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C30 / S40 & V50 '04-'12 / C70 '06-'13 General Forum for the P1-platform C30 / S40 / V50 / C70 models |
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E46 Bi-Xenon (budget) retrofitViews : 17708 Replies : 136Users Viewing This Thread : |
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Jan 19th, 2019, 21:15 | #61 | |
New Member
Last Online: Jun 14th, 2023 21:03
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: UK
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Quote:
Presuming new reflectors plus clear lenses (Vs my Fresnel's) should be enough for a noticeable improvement? |
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Jan 21st, 2019, 13:53 | #62 |
WowIcanwriteAnythingHere!
Last Online: Mar 26th, 2024 16:05
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Location: Dublin/Meath
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Yes, the whole unit (projector) replacement is enough to get decent lighting and huge improvement even on H7 bulbs. Its only up to you if you want to progress further and go HID or not. Those aftermarket projectors from retrofitlab (or similar) are really worth it.
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2005 V50 T5AWD M66, Stage1 Hilton tune E-focus torque mount, E46 bi-xenon retrofit v2 , (also available in PDF form), DTSC fully-off mod, Brembo discs+ATE ceramic pads |
Mar 11th, 2019, 17:41 | #63 |
Dave
Last Online: Sep 7th, 2023 11:33
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: East Yorkshire
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Sooooo, after some fettling...
I've fitted some hooky Ali Express D2S projectors to my second set of headlamps with LED bulbs. (My V50 is a facelift model) The result - BRIGHT AND CLEAR however some niggles to speak and first of all fitting: Okay, so having facelift headlamps made a challenge for installation - first snag, when removing the b**stard torx screw, you know the one. I heard a distinctive pop, mildly alarmed I peerer inside and could not see any damage besides two white plastic shards, however I soon realised that there is a ball and socket joint which effectively attaches the whole floating interior of the headlamp to the base. Okay so, with the old projector out I just reached inside and tugged the lens rim to pull the socket back onto the ball. This is important as if it is not secured you can forget about using the beam leveller to point downwards - it will go up but also bounces around, not good. So "Pop!" again, all is well I thought, then I tried and tried and TRIED to get the new projector in before realising that it would be impossible unless I removed the L-shaped hook used for routing the wires on the bottom part of the entry. I used some tin snips for this and it made light work of the polycarbonate, with that out the way I was then able to get the projector into position and for reasons of sanity secured it down with two of the torx screws. (I also put LED halos in - they are 85mm diameter and I slid them over the lens legs as far as they would go). Results: Very good, much improved over the tired H7 projector and LED setup, throw is much better, though beam angles need adjusting big time - at current not wide enough, and despite the improved light output there seems to be an annoying less-intense light zone above the cut off - I'll probably get used to this. I also notice my coilovers much more now! Haven't wired up the shutters yet, going to buy a pack of scotch locks so I can also use them for those and the halos too. We'll see how it goes, I'm reluctant to go HID at the moment but time will tell... The new bulbs I've got give a low beam error which is another minor grievance, and for what they are - probably not the best example on the market so will get another set in due course.
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V50 D5 'Thor' Last edited by Yobbo; Mar 11th, 2019 at 20:01. |
Mar 12th, 2019, 11:00 | #64 | |
WowIcanwriteAnythingHere!
Last Online: Mar 26th, 2024 16:05
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narrow beam pattern is a known issue of retro projectors, same as high contrast between under and over cutoff. Hopefully the light output outweights the negative issues in your case? have link to projectors you used?
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2005 V50 T5AWD M66, Stage1 Hilton tune E-focus torque mount, E46 bi-xenon retrofit v2 , (also available in PDF form), DTSC fully-off mod, Brembo discs+ATE ceramic pads |
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Mar 12th, 2019, 11:49 | #65 | |
Dave
Last Online: Sep 7th, 2023 11:33
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: East Yorkshire
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Quote:
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/For-...4e214c4dxadfNT The light output is much better, however I've had problems with the ball and socket joint popping apart and this is due to the chunkiness of the projector's mounting plate, I believe the only remedy to this is to either slice off the corner which goes into the hidden screw area (right where the ball and socket is) or chop down the pillar that the screw goes into which is obviously not a bright idea if you want to put the OEM projectors back in. I did some more fiddling this morning - popped the ball and socket back together then refitted. When I tried to use the height selector dial the socket on the left headlamp popped off again... Possibly due to me over-adjusting the height to be lower (clockwise) and the motor simply just forcing it to dislocate. I'd forgotten that there is no limiting to a safe range of adjustment, it's like doing parkour with a blindfold on. So at this stage I'd like to express my profound discontent at the design of the adjusters!!! I've taken the left handlamp vertical adjuster too far (I did keep an eye on the thread turning but got a little too cocky) and now it won't snatch back when I turn it anti-clockwise, I feel I'm going to have to find a way to unwind the threaded adjustment pin till it has some bite again and it looks hard, possibly involving splitting the lamp apart. GRRRRRRR!!!!
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V50 D5 'Thor' Last edited by Yobbo; Mar 12th, 2019 at 11:52. |
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Mar 12th, 2019, 11:58 | #66 |
WowIcanwriteAnythingHere!
Last Online: Mar 26th, 2024 16:05
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looks identical to the AHARON brand from TRFL, so I can only guess you would have the same issues with other AL type ones. Maybe FL lamp is just harder to deal with...
If you can post some pics if you have a chance - interested to see how those work with LED light source... (link to LED D2S bulbs you are using, please?)
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2005 V50 T5AWD M66, Stage1 Hilton tune E-focus torque mount, E46 bi-xenon retrofit v2 , (also available in PDF form), DTSC fully-off mod, Brembo discs+ATE ceramic pads |
Mar 12th, 2019, 12:15 | #67 | |
Dave
Last Online: Sep 7th, 2023 11:33
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: East Yorkshire
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Quote:
I'll get some pics once I've sorted the fitting issues out, bit of nightmare when the ball socket joint goes as you literally have no adjustment and the naturally settled beam angle is HIGH. I went for a run down the back road and a car was coming the other way and repeatedly flashing me, I was just like "Sorry, sorry, sorry, this IS my low beam. Ughhhh"
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V50 D5 'Thor' |
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Mar 12th, 2019, 12:40 | #68 | |
WowIcanwriteAnythingHere!
Last Online: Mar 26th, 2024 16:05
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Quote:
Have you tried to put H7 bulb in them just to compare if beam pattern or width changes? (I know in theory it shouldnt, but just for science.. :P)
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2005 V50 T5AWD M66, Stage1 Hilton tune E-focus torque mount, E46 bi-xenon retrofit v2 , (also available in PDF form), DTSC fully-off mod, Brembo discs+ATE ceramic pads |
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Mar 12th, 2019, 13:30 | #69 | |
Dave
Last Online: Sep 7th, 2023 11:33
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: East Yorkshire
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Quote:
I haven't tried a H7 bulb no, these projectors have a plastic collar that secures by rotation, they'll be coming off the car yet again so I'll have a look and see what can be done.
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Mar 12th, 2019, 13:48 | #70 | |
WowIcanwriteAnythingHere!
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Quote:
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2005 V50 T5AWD M66, Stage1 Hilton tune E-focus torque mount, E46 bi-xenon retrofit v2 , (also available in PDF form), DTSC fully-off mod, Brembo discs+ATE ceramic pads |
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