How easy to fit BMW Xenons?

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Phil-E30

Active member
HI guys, a car that I am looking at doesn't have the Xenons that I wanted but everything else seems great about it. Therefore, I was wondering how easy it would be (if possible) to change from the standard BMW halogen lights to the Xenons that are fitted on other Z4s?

What all do I need to change? Is the alternator up to it? (aswell as fitting heated seats).

A rough idea of how much this will cost me would be helpful too.

Thanks!
 
So a set of xenons 2nd hand can cost £200-£500 easily...

To make 100% legal you need headlight washer jets (can be done but expensive) and auto leveling (can be done but a lot of work and even more expensive) (but you could get away without either, many have)

they are pretty much plug and play but would require you to recode the LCM so you will need to get an OBD2 cable and SSS software (easily bought online (£50)) but then you will need to patch SSS which is a pain in the ass.
 
The car has the headlight washers in place, I could deal with the auto levelling (by not doing it :lol: )

The software stuff sounds like more of a pain in the ass.

Is it a case then of buying the two Xenon head lamp units and swapping them with the ones that are already in? No other wiring work needed?
 
Are there no other cars around with Xenons? Would make life easier? In the UK Xenons must have, by law, self levelling and washer jets.
 
Unfortunately it seems that quite a large proportion of the cars I am phoning about don't have Xenons. In this case I am willing to ignore the lack of Xenons and heated seats due to the condition and mileage on the car.

It seems a lot of people on here have fitted HID kits from the likes of HID direct. Surely they don't have auto levellers?
 
I have fitted HID bulbs to my Zed, I sourced the ones with slim ballasts ( canbuss error free) and they fit into the bulb holder recess, the main pain is access under the wheel arch so jacked mine up. Most HID ballasts run at 35watts so less drainage on the wiring, the bulbs outlast hologens about 10-1.

I went for 8000K colour temp as they're X3 brighter than halogen and have a blue colour to them as my Zed is silver looks nice. I secured the bulbs into the rear of the headlight with homemade clips I knocked up on the tool bench. As your just replacing bulbs the self levellers still go up/down when you start up... I've kept the halogens and original clips to return to standard if need be. Also whilst I was there I replaced the side lights with some SMD which are much brighter too.


Mike
 
I have fitted HID bulbs to my Zed, I sourced the ones with slim ballasts ( canbuss error free) and they fit into the bulb holder recess, the main pain is access under the wheel arch so jacked mine up. Most HID ballasts run at 35watts so less drainage on the wiring, the bulbs outlast hologens about 10-1.

I went for 8000K colour temp as they're X3 brighter than halogen and have a blue colour to them as my Zed is silver looks nice. I secured the bulbs into the rear of the headlight with homemade clips I knocked up on the tool bench. As your just replacing bulbs the self levellers still go up/down when you start up... I've kept the halogens and original clips to return to standard if need be. Also whilst I was there I replaced the side lights with some SMD which are much brighter too.


Mike
 
I have read about a lot of people on here fitting HID kits and all seem to be very happy with the results. I think I may consider fitting an 8k kit like that rather than go with BMW Xenon head lamps.

Is there a guide to fitting them on here?
 
don't go for 8000k ,they will look to blue , go for 6000k instead, and yes it's 10-15min job to fit hid kit ,just make sure they comes with the small ballast as you can fit inside the headlight too .
 
Phil-E30 said:
Cheers Marius, I will go for them then. How does the 6000k match up to LED sidelights etc?
Click to expand...

my led's was 6000k too, now i have got ccfl rings

dsc0186ch.jpg
 
Phil-E30 said:
Think I will maybe do that then. What way does that work with auto levelling and all? How is it adjusted?
Click to expand...

it does work fine, all you need is to adjust them properly in the first place, than auto levelling will do the job
 
I was looking at this HID kit guys:

http://www.hids-direct.co.uk/h7-canbus-pro-hid-conversion-35w-kit-1/

What are the opinions on it? Will it all fit in to the headlamps neat enough?
 
That kit is listed as slim mid ballast. I like the idea of having the 2 year warranty on it. Has anyone had any need to activate the warranty or is the quality good?
 
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