HID Lights
Pro
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 717
Likes: 11
From: Pleasanton CA
SF-engineer, I live in Pleasanton, I would love to see your setup, maybe we could meet somewhere, send me an email and let me know, I grew up in Alameda, so I know the area. rgrasmussen@sbcglobal.net
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,699
Likes: 0
From: Rowlett TX
Originally Posted by SFengineer
It's made all the difference in night driving. Seems like the interest is there, i'll see if i can get a definite price. For a non hid setup, shouldn't be more than $250, and hid's could be used in it, just the cutoff wouldn't be as clean. This would be for those running 9006 HID's in their stock housing right now. Generic HID lights shouldn't be more than $350, and Bosch xenon or bi-xenon would have to be set by market price.
I'll try and get some hi beam pics up tonight. The hardest part is finding a part of town that's not lit by streetlights! I had to go to the ghetto to get those shots last night!
I'll try and get some hi beam pics up tonight. The hardest part is finding a part of town that's not lit by streetlights! I had to go to the ghetto to get those shots last night!
Keep us posted
There is a lot of interest on this forum about an HID setup for the C5 so I am sure you would have plenty of customers if you had some built 
Racer
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 461
Likes: 0
From: Alameda Ca
Quality is the question at hand. The cost for a pair of new Bosch Bi Xenon projectors is around $240, and the ballasts $230. That's about as cheap as they come, ask the guys that drive BMW's. There are other ballasts that are available that have good warranties for much cheaper, but then there's the quality question. There's cheaper projectors as well, but same problem. I'd like to offer a few different models for those wanting good lighting and those wanting the best. I'll see if i can get a deal with bosch or hella based upon quantity.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 2,148
Likes: 1
From: GA
Well, I can tell you I only want to do it once and I don't want problems out of it. I learned a long time ago that if you skimp you usually end up paying more because something breaks, wears out, falls off, curls up (you get the idea). How realistic is this and what kind of leadtime to get them?
Racer
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 461
Likes: 0
From: Alameda Ca
Spoke with the manufacturer today, and they can do everything that's been written so far - halogen, xenon, bi-xenon, and halos. This company makes headlights primarily used in europe, and ECE standards are more stringent than ours typically. Only downside is the minimum order is 2000! Good news is that they could be ready in less than a month, assuming i as satisfied with their molds and designs
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,171
Likes: 0
From: TN
Cruise-In VII Veteran
Originally Posted by SFengineer
I've been running BMW E46 hid projectors now for almost a year, and recieve compliments are inquiries every time i drive at night. I had an overseas manufacturer ready to create a complete mold, but held off in respect to the guy who was going to make the original set. I think it's been enough time. If the interest is there, i'll start checking around again
I've seen this done with other cars. But, Where did you get the clear plastic housing on the headlight assembly??
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 11,651
Likes: 9
From: HOW FAST WAS I GOING OFFICER? Los Angeles Hating GM Dealership Service Dept.'s Since Sept. 2004
St. Jude Donor '04-'05-'06-'07
Originally Posted by Ag_bullet
So what are the odds of those of us with the 9006 HID kits being able to buy a projector only upgrade kit? As far as I know no one makes such a thing yet.
Racer
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 461
Likes: 0
From: Alameda Ca
That would be the easiest upgrade, the projector would be built into the light rather than having to install a D2S HID projector, but i don't think it would ever be approved by the DOT, as halogen size HIDs are not viewed well by the the feds. Also, i am unaware of any brand name (hella, bosch, valeo) hid projectors that accept a 9006, it's "illegal" and the big brands don't want to be associated with that. Running a HID in a non hid projector is still 10X better than in a stock housing though, just the cutoff isn't as sharp. Keeping the ballast and ignitor and switching to a phillips D2S bulb will only set you back $70 or so, and give you the option of running a true HID projector, that's what i'm doing in my current setup. The interest doesn't seem to be there that i was hoping, so the prospect of this going forward isn't all that promising. Otherwise, the tooling will take 2 weeks, and the product available in less than 4
Successful Plumber
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 43,830
Likes: 14
From: Top of the hill, 3rd mailbox on the right. Texas
CF NCM Ambassador
CI 6-7-9-10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10
NCM Member '09
How are you gauging interest?
mray may have soured many of us as he began posting about his setup in February with talk about a March, then May delivery. Now we hear September...
Can you sell 2000 of these? Sure - there are about a quarter million C5s running around, but you'll need to market them beyond a single thread on one internet forum.
I know I'd be interested.
mray may have soured many of us as he began posting about his setup in February with talk about a March, then May delivery. Now we hear September...
Can you sell 2000 of these? Sure - there are about a quarter million C5s running around, but you'll need to market them beyond a single thread on one internet forum.
I know I'd be interested.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 5,492
Likes: 39
From: Tampa Florida
Originally Posted by BuckyThreadkiller
there are about a quarter million C5s running around,
back on topic though
id be really interested, i want some better light output
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,699
Likes: 0
From: Rowlett TX
Originally Posted by BuckyThreadkiller
How are you gauging interest?
mray may have soured many of us as he began posting about his setup in February with talk about a March, then May delivery. Now we hear September...
Can you sell 2000 of these? Sure - there are about a quarter million C5s running around, but you'll need to market them beyond a single thread on one internet forum.
I know I'd be interested.
mray may have soured many of us as he began posting about his setup in February with talk about a March, then May delivery. Now we hear September...
Can you sell 2000 of these? Sure - there are about a quarter million C5s running around, but you'll need to market them beyond a single thread on one internet forum.
I know I'd be interested.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 10,838
Likes: 1
From: Volusia. Las Vegas FL, NV
Originally Posted by BuckyThreadkiller
How are you gauging interest?
mray may have soured many of us as he began posting about his setup in February with talk about a March, then May delivery. Now we hear September...
Can you sell 2000 of these? Sure - there are about a quarter million C5s running around, but you'll need to market them beyond a single thread on one internet forum.
I know I'd be interested.
mray may have soured many of us as he began posting about his setup in February with talk about a March, then May delivery. Now we hear September...
Can you sell 2000 of these? Sure - there are about a quarter million C5s running around, but you'll need to market them beyond a single thread on one internet forum.
I know I'd be interested.
Pro
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 717
Likes: 11
From: Pleasanton CA
I'm ready to buy right now, I think you'll sell 2000 easy, just take a deposit on the orders, that way you'd know who's serious about purchasing a set. I have also waited on mray, I think he sold his C5 so he might not have much intrest any more..
Originally Posted by BuckyThreadkiller
How are you gauging interest?
mray may have soured many of us as he began posting about his setup in February with talk about a March, then May delivery. Now we hear September...
Can you sell 2000 of these? Sure - there are about a quarter million C5s running around, but you'll need to market them beyond a single thread on one internet forum.
I know I'd be interested.
mray may have soured many of us as he began posting about his setup in February with talk about a March, then May delivery. Now we hear September...
Can you sell 2000 of these? Sure - there are about a quarter million C5s running around, but you'll need to market them beyond a single thread on one internet forum.
I know I'd be interested.
