 » Site Navigation | | | | » Recent Threads | | | |  |  |  |  05-27-2008, 02:25 AM | #1 | | Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: CT Posts: 27 |  My DDM tuning/ Apexcone experience.
Thought I would share my experience with my Apexcone Projector headlight and 55W 6000K HID purchase from the "benjamin box" from DDMtuning.com I knew shipping would take a little while, I was fine with that, it took a little more than a month to recieve the package due to them being backed up with orders, etc. Everything was packaged very well with no moving damage. Day 1 Inspection Opened the boxes and everything is there, all parts, instructions, etc. Happy with that. The glass lens looks good plastic housing good, HID ballast and wiring good. Start to look at the lights and notice the inside reflecting part is wiggling around in one side of the lights. I removed the lens, notice the metal clips are of "cheap" quality and barely take any force to come off, in fact one fell off. OK, well at least the side plastic clips hold the lens on well. I found the bottom "ball joint" or adjuster has popped out of the metal reflector plate. I try to push it back in but this does not work. Completely remove both top adjuster screws and notice the parts they screw into are quite loose, but don't think anything of it, at this point. Find too much glue in the "ball joint" lower adjuster clip is keeping the rod from popping in. Remove extra glue and push it in. However this does not work, the ball simply pops out with little force. So I push it into place and 2 part epoxy it, reassembled and its now fixed. Day 2 Installation Removed my old headlights and installed the Apexcone projector units. Goes smoothly, everything fits well. Turn on the lights and they are very bright and a nice color, however they need adjustment. Using the adjustment screws I found very annoying because you cannot simply using a screwdriver or socket vertically because it does not move and simply makes an annoying crunching noise of the gears grinding together. Found a socket which fits in the back of the main adjuster 8mm I believe and turn the screw for a solid minute, and nothing has moved. Removed the back of one of the bulb housings and found I could simply wiggle the whole reflector/projector assembly. Thinking back to when I had it apart decided it was due to the loose clips which the adjusters screw into. Day 3 Rebuild for Higher Quality I removed the headlights again and removed the lenses, removed all adjuster screws and 2 part epoxied the clips the screws go into, into place. Also made sure both lower adjuster/ball joints are secured. Reassembled everything, and reinstalled lights which now have very stable reflector/projector pieces. Once night fell I properly adjusted the lights and they now work decent. The highbeams are practically useless but the projectors with HIDs work good. I did notice an oval shaped "dead spot" in the driver side beam. When the lights where apart I noticed a couple pin head sized nicks in the projectors, maybe this is the cause. Final Thoughts For $160 shipped to my door, the lights are not bad. They work better than stock, and look better than stock. You will have to fiddle a bit to get them working well, but it's overall worth it, and will not take a whole lot of time. If your looking for a budget lighting upgrade, this is the way to go. If your looking for factory quality lighting upgrade, I would look at spending more money on something higher quality. I'll update on water resistance when it rains. sorry for the long read   __________________  97 Boston Green 318ti Active |  |  | | 05-27-2008, 02:59 AM | #2 | | Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Stamford, CT <-> Boston, MA Posts: 1,393 |
Nice review, sorry to hear about your Apexcones. My DEPO's work fine  Glad I hopped on the B-Day bash sale, got them relatively quickly too. __________________ 
BMWCCA #403399
2012 Mini Cooper S Clubman, 6-Speed
Loaded
2001 325xi, Winter Package, 5-Speed
Traded
1998 318ti, Active, Automatic, TOTAL LOSS R.I.P. 10/20/08
Bilstein Sport Shocks/Struts . H&R Sport Springs . Strut Reinforcement Plates . RSM Reinforcement Plates . Fogg Airbox . X-Brace . Bosal Brospeed Catback | | | | | 05-27-2008, 03:03 AM | #3 | | Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Denver, Colorado Posts: 3,212 |
+2 on the DEPOs working fine. I have 35w 6000k, I think it's bright can't imagine having 55w  | | | | | 05-27-2008, 03:09 AM | #4 | | Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Stamford, CT <-> Boston, MA Posts: 1,393 |
The 55w's are BRIGHT (5000k). That's what I'm running, I noticed while i was driving, going over some bumps how far my light actually hits (i.e. on the highway, lighting up signs posted on overpasses), and i've set them as low as possible.  You can see in the picture how much of the light is hitting right infront of the car, compared to my friend's RSX. Even then, when I turn on my highbeams, they only fill in so much of the area that the HID's don't, which is why I'm always worried that my HID's are aimed too high. __________________
BMWCCA #403399
2012 Mini Cooper S Clubman, 6-Speed
Loaded
2001 325xi, Winter Package, 5-Speed
Traded
1998 318ti, Active, Automatic, TOTAL LOSS R.I.P. 10/20/08
Bilstein Sport Shocks/Struts . H&R Sport Springs . Strut Reinforcement Plates . RSM Reinforcement Plates . Fogg Airbox . X-Brace . Bosal Brospeed Catback | | | | | 05-27-2008, 02:32 PM | #5 | | Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Eugene Oregon Posts: 6,182 |
nice writeup i will save for the depos __________________
-Josh
Sold-1995 318ti, Club Sport, Hellrot
Sold-1996 318ti, Active Model, Boston Green
Current- 1995 318ti, sport model, schwartz
| | | | | 05-27-2008, 03:33 PM | #6 | | Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 1,152 |
Nice write up and review on the Apexcone headlights. Not the best quality compared to genuine German headlights but hey it's like 1/4 of the price. Still better than stock with the glass lenses and projector. I got 35w HID in Depo and I think it's sufficient for my driving needs so far. | | | | | 05-27-2008, 08:40 PM | #7 | | Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Waco/Austin, TX Posts: 233 |
Cool write up. Confirmed I want DEPOs... now i just need money  __________________ 1997 318ti Schwarz II
FB | | | | | 05-28-2008, 12:47 AM | #8 | | Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: CT Posts: 27 |
Thanks for all the replies.
