25% brighter light. CO2 reduced 9 to 21%. Gas savings $2 to $19.

H7XV XtraVision: The brighter light for upgraded performance. Up to 30% brighter light and up to 25% more downroad visibility.

H7CB Cool Blue: The whiter light for style. Up to 25% brighter light and up to 25% more downroad visibility.

High beam headlamp

H7

H7SU SilverStar Ultra: The brightest and whitest light. Up to 50% brighter, up to 40% more downroad visibility and up to 50% more sideroad visibility.

H7ST SilverStar: The brighter and whiter light. Up to 35% brighter, up to 30% more downroad visibility and up to 35% more sideroad visibility.

H7EB EcoBright - Your Environmental Choice. Save Energy - Save Money. Up to 25% brighter light. CO2 reduced 9 to 21%. Gas savings $2 to $19.

H7XV XtraVision: The brighter light for upgraded performance. Up to 30% brighter light and up to 25% more downroad visibility.

H7CB Cool Blue: The whiter light for style. Up to 25% brighter light and up to 25% more downroad visibility.

So I guess my kit is H7

And yeah, looks like most of you recommend 5k so Im thinking thats what I will go for.

Now the question is, can any of you point me to the stuff I need to get so I can order everything and go to my local shop so they can install it? I honestly dont know what accessories, parts, extras I need in order to have everything ready just to pay for the installation.

All the help provided is greatly appreciated! Thanks a lot guys!

[slim142 9]

bump

[davidg121 0]

I wouldnt go with the 55w in projectors. Way too much extra heat for not so much more output...

[samuel6731 2]

Hi

So I have my BMW 328i 2008 4-door sedan. I want HIDs but I have no clue about this topic.

I dont know ANYTHING about HIDs. I know my local shop wants to charge me $220 for 8000k HIDs installed and 3 year warranty. A friend told me they are ripping me off but since I dont know anything about HIDs, Im not sure who is right.

Any help please?

[xLogan225x 5]

I agree with Sir-Lancelot on DDM Tuning. Good price and haven't heard one bad thing about them. I have some 35W 10,000K and love them.

[davidg121 0]

I have heard that they have been having some problems with customs or something to that matter... I think they have recently cleared it up though, take a look.

www.lightwerkz.com they offer pretty good stuff also.

[Sir-Lancelot 216]

I wouldnt go with the 55w in projectors. Way too much extra heat for not so much more output...

I am running 55w in projectors over a year now with no issues.

[xLogan225x 5]

These are DDM 35W 10,000K. Can't really beat DDM for the price.

[davidg121 0]

I wouldnt go with the 55w in projectors. Way too much extra heat for not so much more output...

I am running 55w in projectors over a year now with no issues.

I have seen many horror stories with the 55w in projectors (mainly smaller projectors) where the shrouds would actually start to melt. But hell if ur not having problems i bet they kick ass

[TRP 42]

DDM's problem was with customs, but more with the government trying to crack down on people importing HID kits and selling to the general public. DDM has cleared up most of there problems if i understand correctly. Also customs has been a pain for most everyone lately importing anything. Not sure why the big crackdown, but it has slowed alot of stuff down.

[kraz3one 0]

Why not get a retro kit off a tl or something and dremel your headlights up..

[MrSlinky 0]

been running xentec for the past year or so and no problems at all. got both low beam and fogs for under 140 including the relay thing (so your car dont show bulb out when running lower watt bulbs). i could not be happier, we've installed them in a lot of cars and only had a problem with the chevy 1500 trucks and a 96 impala.

[thebiggmann12 14]

i hate to be the "debbie downer" but i've had nothing but problems with my ddm hids. im on their facebook and im not the only person either. i ordered my kit, got it in about 2 weeks, not bad considering it shipped from china. installed them the day i got them. only one bulb works. called them probably 20 times, each time being on hold for 30 minutes or so and never talking to anybody. finally emailed them, and told them that i needed a new ballast asap, since i was cruising with only 1 bulb. they told me i had to ship mine back and them receive it before they would ship another one. they sent me another one, finally got to me about 2 weeks after i mailed mine out, installed and it only works sometimes. other times i have to turn my headlights on and off a few times to get it to come on. im not the only person with the problem, it seems their main problem is their ballasts, and number 2 is customer service. from what i have read, they used to have great, quality products, and lately they have been slacking hardcore. just my .02 but do some research before u buy from ddm tuning, or any company for that matter.

i got the 55w 5ks and they are bright as hell when they work.