E-Bay Headlight Questions

[97Hellrot318ti]

There is a WIDE range of headlights available on E-Bay to fit 318ti's... with this range comes, of course, a range of prices. I've seen projector/halo sets (with corners/one-piece/without) ranging from 175, to around 600. The ones around 600 tend to be more recognizable name brands, as expected. I was just wondering if the ones you can get around 175 are a good investment or complete ****? I'd hate to spend 500-600 on a good set, when I can get something comparable for 200. Anyone know the difference, or have advice?

[bluebastion]

Definitely got advice on that one.... Currently I have the one piece set for my ti.... I think it looks hot. I'm sure the Bavarian Puritan Society would object however, since it seems to make my car look like a hybrid between an E36 and an E39. Before I put these on (a week ago) I had a cheap set of ellipsoids with angel eyes built in, they were actually not bad at all... the only objection is the quality of the black plastic that houses the rear and sides of the set. The part I had trouble with specifically was where the signal-corners are embraced on the respective sides of the headlight black plastic housing. When I tried to fit the corners on... parts of the "embracer" cracked and came off. HOWEVER... when everything is installed, the corners DO stay put as long as they have their respective clips intact (the clips that attach themselves to the headlight side). Lighting quality is better than stock, the angel eyes did have a bluish tint though which is why I got rid of them for the one piece. The one piece set doesn't have angel eyes (kinda getting out of that phase anyway... tons of peeps have them now) but they do have LED lights (bluish tint again :/) which look pretty cool. The only objection I have with this current set is that they are not specifically made for a 2D or 4D... so they come with add on brackets that you paint and fit to where the "corners" meet the car. The car still looks hot. I'll have to show you pics when I get my car back from the $tealer.
In conclusion, I say go for it, if money IS an object. Those items are functional and for the most part look good (depends on which aftermarket set you get). I've seen some butt ugly ones too. Oh yeah, this is an important tip, if you do want to go Xenon later on down the road... OEM ellipsoids are the ONLY way to go. As far as I know the aftermarket (cheaper) ones can not fit the HID bulbs... however they can fit the look alikes (silverstars, osram, piaa). The aftermarkets are generally H7's BTW, 2. I hope this helps, dude.

Other information you might want to know:
1) I have seen 3 different types of One-piece sets: Chromed out E46 style, LED style (also available in chrome), and nasty racoon style (also available in chrome). So make sure you look at all before you make a choice if you go this route.
2) There seems to be too many to count of the aftermarket ellipsoid angel eyes ones.... make sure you check out every detail including the COLOR of the angel eyes.... nothing like getting red or blue ones unknowingly and then getting pulled over for them learning you can't use them anymore. (didn't happen to me but I can see it happening if you aren't careful).

[97Hellrot318ti]

Thanks A LOT. Honestly, that was exactly what I was looking for; someone who had experience with the different types. Now all I'm really worried about is if it looks good on the car... there's a one-piece I found that claims to be specifically fit for an e36 318 2door, but looks like it belongs on an e39 (right designation for 3 series immediately replacing e36, correct?). It's got built in angel eyes, and the low beams are projectors. It looks ok but they don't have ANY pics of it on a car... I'll come back with a link when I get back home, I'm in class now... haha.

[bluebastion]

that's cool... let me know the link when you can. I want to see if I've seen em....

[97Hellrot318ti]

Here's the e-bay link to one of the sets I was considering... like sitting there alone I think they look cool... I'm just kind of... I guess confused is the word, as to how they will look on my car...

[bluebastion]

no link...

[97Hellrot318ti]

Ok so maybe I forgot the link... are you trying to say I'm stupid or something? Haha ok... maybe I am. Here it is anyway... http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7958468235&category=33710

[bluebastion]

Those are cool... I was debating whether I was going to get those or the ones I have now. I picked the ones I have now because the black housing was offered... not chrome. Those are the e46 style set I was talking about.... they have the underbrow and the faux corner indicator line under the turn signal circle. sweet.... I don't recognize the seller, but the product looks great.

[96ti]

2 DR headlights won't fit your TI. Get a set of 4DR

[bluebastion]

Thanks... I already informed Hellrot of that.... we continued the conversation on AIM. :)

[BMWaffectSean]

damn.. and i just bought a pair of those EXACT ones ... 2dr.. gotta call and switch.

You guys got any pics yet ?? I can't wait to see what they look like!!

[bluebastion]

I can have some up soon (Wednesday, hopefully). The link that Hellrot posted is not the same exact 1pc I purchased. But I will still post pics of them soon.

[BMWaffectSean]

Awsome .. let me know how the process goes to!

-Sean

[Slynke]

I saw a topic on BimmerForums about somebody who wanted to know about these, bought them, and they ended up not being sealed correctly. Moisture leaked inside them like a biatch.. So I never went with them. But if there are other people on here that are saying that isn't a problem, then I might have to buy them...

[madfronter]

I am thinking about buying one piece headlights for my ti but was worried about moisture getting inside the housing. I've seen this happen before on those cheap tail lights everyone gets on their civics.

I like the one piece halo projector headlights with the black housing. I think they would look the best on the ti.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=7964869124&category=33710