2014 F30 Halogen to HID/Pro Tuning Labs Spyder lights How To

n9740b · 03-11-2018, 12:56 PM

I've been stalking for about 8 months ever since I bought my used 2014 F30. I finally pulled the plug on the Pro Tuning Labs lights that also appear to be sold on ebay. I opted for the HID bulbs.

I went with these lights over the DEPOs for the double projectors for both the main and high beams.

The HID caused a bit of trouble. The original ballasts didn't work and I had to wait for the better ballasts to be delivered from PTL. As soon as I called they knew the problem and I was off the phone with them in about 1 minute. They also must of matched my caller ID to my order because they didn't even have to ask for the order number. But it begs the question if these ballasts don't work with the BMW lights why do they continue to deliver them with the incompatible parts? More info in my video above.

Also, the HID bulbs were installed upside down creating a very scattered light pattern. With the old ballasts there is no way to properly aim or adjust the lights/bulbs since they flickered so badly. So it is hard to get it all right the first time.

I replaced the lights for safety primarily...and these lights once adjusted properly, are crazy bright with a super clean cut off. The pattern is very sensitive to bulb position, if it doesn't look perfect, your bulb isn't in quite right. Mission Accomplished.

Sorry about the rambling YOUTUBE video, I just wanted to get as much info out there as I could.

Also, the main beams CAN be easily adjusted with a standard number 2 Phillips screwdriver from the top.....the tip catches the "gears" when inserted vertically. I didn't figure this out for several days. The High beams cannot as far as I know. So try and get your high beams adjusted before getting the wheel well liner back on. Since they are halogen it should be easy even if you are have ballast problems like I did.

Also, I bought the Bimmer code app.....but my cold check were already off...not sure why. I didn't have any warning lights at all.....not sure if that is standard with HID...but I assumed the LED running lights would of thrown a code.

vooonoo · 03-11-2018, 04:18 PM

Good video, I was skeptical about the protuning lab lights after seeing the wires on the back of the lights. They look good though

n9740b · 03-11-2018, 05:10 PM

ya, the wires look bad.....besides that for non OEM I'm pretty happy for the price. Again, functionality first and they are great. They appear to be built well enough, the first was perfect as far as I could tell. The support from PTL was good too. Hoping they last awhile.

TXDaddy · 03-28-2018, 01:22 PM

Nicely done! I have some Spyders in my Avalanche that have held up 2 years without issue. Are you still sold on the HIDs, or would you say H7 bulb is good enough? I ended up using Silverstar H7s, and they were better than the Osrams that came with them. I would prefer to avoid any voltage spikes with these precise BMW electrical systems...

seanrossel · 04-02-2018, 03:45 PM

Great video! I like it

youngdoc1 · 04-02-2018, 10:46 PM

Looks great!

plikmuny · 04-10-2018, 03:42 PM

I am planning to use HID kit with ballast. Is there a warning not to use it inside this headlight?
How is the light output in original bulb vs silverstar vs hid bulb?

Gregorious Maximus · 11-22-2018, 08:28 PM

How are they holding up ?

thearcticfrozen · 03-02-2019, 08:10 PM

Super nice tutorial and great install! Just installed these as well, but noticed a gap between the lights and the hood, which allows light to leak from the top and it is very noticeable at night. Any ideas how to adjust that?

opendoor · 04-19-2019, 10:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by n9740b

ya, the wires look bad.....besides that for non OEM I'm pretty happy for the price. Again, functionality first and they are great. They appear to be built well enough, the first was perfect as far as I could tell. The support from PTL was good too. Hoping they last awhile.

Any issues so far? I have like 5 tabs open at PTL and dont want to jump the gun.

floridaorange · 11-26-2019, 08:18 AM

Looking for any updates on these as well. The hood gap concerns me.

