Q. for Daniel Stern re. HIDs

Very good, then. Grab your friend's old set, get a set of the HIR bulbs and enjoy. The bulbs are even E-marked, so even an extremely zealous MoT inspector probably won't catch on.

Believe it or not, the "looks like a traditional lens" ring is used to reduce apparent dazzle/glare. Controlled amounts of low-intensity light are "leaked" through that part of the lens, which increases the apparent size of the light source as perceived by oncoming eyes, thus reducing discomfort glare. The physiological processes behind it are VERY involved.

DS

More advanced optics and a more intense light source (H7 @ 1500 lumens vs. HB4 @ 1000 lumens).

Hold on there... The set for sale are HIDs -- I already have the halogen projectors. Or do you mean H1IR for the high-beams? Won't the HIDs be better than halogens w/HIR bulbs? The cost of HIR bulbs is the same as what these HIDs will cost me!

apparent

Good to see BMW (or Hella) putting so much effort into this! The newer style with the 'halos' (or 'angel-eyes' or whatever) don't have this lens -- does the 'halo' perform the same function? Are these actually an improvement or a purely cosmetic ugrade?

Thanks again,

Tom

Oh, sorry. I must not have paid enough attention to your original question.

Er...what is your question, then?

HIR1 for high beams. You'll probably like the HIDs better than halogens w/HIRs.

Quite possibly so. Factor in the whole cost, though -- you're in the UK, and the UK adheres to ECE Regulations including #48, 98 and 99, which require autolevelling and headlamp cleaning on all HID headlamp systems. You can't just drop in the headlamps and leave off the autolevelling and wash systems. Thumbwheel levelling (from the driving seat) is not legal with HID. Hella makes an autolevelling retrokit, but it is expensive.

Not really, no.

The optics in the later projectors are a little better, but mostly they're better because the H7 bulb produces 1500 lumens compared to the HB4 bulb's paltry 1000. (HIR2 low beam produces 1875).