Would you be the $500 guinea pig??

beckham23 · 09-08-2005, 02:38 AM

While I purchased the angel headlights (or some called DDE) for my e46 M3 from Umnitza and had the owner took care of the installation, it costs me $300 back then. I don't want to get into details, let's just say it ended with some sour note...

Anyway, after I placed my order for a e90 330i, I asked Umnitza if they will have angel headlights for e90 sedan, as I think the stock ones look a bit too yellowish to my taste. And this is what Matt (Umnitza owner) said...

Matt: "No, we don't. However, you are more than welcome to be our tester car. I just need to charge you 6 hours of installation ($75 an hour) plus parts"

Beckham: "What? You took 1 hour to do my M3, now it's 6 hours to do the e90s? Plus, being your tester car, am I doing you some favor that opens up a brand new market for you?"

He basically just tells me he is so dang right to charge $600 while he is not even sure of the outcome. This guy first consistenly receives bad reviews from many customers over at m3forum, yet he remains greedy as hell...unbelievable...

sunchild · 09-08-2005, 02:43 AM

thats crazy. does he have a website?

rjtsc583 · 09-08-2005, 03:06 AM

www.umnitza.com

Pangearox · 09-08-2005, 05:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by beckham23

He basically just tells me he is so dang right to charge $600 while he is not even sure of the outcome. This guy first consistenly receives bad reviews from many customers over at m3forum, yet he remains greedy as hell...unbelievable...

Ok...so havent you answered your own question?

Broken1 · 09-08-2005, 11:03 AM

Doesn't the 330i have Xenon's as standard in the US?

darkie · 09-08-2005, 11:07 AM

sorry for my ignorance but to replace your angel eyes, you will have to take apart the headlight, right? from what other people have said that it is currently impossible to open up the headlight casing (trying to replace the orange reflector). so i wouldn't do it unless you have an extra pair of headlights lying around.

spydrz · 09-08-2005, 11:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Broken1

Doesn't the 330i have Xenon's as standard in the US?

Yes...

longtran · 09-08-2005, 11:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sunchild

thats crazy. does he have a website?

thats crazy?? but yet you want his website??

itznin · 09-08-2005, 02:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by longtran

thats crazy?? but yet you want his website??

I'm sure the website is for entertainment purposes only... I doubt he'll be getting much business here...

umnitza · 10-07-2005, 01:23 AM

Let's try to look at it from a business owners perspective:
1) Unlike the M3, the E90 has SEALED headlights.
2) We have many customers, in order to do the E90, we have to:
a) remove the bumper (figure out where all the screws and bolts are)
b) remove the headlights (without breaking them)
c) put them into an oven (what if we break them? we have to buy a new set)
d) hope they pull apart (30 minutes per headlight)
e) figure out how to mount the angel eyes, wait for them to dry.
f) close the headlights back up - 10 minutes per
g) refit the headlights back and find the appropriate connection points for the wiring.
h) refit the bumper and make sure it's evenly put on just like from the factory
i) neglect all our customers for the 6 hours that we have to do this.

So, we are looking for a car to do this, and if you want to save yourself time and money, you can take your headlight out for us and save a lot of time.

Happy trails - we have many other products that fit the E90, but this one will need a brave sole to step up.

LEDZEP · 10-07-2005, 06:14 AM

There are some points to be made on both sides of this argument. The car owner should get a considerable discount on the work, because the outcome is unknown and he is doing the business a favor (umnitza could run out and buy an E90 to practice on, but I'm guessing that's not in the budget). But, umnitza should not shoulder all the cost either, so there should be a middle ground. Perhaps in exchange for a "killer deal" the customer allows his car to be photographed in before/after fashion and allows those images to be used for advertising/promotion. Perhaps even a written testimonial...

In business, there is no advantage quite like that of being first. That value warrants some investment on the business' part, like giving the first customer a damn deep discount. Takes money to make money.

