128i Standard to Xenon Light Upgrade

aacabriolet · 05-20-2009, 09:01 AM

Yeah according to realoem they look identical..

Now to find some rear ended write-offs where the xenons are still in tact

Add1ct · 05-20-2009, 10:33 AM

yes, expect it to be a lot, unless you can find a set online for about 800-1000 on say ebay and then install them yourself

aacabriolet · 05-20-2009, 10:57 AM

Im worried about how much this is going to cost

What are opinions on the after market xenons? I hear good and bad about them.

Bad mainly being that the light scatters as it isn't in an "enclosure" like the BMW ones?

Also, would they have it for our e82 /e88 ? Cos afaik they are H8 size bulbs?

Would appreciate any assistance.

Thanks

Add1ct · 05-20-2009, 01:43 PM

I would encourage you guys to first try the plus 80s, or plus 80% H7s from Osram. at 65w they put out 2100 lumens and should be safe on the stock wires, I've read on the MB forums that they are very bright compared to stock, here they are on suvlights.com, http://www.suvlights.com/product_inf...265f403db0ff4d

Tom K. · 05-20-2009, 01:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aacabriolet

Wow that is crazy... $2500

Not really. Each side retails for upwards of $800 for the unit + $200 for the bulb. And if there is a screw-up on installation such as a slightly pinched gasket, then plan on more $$.

One reason I ordered my 128i without Xenons is the extreme expense to repair them.

Tom

aacabriolet · 05-20-2009, 02:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Add1ct

I would encourage you guys to first try the plus 80s, or plus 80% H7s from Osram. at 65w they put out 2100 lumens and should be safe on the stock wires, I've read on the MB forums that they are very bright compared to stock, here they are on suvlights.com, http://www.suvlights.com/product_inf...265f403db0ff4d

That's actually quite a good idea!

So are my bulbs H7 then?

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...05&hg=63&fg=05

On the xenon parts page it says they are H8

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...06&hg=63&fg=05

Or does the size differ differ from halogen to xenon?

Thanks man! Seems like a more viable option!

Add1ct · 05-20-2009, 02:43 PM

I thought both the factory low beam and high beam were H7s, which is what sylvania says too on the replacement guide, look at the headlamp housing, it usually indicates the bulb number/type

Alec693 · 05-20-2009, 03:55 PM

Guys, remember this thread is about converting the stock halogen lights on the 128i to the xenon lights that would be on the car if the option would've been purchased with the car.

It's not just about the bulbs, it's about the housing all together.

I have someone I found locally selling a set of Euro lights, he says it comes with the housing (of course), control unit, and light source (which I'm guessing are the actual bulbs). Does anyone know what else is needed for the conversion?

e82vette · 05-20-2009, 05:15 PM

I got mine halo, so i could do euro xenons swap instead..... if i needed to...

but seriously.... halo isn't that bad... its the brightness/color of the bulb i am concerend more about now....

aacabriolet · 05-20-2009, 05:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by e82vette

I got mine halo, so i could do euro xenons swap instead..... if i needed to...

but seriously.... halo isn't that bad... its the brightness/color of the bulb i am concerend more about now....

Halo meaning?

Over here we get the Euro spec anyways (I think that explains my clear reflectors)

Diesel///M · 05-22-2009, 11:07 AM

sui is the man he always has the best deals

rawbert54 · 05-23-2009, 07:00 PM

i know that if you plug in a projector housing to a car with halogens, it will light the side lights, and the inner light and the angel eyes. no codes. the hid light needs a little rewiring to get the ground to work, but its very simple.

I managed to get both my housings for $600 total. my HID kit ddm tuning was $70ish. it does not throw codes. I am using a d2s bulb, which fits in a d1s socket and is much cheaper.

my only problem at the moment is i have a lot a flicker with the hid lights. They have a couple possible solutions for this at ddm tuning. The BOW 3 code eliminator and a wiring harness to get power directly from the battery. im currently waiting for the BOW 3, hopefully it works.

