I know this has probably been discussed before...and yes I have used the search button...but if you'll bear with me for a sec...

Looking for a good set of ECodes for a 99.5.

Seems like a good place is LLTek:

European Styling for Audi A4 B5 and S4 B5 E-code HeadLights Xenon 1999.5 - 2001

Prefering the Valeo over the Depo, so:

VALB5-07K (B5) HAL is $411 for the set

Seems OK price to me, anybody got any better suggestions?

Additional question:

HID is obviously more money ($555 for the Valeo set)...and then there's Xenon...

I've seen some pictures here at AF and AZ but to be honest, I don't see that much difference in light "output".

What are your guys thoughts on Halogen/HID/Xenon? Gets pretty spendy if you go full xenon...

Last question:

Install - I've been looking but either I suck, or I'm just not looking in the right place. Any pointers to DIY threads or prior experience with install?

Thanks in advance...and feel free to just point me to another thread...perhaps my google-fu needs to be improved...

 

I (as well as plenty of other guys here) have picked up a set of Depo e-codes from eBay for around $200. Link here. Thats the best price I've seen for them. The OEM Valeo Euro-spec housings are expensive as ****, but the argument for those is that the quality of the projector lenses is worth it. I had Depo e-codes in my old A4 and I have OEM Valeo xenons in this car and I can't tell the difference. Only thing the OEM housings have going for them IMO is the auto-leveling feature.

As for HID/Xenons, its worth the extra money and work IMO. PM user EmilGevor, he sells nice bulb/ballast combos. Only thing there is make sure you only put HID bulbs in housings designed for it. The ones I linked above will be fine. Some of the cheaper projector housings on the market use plastic lenses that will melt if you run HID's. And for the love of all things holy please don't put them in reflector headlights. You're local to me and I WILL find you

For help with the install, try this DIY. If you need any additional help feel free to PM me

 

ah man, super helpful, thanks!

so difference on the housings of valeo and depo seems minimal. considering it's double the cost...hmm...i can see the benefit of just saving the cash by going with depo...

hid/xenon is worth it, just make sure lens isn't plastic. check. and if i went with the depo housing, i could roll the savings into the hid/xenon...

what the hell are reflector headlights though? i may need to get some of those, to ensure i make plenty of friends in the metro area

oh, and thanks for the DIY too. sucks you gotta drop the bumper, but w/e...

 

Reflector housings are common in older/lesser equipped cars. That's when the light emitted by the bulb is bounced around with a series of reflectors until it eventually escapes the housing. This is the headlight design that came on most B5's.

There are plenty of people in the DMV running HID's in reflector housings, and it makes me want to kick a baby every time I see it. When you get blinded in your mirrors or by oncoming traffic, there's a 90% chance that's why. Its just dangerous.


Yeah its a bit of a pain the first time you do it, but it gets easier. You might be able to pull it off without removing the bumper but its really worth the extra half hour you'll spend taking it on and off.

 

Reflector headlight housings are a housing that, as the word indicates, reflects the light from the bulb all around the housing and onto the road surface. These reflector housings were stock in the 1996-1999 model A4 B5s.

Starting with the 1999.5 model year, the so-called "face lift" model, the two piece reflector housings were replaced by a one-piece "projector" housing, which focuses, or projects, the beam of light instead of reflecting it within the casing. The projector housing has a "cut off", which prevents the beam of light from spraying above a certain level.

In short, idiots who place HID bulbs into reflector housings are blinding the crap out of everyone who drives towards them, whereas the folks placing HID beams into the later projector housings, are not.

Hope that clears it up for you. I was confused by this, too, when I first joined.

 

ah...i see...so the reflector housing is not an aesthetic that "looks retarded". this is a "you're blinding me man, wtf"

again, very helpful guys.

at this point leaning to the depo housing with xenon. need to contact the user cca4 posted for bulb/ballast info and pricing.

saw these at lltek...kind of interesting:

Headlights and Replacement Headlights for Audi with Projector HID (Xenon) and LED Daytime Runing Light (DRL) Options

item 4b and 4c

 

Most people buy KITS from these two companies:

https://www.ddmtuning.com
Best HID Kits, HID Headlights online shopping, LCD Projector/Tattoo Kits/CCTV Systems for sale

This really chill guy named Emil is here on the forums and sells HID kits too. Emil -> www.krautoparts.com
And you'll need a H7 sized bulb. Emil will definitely be able to assist you too

 

Emil can be found at

krautoparts.com

 

ah perfect, rather put the business with quality folks.

also, an FYI, I called LLtek...

they no longer sell e-codes of any kind (depo or valeo).

the only thing they have are the LED lights (images I posted above)

something about shipments getting seized or some such jazz.

LED lights from them with xenon pre-installed are 699, halogen is 599.

so i think i'll be going the ebay e-code route with a kit. now i get the enjoyment of 35w vs 55w, and 5k/6k/8k/etc. i think 35w and 6k seems fine.

 

good choice. I ran 35w 8000k headlights in my old A4 and they were way too blue for my liking. I've got 6000k bulbs from emil in my car now and am very happy with them.