Even tough I found a few guides they skipped alot of steps. So when I did my install I figured I do a more thorough post. Hey moderators, this might be good candidate for a sticky thread since I see some many questions about HID's installs and depo headlights etc........

Here is the step by step install.

(you may be able to do it differently, this is how I did it):D

The Depo headlights come with a "factory" style angel eye. It is illuminated by a series of clear 194 halogen bulbs. This gives the rings a yellowish look. meh....

Therefore you need to modify them to fit a ccfl type angel eye. (very bright and white)

The HID's are pretty much plug and play.

You will need;

HID kit ( I prefer 6000K )
http://www.stealthauto.com/Store/ProductInfo.aspx?productid=HID-

Depo projector headlights
http://www.stealthauto.com/Store/ProductInfo.aspx?productid=BME-3000-

Angle eye kit with ballasts

Tools:
Wire strippers
Flat screwdriver
Phillips screwdriver
elec. tape
Dremel (cut off wheel and grinder bit)
Clear Silicone
10mm socket with extension (for headlight bolts)
------------------------------------------------------------------------

First pull you depo's out of the box and separate them...

Pull the metal retaining clips off first (4)

http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h67/StealthAuto/E36%20Stuff/hid%20install/IMG_2898.jpg

then CAREFULLY PULL THE TABS UP A BIT then CAREFULLY separate the glass from the housing. What happens is that the plastic housing tabs are very brittle and can break if you bend them too much. (i broke one)

http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h67/StealthAuto/E36%20Stuff/hid%20install/IMG_2899.jpg

http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h67/StealthAuto/E36%20Stuff/hid%20install/IMG_2900.jpg

http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h67/StealthAuto/E36%20Stuff/hid%20install/IMG_2901.jpg

Now at this point begin to pull out the factory 0194 bulbs and wiring.

http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h67/StealthAuto/E36%20Stuff/hid%20install/IMG_2902.jpg

Next use the phillips and unscrew the reflector

http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h67/StealthAuto/E36%20Stuff/hid%20install/IMG_2904.jpg

once the reflector/stock ring assembly is out carfully with a flat screwdriver push the locking pins in and pry the factory rings off the reflector.

http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h67/StealthAuto/E36%20Stuff/hid%20install/IMG_2905.jpg

http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h67/StealthAuto/E36%20Stuff/hid%20install/IMG_2907.jpg

Now take your Favorite CCFL "angel eyes".

We used a model made my REVI.

In this case it is necessary to separate the ccfl tube from the plastic ring.

Take a small flat screwdriver and pry the backing off the ring to expose the ccfl tube.

http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h67/StealthAuto/E36%20Stuff/hid%20install/IMG_2908.jpg

separate them (discard the metal backing plate)

http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h67/StealthAuto/E36%20Stuff/hid%20install/IMG_2909.jpg

Next it we will need to modify the ring to fit in the e36 housing.

First step is to remove the DELICATE ccfl tube from the platic cover. To do this you must snap off the snap pins (used to simply install in e46 headlights). You need to remove this to free the tube.

They should just snap off. then you can remove the ccfl tube. The tube are VERY, VERY delicate. handle them with care.

http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h67/StealthAuto/E36%20Stuff/hid%20install/IMG_2911.jpg

at this point you should have 4 ccfl rings and 4 ccf light tubes.

Now you will need to modify the aftermarket rings to fit the e36 housing. Take a dremel with a cutoff wheel and chop to top edge.

On the left is what they should look like AFTER and the right is what they looked like before.

http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h67/StealthAuto/E36%20Stuff/hid%20install/IMG_2912.jpg

now lay the ccfl tube in the ring and apply some silcone at the ends of the ring to hold it in place.

Next you will lay that assembly into the reflector. Some have used epoxy to secure the rings. I used clear silicon since that would be waaay easier to remove when I need to replace a dead ring or something.

So take soem silcone and apply some at the ends and I used some at the bottom. Repeat on all 4. Let them sit and dry for a few hours.

http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h67/StealthAuto/E36%20Stuff/hid%20install/IMG_2914.jpg

http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h67/StealthAuto/E36%20Stuff/hid%20install/IMG_2915.jpg

All four completed and drying.

http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h67/StealthAuto/E36%20Stuff/hid%20install/IMG_2913.jpg

Next dremel to little slots for the top of the ccfl wires to sit. This will cause lots of black debris to fall in the lense area. Make sure to clean the debris and possibly blow with air hose to get everything totally out. Last thing you want is a little black spec on the lense once everthign is bolted on and stuff....

