Collision damage to aluminum hood + headlight assembly shattered

On Sun, 12 Dec 2004, s wrote:

> Not necessarily in all instances.

True.

> But the bugeye Morette projectors are
> pretty good

True.

> and were a significant upgrade from the factory reflector lights.

The Valeo optics in the '04+ Morettes are a significant upgrade from the
factory optics -- even though both are the reflector type.

Are they E-code pattern lights like the projectors were? That would make
for some improvement over the factory patttern.
The factory bugeye lights were single-lamp reflectors with 9007s, so
upgrading to Morettes was a significant improvement since they are
dual-lamp units with E-code H7 projectors and H1 high beams. The 04 is
already dual-lamp (H1/9005) from the factory so it's better to begin
with. I haven't actualy seen the comparison for myself but I'm thinking
the improvement from installing Morettes in an 04 isn't as dramatic as
with an 02-03? They're also equally expensive as the old projector ones
(actually more from what I've seen at $600+), and I've also seen reports
of quality issues regarding the lamp units not being secured properly
although I have no confirmation of that.



Daniel J. Stern wrote:

> The Valeo optics in the '04+ Morettes are a significant upgrade from the
> factory optics -- even though both are the reflector type.

"My right headlight assembly was shattered, and the bulb's (H1)
filiment broke off. The front reflector was reaaranged, and
I tried to bend it back"


Pics?

On Mon, 13 Dec 2004, s wrote:

> Are they E-code pattern lights like the projectors were?

Yep.

> The factory bugeye lights were single-lamp reflectors with 9007s,

Yep. Junk, junk, junk.

> upgrading to Morettes was a significant improvement since they are
> dual-lamp units with E-code H7 projectors and H1 high beams. The 04 is
> already dual-lamp (H1/9005) from the factory so it's better to begin
> with.

The '04-up units are dual-lamp (H1/9005) from the factory, and they are
better to begin with, but the one statement does not flow from the other.

That said, the factory '04-up lamps respond very well to
thoughtfully-selected bulbs, H1 "Plus 50" units in the low beams, and
9011s in the high beams, see
this article on a BMW site: http://bmwz.org/articles/lighting/0506trick/

The factory optional HIDs on the '04-up are half decent, no more and no
less. There's plenty of light in the beam pattern, but the beam pattern
isn't shaped especially usefully.

DS

FYI the HIDs aren't an option. They are standard on the US model STi and
not offered on any other Impreza. However it is possible to purchase
them separately and do a DIY swap with the OEM halogens. Direct
mechanical installation and a bit of wiring.
In Canada the STi comes with the same halogen lights as the other
Imprezas due to the legal requirement for DRLs.

Daniel J. Stern wrote:

> The factory optional HIDs on the '04-up are half decent, no more and no
> less. There's plenty of light in the beam pattern, but the beam pattern
> isn't shaped especially usefully.
>
> DS

y_p_w wrote:

>
>
> wrote:
>
>> Who cares about the headlight? If its cracked the whole assembly will
>> be replaced c/o your insurance. Your best bet is to go to the body
>> shop and get an estimate. They;ll tell you what you need.
>
>
> I know that. I'm getting the estimate tommorrow. I was actually
> hoping that I could fix the part just to be able to drive it, but
> it's a special order part. However - I still need a car to drive
> in the meanwhile, and I'm wondering if it's going to explode if
> it rains.
>

COld water hitting a hot halogen capsule can cause the capsule to burst.
"Explode" is a strong word, but I wouldn't want to be standing next to
one when it goes "pop." Hot glass shards hurt.

And stop driving with the d*** foglights on, too. All you're doing is
blinding oncoming traffic. Get a new headlamp and fix it right.

On Mon, 13 Dec 2004, s wrote:

> FYI the HIDs aren't an option. They are standard on the US model STi and
> not offered on any other Impreza. However it is possible to purchase
> them separately and do a DIY swap with the OEM halogens.

I was using "option" in the production sense, not the marketing/ordering
sense.

> In Canada the STi comes with the same halogen lights as the other
> Imprezas due to the legal requirement for DRLs.

This is a punt on Subaru's part; there are lots of ways to have DRLs with
HIDs, and there are many vehicles factory equipped with HIDs in Canada.

Steve wrote:
> y_p_w wrote:
>
> >
> >
> > wrote:
> >
> >> Who cares about the headlight? If its cracked the whole assembly
will
> >> be replaced c/o your insurance. Your best bet is to go to the
body
> >> shop and get an estimate. They;ll tell you what you need.
> >
> >
> > I know that. I'm getting the estimate tommorrow. I was actually
> > hoping that I could fix the part just to be able to drive it, but
> > it's a special order part. However - I still need a car to drive
> > in the meanwhile, and I'm wondering if it's going to explode if
> > it rains.
> >
>
> COld water hitting a hot halogen capsule can cause the capsule to
burst.
> "Explode" is a strong word, but I wouldn't want to be standing next
to
> one when it goes "pop." Hot glass shards hurt.

Sure. One of the things about the setup is that there are two
reflectors. The first is metal and protrudes in front of the
bulb. It practically covers the bulb. The light from this
reflector is bounced back to the plastic reflector and projected
forward.

> And stop driving with the d*** foglights on, too. All you're doing is

> blinding oncoming traffic. Get a new headlamp and fix it right.

I wouldn't normally drive with my fogs on, unless there's thick
fog. I've found that fog lamps are practically useless except
for driving under 20 MPH in a fog bank. They certainly give the
impression that one can see better, which is why so many clueless
drivers leave them on intentionally. I live in the SF Bay Area,
and fog is "not uncommon". However - the factory fogs don't
project too far, and are nowhere near as blinding as some of the
badly aimed aftermarket fog lamps I've run across. I could
actually see pretty well with one headlight, but I was worried
that if the right (badly aimed) one went out, I might want the
fogs on for added visibility, and maybe avoid a ticket.

wrote:
> "My right headlight assembly was shattered, and the bulb's (H1)
> filiment broke off. The front reflector was reaaranged, and
> I tried to bend it back"
>
>
> Pics?

Since you asked nicely......

Right (busted):
http://home.earthlink.net/~calvbfan/...ures/right.jpg

Left (scratched but otherwise intact):
http://home.earthlink.net/~calvbfan/...tures/left.jpg

y_p_w wrote:

>
>
> wrote:
>
>> "My right headlight assembly was shattered, and the bulb's (H1)
>> filiment broke off. The front reflector was reaaranged, and
>> I tried to bend it back"
>>
>>
>> Pics?
>
>
> Since you asked nicely......

Sorry about the quality of the pics. I tried using a flash, and it
would wash out the details. It's a bit fuzzy, but you can tell
where it broke. You can also see the dent at the edge of the hood.