[Kaiden]

Did you find the quality of the kit to be up to par? Have you had any problems? I have been reading up on DDM Tuning, and from what I found they have lowered their quality, and people are having problems with their kits not working right.

I'm thinking of getting the Raptor Kit. Metal > Plastic right?

 

[Kaiden]

The Slim kit feels very cheap, but it does the job. Raptor kit has more thick metal parts which is why I say take that one if you can.

Cool. Ill probably order one kit to try them out. 25 bucks is too good to pass up!

 

[Kaiden]

My kit just came in today! I got a 35W 5000k Raptor Kit

Things of note:
- My bulbs do have a 90 degree bend in their harness. Are you sure you got the right bulbs, in your post you said yours didn't have a bend like the stock bulbs.
- They also came with metal tabs on the bulbs.
- And the kit did come with the male H11 connectors, I guess I don't need the extra connectors!

 

[Kaiden]

This is why the Raptor kit > Slim kit in MOST situations. My bulb fits snug into the housing, it was just a pain to turn with no elbow so I'm fairly certain it's the correct unit.

Oh okay, after a quick search I found that h11 bulbs come both with an elbow and without. Good to know.

I will be installing the kit today, I will post how it goes. Thanks for the guide!

 

[Kaiden]

Just installed them. They look great! And the connectors were the right polarity! All was just plug and play. Tucked the wires through the fender the only thing that shows are the balasts. Will post pics soon.

 

[Kaiden]

I put them both in a spot that's kinda under the fenders. The same place the op did if I remember correctly. I used a strip of 3m tape on each to hold them in place. That seems to be the best place to put them. Its been raining for two days and I haven't had water issues and they have plenty of space to be removed and replaced if nessesary. Plus the install looks oem cause they are well hidden. Ill take pics and post them as soon as I can.

They have been working well so far. It seems we got a good batch of raptors. Dunston did you have the slims or the raptors v1/v2?

 

[Kaiden]

I got the Raptors in my fogs, which I have not had any issues and the slims in my headlights which one or the other side like to not turn on randomly.

Oh okay. I hope my raptors hold up.

Currently my ballasts are mounted on the fuse box just behind the driver's side headlights and the other is mounted next to the passenger side strut tower.Fits perfectly at an angle and doesn't interfere with the hood.

Nice. What did you use to mount them, 3m tape?

 

[Kaiden]

Hi Dano,

I spoke with DDM a short time ago about some concerns I had about the product they're offering and the problems I've uncovered throughout this thread/forum, and others. Specifically, what they're sendind out, when they're sending out, quality issues etc. I was soooo impressed with your install posting, I wanted to duplicate it exactley. I addressed the "spades" connector issue and they are sending out kits w/spades, and they're back ordered (slim ballast) due to demand. They are sending out the plastic tab connectors on their bulbs, and say there's a "2% return issue on their ballasts". I too have a Mazda 3S, love it, and I want to do this right the 1st time eliminating any margin of error if possible, adhering to your install posting.

I searched out your H8/9/11 connectors noted on your install posting on the internet/Ebay with no luck finding them. I've been told that an auto parts store, Aoto Zone, PEP boys, etc., might have them? Does/do the fog lights (HB4/9006 bulbs) use the same connector?

Thanks Dano!

I really want to do this like yesterday, sometimes I tend to over analyze things.

Dude, I am the exact same way! I gotta do things right. I would tell you, don't worry too much and just order the raptor kit. They seem to come with the connectors more often, the bulbs have the right angle bend, and they seem like the more reliable unit. They are not hard to install and hide either.

Oh and if you want to order the extra connectors just in case you can get them here: H11 H9 H8 880 Male Connectors with tab BMW HALO HID FOG: eBay Motors (item 400110089833 end time Nov-13-10 16:51:50 PST)

And yes, it would be the same connector. But with this batch of raptors I don't think you will need them.

Hey Dano!

You were right. I separated the HID wiring from a stock wiring. This fixed the static issue BUT only to a certain extent. There is still some static when I turn on the HID's.

I did a quick search and found that I the HID Ballasts can cause interference on the 12V line. According to what I found, installing a filter such as this one: http://www.newmp3technology.com/nf.htm can solve that problem. I will have to check if I have the same problem, since I never use the radio.

 

[Kaiden]

Hi Dano!

Quick question, the kits you ordered (slim Ballast, Black color) are considered the "Raptor" kits? The 90 degree connectors, spades, etc.? Talked with an aftermerket installer today, wanted $500 to install!!!!!

Thanks Dano!

Bart, n thanks for the connector link!

There are two kits:

The DDM Slims that Dano got: HID Kits, BMW Aftermarket Bumpers & Lighting, DEPO - DDM Tuning

And the Apexcone Raptors V2 that I got: HID Kits, BMW Aftermarket Bumpers & Lighting, DEPO - DDM Tuning

The Raptors are cheaper, and a little bit bigger. Also they tend to come with the connectors more often. (90 degree h11 bulb)
The Slims are smaller, and 10 bucks more expensive and tend to have plastic pins instead of metal. (No bend on H11 bulb)

I would go with the Raptors, they have been great for me. The slims seem like the better option for fog lights, since they have smaller ballasts. I might get a set myself of 3000k for my fogs soon.

Hope this helps!

Edit: Don't worry, its not a hard install, with the great how to posted here you should have no problem and it is for sure worth the $35+ bucks. It was all plug and play for me.