notice the 2 little notches cut for the wire to sit in....
http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h67/StealthAuto/E36%20Stuff/hid%20install/IMG_2916.jpg

lay the assembly into place and the wires in the notches you previously cut.

http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h67/StealthAuto/E36%20Stuff/hid%20install/IMG_2917.jpg

repeat for all four and secure with screws....

http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h67/StealthAuto/E36%20Stuff/hid%20install/IMG_2918.jpg

carefully pull the wires of the rings thru the back of the headlight assembly and carefully bring the 2 halves together. Snap all the tabs back into place and reinstall the 4 metal clips.

http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h67/StealthAuto/E36%20Stuff/hid%20install/IMG_2919.jpg

Next I fished the high beam ccfl wires to the low beam bucket.

There is alot of space in there so I decided to bundle all the ccfl wires together and use zip ties to secure them neatly then use double sided tape to secure the ccfl ballast to the inside of the low beam bucket area.

This made for a clean install and hides the ballast and all the wires from outside heat and weather.

http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h67/StealthAuto/E36%20Stuff/hid%20install/IMG_2922.jpg

This is also a good time to install your HID bulb. Simply unclip the stock and clip in the hid bulb.

As you can see in the picture below I also notched a area for the hid wires to come out of the housing while maintaining a weather tight seal on the cover.

http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h67/StealthAuto/E36%20Stuff/hid%20install/IMG_2923.jpg

good view of install

http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h67/StealthAuto/E36%20Stuff/hid%20install/IMG_2928.jpg

As you can see in the picture below of my final setup, the only wire coming out of the housing will be the power and ground wires for the ccfl and the wires that come from the hid ballasts.

http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h67/StealthAuto/E36%20Stuff/hid%20install/IMG_2927.jpg

completed from the front (still had protective shrink wrap on the glass front)

http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h67/StealthAuto/E36%20Stuff/hid%20install/IMG_2925.jpg

remove stock ugly frosty headlights 10mm socket with extension for 2 of the bolts....

http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h67/StealthAuto/E36%20Stuff/hid%20install/IMG_2930.jpg

Now at this point you just want to make sure you do not hook up any power wires reversed or else you burn out your lights. So here's a quick guide.

On the Hid kit;
Black is Ground
White is positive or hot

On the depo headlights;
Brown is always Ground
White is powerwire for the high beam
Yellow is the powerwire for the low beam

I plugged in the hid female connector into the male connector that was inside the headlight (making sure the right pins were in the right spot)

I fed the ground and power wires for the ccfl(angeleyes) thru the rubber gasket thing that was already there.

Next I put the headlight covers on the housing on and slid the completed housing into place. In this picture you can clearly see how I only have the wires from the hid ballast coming into the slot I cut and the 2 wires from the ccfl's coming the the stock rubber gasket(the little red and the black wires)....pretty clean huh?

You notice that I'm using the depo twist connector for the headlight power. (since i connected the hid connector to the stock bulb connector inside the light remember?)

http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h67/StealthAuto/E36%20Stuff/hid%20install/IMG_2931.jpg


as you can see in this picture I carefully lined up the pins on the depo connector and connected them then pushed the rubber boot over it.

Depo supplies a picture of the connector that is labeled with the color of the wires. It has a specific shape PAY ATTENTION. Simply look at the picture and connect your wires to the back of the connector making sure to connect them correctly. Simply look at the picture and you will understand.

For additional help Look at the picture below,
Notice there are 3 wires on the connector.
Refer to my cheat sheet above to decifer the wire in the picture below.

The brown is the ground for both headlights (they split it inside for you)
The white is the power wire for the high beam
The Yellow is the power wire for the low beam

get it?

The supplied depo harness then plugs into your stock connectors. Make sure to connect low to low and high to the high beam.


http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h67/StealthAuto/E36%20Stuff/hid%20install/IMG_2933.jpg

Next drill a screw into your fender or find a existing bolt within reach to connect your ccfl ground wire to.

***Now for the power wire of the angel eye you have some options.****

1-You can just tap into the power wire of the corner flasher. If you do it this way then you eye will turn on along with your amber corner lights. Now this is the legal way of doing it. Unfortunately it looks like crap to have the amber corner lights on at the same time as you eyes and HID's. But it is the correct way of doing it.

2- The way I did it. ***also illegal*** is to simply cut that wire and use it to power you eyes. Your blinkers will still flash when you turn on your blinkers but they will not illuminate when you have just your eyes and of course when you have your eyes and lights on. You'll see what I mean in my night time pics below.
No amber.:buttrock

I have driven this way for 1 months and have not been hassled by the cops. I help to turn on you blinker on like you going to change lanes for something to throw them off. I don't think that I will have a hard time with this. Worst case I just connect the wire again.