UPDATE
It rained heavily today and there is moisture in the driver side headlight. Now I'll take them apart for a reseal!
D'oh.
Still like I said, for the money, they're not bad. __________________ 97 Boston Green 318ti Active | | | | | 05-28-2008, 12:59 AM | #9 | | Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Stamford, CT <-> Boston, MA Posts: 1,393 |
My DEPO's seem to fog up when it rains heavily as well. But after a day they clear up. I'm actually more pissed about how much dust/pollen has gotten behind the lens. __________________
BMWCCA #403399
2012 Mini Cooper S Clubman, 6-Speed
Loaded
2001 325xi, Winter Package, 5-Speed
Traded
1998 318ti, Active, Automatic, TOTAL LOSS R.I.P. 10/20/08
Bilstein Sport Shocks/Struts . H&R Sport Springs . Strut Reinforcement Plates . RSM Reinforcement Plates . Fogg Airbox . X-Brace . Bosal Brospeed Catback | | | | | 05-28-2008, 02:17 AM | #10 | | Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 1,152 |
Put a bead of silicone around the edge of the headlight. Make sure the black rubber grommet (HID) and plastic covers are tight. You can use the white package of desiccant to absorb the moisture in headlight. ATF a little compressed air will take care of the dust.  | | | | | 05-28-2008, 03:33 AM | #11 | | aka Stabby Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mead, CO Posts: 5,336 |
looks like i have some work to do before installing them __________________ 1996 318ti, California package, 267k miles
current mods: bilstein sports, bavauto springs, e30 m3 LCABs, solid metal ball joints, bavauto RSMs w/reinforcements, e30 3.73 LSD & halfshafts, supersprint cat-back exhaust, turner rear sway bar reinforcements, IE poly subframe & RTABs + camber/toe kits, powdercoated e36 32x front calipers, sport mirrors, H&R 28mmF/19mmR sway bars, x-brace, auto solutions SSK w/poly bushing upgrade, BMW CD43 head unit, DICE HD Radio w/iPod integration and "stealth" HD antenna, staggered style 68s, orange electronic TPMS, leather arm rest, JT Designs metal undertray
acquired and awaiting install: heated seat kit, cali top switch relo, lumbar support kit, park distance control kit, heated washer nozzle kit, m-coupe rear subframe, trailing arms, differential, and halfshafts, m-coupe front/rear brakes with master cylinder, under hood light kit, mud flaps, rear sun blind, auto-dimming rear view mirror, tilt steering wheel retrofit, apexcone 5000K HIDs with 55W ballasts
2002 X5 4.4 Sport Package, 53.5k miles
Current Mods: e46 m3 steering wheel | | | | | 05-28-2008, 02:39 PM | #12 | | Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Eugene Oregon Posts: 6,182 |
good thing it doesnt rain much here! __________________
-Josh
Sold-1995 318ti, Club Sport, Hellrot
Sold-1996 318ti, Active Model, Boston Green
Current- 1995 318ti, sport model, schwartz
| | | | | 05-28-2008, 02:47 PM | #13 | | Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Waco/Austin, TX Posts: 233 |
Quote: Originally Posted by the tech  Thanks for all the replies.
UPDATE
It rained heavily today and there is moisture in the driver side headlight. Now I'll take them apart for a reseal!
D'oh.
Still like I said, for the money, they're not bad. | Quote: Originally Posted by ATF My DEPO's seem to fog up when it rains heavily as well. But after a day they clear up. I'm actually more pissed about how much dust/pollen has gotten behind the lens. | That's a pretty common problem over on bf.c that people complain about a LOT! Habbie did a writeup explaining how to fix it. Need to loosen some bolts, ill find the thread. (ps these are with DEPO, dunno if Apexcone is the same) http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum...79&postcount=3 Quote: Originally Posted by thesk8nmidget good thing it doesnt rain much here! | We got DUMPED on yesterday in Waco.. i was ok with it, made it 30 degrees cooler than it was in Austin yesterday __________________ 1997 318ti Schwarz II
FB | | | | |
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