E36 Angel Eyes

Hi folks, would like to know more about lighting as I literally know nothing on the subject. If this is a mod that I end up doing down the line, would like to make an informed decision based on some of the more knowledgeable people's feedback.

I really want to avoid tacking up the e36, but I do like the look of them. So would only be interested in something that BMW would've fitted if e36s came with angel eyes. OEM quality/look.

The internet is full of ccfl this, and led that, orions - depots - projector shrouds, and stuff that is apparently a fire hazard.

This is kind of the look that I like.

http://i1350.photobucket.com/albums/...ps7405126a.jpg

Any ideas?

You want ccfl rings and avoid hella, depot etc as they are a full new headlight afaik

Also send Armando a pm i think he makes the shrouds?

@BluhBluh the ones you made up and sold to me were high quality

Shane had a set in his e36 they were a very close match to a stock look there were not white but more similar to the original e39 angel eye and I think this worked in their favour as it tied in more with the e36's age

I am not fussed at all about the colour as long as it's not "boy racer blue". If it's the same shade of light as the original, and I won't have trouble with NCT then would be great. Would you need shrouds even if you don't fit HIDs (in order to be able to see the angel eye on the dipped lights) ? Or does that mean I won't see anything? :D It's no secret that the standard e36 lights are shocking in terms of visibility, if I'm driving at night and don't have the high beams on I pretty much can't see anything! Which means I pretty much can't see anything all the time at night :D So would be happy to upgrade as well even if it means changing back before NCT.

You won't need shrouds for angel eyes only the hid's

http://i139.photobucket.com/albums/q...ud2_edited.jpgI had 'Gen 5' angel eyes back in the day when they were current, I prob wouldn't fit them
now if I had an E36, but here are mine on the old E36.

http://i139.photobucket.com/albums/q...nalb/side1.jpg

Also, I had a 6000k HID kit with shrouds from E36coupe.com

Don't bother with LEDs you won't see them during the day, CCFL's can be seen in the brightest sunlight. The problem with CCFL's is that the inverters burn out after a certain amount of use, they aren't expensive but it's better you know.

I think mine look the dogs anyways...
http://i630.photobucket.com/albums/u...1A5FEA5317.jpg

I would go for white ccfl's. Wire them up to the parking bulb wires. Had a set on my first e36 which i sold to shaunokeefe afte, then had LED ones on my 2nd e36 but after few months changed them to ccfl. And getting another set now for the new one :D Never had problems with NCT when i had angel eyes installed.

Love the ones above on Don and Ger's cars. What's the difference? Both are glued on the inside with HID bulbs and shrouds? CCFL is a type of light or a brand? As above - I'm clueless with this stuff... :D

No offence to people who have them but I can't stand angel eyes. I think they are tacky and don't belong on a car that originally didn't have them. I can barely tolerate them on newer BMs. A good looking projector headlight is perfect IMO.

Ccfl-Cold cathode fluorescent lamp

Like the long garage bulbs. I have LEDs myself in the e46 but i think ccfls would suit your car better

Quote:

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Originally Posted by John_D

No offence to people who have them but I can't stand angel eyes. I think they are tacky and don't belong on a car that originally didn't have them. I can barely tolerate them on newer BMs. A good looking projector headlight is perfect IMO.

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Any suggestions John? (Pictures) :)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by John_D

No offence to people who have them but I can't stand angel eyes. I think they are tacky and don't belong on a car that originally didn't have them. I can barely tolerate them on newer BMs. A good looking projector headlight is perfect IMO.

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:crying::crying::crying::crying::crying::tounge:

In fairness, don't think I'd bother with them now, but the ones on my E46
were good at the time I thought, that was 2008 though. Just CBA taking
them out now, so they'll stay put I think (much to your disgust :D)

Ha cheers Don, I knew what I said would be a bit controversial :D

Quote:

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Originally Posted by John_D

No offence to people who have them but I can't stand angel eyes. I think they are tacky and don't belong on a car that originally didn't have them. I can barely tolerate them on newer BMs. A good looking projector headlight is perfect IMO.

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Lol. I agree, I had a set in my Silver E36..... For about 5mins before I took them out. :D

Just didn't suite it TBH.

Attachment 2627
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Attachment 2631

I think the depo ones I have are the only ones that look good on an e36. Have them about 7 years iirc they only cost about €200.


Sent forward in time from my Nokia 3210

What a difference the indicators make!! They look awful on the hellrot one above but look nice on your car. Do you have/need shrouds on those?

I modified them with my own cutoffs when I got them. It's not strictly necessary I just wanted a nice clean cutoff for the hids. Yea I agree the corners look shocking in the red 1 but those photos were from a time when you needed everyone to know you had modified lights. Here's another with the clears.

Attachment 2632


Sent forward in time from my Nokia 3210

Quote:

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Originally Posted by John_D

No offence to people who have them but I can't stand angel eyes. I think they are tacky and don't belong on a car that originally didn't have them. I can barely tolerate them on newer BMs. A good looking projector headlight is perfect IMO.

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+1

Had them on my first e36 myself, when I see them on a car now I think they look naff! (No offense to anyone that has them, its personal preference)