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      05-17-2009, 11:54 AM   #1
Alec693
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128i Standard to Xenon Light Upgrade

Ok, is there really no one that owns a 128i with the regular hideous lights and has upgraded them to Xenon Lights from BMW?

I've searched all over the forum and no one has really mentioned about doing this, am I the only one that hates the boring fugly lights over the xenons?

No, I didn't get the Xenons with my car because I purchased the car off the lot (just yesterday) so I want to change the lights, I'm curious how much the dealer charges if anyone has ever asked, or if self installation is easy.

Thanks.
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      05-18-2009, 02:04 AM   #2
aacabriolet
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You're not the only one.. I too am stuck with these ugly halogens..

I would also like some information regarding this please.

Also, if angel eyes are at all possible as well.

At the moment my lights are as follows:



Someone PLEASE advise.

Thanks
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      05-18-2009, 05:42 AM   #3
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its not so bad.......
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      05-18-2009, 06:48 AM   #4
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get ready to dish out a couple grand to do the swap. but if you do, you can get the euro assembly with clear reflectors...
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      05-18-2009, 07:42 AM   #5
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I've got the clear reflectors just need the xenon housing ...
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      05-18-2009, 07:58 AM   #6
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Yeah, from what I've read in the pretty much only thread I found on here about it, you can't just swap the housing but there are a bunch of other parts involved in the conversion process, to have the real xenon lights.
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      05-18-2009, 08:54 AM   #7
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Ive played with this as a project. To do adaptive xenon with all oem parts is a pain and not worth the effort (to me). non adaptive xenon as easier, but still requires recoding if using oem ballast.

The easiest way ive found is to use non adaptive xenon housings(that will give you projectors and angel eyes) and then use an after market ballast that does not throw codes. all the lights will work, its looks factory. (i dont think the auto leveling feature is working though)
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      05-18-2009, 09:17 AM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rawbert54 View Post
Ive played with this as a project. To do adaptive xenon with all oem parts is a pain and not worth the effort (to me). non adaptive xenon as easier, but still requires recoding if using oem ballast.

The easiest way ive found is to use non adaptive xenon housings(that will give you projectors and angel eyes) and then use an after market ballast that does not throw codes. all the lights will work, its looks factory. (i dont think the auto leveling feature is working though)
Do you have that non-adaptive setup in your car finally? Do you really feel that you need the auto leveling or your lights illuminate what they need to illuminate without directly pointing at a car in front, etc?
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      05-18-2009, 10:37 AM   #9
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i think its bout 1k to do the conversion on equipment alone. I searched online somewhere not sure about the labor cost though and the other technical junk. I do have the crappy lights too if that makes you feel better.
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      05-18-2009, 10:40 AM   #10
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I mean in the end they're just lights but it's the fact that out of all things a BMW is known for it's angel eyes and I want them. The only thing that made me feel a little better was seeing the 1 race car again last night which has the halogen lights on it not the angel eyes.
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      05-18-2009, 11:10 AM   #11
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Haha I totally feel your pain guys!!

Basically, I want to get a figure so I can see if this is a viable option or not..

Would BMW do this for us? Are there aftermarket xenon kits that are half decent? Are there aftermarket xenon kits that include angel eyes?

Would we only be able to do this via BMW?

I would settle for Xenon lights (minus the Angel Eyes) but ideally I want the angel eyes too.. The problem i've read about the aftermarket kits is that they are not in a glass casing as such and becuase of this, the light "scatters" blinding oncoming traffic. Ideally I want BMW parts as well though for warranty purposes (but not if i'm gonna get ripped off)

@rawbert54: thanks for the tips so far. Could you give us some more info please?

Thanks guys
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      05-18-2009, 11:18 AM   #12
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I emailed my CA about this last night and he replied to me this morning that he is unsure if the dealer does this conversion but he said he'll call me later concerning the lights.

Hopefully he doesn't forget because I won't be home much to email him again, I suggest you guys email your dealers as well maybe we all won't get the same answer.
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      05-18-2009, 11:21 AM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Alec693 View Post
I emailed my CA about this last night and he replied to me this morning that he is unsure if the dealer does this conversion but he said he'll call me later concerning the lights.

Hopefully he doesn't forget because I won't be home much to email him again, I suggest you guys email your dealers as well maybe we all won't get the same answer.
My car is in to install the plates and they've given me a 116i to use while they are busy

lol it's not all that bad though.. will ask my dealer when they bring my car back and let you guys know on here!

let us know! cheers
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      05-18-2009, 11:22 AM   #14
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i never finished the project, grad school got in the way. There is a member of babybmw.net that finished it. he has pictures up.
I did read over on e90 post about a member, e90 andy, who does oem housing conversions for 3 series. maybe we can entice him to do some 1 series cars if we show enough interest. I would love a plug and play solution for projectors, let alone xenons.
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      05-18-2009, 11:34 AM   #15
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Hmm sounds like an idea. I think the problem is that the 1coupe is still fairly new..

I need these though...
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      05-18-2009, 03:11 PM   #16
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well, I spoke with Andy over on e90 post. he seems to be willing to do HID conversion for us 1 owners with halogen stuff.
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      05-18-2009, 03:35 PM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rawbert54 View Post
well, I spoke with Andy over on e90 post. he seems to be willing to do HID conversion for us 1 owners with halogen stuff.
Thanks man.

What does this mean exactly? Will he change the whole housing to that of Xenon + Angel eyes or what?

You think it would just be a plug and play kit?

And you reckon I would be able to ship out here to SA?

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      05-19-2009, 04:58 PM   #18
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SUI is selling the 1 series xenon, I've bought things from SUI before.
contact him if you want the OEM xenon.
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323i, Arctic metallic , Cream beige leatherette interior , Titanium matt trim , Premium , Auto , 18" style 189 sport wheels , 335i bumper + kidney grills, CF pillars, Chrome window trim package , LCI halogen.
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      05-19-2009, 04:58 PM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rawbert54 View Post
well, I spoke with Andy over on e90 post. he seems to be willing to do HID conversion for us 1 owners with halogen stuff.
Oh sweet man! Let us know all the info! Tell him to send some pics of conversions he has worked on too if possible.

I just got off the phone with my CA, he gave me a quote of $2500 for the light conversion which is the price range I figured based on other threads I have found around the net and the quotes people have gotten from dealers.
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      05-20-2009, 01:49 AM   #20
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Wow that is crazy... $2500

Quote:
Originally Posted by alanchan View Post
SUI is selling the 1 series xenon, I've bought things from SUI before.
contact him if you want the OEM xenon.
I assume these are the xenons in the housing which we just replace?

Thanks, will contact him
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      05-20-2009, 05:44 AM   #21
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Are the lights for the e82/e88 (coupe) and the e81/e87 (hatch) the same?

If so, maybe we would have a chance looking at some BMW Scrap yards?
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      05-20-2009, 07:41 AM   #22
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from what ive seen, the e87 lights will fit the e82. Not having done the switch myself, i can not confirm with what ease this can be accomplished.
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