TheSamba.com :: View topic - Hella e-codes (?)

Sat Feb 06, 2010 12:27 pm

I saw this on the Miata forum, and I think it might be of interest to some round headlight Vanagon owners. (I don't know for sure if they fit, but someone must.)

Group Buy - $50 for a set of e-code H4 lights and bulbs

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

We've come across a big stash of Bosch H4 headlights. These are e-code lights. The problem is, there's a big minimum purchase.

So it's group buy time! If we can get 50 people, we can sell these for $49.95. That's for a pair of lights and a set of 55/60W H4 bulbs. They're usually at least double that amount. If you want to run HIDs or some sort of odd blue headlight bulb, this is what you need.

They'll fit any car with 7" round headlights - including, of course, the 1990-97 Miata.

If we can't get 50 people, we probably won't order the parts. We're going to let this run until February 28th.

http://www.flyinmiata.com/groupbuy/

Sat Feb 06, 2010 12:46 pm

Good find - anyone with a round-eye vanagon should do this, especially at that fantastic price. It is hard to overstate the improvement to the beam pattern. I'm very happy with my e-code lights!

Sat Feb 06, 2010 1:27 pm

The 7" e-code headlights will fit the '85 and earlier vanagons and any vanagon that has upgraded to the SA grill. If you don't want to get into a group buy that might not pan out Bus Depot is selling a pair of bosch headlight assemblies without bulbs for $44- http://busdepot.com/details.jsp?partnumber=0301600118
Good luck

Sat Feb 06, 2010 5:11 pm

We also have German bulbs to go with them for $3.95 each (linked from the same page - http://busdepot.com/details.jsp?partnumber=0301600118). So this is about $52 complete with bulbs, and in stock to ship immediately. That's half price.

These are the very same Bosch's that are highly touted on the Vanagon and Type 2 Lists. See Richard Atwell's excellent and detailed review at http://www.ratwell.com/technical/BoschH4.html. If you are still running the stock sealed beams, I can't recommend this upgrade highly enough. It is without a doubt the best $50 you will ever spend on your Vanagon.

These are drop-in replacements for Vanagons up to 1985 - 5 minute installation. If you have an '86-91, you will need to either buy an '80-85 grill (which we sell), or the South African 4-headlight kit. We are now including these Bosch's with the South African kit - see http://busdepot.com/details.jsp?partnumber=1495.

Mon Feb 08, 2010 5:49 am

I picked up the Bus Depot ones a few weeks ago, they rock! Great price too!!

Thx Bus Depot!!!

Chris

Mon Feb 08, 2010 6:36 am

Hate to nit-pick but these aren't for Hella lamps, they are for Bosch.

Paul

Mon Feb 08, 2010 7:21 am

Yes, neither deal is for Hella H4's. I am sure that they are a improvement over stock DOT housings though.
Oh, I didn't pay attention to the Hella title that changed to Bosch deal until you pointed it out.

Fri May 21, 2010 11:44 am

Does anyone have a source for the Hella E-code rectangular lenses? Bus Depot just told me they've been obsoleted by VW.

I want to keep the rectangular look.

sam

Fri May 21, 2010 11:55 am

Corwyn wrote: Does anyone have a source for the Hella E-code rectangular lenses? Bus Depot just told me they've been obsoleted by VW.

I want to keep the rectangular look.

sam

I think someone has some for sale on the classifieds.

I ordered 7" Hella Round E-codes from Susquehanna MotorSports...Bought new bulbs etc as well. Just a note about dealing with them...Be sure they have your product IN stock before ordering. I ordered and checked out...using paypal as my method of payment. Ordered 2 sets of bulbs, and the two Hella E-code housings. Got an email later that day that the Ecodes were back ordered and they'd be in early the next week. 2 weeks later and Still now E-codes. Not their fault, but I would have just found them in stock elsewhere. No email updates, nothing. Not a biggy, but having to call them the last 2 weeks to see if the housings were in is annoying for both them, and me.

Fri May 21, 2010 4:29 pm

RGS Paul wrote: Hate to nit-pick but these aren't for Hella lamps, they are for Bosch.

Paul

Paul Yes the Bosch are not the same as the Hella's. I have 2 sets of new old stock from the early 70's for the porsches and many people including my self think the light output thru the crystal bosch lens is better. I think its more the cut on the lens and the reflector geometry. hows that for nit-picky. :D but i think the h4 bulbs all fit.
50 bones is a screaming price!!! nice find
jcl

Mon May 24, 2010 11:51 pm

Corwyn wrote: Does anyone have a source for the Hella E-code rectangular lenses? Bus Depot just told me they've been obsoleted by VW.

I want to keep the rectangular look.

sam
True,
Bosch is a better lens than Hella.
The only lens better than Bosch is Cibie E-code
buy here
I will have some Hella H4 rectangulars for sale soon if you're interested
I'm in the middle of an hid retrofit on the Westy

Tue May 25, 2010 12:32 am

Check the JC Whitney site. They have a good selection, though I would not recommend them. Their quality of service is obscene and their staff, those I dealt with are morons. The shipping department packaging) is equally dismal. One would think they are located in Tizi-Ouzou* and employ the locals

* a quaint village/suburb I was privileged to visit, being labeled here as a "suburban" :lol: :lol: :lol:

Fri Jun 25, 2010 2:33 pm

tozovr wrote: Corwyn wrote: Does anyone have a source for the Hella E-code rectangular lenses? Bus Depot just told me they've been obsoleted by VW.

I want to keep the rectangular look.

sam

I think someone has some for sale on the classifieds.

I ordered 7" Hella Round E-codes from Susquehanna MotorSports...Bought new bulbs etc as well. Just a note about dealing with them...Be sure they have your product IN stock before ordering. I ordered and checked out...using paypal as my method of payment. Ordered 2 sets of bulbs, and the two Hella E-code housings. Got an email later that day that the Ecodes were back ordered and they'd be in early the next week. 2 weeks later and Still now E-codes. Not their fault, but I would have just found them in stock elsewhere. No email updates, nothing. Not a biggy, but having to call them the last 2 weeks to see if the housings were in is annoying for both them, and me.

update....

My 7" Hella Ecodes finally arrived today from Susquehanna . Tried to get my money back a few times and their communication is rough. Happy I have them, they're VERY nice, but I should have just ordered from 4wd Hardware.

The out of stock thing is OK. The terrible communication is not.

RJ