i just picked up a 4500k HID kit to install in the fogs. Has anyone else performed a similar mod?

My concern is a lack of cutoff on the lenses which may cause blinding for on coming traffic.

any opinions or experience on this mod would be appreciated.

Thanks,
AC!

Put them in and be done with it! It looks awesome. As long as your fogs are aimed right, they'll just be brighter.

I have a set that I have been procastinating with the install...mostly due to the fact that I have to take the bumper off to truely mount the ballasts well. Let me know how your install goes and take pics if you can. I have an idea of where to mount the ballasts, but Im not sure how secure it will be.

How and where exactly will you be mounting the ballasts if you don't mind me asking? I have some 6000K 9006 Kits to sell/use and I plan on installing one in the fogs then swap out my OEM bulbs for 6000K ones...Might be a little bright...but then again, I don't really need to use the fogs out here in Vegas

How and where exactly will you be mounting the ballasts if you don't mind me asking? I have some 6000K 9006 Kits to sell/use and I plan on installing one in the fogs then swap out my OEM bulbs for 6000K ones...Might be a little bright...but then again, I don't really need to use the fogs out here in Vegas

I was thinking about under the bumper reinforcement and near the washer resorvior (for the passenger side).

the reason why Im even considering it is becuase I have a spare 9006 HID retrofit kit in the garage and since I upgraded my headlight bulbs to 6000k, the upgraded fog light bulbs (piaa) dont match the headlights again! Not sure if the Hoen would be closer tough. Basically with the halos and 6000ks matching, the fact that the fogs dont now bugs me haha

I was thinking about under the bumper reinforcement and near the washer resorvior (for the passenger side).

the reason why Im even considering it is becuase I have a spare 9006 HID retrofit kit in the garage and since I upgraded my headlight bulbs to 6000k, the upgraded fog light bulbs (piaa) dont match the headlights again! Not sure if the Hoen would be closer tough. Basically with the halos and 6000ks matching, the fact that the fogs dont now bugs me haha

I just installed the 6000k xtec fogs, and didn't really mount the ballasts? :hmm: The section behind the fog lights seems enclosed, and there really isn't much room for the ballast to move around anyways. But a question about your halo's matching---which dde's do you have?

i've got the wheelpower phosphrus halo's and don't think they match perfect like others have said. The fogs are a little more on the purplish side? Maybe they take some more time to break in properly?? I'm also getting the xtec 6000k headlights.

But for those that haven't yet done an HID fog upgrade--DO IT!! It is awesome. I was kind of "iffy" to spend $300 just for some fog lights, but the way these thing look--I woulda paid $500...

I just installed the 6000k xtec fogs, and didn't really mount the ballasts? :hmm: The section behind the fog lights seems enclosed, and there really isn't much room for the ballast to move around anyways. But a question about your halo's matching---which dde's do you have?

i've got the wheelpower phosphrus halo's and don't think they match perfect like others have said. The fogs are a little more on the purplish side? Maybe they take some more time to break in properly?? I'm also getting the xtec 6000k headlights.

But for those that haven't yet done an HID fog upgrade--DO IT!! It is awesome. I was kind of "iffy" to spend $300 just for some fog lights, but the way these thing look--I woulda paid $500...

I have the Wheelpower ones just like you do. my 6000k headlights match in the sense that the colors blend in well. The headlights are of course a bit brigther purple and the halos, which are the "outside ring", are a little lighter, but it blends very well.

How is the beam pattern for your HID fogs? I just dont want them to be all over the place and get pulled over for it..since technically its not legal.

alright, so i spent most of yesterday on this mod.

Sorry, i didnt have my camera handy so no photos of the install.

Basically i removed the front bumper, disconnected the hoses to the jet washer reseviour and all of the electrical wires in the front bumper, air temp sensor, fog lamps, etc...

I removed both of the air vents that run adjacent to the fogs as I found a perfect spot on the aluminum bracket to mount each of my philips balasts. Oh, I kit i used was a 4500k philips HID kit.

after mounting the balasts, i ran the wiring along the original fog lamp wiring and ran the wires up behind the driver's side headlamp into the engine compartment. From this is where the fuses are exposed for ease of checking. The power was then run along the back wall and bundled along the existing wiring in front of the cabin air filter.

The end result was phenomenal. The installation is as near stock as they come with barely any exposed cabling. The light output is also impressive. Before the mod, you could barely notice the fog lights on with my XEnon headlamps. Now the fogs complement the xenon headlamps by filling in the surrounding area. I pulled into a neighbor's driveway it it filled both driveways with light. The coloring is near white and probably slightly off due to the fact that my Headlamps are focused through a projector lense rather than a halogen capsule.

For a good install, i recommend removing the front bumper.

As a side note, there are two different types of front bumpers. Don't quote me on the year but i believe the pre 03 e46 M3s used an aluminum bumper support and the post 03 used a CF bumper support. The older style is a pain because the washer resevior is attached to the bumper itself. The bumper with the CF reinforcement is attached to the car itself.

Have some rubber plugs if you have the older style as you will have to disconnect the washer hoses from the resevior as part of removing the bumper.

Just a helpful hint.

Pics please!....Also, how are the lights for you 007?

If the glare gets to a problem, here's what you do:

1. Grab a coke can, cut the top and bottom off.

2. Take the HID capsule out, and measure it's length, and width, then mark it on the aluminum can that you cut out. Be sure to add osme extra length so that you will be able to attach it properly.

3. Take scissors and cut the part of the aluminum can that you traced.

4. Get some JB Weld, and attach it to the BOTTOM of the HID capsule (when you put the bulb back in, it should restrict light from reaching the lower part of the reflector), and make sure no metal piece is touching the glass, otherwise BOOM.

5. Give it two hours to dry, and you have your own glare shield.

I did this to my old M, and it worked great, was never bothered or had someone flash me because of glare.

As a side note, there are two different types of front bumpers. Don't quote me on the year but i believe the pre 03 e46 M3s used an aluminum bumper support and the post 03 used a CF bumper support. The older style is a pain because the washer resevior is attached to the bumper itself. The bumper with the CF reinforcement is attached to the car itself.

Have some rubber plugs if you have the older style as you will have to disconnect the washer hoses from the resevior as part of removing the bumper.

Just a helpful hint.

Its changed over in 02...so the 02 M3's on will have the CF bumper support

HID Fogs Rock!
Install them and just make sure they're pointed down :thumbsup:

http://www.jlevistreetwerks.com/Gallery/photos/HID/1_G.jpg

Fogs Looking Great!...