Issues putting Facelift headlights in pre-facelift car

alex85

Active member
 Wirral
Guys, I know a number of you have done it but my mechanic is telling me that the headlights I have just bought won't work in my pre-facelift because they are "bi-xenon and the wires are totally different" it's a straight xenon to xenon replacement as car had xenons before.

I could do with some quick advice please?

It must be possible if so many of you have done it...

FYI, it's these I bought...

http://www.z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=32418

Please help :headbang:
 
Those that have swapped from one to the other have halogens. Anyone who has xenons with clear has cut the lights open and swapped the indicator lenses over - pioneered by CJ, and used for most halogen users too. The xenons work differently between original and facelift versions - I believe the high beam / flash works completely different.

I'm a simple halogen user so don't have the full details. Even if you can sort the wiring there will then be an issue with the LCM, more than likely - which you may be able to get programmed out, I know this has been done for the rears, facelift onto the original car. Either way it won't be a cheap or simple exercise - [ADD] if you got the wiring for the facelift lights in, as you've purchased, and then fitted the facelift LCM (if that is possible) then you would need to update the rear lights as well [+ new bumper] or re-wire the originals and reprogram the LCM.

Sorry old chap. :cry:
 
In a nutshell Halogens Pre to Post Facelift are a straight swap.

The Xenons Pre to Post face lift are not compatible without loads of work, not sure of the exact reasons but think the actual design of the headlight is fundamentally different, hence the cj10 method of cutting and shutting method of de-ambering the headlights.
 
aquazi said:
alex85 said:
Hi, could you or someone else confirm that these lights will work in a 2005 pre-facelift roadster that already has xenon headlights from factory?

Afaik You will need to get it recoded to get a post facelift xenons working in a prefacelift.

Should learn to do proper research instead of relying on one AFAIK comment!
 
Speak to a BMW specialist who has Autologic [machine used to fiddle with the electronics], they may be able to do something. I could be wrong about the LCM - it might be wiring and programming and you have all the wiring!

All may not be lost.
 
It's at a good BMW indy at the moment and apparently 'it's a lot of hassle' - I have emailed back asking what does he mean by hassle.

Fingers crossed.
 
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