Want to buy just don't understand - United Bimmer Community

**B3M2W5i** · 06-30-2007, 02:28 PM

I know I want ellipsoids I just do not understand the difference between hid's and xenons or if there even is a difference. There is also the depo vs zkw thing going on and i just don't know what I should do.

Thanks,
Justin

**Numark318i** · 06-30-2007, 02:55 PM

I know habbie will fill u in. but i figure i can help.

Xenons and HIDs are the same thing. its the actual headlight bulb thats HID or Xenon. Its just a different kind of bulb that burns brighter.

You can also get ellipsoids and not have HID bulbs, thats what my 318 has. Ellipsoid is a type of bulb housing(tell me if im wrong.) My 330 has ellipsoid bulb housings for the HID/Xenon bulbs.

I have depo in my 318..not as pleased with them as i would have hoped. Pay the extra money for good quality.

**B3M2W5i** · 06-30-2007, 03:20 PM

So, in a way, there is no need to spend too much one way or another? Correct? Depending on the price I am also debating whether or not to get angel eyes on the zkw's(I will be getting zkw's) and I guess the fogs should match and also be zkw's.

I guess what got to me were all of the options available

now not sure about zkw

**Spieluhr** · 06-30-2007, 03:40 PM

HID's are High Intensity Discharge. they are essentially the same thing as Xenons.

Whether or not to get angel eyes is really just up to you.

I have ZKW's and have never had a single issue. except with the angel eyes, i had to replace a ballast, but that was easy.

**Dudesky** · 06-30-2007, 05:31 PM

Here's how I understand it . . Xenons are a type of HID bulb. Ellipsoid is the type of lense reflector system in the euro headlights. If you shine the headlights against a wall, you'll see two pyramid shaped light patterns as opposed to standard lights, which are just blotches. The ellipsoids concentrate the light where it's needed most.

Whether it's Depo, Hella, or ZKW, they're all ellipsoids, which usually take H1 bulbs. You can upgrade to an HID system which includes ballasts and wiring in the kit. What's the difference? Higher intensity, and higher color temperature (means the light is whiter). Standard bulbs (9006) are 3000k, H1's I believe go up to 4200k, and HID's are 6000k-8000k.

I recommend you start with euro ellipsoids with H1 bulbs. Then if you want, you can later upgrade to HID's.

drz · 07-01-2007, 08:22 PM

HID = High Intensity Discharge. HID bulbs are made with Xenon gas.

**B3M2W5i** · 07-02-2007, 11:07 PM

I'm still stuck.. depo

zkw?

witeshark · 07-02-2007, 11:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by B3M2W5i

I'm still stuck.. depo

zkw?

Those are brand names

**94bmw325i** · 07-02-2007, 11:15 PM

the new gen depo's are way better than the older ones according to some peoples reviews that bought them not too long ago.

ZKW: OEM
Depo: OE? = oem quality pretty much, but arent made by the oem supplier? I kind of think of it as brand name and generic almost

**B3M2W5i** · 07-03-2007, 10:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 94bmw325i

the new gen depo's are way better than the older ones according to some peoples reviews that bought them not too long ago.

ZKW: OEM
Depo: OE? = oem quality pretty much, but arent made by the oem supplier? I kind of think of it as brand name and generic almost

I have heard that Depo quality has really improved also...

**B3M2W5i** · 07-03-2007, 10:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by witeshark

Those are brand names

It was more of which direction should I steer towards

nick_318is · 07-04-2007, 03:23 AM

I have heard from friends to stay away from the depos.

**B3M2W5i** · 07-04-2007, 10:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nick_318is

I have heard from friends to stay away from the depos.

Even the new ones? I know I should commit but I'd still want something that should last. What caused your friends to say that?

**94bmw325i** · 07-04-2007, 10:39 AM

the new ones are seriously supposed to be significantly better. I have depo fogs too, they are better than the stock ones so far I havent cracked them, or even scratched them yet, and I guess they are a year and a half old or so.

habbie · 07-05-2007, 01:00 AM

as with anything consensus is never an easy thing to achieve especially when its all based on hearsay and 3rd party accounts.
i sell both, i would tell you to choose the one that fits your budget best, depo has made huge strides and as some eluded our very own and exclusive gen4 are of excellent quality, there's an 85+ page 2500 replies group buy thread on BFC with over 700 buyers and not one complaint, that speaks volumes. most complaints and horror stories stem from people buying their depo on ebay from a vendor who also sells dresses and luggage and has no clue nor any type of basic understanding in either cars or lighting systems.

most if not all depo sold on ebay are seconds or factory rejects, i deal with this type of situation on an almost daily base, buy your lights from a light store, buy from someone who knows your car inside out.

the zkw are an original BMW part, they are somewhat pricy but they are a very good investment, either way both are light years (no pun intended) of the atrocious stock headlight BMW has been kind enough to curse us all with.

at the end pick the ones you can afford, pick an hid option if you really want to improve your lighting and never look back, either one is a great choice.
you can review the available packages and order here,
depo:
http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum...postcount=2107

zkw:
http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum...&postcount=561