When im done ill have OEM adaptive headlight projector housing, after market ballast and bulb running with no codes. The adaptive feature will not be active. As cool as it it would be, not worth the cost.

Because the ballast will be installed on the underside of the headlight housing, when you open the hood, everything will appear OEM and Ill have HID with angel eye for about $720.

Alec693 · 05-24-2009, 01:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Diesel335i

sui is the man he always has the best deals

Yeah except he seems to be MIA because he hasn't answered my PM that I sent a week ago already.

cks0213 · 06-04-2009, 02:22 AM

PMed ******* myself.
If I have get a good answer I'll be trying this out.

McReary · 06-04-2009, 03:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alec693

Guys, remember this thread is about converting the stock halogen lights on the 128i to the xenon lights that would be on the car if the option would've been purchased with the car.

It's not just about the bulbs, it's about the housing all together.

I have someone I found locally selling a set of Euro lights, he says it comes with the housing (of course), control unit, and light source (which I'm guessing are the actual bulbs). Does anyone know what else is needed for the conversion?

You need
Projector housing: case, lens, brackets
Ballast
Bulb: Xenon obviously
Wattage fooler: Either go the aftermarket route or DIY resistor build as seen on the e46 3 series.

Those are for sure. I've heard of people having to switch their halogen light switch casing to the left of their steering wheel to the xenon ones, and the AHL (auto headlight leveling) will need coding and wiring and the actual mechanism that does it needs to be bought as well and placed under the bulb/lens in the housing. Adaptive headlights are optional as well.

In the end, the true cost to a legitimate retrofit would cost more than $1000, even supposing you got the full Euro headlight casing, ballast, and bulb for $600 from sui. Those auto headlight leveling thingies cost a GRIP lol. Of course u can just ignore it. Not really necessary...

rawbert54 · 06-04-2009, 07:22 AM

i actually just finished installing my halogen to xenon conversion last night. ill get some pics up soon! I bought 1 housing on ebay the other on auto vulture. ($600 for both). I used aftermarket ballast and D2S bulb from DDM tuning. I did have to use a resistor pack to prevent flickoring in the headlight. I also had do a small wire tap to get the ground working on the projector/xenon housing. (very easy though). I really wasn't interested in the adaptive feature or auto leveling. My goal was to have OEM looking projector lenses with angel eyes. whole thing cost me just under what they would have been as an option from the factory. (sort of)

rawbert54 · 06-04-2009, 10:05 AM

http://gallery.me.com/rawbert54/100047/IMG_0064

http://gallery.me.com/rawbert54/100047/IMG_0067

http://gallery.me.com/rawbert54/100047/IMG_0068

The first image is the d2s bulb I used instead of a D1S. it fits in the same socket and was easier to find an after market ballast for this type of bulb. the second image is the wire tap i had to do in order to get the ground on the xenon housing working. the white at the tip of the black wire is the shrinkwrap for the new wire. I had a pin that fit the OEM plug and tapped the brown ground wire 2 slots over.

The last picture is the xenons on. Everything works (almost) with no codes. I dont have High Beams at the moment, there is another wiring trick that needs to be done for this to work but its simple.

Sui · 06-19-2009, 10:18 AM

Hi!

Actual, i have two sets in stock.
A static and a dynamic one.

Both are completely with bulbs and ballasts.

Normally, you have to change the light switch and the footwell module.

I will check the installation instructions from BMW for that.

cks0213 · 06-22-2009, 02:16 AM

I'm looking forward to Sui's instructions and the parts he will be bringing to our table.

Yablonski135 · 06-22-2009, 04:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JTdrivin1

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...

The euro assy won't directly swap out with the 135i projectors?

rawbert54 · 06-22-2009, 11:10 AM

euro will swap, just make sure you swap with a left hand drive car.

Alec693 · 06-22-2009, 04:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sui

Hi!

Actual, i have two sets in stock.
A static and a dynamic one.

Both are completely with bulbs and ballasts.

