DIY - Camaross HIDs Installation - 1series (135i)

[Simon_135i]

Hi all... my first DIY so feedbacks are appreciated! I will be updating the DIY when some other parts arrive.

DISCONNECT BATTERY FIRST (10mm)!!! and wind down your windows first...



The upper red is where you will operate initially. Remove the cover for the negative terminal and that is where the longer of the two grounds will connect to. The longer red is where the cable for the drive side will be hidden under. (More about this later on)



I decided to show how everything will connect on the passenger side. Highlighed red all goes INSIDE the assembly.



Closer look to the connection for the connection to your vehicle.



Upper red is a closer look at the negative connector. This is where the longer ground will connect to. The lower left is the only other ground I was able to locate. It is currently occupied by the sheet metal piece. I removed it for the second ground. (13mm)



As you can see, I bend the metal piece back to accommodate the second ground.



Here is a closer view of the second ground. (13mm).



The arrow you see is how the routed the cables to and from the passenger side. Also highlighted above and below is where I decided to notch the assembly. You have to notch the inside and outside. Base on what I can see, the rubber seal should be adequate in sealing the assembly. I notched the upper corner, because I felt like it was just much easier to access.



Here is another view of where I notched. The arrow shows you exactly how I routed the cable to the drive side. There should be enough room for you to tuck in the cable.



A closer look to there the cable to the driver side is tucked under.



Highlight part is where the notch for the driver side. The driver side has ONE less cable coming out. The resistor plugs directly into the H8 and that portion unlike the yellow resistor you saw on the third pic doesnt connect to any afterward. You will see what I am talking about when you get the unit. Its shape like a tootise roll.



More pictures of the notching. As you can see, its sealed pretty good.



I zip tied the metal part of the component on the drive side to a bracket. Bracket is right behind the headlight assembly. Unlike the passenger side (Tighter ******* the driver side have a lot of space and I didn't want this unti to be dangling around.

FINALLY here are some pics of what it looks like in decent daylight out of the shade:

[MadMan77]

Nice write-up but the only thing I think you should change is to definitely make the pictures larger. You can barely tell what you are looking at in some of the pics and cannot read the text in the pic with the harness on the floor (3rd pic). Also, the pic where you zip-tied the ballast to a bracket. Where is that bracket?

[ad78]

maybe here in new england is a big no for that setup... fog will go inside quickly and might damage the headlight system.

they look good and so much brighter. nice job!

[Simon_135i]

Originally Posted by ad78

maybe here in new england is a big no for that setup... fog will go inside quickly and might damage the headlight system.

they look good and so much brighter. nice job!

Def might. I ordered a backup set of lid ($6 for one) just in case I need to take it back to BMW

[Bdh821]

Originally Posted by ad78

maybe here in new england is a big no for that setup... fog will go inside quickly and might damage the headlight system.

they look good and so much brighter. nice job!

well there goes my idea of getting these...

[BSM 135i]

Def. Looks really good but I don't like the idea of the headlights not being completely sealed. So much for these...

[Lester]

Nice work, but I would have wrapped or used plastic conduit for the wires. I don't like the 'bare wire' look under the hood.

[Simon_135i]

Originally Posted by Lester

Nice work, but I would have wrapped or used plastic conduit for the wires. I don't like the 'bare wire' look under the hood.

I will take a pic of my engine so we can all see the amount of wired. There are some but it's really a minimum. The pics I took did not factor in me taking my time tucking it away. I had to show them as obvious as possible to help with the DIY. I agree with you, once hidden it's not obvious. I showed it to my neighbor who works on his Audi all the time and he even agree it was a clean install based on the amount of wires I pointed out to him.

[Simon_135i]

Originally Posted by BSM 135i

Def. Looks really good but I don't like the idea of the headlights not being completely sealed. So much for these...

I hated the idea also but the most important to me was if it was reversible. I bought actually 2 sets if each side lids just in case the HD starts to fog up. I will take everything apart return back to stock.

The way I see it, I have asked others non 1 series owners and one that lives in NJ and his m3 has yet to incur any leakage issues. But I agree,notching is not the my first choice but fir this install it was my only choice.

[1speedbike]

Originally Posted by Simon_135i

I hated the idea also but the most important to me was if it was reversible. I bought actually 2 sets if each side lids just in case the HD starts to fog up. I will take everything apart return back to stock.