03-11-2018, 12:56 PM	#1
n9740b Registered 5 Rep 4 Posts Drives: 2014 F30 Join Date: Mar 2018 Location: Reno iTrader: (0)	2014 F30 Halogen to HID/Pro Tuning Labs Spyder lights How To I've been stalking for about 8 months ever since I bought my used 2014 F30. I finally pulled the plug on the Pro Tuning Labs lights that also appear to be sold on ebay. I opted for the HID bulbs. I went with these lights over the DEPOs for the double projectors for both the main and high beams. The HID caused a bit of trouble. The original ballasts didn't work and I had to wait for the better ballasts to be delivered from PTL. As soon as I called they knew the problem and I was off the phone with them in about 1 minute. They also must of matched my caller ID to my order because they didn't even have to ask for the order number. But it begs the question if these ballasts don't work with the BMW lights why do they continue to deliver them with the incompatible parts? More info in my video above. Also, the HID bulbs were installed upside down creating a very scattered light pattern. With the old ballasts there is no way to properly aim or adjust the lights/bulbs since they flickered so badly. So it is hard to get it all right the first time. I replaced the lights for safety primarily...and these lights once adjusted properly, are crazy bright with a super clean cut off. The pattern is very sensitive to bulb position, if it doesn't look perfect, your bulb isn't in quite right. Mission Accomplished. Sorry about the rambling YOUTUBE video, I just wanted to get as much info out there as I could. Also, the main beams CAN be easily adjusted with a standard number 2 Phillips screwdriver from the top.....the tip catches the "gears" when inserted vertically. I didn't figure this out for several days. The High beams cannot as far as I know. So try and get your high beams adjusted before getting the wheel well liner back on. Since they are halogen it should be easy even if you are have ballast problems like I did. Also, I bought the Bimmer code app.....but my cold check were already off...not sure why. I didn't have any warning lights at all.....not sure if that is standard with HID...but I assumed the LED running lights would of thrown a code. Last edited by n9740b; 03-11-2018 at 01:02 PM..
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03-11-2018, 04:18 PM	#2
vooonoo ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ 537 Rep 1,000 Posts Drives: f30 328 Join Date: Nov 2017 Location: nj iTrader: (0) Garage List 2014 f30 328i [0.00]	Good video, I was skeptical about the protuning lab lights after seeing the wires on the back of the lights. They look good though
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03-11-2018, 05:10 PM	#3
n9740b Registered 5 Rep 4 Posts Drives: 2014 F30 Join Date: Mar 2018 Location: Reno iTrader: (0)	ya, the wires look bad.....besides that for non OEM I'm pretty happy for the price. Again, functionality first and they are great. They appear to be built well enough, the first was perfect as far as I could tell. The support from PTL was good too. Hoping they last awhile.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-28-2018, 01:22 PM	#4
TXDaddy Joint Chiefer 38 Rep 108 Posts Drives: 328i XDrive Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: DFW iTrader: (0)	Nicely done! I have some Spyders in my Avalanche that have held up 2 years without issue. Are you still sold on the HIDs, or would you say H7 bulb is good enough? I ended up using Silverstar H7s, and they were better than the Osrams that came with them. I would prefer to avoid any voltage spikes with these precise BMW electrical systems... __________________ 2014 328i XDrive Saloon The Churro Mojave Metallic \| Premium \| Driver Assistance \| Cold Weather \| Navigation \| 442M 19" Staggered \| Gloss Black Kidneys & Exhaust Tips \| Ferrari Red Start Button \| M Sport Pedals \| LCI Sills \| Hikari LED Fogs & Brights \| VIP Moto 55W HID \| FRG Flat Black Caliper Covers \| CF Rear Spoiler, Eyebrows, and Roundels \| Huper Optik 30% Ceramic Tint
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04-02-2018, 03:45 PM	#5
seanrossel Registered 0 Rep 1 Posts Drives: BMW M3 Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: London iTrader: (0)	Great video! I like it __________________ Hi to everybody here!
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04-02-2018, 10:46 PM	#6
youngdoc1 Private First Class 34 Rep 150 Posts Drives: 2019 X4 M40i Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Toronto, Ontario iTrader: (0)	Looks great!
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04-10-2018, 03:42 PM	#7
plikmuny Private First Class 8 Rep 147 Posts Drives: BMW 320d, 330D(2019) Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: Germany iTrader: (0)	I am planning to use HID kit with ballast. Is there a warning not to use it inside this headlight? How is the light output in original bulb vs silverstar vs hid bulb?
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11-22-2018, 08:28 PM	#8
Gregorious Maximus Registered 0 Rep 4 Posts Drives: 2013 Black BMW 328I Join Date: Nov 2018 Location: NC iTrader: (0)	How are they holding up ?
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03-02-2019, 08:10 PM	#9
thearcticfrozen Registered 0 Rep 4 Posts Drives: F36 2016 BMW 428 Gran Coupe Join Date: Mar 2019 Location: Laguna Niguel, CA iTrader: (0)	Super nice tutorial and great install! Just installed these as well, but noticed a gap between the lights and the hood, which allows light to leak from the top and it is very noticeable at night. Any ideas how to adjust that?
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11-26-2019, 08:18 AM	#11
floridaorange Colonel 10144 Rep 2,665 Posts Drives: 2013 bmw 320i xdrive Join Date: Nov 2018 Location: orlando, fl iTrader: (1)	Looking for any updates on these as well. The hood gap concerns me.
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