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View Full Version : Anyone know where to find the ellipsoid cutoff mod for e34/e32 WITH PICS?



Dave M
02-03-2007, 01:11 PM
I recall seeing a post 'somewhere' with photos of the procedure, where to cut the shield etc. I have searched here and checked out the last ppost with a link to bimmerboard. I don't have all day to spend searching so I hoping someone here can point me in the right direction.

Am I dreaming?

Dave

nizmainiac
02-03-2007, 02:26 PM
there's a thread on page 2 of this forum, don't know if that's of any help to you

Dave M
02-03-2007, 04:08 PM
there's a thread on page 2 of this forum, don't know if that's of any help to you

Yeah, I read through the majority of that along with the link to bimmerforums. I do remember another post or website with a fairly detailed description of how to modify the 'shield' to provide a different/better pattern.

I have a spare set of US ellipsoids I would like to try this on.

nizmainiac
02-03-2007, 04:15 PM
can't say that i've seen it anywhere, it's not something we can do here in the u.k. because it's an instant m.o.t. failiure

Dave M
02-03-2007, 06:33 PM
I think I'd have to strap 4 more lights to the roof, then drive backward past the over 50 center without an exhaust to illicit such a 'failure'.

As soon as you own a car here, you can do pretty much whatever you like (within reason) without much problem. Not saying its appropriate for everyone, but it sure saves some grey hair not having to go through emissions testing and periodic safety checks etc.

John B.
02-03-2007, 07:24 PM
So what exactly is the benefit of the ellipsoid low beams? It's pretty obvious the light output sucks, even with a bulb upgrade. No inspections here in CT. anymore but we do have emission testing for cars.

Dave M
02-03-2007, 08:15 PM
So what exactly is the benefit of the ellipsoid low beams? It's pretty obvious the light output sucks, even with a bulb upgrade. No inspections here in CT. anymore but we do have emission testing for cars.

Checked your profile, and from what I can gather you may have two e34s with ellipsoids (the 95 touring and 90 535). There was a break aroud 91 where NA got anal about lighting and decidied to limit us to some crappy lights

This is a pic of the "freeform lights on my 10/90 build date 91 525im. THESE THINGS SUCK THE WINGER REALLY BAD.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/dave_macisaac/Bimmer/5erbriggs7.jpg

Even regular old US ellipsoids should put out a lot more heat that those ones. I'm hoping for a vast improvement with the HID.

John B.
02-03-2007, 09:28 PM
Yes, both my E34s have the ellipsoid low beams & they both suck in my opinion. Hard to believe yours could be worse unless your fog lights are brighter. I've upgraded the bulbs in both but the improvement is marginal.

Dave M
02-03-2007, 09:58 PM
Yes, both my E34s have the ellipsoid low beams & they both suck in my opinion. Hard to believe yours could be worse unless your fog lights are brighter. I've upgraded the bulbs in both but the improvement is marginal.

Believe it or not, mine are worse. With regard to the fogs, they went bust looooong ago (see pic) :D

Looking forward to better lighting. I just spent an hour tonight cleening a set of ellipsoids for HID addition.

In the dark,

Dave