The adjusters on my stock lights are trashed and now that the small plastic wheels are broken off the adjustment screws both lights kind of point down so I've been looking around for a nice set of projector headlights to replace them with. Once I find a set I plan to add an HID kit so I don't want to go with a stock replacement. I searched back in some old threads and read about one set having a horrible light output and to look for the newer style but most of the links or pics seem to be dead. Looking thru the listings on ebay I'm not sure what to be looking for so any advice I could get I'd appreciate. Here's a couple pics of the sets I've seen listed..
Helix E-Code Projectors (H7 High Beam/H1 Low Beam)
DEPO E-Code Angel Eye Projectors (H7 High Beam/H7 Low Beam)
If you are planning on going HID, then dont't buy projectors for halogens (H7 bulbs). Get a set of Depo (assuming you can't afford OE) projectors designed for D2S HIDs. The light out-put will be better focused.
I honestly haven't even looked into OE lights. I imagine they're pricey but out of the few searches I've done I haven't seen them anywhere, just the stock style halogen assemblies..
I put these depo headlight assemblies with HIDs in just the other week. I had exactly the problem you've got, adjusters busted and headlights pointed straight down. To make matters worse, the bulbs on one assembly were epoxied in by the PO.
I requested 6000k, and that's what the stickers say, but the color output looks more like 8000k. Its just a little more blue than I'd prefer. That being said, the difference was AMAZING, and I'd do it again in a heartbeat if I had to
I saw a couple of these sets on ebay when I was looking but I wasn't sure if they were the "bad" projectors I read about. lol Depo seems like the way to go so I might pick up a set of them. They certainly can't be worse than what I'm dealing with now haha
I did the 2-piece (separate corner indicators) to 1-piece conversion on my 1996 A4 with Depos. They work like a champ, give me improved safety at night, and updated the appearance of the car. My only challenges were rewiring the incompatible electrical connectors (pretty easy) and removing the fender flanges with a hacksaw (also pretty easy).
I've had 4300k's for a while. A friend of mine swears by 6000K's and I can't see for crap at night with them in his car. I've never tried 5000K's, but I think 4300K's have the best output. And they look OEM, so that's a bonus.
I don't have the same headlights so I can't comment on the beam pattern, but retrofitted mini H1 6.0's are crystal clear
Just to throw this out there I bought a set of depo black 2 piece projector/halos a couple months ago. The expoxy or "glue" they use to hold the wires in the sockets is garbage. The heat from the engine melts that stuff right out of the sockets. Do yourself a favor if you buy them and get a two part epoxy and put it over top of all the glue they have on their sockets. You will be thankful you did. I had to redo all of mine after the wires fell out of both sides at the same time at night. It was a exciting drive home.
I've been looking around for a nice set of projector headlights for my B5.
Once I find a set I plan to add an HID kit so I don't want to go with a stock replacement.
Here's a picture of a set I've seen...
Two years ago I put the above headlights on my B5 with a superb result.
I also did a H.I.D conversion on both the Low beam and the High beam.
* 35 Watt H.I.D kit ( 4300 K ) on the Low beam.
* 55 Watt H.I.D kit ( 4300 K ) on the High beam.
Just for a slightly dissenting opinion, it's usually not recommended to use HID capsules in the high beams. HID takes a little while to brighten to full output. The way they're usually used in the States (turned on and off frequently, in response to oncoming traffic) means most of the time they're actually dimmer than halogens, and it's hard on the capsules to boot. Many cars with factory HID have halogen high beams. Usage may be different in Sweden.
Just for a slightly dissenting opinion, it's usually not recommended to use HID capsules in the high beams.
HID takes a little while to brighten to full output.
The way they're usually used in the States (turned on and off frequently, in response to oncoming traffic) means most of the time they're actually dimmer than halogens, and it's hard on the capsules to boot.
Many cars with factory HID have halogen high beams. Usage may be different in Sweden.
I live north of the Arctic Circle and a large part of the year we have darkness around the clock.
Since the LOW beam bulb is on all the time regardless of whether the HIGH beam bulb is lit or not, this is not a problem.
A HID light has about 75% of full strength directly at switch, and then slowly come up to 100% after a few seconds.
A 35 watt HID lamp has approximately 2.5 times more light output than a 55 Watts Halogen lamp.
....You can figure out the rest. :wrench:
I've seen some of the European high beams have both halogen and HID bulbs in them. The halogens are for flashing and go off once the HID's are activated. scotts13 is correct though, here in the states with these particular lights it is not advisable to install HID bulbs in the high beam.
One could install HIDs for high beams and move to Michigan where people just drive with the high beams on, without bothering to switch even if flashed several times...Must be legal over there. Minnesota is pretty much the same, but at least there you have long stretches of tree "curtains" between the roadways.
Good timing on the thread. I just started to look for replacements for my Hella projectors I bought years ago. Both adjusters are shot and when looking at the projector with the lights on, the inside of the lens looks cloudy or discolored.
I had depo angel eyes on my b5.5
I removed the 173 relay and added the euro switch. Sportiva hid's looked great and really bright. Glass projector is clear, unlike the oem.
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Related Threads
?
?
?
?
?
Volkswagen Passat Forum
3M posts
158.6K members
Since 2002
Passatworld is a forum community dedicated to Volkswagen Passat owners and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about mods, Quattro, Turbo Diesel, reviews and more!