[s-cars] Interesting read on HID conversions

[Fred Munro]

Hi Igor!

Gotta keep 'em all Audi, eh? :0) Mine are the DOT spec with the flat cut
out, but the right light has a notch that kicks up enough light to
illuminate roadside signs. The left light throws a flat pattern, but the
right light seems to illuminate signs as well as my Euro H1's with the 15
degree cut out. The right light mask didn't look significantly different,
but it's throwing a different beam pattern than the left light. I can't get
over how wide a beam these lights throw - roadside illumination is
excellent. They are great moose hunting lights! I initially thought the
narrow vertical beam wouldn't work all that well, but I'm very impressed
with the results. I'd say these are as much an improvement over the hack kit
as the hack kit was over the halogens. I'd recommend this mod over the hack
kits for anyone who has the time to retrofit the HID projectors. Awesome
results!

Fred Munro
'94 S4
'97 S6

-----Original Message-----
From: Igor Kessel [mailto:KBATPO at comcast.net]
Sent: December 18, 2006 10:19 PM
To: Fred Munro
Cc: s-car-list at audifans.com
Subject: Re: [s-cars] Interesting read on HID conversions


Fred Munro wrote:
> I second Igor's comments. I just finished installing OEM HID projectors
from
> an Audi TT in my '97 S6 DOT headlights. I ran a HID hack kit in the
> Eurolights in my S4. The OEM HID projectors have an elliptical reflector
> that projects a wide flat beam with superior side illumination and the
> absence of the hot spots typical with the hack kits in the hemispherical
H1
> reflector. Much superior illumination IMHO. Even better, the total cost
was
> around $160 for two TT headlights purchased off eBay and I have a HID
setup
> with easily replaceable bulbs and ballasts available at any Audi dealer in
a
> pinch. Well, $160 and 24 hours or so in designing and fabbing the mounting
> brackets, mounting the ballasts, and several runs at shimming the TT
> projectors to be in plane with the high beams.
>
> Works well! I'm very pleased so far (just installed them Sunday and did
the
> last shim adjustment tonight).
>
> Fred Munro
> '94 S4
> '97 S6
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: s-car-list-bounces at audifans.com
> [mailto:s-car-list-bounces at audifans.com]On Behalf Of Igor Kessel
> Sent: December 18, 2006 1:22 PM
> Cc: s-car-list at audifans.com
> Subject: Re: [s-cars] Interesting read on HID conversions
>
>
> I see that some folks understood my criticism of hack kits the wrong
> way. No, I didn't compare them to the OEM Audi's USA-spec criminally
> ineffective low beams. The only source of light that is poorer than that
> is the oil torch on my patio.
>
> The HIDs are literally day and night in comparison. After all, I myself
> have installed those in both my own UrS6 and my wife's Allroad.
>
> I am strongly advocating going the OEM route. Why bother with hack kits
> where an HID light bulb is glued to the sawn-off OEM base and stuck into
> the reflector that was never designed for this light source when you can
> get the OEM kit: the bulb, the ballast and the reflector with lens? Ebay
> is chock full of them cannibalised off wrecked cars.
>
> --
> Igor Kessel
> two turbo quattros
> _______________________________________________
> S-CAR-List mailing list
> S-CAR-List at audifans.com
> http://www.audifans.com/mailman/listinfo/s-car-list
>
>

Congrats, Fred! Now we both have the '97 UrS6 w/ OEM Audi TT HID lows.
Actually mine are off a European BMW 740, since both cars utilise
exactly the same HID projectors. Say, are yours with the European
asymmetrical 15º flare to the right or are they the US spec ones with a
flat cut-out?

--
Igor Kessel
two turbo quattros