Alpine MSS HID LED light install pics and night comparison shots

[FalconFlyer]

Hey everyone,

I had a couple of requests for pictures of the Alpine MSS HID lights at night for comparison with the OEM AE LED lights. In addition some install pictures. I am completely sold on these units, they are as bright as the OEM AE LED lights and look amazing. They are fairly easy to install, it took me about 20 min... a little longer than my 7 series... because I was idiot and forgot to remove the spacer from the light bulb housing so they could fit in the Z4.... ok for the pictures.

The first step is to install the wire to the red contact under the hood... the is easy.. from the right side of the red jump connector, you pull the plastic housing off...



I run the wire under the air box... there is a wire bundle under there and it is easy to zip tie the new wire onto (Alpine MSS provides the Zip ties).

You can see where I ran it in this picture. (time so far about 4 minutes installing)



Next you run the wire forward... at this point you will need to attached the ballast (the square metal thing) to something. Since I plan on tracking my car, I wanted to put it in a good plane. So the forward part of the left front wheel wheel well was perfect... and allowed me to wedge it between the metal and the plastic to give it more support. Again, this area is completely open.




It is time to cut the plastic covers... what I purchased was a 1/2 inch wood drill bit.. .the kid that is flat and looks like a shovel at the end with the point... that works great.. take about 10 seconds to cut the hole. At this point you need to install the lights... which is easy.. unless you don't watch the directions. For the Z4... MAKE SURE YOU REMOVE THE WHITE SPACER ON THE LIGHT BULB AND PUSH BACK THE RUBBER SEAL. If you don't.. you will be cursing to the end of time because their will simply be too much to try to compress to insert the light bulb. Anyhow, you insert the light bulb.. and pull the wire through with the seal.. the seal will just pop in place... as you can seen from the pictures...



You then have to run the wire across the top of the radiator (to the right side of the car)...... again... very easy to do... just make sure it is secured... you don't want it to fall down in the radiator fan (bad day).



Finally I found a spot to mount the other ballast ... again... very easy to do.. they are secured by extremely powerful double sided tape...



And do the same with the right side light plastic cup..



Someone ask me to post some pictures of the 335i and the Z4 with the Alpines installed... because they are concerned about glare. I tried to get them from all angles, but basically there is no difference between the two. Again, the 335i has the OEM LED AE lights...








Please keep in mind.. that the design of the 335i lights and Z4 are different, that is why they look a little different in the side pictures..... all in all I have installed them on my 7 and Z... now I am ordering a set for the X5...

[Kief]

They look great Roger!

Thanks for taking the time to post such detailed install pics.

[FalconFlyer]

No problem... I hope it helps everyone out. Again the Alpine units were the 7 or 8th that I tried.... very happy with them!

[Mr. ///M3 RD]

Nice job ... nice directions / report

[jparnes1]

Excellent post! I feel we finally have a definitive answer to what aftermarket lighting package is the best. The Alpine put Lux and all other plug-n-plays to shame. Ordering mine as soon as I get my car in April.

[BugsBunny]

6000K ? 7000K ? 8000K ?

Thanks.

[FalconFlyer]

8000k.....

[GeneticX]

where did you get these from?

[jparnes1]

www.alpinemss.com

[GeneticX]

these are the ones for the 1-series?

[az34]

Originally Posted by GeneticX

where did you get these from?

same!

[GeneticX]

these are the same as the ones for the 1-series?

[FalconFlyer]

Yep.... The same