Normally, you have to change the light switch and the footwell module.

I will check the installation instructions from BMW for that.

Any updates?

05-20-2009, 09:01 AM	#23
aacabriolet Major 118 Rep 1,002 Posts Drives: '14 435i Coupe Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: SA iTrader: (0)	Yeah according to realoem they look identical.. Now to find some rear ended write-offs where the xenons are still in tact
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05-20-2009, 10:33 AM	#24
Add1ct Lieutenant Colonel 59 Rep 1,859 Posts Drives: 135i, 335i Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Palos Verdes Estates (SoCal) iTrader: (3)	yes, expect it to be a lot, unless you can find a set online for about 800-1000 on say ebay and then install them yourself __________________ E82 N54 6MT 6FL 668 KASW turned in E92 Crimson/Cream N54 6MT, ZSP, ZPP, ZCW, Nav, Sat radio, HD Radio, Logic7, PDC, Active Steering, Active Cruise, 6FL, CA
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05-20-2009, 10:57 AM	#25
aacabriolet Major 118 Rep 1,002 Posts Drives: '14 435i Coupe Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: SA iTrader: (0)	Im worried about how much this is going to cost What are opinions on the after market xenons? I hear good and bad about them. Bad mainly being that the light scatters as it isn't in an "enclosure" like the BMW ones? Also, would they have it for our e82 /e88 ? Cos afaik they are H8 size bulbs? Would appreciate any assistance. Thanks
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-20-2009, 01:43 PM	#26
Add1ct Lieutenant Colonel 59 Rep 1,859 Posts Drives: 135i, 335i Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Palos Verdes Estates (SoCal) iTrader: (3)	I would encourage you guys to first try the plus 80s, or plus 80% H7s from Osram. at 65w they put out 2100 lumens and should be safe on the stock wires, I've read on the MB forums that they are very bright compared to stock, here they are on suvlights.com, http://www.suvlights.com/product_inf...265f403db0ff4d __________________ E82 N54 6MT 6FL 668 KASW turned in E92 Crimson/Cream N54 6MT, ZSP, ZPP, ZCW, Nav, Sat radio, HD Radio, Logic7, PDC, Active Steering, Active Cruise, 6FL, CA
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-20-2009, 02:43 PM	#29
Add1ct Lieutenant Colonel 59 Rep 1,859 Posts Drives: 135i, 335i Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Palos Verdes Estates (SoCal) iTrader: (3)	I thought both the factory low beam and high beam were H7s, which is what sylvania says too on the replacement guide, look at the headlamp housing, it usually indicates the bulb number/type __________________ E82 N54 6MT 6FL 668 KASW turned in E92 Crimson/Cream N54 6MT, ZSP, ZPP, ZCW, Nav, Sat radio, HD Radio, Logic7, PDC, Active Steering, Active Cruise, 6FL, CA
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-20-2009, 03:55 PM	#30
Alec693 BMWholic 9 Rep 161 Posts Drives: 2015 Chevrolet Equinox 1LT AWD Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Rochester, MI iTrader: (0) Garage List 2015 Chevrolet Equi ... [0.00]	Guys, remember this thread is about converting the stock halogen lights on the 128i to the xenon lights that would be on the car if the option would've been purchased with the car. It's not just about the bulbs, it's about the housing all together. I have someone I found locally selling a set of Euro lights, he says it comes with the housing (of course), control unit, and light source (which I'm guessing are the actual bulbs). Does anyone know what else is needed for the conversion?
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-20-2009, 05:15 PM	#31
e82vette Captain 25 Rep 627 Posts Drives: 128i Join Date: May 2009 Location: Seattle iTrader: (1)	I got mine halo, so i could do euro xenons swap instead..... if i needed to... but seriously.... halo isn't that bad... its the brightness/color of the bulb i am concerend more about now....
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-22-2009, 11:07 AM	#33
Diesel///M Colonel 71 Rep 2,320 Posts Drives: E92 ///M Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: IN NY/NJ, missing FL iTrader: (21)	sui is the man he always has the best deals
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05-23-2009, 07:00 PM	#34
rawbert54 Private First Class 6 Rep 129 Posts Drives: sedona Reda 128i Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: fort lauderdale iTrader: (0)	i know that if you plug in a projector housing to a car with halogens, it will light the side lights, and the inner light and the angel eyes. no codes. the hid light needs a little rewiring to get the ground to work, but its very simple. I managed to get both my housings for $600 total. my HID kit ddm tuning was $70ish. it does not throw codes. I am using a d2s bulb, which fits in a d1s socket and is much cheaper. my only problem at the moment is i have a lot a flicker with the hid lights. They have a couple possible solutions for this at ddm tuning. The BOW 3 code eliminator and a wiring harness to get power directly from the battery. im currently waiting for the BOW 3, hopefully it works. When im done ill have OEM adaptive headlight projector housing, after market ballast and bulb running with no codes. The adaptive feature will not be active. As cool as it it would be, not worth the cost. Because the ballast will be installed on the underside of the headlight housing, when you open the hood, everything will appear OEM and Ill have HID with angel eye for about $720.
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06-04-2009, 02:22 AM	#36
cks0213 Second Lieutenant 25 Rep 214 Posts Drives: Join Date: Mar 2008 iTrader: (1)	PMed ******* myself. If I have get a good answer I'll be trying this out.
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06-04-2009, 07:22 AM	#38
rawbert54 Private First Class 6 Rep 129 Posts Drives: sedona Reda 128i Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: fort lauderdale iTrader: (0)	i actually just finished installing my halogen to xenon conversion last night. ill get some pics up soon! I bought 1 housing on ebay the other on auto vulture. ($600 for both). I used aftermarket ballast and D2S bulb from DDM tuning. I did have to use a resistor pack to prevent flickoring in the headlight. I also had do a small wire tap to get the ground working on the projector/xenon housing. (very easy though). I really wasn't interested in the adaptive feature or auto leveling. My goal was to have OEM looking projector lenses with angel eyes. whole thing cost me just under what they would have been as an option from the factory. (sort of)
	Appreciate 0 Quote