StewtheBassman · 10-07-2005, 06:35 AM

beckham, Matt's a good guy and he is working hard to build a business, but I would NEVER let anyone touch my new E90, especially the lighting.

Forget pimping out your new car for now...let someone else be the guinea pig!

mapezzul · 10-07-2005, 06:52 AM

Someone has already tried to take the lights apart using this method, it is impossible the lights are NOT glued to gether they are essentially welded together and as the person who tried this said the part where the two pieces come together is the strongest part of the light and they are not going to come apart. I would just buy the Euro ones if it bothers you that much.
PREVIOUS POST

thd13 · 10-07-2005, 08:50 AM

You mean you have to replace the whole Angel Eye to make them blue?

I thought there were just bulbs that you could change.

umnitza · 10-07-2005, 11:28 AM

This is of course a very good point - LEDZEP.

One thing probably not considered was placing a prohibitively high price on something so as not to do it at the time (we were literally slammed with work and orders, we've caught up, so this could be revisited from a different price vantage point now).

Replacing the bulbs is doable - THD - because it's indeed a little wedge bulb that drives the fiber optics.

I'll examine that link shortly.

chris · 10-07-2005, 11:37 AM

As seen here: http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=5383

The angel eyes have been modified.....i thought it was just a light bulb that changed the colors of the angel eyes...

noflash · 10-07-2005, 12:32 PM

Perfect example of why modding is referred to as a disease.

I once stressed about what color my corner lights were. I had to give it up to worry about more important things.

arn · 10-07-2005, 12:34 PM

The guy should be paying me $500 to be a tester since my car is going to educate him.

ZenDriver · 10-07-2005, 12:50 PM

Hey, it's a free market. If someone has enough money and enough of an ego problem that he NEEDS to spend $600 just to make his headlight trim a couple more shades blue, well, more power to Matt for finding a way to subsidize his R&D efforts.

Matt: think you'll be able to solve the clear corner issue on the E90 at a reasonable price?

chris · 10-07-2005, 12:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZenDriver

Hey, it's a free market. If someone has enough money and enough of an ego problem that he NEEDS to spend $600 just to make his headlight trim a couple more shades blue, well, more power to Matt for finding a way to subsidize his R&D efforts.

Matt: think you'll be able to solve the clear corner issue on the E90 at a reasonable price?

i dont think he was ever trying to solve the clear corner issue...but if he manages to get the headlight casing open for the angel eye tubes, he can probably get rid of the amber corners

ZenDriver · 10-07-2005, 01:18 PM

Quote:

but if he manages to get the headlight casing open for the angel eye tubes, he can probably get rid of the amber corners

I am aware of that... which is why I asked the question.

CnoteMD · 10-07-2005, 03:07 PM

Personally, I think that if someone is going to be the "experiment" they should get the work done for free (labor). At most, they should be charged for parts (which should ideally be discounted). Keep in mind, the customer is taking a big risk letting someone experiment on thier car).

The other option is that Umnitza can spend the $1000 or so for a set of headlights from BMW and experiment on those. Only after developing a suitable solution for E90 angel eyes should they begin to charge full price.

