Hey all, for those who are interested, I have been retrofitting a set of 1 piece parabolic headlamps with the Bi-Xenon (Xenon high and low beam) projectors out of a 2003 BMW 330. So far, I have managed to fit the projector into the headlamp by heating up and bending the plastic casing of the headlamp to fit the bixenon solenoid.

The standard BMW trim pieces will fit with some bits cut off, reducing the weight of the assembly (my first retrofit used cut down muffler tips - looked good, but VERY heavy - had the tendancy to bounce a bit on rough roads.

The high beam reflectors out of the BMW will also fit into a Magna headlamp, in place of the standard (yuk) DOT high beams. The difference is startling! Very bright, and much longer distance vision. These use a H7 bulb in a very nicely designed holder, with a true complex corner reflector - nice. Also allows you to use the OEM BMW parking lights (that would have been lost when the low beam reflector is removed. The left/right reflectors need to be swapped, as the parking bulb is a little close to the adjusters.

The high beam reflectors are basically the same size as the onese fitted to the magnas - I would also hazard a guess that the low beam (halogen) reflectors are a pretty good fit as well. Not suprising since an E36 headlamp will supposedly fit in a 2nd gen.

The output of the larger lensed Bixenon projector (vs the Audi TT) is far more uniform, brighter and wider - the reflector is designed for a brighter left-hand flare too. On high beam - wow! Totally blows halogen high beams away! Combined with the BMW high beam reflector fitted with a Philips Rally H7 and plastic lenses... hmmm... Probably as good as the BMW it all came from! Getting the bixeon function to work is interesting.

All in all coming along nicely. Cheaper than the first retrofit to boot as well - it may also be able to be engineered (as this one has parkers), and as I can fit the 3rd gen Wagon washer bottle (which has two washer pumps fitted) I think I can also fit headlamp washers too! Sweeet :) Need to sort out the anti-siphon valves (I know Saabs use these) but this is not a major issue.

The 1 piece parabolics are an interesting design, it looks like the blinker is designed to take another bulb (as there is another diffuser present) for parkers - In some countries the parkers are yellow - so it would make sense that you could fit a small 5W bulb in there (or use a dual filament bulb - like a brake lamp (5/20W) - with a different holder. Hmmm...

Some people in the USA are also removing the yellow diffuser and fitting Diadiem (Off they look silver/chrome, on they look yellow) bulbs in there so you cannot see any yellow in the corners (the clear corner craze that is big over there) - This is not ADR compliant (as the diffuser also works like a lens).

I feel very sorry for the 2 piece headlamp I am hacking up to test fit things into - it looks like it has seen far better days - plastic welding everywhere, broken bits, cut marks - terrible.

Does anyone have a totally banged up 1 piece that they are willing to sell/donate to the cause? Doesn't matter if the lenses are smashed/yellow or anything. As long as the escutchen/trim/body is in one piece. Don't care about the mounts either...

Cheers
Heath Young

If we made these housings i would beable to get you a bunch of rejects.

Unfortunately Stanley make them.

You could always get in contact with Stanley and see if they would send you some rejects for testing..

I may see if there are any around (Stanley) Won't hold my breath though...

I would be interested if there are any Hella Gen 3 Exec cases lying around (rejects) as I would still like to test fit a whole BMW assembly into one of these (and custom make some MR16 Lenses to fit). I can't help playing with these headlamps :P

Cheers
Heath Young

Ill check around.

I believe we dont make them anymore. We have 'stock' which gets taken off the shelves when Mitsu needs it.

Heaps good Heath!

Yeah I know some of the 1st gen Diamante guys over the States have successfully retrofitted the E36 lamps.

So what are your thoughts now about the UV emissions affecting the plastic lens on the 1-pieces?

Have a look at the Pajero or the Outlander for the headlight washers, the Outlander also runs projectors. The Saab check valves tend to blow, I had to replace every single one on more then a couple of Saabs!
If I had another set of headlights, even Exec ones with blinkers, I would send you my 1 piece lights. What sort of $$ would the conversion cost?

I would be interested if there are any Hella Gen 3 Exec cases lying around (rejects)



If you asked me about 2 months ago I could have given you one for free.

any pics to show us the progress??
my next car is going to be a euro accord luxury, just so i can have the cool headlights

I know about the unreliability of the Saab check valves, I drove 2 saabs before the magna - very annoying - at least they are cheap.

I remember seeing Audi-type headlamp washers on an outlander - I think that these are the pop-up ones that require quite high pressure to operate (ie. more than a windscreen washer pump).

Cost... Hmmm... So far about $600 or so in parts (projector, ballast out of 330 BMW, ignitor out of Audi TT (as its leads are longer) Bezel - needs a bit of modification)

I won't be doing these as a retrofit for other people, but I will post measurements of adaptor plates etc for anyone interested.

I need to work out a way of making a better headlamp Bezel though... Time to break out the fibreglass again :P

Cheers
Heath Young

The Pajero uses the fixed headlight washer, looks like the one used on the KS Touring wagons. Might actually be easier using the headlight washer bits from the KS Touring wagons.

Hey guys
sounds like an awesome project - im all up for modifying and making these cars better but can you fill in an ignorant fool and tell me whats so good about these lights?

i cant begin to imagine how much better they must be to warrant spending $600 (thats not a sarcastic comment - im genuinely interested)

Cheers,
Guru.

HID = High Intensity Discharge.

those lights you see on new model Lexus, BMW, Mercs, Audi's..... yeah them.

ricer's try to copy them by buying 'blue' headlights...... heath loooves them, and uses them all the time lol :bowrofl:

Heh :) I am a HID nut - I even have HID worklights :)

Yes, the HID headlights output roughly 3 times the light of the standard headlamps, the bulbs last 5 times as long. Looks like driving around with your own personal sun :)

I will have to get some photos up showing these headlamps in action/progress photos. Little annoying things in life like work and renovating a house for a baby in 10 weeks time is really sapping all of my time... :P

Cheers
Heath Young

hehe yeah nice
it would be nice to see them in action

HID = High Intensity Discharge.

those lights you see on new model Lexus, BMW, Mercs, Audi's..... yeah them.

ricer's try to copy them by buying 'blue' headlights...... heath loooves them, and uses them all the time lol :bowrofl:



i got bluey whitish head lights......... :booty: :)

looks good, much better to be able to light up the road. But, are these headlights bad for other road users? Its just that often i drive at night, and half the time i need sunglasses other peoples lights are so bright :shock: But other than that, good little project

i got bluey whitish head lights......... :booty: :)

how nice for you....