Well, I've decided that I would like to have brighter headlights in my 8. HID's seem to be all the rage, but they seem unpractical for me as they are illegal (aren't they?) in California, and because they seem sort of hard to install given my knowledge on the matter.

With those out of the picture, I think that leaves HIR's and Sylvania Silverstars. To install these is it as simple as unplugging the stock headlight and plugging the next one in? And are these two a big improvement over stock headlights?

Thanks.

I really wish they allowed stickies...

O Cmon lol..He's a Cali 8'r...Help a brother out...

start by having the lights adjusted properly (see http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1009806),
then go out and gets some 4300K XENON HID light kits. If you can "change a bulb" you can put these in.

I know things are alot different on planet California (no disrespect here), but I highly doubt that the HID's are "illegal" (what are all the new high-end cars doing about their HID's).

Sorry for posting I new topic,:( but I guess I'll continue my question here...

Anyways, do the 4300K's require installation of a ballast or are is their installation as simple as unplugging the stock bulb and plugging that one in?

I don't think its of real concern, but I have read in many places (including e31faq) that they are illegal and in fact the police are cracking down on those selling HID kits.

All HID's require a ballast (High Intensity Discharge means exactly that). The 4300K is the bulb "temperature" in light output. 4300 is as close to sunlight color as you can get with the aftermarkets. I don't know what or where you have read on E31faq that these are illegal, poilce are not cracking down on people selling these. I would check the expiration date of the crack you might be smoking though - HID's are simple to install (all the connectors plug into existing harness and bulb is a direct swap for what you have in the headlight bucket already.
It takes about 15 minutes to put these in. Check some of the other posts to read about how simple and effective this upgrade is.

Two quick questions:

1. Do the car batteries have to be disconnected to do the installation?

2. Do any of the fuses have to be fiddled with?

Sorry for my novice questions....

two quick answers:

no
no

Funky, once you go HID you will never go back. EVER!

Well, I think i am going to go the HIR route because I am looking for something a little simpler to install. For those it is as simple as unplugging the old bulb and plugging in the HIR bulb right?

The replacement bulbs...are blue and brighter...but will suck when your diving in bad weather or really dark roads. So..they suck all around. I rather run the original dim yellow lights because they light the road up better.

I dont even know what HIR is.

HIDs is the way to go, and even better...Retro fit projectors.

The MAIN thing that makes HIDs illegal, is because idiots run them in stupid temperatures and dont know shit about aiming headlights.

If you can take acouple of bolts off, heat shrink some wires, you can install HIDs. Nowadays the job is easier with plug and play kits. So if you can install a bulb, you can install HIDs. If you cant do that...im sorry.

And HIDs been illegal for years...people still sell them, people still use them. Plus, you drive a BMW, a cop aint gonna think twice when he sees a nice BMW driving by with bright headlights...cause now..they ALL come with HIDs. The cops are only gonna pull over the lowerd civic ricers that looks like they have strobes on due to their cut springs and bad cutoff.

There is NO need to heat shrink or cut into the existing wiring harness. If you have ever installed an aftermarket HID system, you would know that. What is "illegal" (jury still out on that one)or actually unadviseable are the 8000K, 10,000K and up bulbs. These produce blue and purple light. If you would have paid attention is science class, you would know that this light gets closer to violet which has "less" light output than the 4300K or even 6000K bulbs (6000K is already to blue - looks very ricer).
The deal with HIR's is that they will run at 55 or 60 watts lowbeam while the HID's will draw 35 watts (almost half), this means that the headlights do not get as hot , and you don't use nearly the power of regular bulbs.

It IS very simple, go out get a set (2 if you want to do fogs and low beams) connect them up, and enjoy the nighttime driving.

Well said, Steffan.

Check out these an an option:

http://www.finemotoring.com/

those are great, but as the ad even says: ..."they produce the same amount of heat as a halogen bulb.." This is one reason why I went to HID. I have seen too many US headlight assemblies melted even from "normal" bulbs". The "other" issue with these bulbs is they really do not have a long life (ask Faisal).

But, to each his own...

Wheres that thread about some dude using hella bulbs and it melted his housing.

ouch!

If I can conjure up some energy today, I'll install my HIR's. I'm feeling lazy :D

I installed the HIR's from finemotoring.com earlier this year. Much brighter...a vast improvement over OEM. No signs of melting issues either. Easy install - a virtual 'no brainer'. I'm very satisfied so far.