Michael

09-08-2005, 02:38 AM	#1
beckham23 Private 13 Rep 91 Posts Drives: 08 M3 Convertible 6-speed Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: NorCal iTrader: (1)	Would you be the $500 guinea pig?? While I purchased the angel headlights (or some called DDE) for my e46 M3 from Umnitza and had the owner took care of the installation, it costs me $300 back then. I don't want to get into details, let's just say it ended with some sour note... Anyway, after I placed my order for a e90 330i, I asked Umnitza if they will have angel headlights for e90 sedan, as I think the stock ones look a bit too yellowish to my taste. And this is what Matt (Umnitza owner) said... Matt: "No, we don't. However, you are more than welcome to be our tester car. I just need to charge you 6 hours of installation ($75 an hour) plus parts" Beckham: "What? You took 1 hour to do my M3, now it's 6 hours to do the e90s? Plus, being your tester car, am I doing you some favor that opens up a brand new market for you?" He basically just tells me he is so dang right to charge $600 while he is not even sure of the outcome. This guy first consistenly receives bad reviews from many customers over at m3forum, yet he remains greedy as hell...unbelievable...
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09-08-2005, 02:43 AM	#2
sunchild Lieutenant 25 Rep 469 Posts Drives: 2006 BMW 330i Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Orange County, CAL iTrader: (2)	thats crazy. does he have a website?
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09-08-2005, 03:06 AM	#3
rjtsc583 Enlisted Member 2 Rep 45 Posts Drives: 11' e82 135i, 06' e350 Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: San Diego iTrader: (1)	www.umnitza.com
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09-08-2005, 11:03 AM	#5
Broken1 Addict 203 Rep 2,074 Posts Drives: 2024 X5 40i M-Sport Join Date: May 2005 Location: Ontario iTrader: (0)	Doesn't the 330i have Xenon's as standard in the US?
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09-08-2005, 11:07 AM	#6
darkie Private 0 Rep 57 Posts Drives: going to be 330i Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Seattle, WA iTrader: (0)	sorry for my ignorance but to replace your angel eyes, you will have to take apart the headlight, right? from what other people have said that it is currently impossible to open up the headlight casing (trying to replace the orange reflector). so i wouldn't do it unless you have an extra pair of headlights lying around.
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10-07-2005, 01:23 AM	#10
umnitza Banned 4 Rep 49 Posts Drives: Vapor Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: East Bay, CA iTrader: (0)	Let's try to look at it from a business owners perspective: 1) Unlike the M3, the E90 has SEALED headlights. 2) We have many customers, in order to do the E90, we have to: a) remove the bumper (figure out where all the screws and bolts are) b) remove the headlights (without breaking them) c) put them into an oven (what if we break them? we have to buy a new set) d) hope they pull apart (30 minutes per headlight) e) figure out how to mount the angel eyes, wait for them to dry. f) close the headlights back up - 10 minutes per g) refit the headlights back and find the appropriate connection points for the wiring. h) refit the bumper and make sure it's evenly put on just like from the factory i) neglect all our customers for the 6 hours that we have to do this. So, we are looking for a car to do this, and if you want to save yourself time and money, you can take your headlight out for us and save a lot of time. Happy trails - we have many other products that fit the E90, but this one will need a brave sole to step up.
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10-07-2005, 06:14 AM	#11
LEDZEP Lieutenant General 418 Rep 12,276 Posts Drives: 2009 E70 & 2011 F25 Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Area 51 iTrader: (0) Garage List 2011 X3 35i M Sport [7.62] 2009 X5 M Sport [0.00] 2007 328xi E90 [0.00] 2006 325xiT E91 [0.00]	There are some points to be made on both sides of this argument. The car owner should get a considerable discount on the work, because the outcome is unknown and he is doing the business a favor (umnitza could run out and buy an E90 to practice on, but I'm guessing that's not in the budget). But, umnitza should not shoulder all the cost either, so there should be a middle ground. Perhaps in exchange for a "killer deal" the customer allows his car to be photographed in before/after fashion and allows those images to be used for advertising/promotion. Perhaps even a written testimonial... In business, there is no advantage quite like that of being first. That value warrants some investment on the business' part, like giving the first customer a damn deep discount. Takes money to make money. __________________ I think it is bad luck to be superstitious
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10-07-2005, 06:35 AM	#12