The way I see it, I have asked others non 1 series owners and one that lives in NJ and his m3 has yet to incur any leakage issues. But I agree,notching is not the my first choice but fir this install it was my only choice.

Wasn't there supposed to be some rubber grommet or something that was supposed to seal the hole you run the wire through in the headlight cover? Or am I thinking of something else?

[twenzel]

those look amazing.... Im with the others on the sealing problem. Once moisture gets into the housing its really difficult to remove it.

[MadMan77]

Originally Posted by 1speedbike

Wasn't there supposed to be some rubber grommet or something that was supposed to seal the hole you run the wire through in the headlight cover? Or am I thinking of something else?

He just cut a notch in the side of the headlight cover so the wire can pass through. A grommet would be used if a hole was drilled through the back of the cover instead.

If I go with this kit I will probably be trying to source a rubber grommet from somewhere. Although even that will not provide a total. I would also try and fin some sort of sealed container for the yellow shrink-wrapped capacitor package. Stuffing that inside the headlight assembly is not something I want to do with our adaptive headlights.

Edit: I just looked at the second picture in this thread and saw a grommet already on the harness next to the bulb. I am wondering why this was not used since a spare set of covers was already purchased by the OP.

[escobar929]

looks great!

[1speedbike]

Originally Posted by MadMan77

He just cut a notch in the side of the headlight cover so the wire can pass through. A grommet would be used if a hole was drilled through the back of the cover instead.

If I go with this kit I will probably be trying to source a rubber grommet from somewhere. Although even that will not provide a total. I would also try and fin some sort of sealed container for the yellow shrink-wrapped capacitor package. Stuffing that inside the headlight assembly is not something I want to do with our adaptive headlights.

Edit: I just looked at the second picture in this thread and saw a grommet already on the harness next to the bulb. I am wondering why this was not used since a spare set of covers was already purchased by the OP.

I was wondering more whether it was included or not any more, since I didn't see him using it and I would assume Simon would try to keep the housing sealed if possible. I'm also wondering why he didn't use it haha

[john08135i]

What does this do?

[Simon_135i]

Hi All... refer to picture number 2... Indeed a separate rubber seal is there, but just by eye balling it, i would have to disconnect and cut the wires and reconnect them to use..

is that what everyone is saying?

Originally Posted by 1speedbike

I was wondering more whether it was included or not any more, since I didn't see him using it and I would assume Simon would try to keep the housing sealed if possible. I'm also wondering why he didn't use it haha

By no means am I an expert. I am sure someone can improve upon my installation. Unlike a bumper, skirts, spoiler, this particular DIY had to do with just figuring it out yourself type of deal. The other installation directions was for a M3, and everything looked different except for the ground. More importantly our space is a LOT smaller than a M3. I am more than happy to share my exp and take in recommendation to improve upon this DIY for potential owners!

I am out of town for a week and won't be able to update this thread until then. Since I won't be seeing the car.

[bradford]

Originally Posted by john08135i

What does this do?

It turns electricity into light.

[Bdh821]

Being from MA this worries me IF I did these like stated before. With that said I'm not worried about them leaking, but more so the fog issue. I've never opened my headlights before and they have fogged up on me a few times before so I can only imagine what they would be like if I had a hole in them... Regardless, they look amazing!

[Simon_135i]

Originally Posted by Bdh821

Being from MA this worries me IF I did these like stated before. With that said I'm not worried about them leaking, but more so the fog issue. I've never opened my headlights before and they have fogged up on me a few times before so I can only imagine what they would be like if I had a hole in them... Regardless, they look amazing!

There's a guy in New Jersey... who has this installed on his M3. Based on his exp. (no reason for him to lie) he has yet to have any issues. So far, no code error, I drove it around the entire day today.

[ad78]

i think here is your best bet on camaross hid install..
on the 1st pic, this is where you should drill the cover. either of the 2 or find at least flat surface.. then on the 2nd pic, your rubber will seal the hole that you drilled..
i dont know, i dont have the product. im just figuring it out..

[Simon_135i]

IC... Keep in mind you can def drill the holes, but it will have to be big enough to fit these (Highlighted in pink):



since they are directly connected to the wires. You can cut the wires and reconnect them but I am not very certain that is the best method.

[ad78]

cut the wires then reconnect and sealed with electric tape...
now, i might order and do this. i just got the idea..