Headlight question non lci to lci

[Southwestz4]

A question for all you z4 e85 chaps.
I am thinking and de ambering my e85 . I have xenons currently. Is it possible to buy a set of new lhd units ( which are more common) and then put my rhd projectors in them , presumably the projector lens does the cut off for uk cars ?
I belive the projector can be removed from the rear of the unit ?
Thanks Andy

 

[kis]

Basically no. The xenon headlight is fundamentally more complicated than just moving parts from one unit, to a more modern one. The wiring is also completely different.

If you want to achieve this, your best option (IMO) is to cut two lights open (and move a LCI clear hockey stick into your xenon unit). If you do this properly, you will be able to assemble them both back again and sell the one with the amber hockey stick to re-coup some of the costs.

 

[Southwestz4]

Ok , I was thinking that as my headlights are xenon and I would buy xenons but Lhd version and fit my projectors thus making them rhd as the lens does not do the cut off ?
Sorry if my first post was not clear

 

[Timmyboybunter]

For the xenons, the wiring did actually change between pre and post LCI (connectors are different) so you can't detango by fitting a later unit (but you could if you did *not* have xenons as the standard lights didn't change!)

 

[Southwestz4]

For the xenons, the wiring did actually change between pre and post LCI (connectors are different) so you can't detango by fitting a later unit (but you could if you did *not* have xenons as the standard lights didn't change!)

ah ok thanks , I don't want to loose the xenons.
I am an ex engineer so will look into the wiring differences...maybe its still possible?

 

[Scooba_Steve]

I am an ex engineer so will look into the wiring differences...maybe its still possible?

Different wiring pins (possible to change at the connector level) but also coding.

Not impossible but I am not sure anyone has done it.

 

[kis]

It's not possible to swap the wiring (or add the additional xenon wires). You'll have to cut the light open and physically swap the wiring harness (complete). So that means splitting the lens. The easier option would be to split your xenon and just add the clear hockey stick (IMO).

 

[Southwestz4]

Ok thanks ...any idea if the hockey sticks are available on their own ?
Another idea i though about was to buy some lhd units as they are cheaper and more common and swap the projector units over ...can this be done from the rear , ie without cutting the lens off ??

 

[kis]

You can swap the projector, but the wiring is different. So wouldn't work. This is BMW they wouldn't make it that easy!
If you want a set of clear hockey sticks, I think I have a pair from a very long time ago!

 

[Southwestz4]

You can swap the projector, but the wiring is different. So wouldn't work. This is BMW they wouldn't make it that easy!
If you want a set of clear hockey sticks, I think I have a pair from a very long time ago!

just pm'ed you