StewtheBassman Major General 199 Rep 6,381 Posts Drives: 2011 X5d 421,000kms Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Hudson, Quebec iTrader: (1)	beckham, Matt's a good guy and he is working hard to build a business, but I would NEVER let anyone touch my new E90, especially the lighting. Forget pimping out your new car for now...let someone else be the guinea pig! __________________
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10-07-2005, 06:52 AM	#13
mapezzul Special Agent 74 Rep 1,731 Posts Drives: Depends on the day! Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Bavaria iTrader: (1)	Someone has already tried to take the lights apart using this method, it is impossible the lights are NOT glued to gether they are essentially welded together and as the person who tried this said the part where the two pieces come together is the strongest part of the light and they are not going to come apart. I would just buy the Euro ones if it bothers you that much. PREVIOUS POST
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10-07-2005, 08:50 AM	#14
thd13 Major 46 Rep 1,445 Posts Drives: A07 330i Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Murrland iTrader: (4) Garage List 2006 330i [0.00]	You mean you have to replace the whole Angel Eye to make them blue? I thought there were just bulbs that you could change. __________________ My other ride is your mom.
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10-07-2005, 11:28 AM	#15
umnitza Banned 4 Rep 49 Posts Drives: Vapor Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: East Bay, CA iTrader: (0)	This is of course a very good point - LEDZEP. One thing probably not considered was placing a prohibitively high price on something so as not to do it at the time (we were literally slammed with work and orders, we've caught up, so this could be revisited from a different price vantage point now). Replacing the bulbs is doable - THD - because it's indeed a little wedge bulb that drives the fiber optics. I'll examine that link shortly.
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10-07-2005, 11:37 AM	#16
chris Second Lieutenant 5 Rep 281 Posts Drives: Jet Black e90 330i Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Bay Area, CA iTrader: (0)	As seen here: http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=5383 The angel eyes have been modified.....i thought it was just a light bulb that changed the colors of the angel eyes...
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10-07-2005, 12:32 PM	#17
noflash Captain Caveman 148 Rep 1,715 Posts Drives: '06 325eyeyiyi Join Date: May 2005 Location: midwest iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 325i [0.00]	Perfect example of why modding is referred to as a disease. I once stressed about what color my corner lights were. I had to give it up to worry about more important things. __________________ E90 325i Monaco Blue, Black Leatherette, Sport, Cold Weather, Xenon, Sat Prep, 18" BBS RGR Mods: Polorized Film for Business CD, added lumbar, rock chip on hood
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10-07-2005, 12:34 PM	#18
arn Private First Class 23 Rep 109 Posts Drives: E90 325i\|06'RX400h Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Philadelphia <-> NYC iTrader: (0)	The guy should be paying me $500 to be a tester since my car is going to educate him. __________________ 2006: 325i: Monaco blue with black interior, step, nav, premium, xenon, cold weather, sat.
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10-07-2005, 12:50 PM	#19
ZenDriver Do Not Taunt Zen Driver. 12 Rep 466 Posts Drives: 325i w/ MT, ZSP in Graphite Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Portland, OR iTrader: (0)	Hey, it's a free market. If someone has enough money and enough of an ego problem that he NEEDS to spend $600 just to make his headlight trim a couple more shades blue, well, more power to Matt for finding a way to subsidize his R&D efforts. Matt: think you'll be able to solve the clear corner issue on the E90 at a reasonable price?
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10-07-2005, 03:07 PM	#22
CnoteMD Commander in Chief 37 Rep 1,034 Posts Drives: 2008 BMW 535i Join Date: May 2005 Location: Atlanta, GA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 M5 [0.00] 2006 330i [0.00]	Personally, I think that if someone is going to be the "experiment" they should get the work done for free (labor). At most, they should be charged for parts (which should ideally be discounted). Keep in mind, the customer is taking a big risk letting someone experiment on thier car). The other option is that Umnitza can spend the $1000 or so for a set of headlights from BMW and experiment on those. Only after developing a suitable solution for E90 angel eyes should they begin to charge full price. Michael __________________ 2008 BMW 535i Space Gray, Black Leather, Dark Bamboo Trim\| Sport Automatic with Paddles \| Sport Package 2008 BMW M5 (gone, but not forgotten) Space Gray, Silverstone Merino Leather, Madeira Walnut Wood Trim \| 7speed SMG \| All options Mods: Corsa Exhaust \| RPI Ram Air Intake \| H&R Sport Springs \| Rogue Engineering 12mm spacers
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