Installed Depos, have a few questions

[Venom One]

I bought some black Depo projector lights and installed them yesterday (woot!), but have some questions. Right now it has the halogen bulb it came with and I'm going to be putting in the DDM 55 watt HIDs as soon as they get here (woot!). The cutoff is pretty good but on the passenger side, the cutoff to the far right angles up instead of straight. Could it be because of the bulb? Will it improve with the HID bulb? Could it just be that I just need to adjust the bulb? Is there any other way to adjust the aim/angle besides up and down? I'll post pics this evening. Thanks for any help!!!

 

[DenaliAK]

Unless it angles up severely I wouldn't worry about it. Mine angle up on the right a little but it's to help illuminate signs.

 

[Venom One]

Unless it angles up severely I wouldn't worry about it. Mine angle up on the right a little but it's to help illuminate signs.

You have any pics of the cutoff?

 

[DenaliAK]

You have any pics of the cutoff?

Check the link in my signature....lots of pics. I did a retro, though.

 

[l2yan]

I bought some black Depo projector lights and installed them yesterday (woot!), but have some questions. Right now it has the halogen bulb it came with and I'm going to be putting in the DDM 55 watt HIDs as soon as they get here (woot!). The cutoff is pretty good but on the passenger side, the cutoff to the far right angles up instead of straight. Could it be because of the bulb? Will it improve with the HID bulb? Could it just be that I just need to adjust the bulb? Is there any other way to adjust the aim/angle besides up and down? I'll post pics this evening. Thanks for any help!!!

I don't think adjusting the bulb will work because the actual cut off has nothing to do with the bulb but rather the inside of the projector where they put a piece in for the cut off. Mine angled up slightly too on both sides but it wasn't really noticeable. It does actually help to light up the signs as DenaliAK said. Sometimes when you adjust the headlights left or right it straightens them out a bit.

 

[Venom One]

I don't think adjusting the bulb will work because the actual cut off has nothing to do with the bulb but rather the inside of the projector where they put a piece in for the cut off. Mine angled up slightly too on both sides but it wasn't really noticeable. It does actually help to light up the signs as DenaliAK said. Sometimes when you adjust the headlights left or right it straightens them out a bit.

I didn't see where I could adjust it left/right. The Depos have this?

 

[Physh1]

There is no true left or right adjustment. The adjusters actually tilt/rotate/pivot the headlight more than anything.

If you can post a pic we can probably give you an idea of where to start tweaking...

Cameron

 

[l2yan]

Ya that's what I meant. It more tilts it since its not truely left right but it does bring it in and out slightly. But that slight tilt might help the angle issue he has if it bothers him.

Sent from my HTC Inspire

 

[Venom One]

There is no true left or right adjustment. The adjusters actually tilt/rotate/pivot the headlight more than anything.

If you can post a pic we can probably give you an idea of where to start tweaking...

Cameron

I will post a pic tonight after it gets dark here. I know the factory lights had vertical and horizontal adjusters, but I only see one on these.

---------- Post added at 04:57 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:55 PM ----------

Ya that's what I meant. It more tilts it since its not truely left right but it does bring it in and out slightly. But that slight tilt might help the angle issue he has if it bothers him.

Sent from my HTC Inspire

I need to take one off and see if it has anything that would affect the tilt.

 

[Physh1]

There should be 2 adjusters. One may be slightly out of line with the hole in the radiator support.

Cameron

 

[Venom One]

Pics....please give me your input.....

Right side......

Left side.......

Another straight view......

With high beams on (4 hi mod)

 

[Venom One]

Anyone?

 

[chauncey0337]

Doesn't look that bad to me, but I'm a newb. I don't think you can adjust the tilt by using the vertical and horizontal adjustments. Do the headlights fit straight with the hood and grill? If so, I don't think there's much you can do. If you really want to get into it I believe you can take the headlight apart and tweek the cuttoff shield.
Something similar to this- http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=514509

 

[Physh1]

Looks alright to me. Without measurements I can't be totally sure but it looks alright.

Cameron

 

[DenaliAK]

Yeah, it looks alright. I see what you're saying about the right-side flare. It kind of looks sloppy on a wall, but it's not bad and will help illuminate signs. Nobody will notice it unless you are pointing at a wall, though. No worries.

They both look a bit high, so if you get flashed try lowering the cutoff line about 6 inches. It is hard to tell from a picture, though.

*Actually, re-looking at the pics, especially the ones with the fire lane, the height looks about right. A basic rule of thumb is if you are behind a small sedan (BMW for instance), your lights shouldn't shine in the back window, they should just light up the back of the car. If they are lighting up their whole car, they are aimed too high....lol.

 

[Venom One]

Doesn't look that bad to me, but I'm a newb. I don't think you can adjust the tilt by using the vertical and horizontal adjustments. Do the headlights fit straight with the hood and grill? If so, I don't think there's much you can do. If you really want to get into it I believe you can take the headlight apart and tweek the cuttoff shield.
Something similar to this- http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=514509

Thanks for all the input guys. I was looking at the info. in this link and it looks like something I would like to do. I'll see after I put in the HIDs.

 

[DenaliAK]

I don't personally like the flat cutoff...kind of defeats the whole purpose of having a cutoff shield IMO, plus I like being able to read signs at night. But, it does look cleaner against a wall. It's not often you drive into a wall, though, I would hope. And if you do, your cutoff is probably the least of your concerns....

 

[chauncey0337]

I don't personally like the flat cutoff...kind of defeats the whole purpose of having a cutoff shield IMO, plus I like being able to read signs at night. But, it does look cleaner against a wall. It's not often you drive into a wall, though, I would hope. And if you do, your cutoff is probably the least of your concerns....

Signs, we don't need no stinkin signs!

 

[DenaliAK]

Haha...yeah, they're just suggestions, anyway.

When I'm really looking for a road, I turn on my fogs...the HID's in those spread light all over the place and light signs up great!

 

[Venom One]

Here is a pic of the cut off shield. I didn't think it would have a shield on top and bottom. Normal?