ZKWs or Depos?!

BimmerDriver · 12-14-2009, 11:20 PM

Guys, I posted this originally on someone's thread but didn't get any hits so I decided to open my own thread.

I've been looking at Umnitza for ZKW headlights and with the options I chose (Orion V2 LED angel eyes and OEM D2S xenons) the price would go all the way up to US$ 840 before shipping.

In contrast, at DDM, I'm interested in the Depos with DDE Ultra HD LED angel eyes and DDM brand 55w xenons which comes to a total of about US$ 260 before shipping.

The question: are the ZKWs worth the huge investment difference compared to the Depos when it comes to quality of the lenses and beam pattern, cut, uptick, etc... ?? In other words, will I be having headaches with burnt ballasts, less than satisfying beam patterns and moisture if I cheap out and go with the Depos?

Should I just get Depos right now or be patient and save a "BIT" more for the ZKWs?

Thanks

doogee · 12-15-2009, 12:54 AM

You'll most likely be happy with Depos.

I own them, but I'm going to be getting ZKW's over the winter. The plastic on the DEPO's is horrible.

ZKW. No Angel Eyes. Ftw.

**T.Dot_E30** · 12-15-2009, 08:23 AM

It's upto you to decide if it is worth it or not. For the price, you can't beat the Depos. If you want the best light output you will need to do an HID Projector retrofit. (tsx, e46,etc). The ZKW projector are only marginally better, ppl have done the retrofit on those also.

1BADBMR · 12-15-2009, 10:36 AM

If you can afford it, get ZKW's. They make your car look years newer.
The pic from my sig is my actual ZKW headlight (thanks Stikigreenz)

**T.Dot_E30** · 12-15-2009, 11:09 AM

Anyone have a good picture of ZKWs with no angel eyes to compare? There is no debate the ZKWs are better, but looking at them it's very hard to tell the difference unless you know what to look for. (aiming dimples)

These are my Depos.

Some reading material for you:
http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum...ht=zkw+vs+depo

ZKWs with angel eyes.

Dr. Flyview · 12-15-2009, 03:56 PM

The backing behind the projector is gray-ish on the ZKWs, like they were stock. It's just chromey on the DEPOS. I blacked it out on my DEPOs.

umnitza · 12-20-2009, 05:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BimmerDriver

Guys, I posted this originally on someone's thread but didn't get any hits so I decided to open my own thread.

I've been looking at Umnitza for ZKW headlights and with the options I chose (Orion V2 LED angel eyes and OEM D2S xenons) the price would go all the way up to US$ 840 before shipping.

In contrast, at DDM, I'm interested in the Depos with DDE Ultra HD LED angel eyes and DDM brand 55w xenons which comes to a total of about US$ 260 before shipping.

The question: are the ZKWs worth the huge investment difference compared to the Depos when it comes to quality of the lenses and beam pattern, cut, uptick, etc... ?? In other words, will I be having headaches with burnt ballasts, less than satisfying beam patterns and moisture if I cheap out and go with the Depos?

Should I just get Depos right now or be patient and save a "BIT" more for the ZKWs?

Thanks

Orion V2 are much better than the Mycarr supplied lights that everyone else uses.

But as for ZKWs they are well worth it if you plan on keeping your car longer than 3 years. Especially in the colder climates where DEPO plastic may become more brittle.

98Dinan3 · 12-21-2009, 08:36 AM

^^^ slightly biased opinion right here

Try to find yourself some used Bosch projectors in good condition. Then load them up with whatever AEs, HIds, leds, etc... that you may like. That's what I did, and I've been completely satisfied with the decision.

uber e36 · 01-01-2010, 01:03 PM

I bought ZKW from Umnitza a few years ago and they work well.

Regarding DDM, I would suggest you avoid them. I bought 2 sets of HID in the Spring for my S4 and another guy's S4. I had my pair installed at a very reputable Audi shop.

Issue 1
Right out of the package a bulb was dead.

Issue 2
They would not send me a new bulb until they received the original back. I sent them the tracking info as soon as I sent it and explained I was driving with one headlight but they insisted on waiting it out.

Issue 3
Late November a ballast went bad again leaving me with one headlight.

Issue 4
They want to charge me for shipping the replacement ballast because it's been more than 30 or 90 days.

Issue 5
I gave in and said fine. They didn't reply to 2 or 3 emIle to their customer service email and now I can't get them on the phone as their number keeps saying it's busy.

A few years ago I dealt with Matt @ Umnitza and he was great. He even walked me through the install over the phone - which was above and beyond in my books.

Qube · 01-04-2010, 03:41 PM

Had good and bad from both companies personally.

Umnitza:

GOOD: send wrong headlamps, called next day and send out replacements... after I sent a tracking number for the wrong ones. No problem.

BAD: Pred Ice V2 sent back for RMA Dec 2008. Last notice was may get them after Jan 20th 2010.

DDM:

GOOD: ordered mouldings and one was a double (two same pieces), called next day and sent picture. They sent replacement and said returning the old piece doesn't make economic sense.

BAD: HIDs are (relatively) cheap but if you need any service at all, service and shipping nullifies all savings.

It's a tossup. Everyone has their good and bad. Depending on how you look at it, the Depos may be the way to go. For example, the Hellas cost me $1500 from Umnitza. For that I could have changed a set of new DJ Auto (DDM) each year for 4 years. Who knows if I still have the car then

Quote:

Originally Posted by uber e36

I bought ZKW from Umnitza a few years ago and they work well.

Regarding DDM, I would suggest you avoid them. I bought 2 sets of HID in the Spring for my S4 and another guy's S4. I had my pair installed at a very reputable Audi shop.

Issue 1
Right out of the package a bulb was dead.

Issue 2
They would not send me a new bulb until they received the original back. I sent them the tracking info as soon as I sent it and explained I was driving with one headlight but they insisted on waiting it out.

Issue 3
Late November a ballast went bad again leaving me with one headlight.

Issue 4
They want to charge me for shipping the replacement ballast because it's been more than 30 or 90 days.

Issue 5
I gave in and said fine. They didn't reply to 2 or 3 emIle to their customer service email and now I can't get them on the phone as their number keeps saying it's busy.

A few years ago I dealt with Matt @ Umnitza and he was great. He even walked me through the install over the phone - which was above and beyond in my books.

BimmerDriver · 01-04-2010, 08:13 PM

Thanks for all the replies guys! I made up my mind that I'm gonna save more and go with the ZKWs, it's an ///M after all which I intend to keep for a long time and therefore deserves the extra bucks for the OEM quality

Btw, love the look of your 540i Qube! it looks sick!