06-04-2009, 10:05 AM	#39
rawbert54 Private First Class 6 Rep 129 Posts Drives: sedona Reda 128i Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: fort lauderdale iTrader: (0)	finally did the conversion! http://gallery.me.com/rawbert54/100047/IMG_0064 http://gallery.me.com/rawbert54/100047/IMG_0067 http://gallery.me.com/rawbert54/100047/IMG_0068 The first image is the d2s bulb I used instead of a D1S. it fits in the same socket and was easier to find an after market ballast for this type of bulb. the second image is the wire tap i had to do in order to get the ground on the xenon housing working. the white at the tip of the black wire is the shrinkwrap for the new wire. I had a pin that fit the OEM plug and tapped the brown ground wire 2 slots over. The last picture is the xenons on. Everything works (almost) with no codes. I dont have High Beams at the moment, there is another wiring trick that needs to be done for this to work but its simple. Last edited by rawbert54; 06-04-2009 at 10:49 AM.. Reason: pictures were not loading
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06-19-2009, 10:18 AM	#40
Sui Banned 23 Rep 105 Posts Drives: BMW E82 123d Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: GERMANY iTrader: (1)	Hi! Actual, i have two sets in stock. A static and a dynamic one. Both are completely with bulbs and ballasts. Normally, you have to change the light switch and the footwell module. I will check the installation instructions from BMW for that.
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06-22-2009, 02:16 AM	#41
cks0213 Second Lieutenant 25 Rep 214 Posts Drives: Join Date: Mar 2008 iTrader: (1)	I'm looking forward to Sui's instructions and the parts he will be bringing to our table.
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06-22-2009, 11:10 AM	#43
rawbert54 Private First Class 6 Rep 129 Posts Drives: sedona Reda 128i Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: fort lauderdale iTrader: (0)	euro will swap, just make sure you swap with a left hand drive car.
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