There is also a nighttime safety concern wiring it like this as you are less visible from the side. Now you can argue that the hid's and angel eyes are so bright that people are still definately going to see you!

In any case, in my 1998 m3 sedan weather you chose to cut it or tap into it. These are the wires you need.

driver side blinker = Purple
passager side blinker= yellow

here is a pic of the drivers side blinker. You can see where I cut the purple wire. I then connected the red power wire from the ccfl with a butt connector to the purple wire. covered in in electrical tape.

http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h67/StealthAuto/E36%20Stuff/hid%20install/IMG_3169.jpg


After this is all wired and done,,,,,,,,,

Slide completed/wired headlight into place and bolt it in! Be careful not to pinch any wires while doing so.

http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h67/StealthAuto/E36%20Stuff/hid%20install/IMG_2937.jpg

Now you have to find a good place to mount the hid ballasts. I mounted mine to the back of the housing.

pat your self on the back you are done!!!!!!!!!
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

This is what you should have left over......most of it is trash (save the headlights just in case, sell them?)

You see here is the stock cloudy healights, the stock angel eye rings and the stock wiring for the 194 halogen bulb angel eye lighting system
http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h67/StealthAuto/E36%20Stuff/hid%20install/IMG_2935.jpg


Here you go!!!!!!!!

Notice just the eye on but the amber corner running lights do not turn on.....clean look, but remember less safe and illegal.....

http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h67/StealthAuto/E36%20Stuff/hid%20install/IMG_2971.jpg

Looks great huh? Except now you have a new problem...

You fogs look like crap now!! :eek:

Humm...... I wonder what I'll do....yeah.....next is HID FOGS!!

You gotta match right? Good thing I work at Stealth Auto!

http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h67/StealthAuto/E36%20Stuff/hid%20install/IMG_2973.jpg




HID FOGS Install Guide

Remove you stock probably broken (like mine were) fog lights.

To do this simply apply pressure on the ejection tab. You can get to it thru the brake duct opening.

The fogs will practically eject themselves. They basically pivot or swing out. Just unplug them and remove old broken foggy fog lights.

to remove

http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h67/StealthAuto/E36%20Stuff/hid%20install/IMG_2964.jpg

http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h67/StealthAuto/E36%20Stuff/hid%20install/IMG_2965.jpg


Take you new fogs (mine are depo) and install the H1 HID bulb and connect the powerwire from the ballast to the connector.

Next cut a slot with a dremel so the hid bulb wires can exit while maintain a weather tight seal on the foglight.

http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h67/StealthAuto/E36%20Stuff/hid%20install/IMG_3171.jpg

Next find a place to mount the ballast.

Be creative there are a ton of places to mount it. I zip tied it to some holes I made.

Cut the wires from the fog light connector and connect them to the wires going into the ballast. It's pretty simple really.

then just slide the the fogs back in....

BEFORE
http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h67/StealthAuto/E36%20Stuff/hid%20install/IMG_2968.jpg

AFTER
http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h67/StealthAuto/E36%20Stuff/hid%20install/IMG_2969.jpg

go into the car turn your new HID fogs on and walk back and enjoy!

now you ride matches and you can rund your fogs at the same time as you lights and not look weird.....

http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h67/StealthAuto/E36%20Stuff/hid%20install/IMG_3172.jpg

http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h67/StealthAuto/E36%20Stuff/hid%20install/IMG_3176.jpg

I love my new lights!!! :redspot

http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h67/StealthAuto/E36%20Stuff/hid%20install/IMG_2987.jpg

Here is a comparison of the ZKW headlights and my depos SIDE by Side.

This was taken during sunset and there was still plenty of light as you can see. But you can still see the differences. They are both 6000k HID's.

ZKW on the left and Depo on the right

http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h67/StealthAuto/E36%20Stuff/hid%20install/IMG_3005.jpg

The pattern is very similar but what I noticed is that the ZKW look like they illuminate in a more broad or less focused way. In other words looks like the spread the light more. The Depos look at little more intense at one point like they are more focused. Kinda like when you take a Mag light flashlight and play with the focus ring.

Not sure what is necessarily better......


ZKW's
http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h67/StealthAuto/E36%20Stuff/hid%20install/IMG_3004.jpg

DEPO
http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h67/StealthAuto/E36%20Stuff/hid%20install/IMG_3003.jpg