Depo Projector Headlights -- A good choice

SchlauCow · 05-02-2010, 02:12 PM

Hey all, I recently purchased some Depo projector headlights from JLevi. I found them very nice and great quality.

You will want these if you have the standard concave, halogen headlight sets that come with the 128i.

The installation was easy, it just takes some time and patience. The hardest part of installing these was the bottom headlight bracket torque screw and pulling off/unclipping the side of the bumper.

Anyways, here are some before and after pictures... you definitely want these! They are a good compromise if you're not going to buy the more expensive aftermarket BMW lights (which are pretty hard to find, at least for me). The orange you see on the sides of the lights are from the bulb, NOT the plastic housing itself. I am planning on buying some invisibulbs soon.

Enjoy. Any questions, let me know. Like I said, very easy to install...

Yvette · 05-02-2010, 02:20 PM

can we have more pics?
from further, side view, close up,
how does it compare to OEM in looking wise?
is inside the headlight darker than OEM? how dark?

from your pics, it looks great! I can't tell the difference
thanks

bmwsam · 05-02-2010, 05:48 PM

This looks really good and it's nice to see on another car similar to mine. I'm planning on ordering these sometime soon. Did you upgrade the lowbeams too?

SchlauCow · 05-03-2010, 01:54 AM

Here are some additional pictures.

I didn't upgrade the bulbs at all, they're OEM. I might do this later on. When you order these, you will have the option to upgrade. I simply switched out the blinker module, and the two high/low beam lights, plugged them in the pre-wired connectors, and placed them in the new unit. Easy install. All plug and play. Absolutely no errors.

I haven't been up close and personal with the OEM angel eyes lights, so I'm not sure... I am sure someone could post a pic of the OEM angel eyes and post it here.

When/if you purchase these, get the invisibulbs too unless you want the yellow from your OEM lights to shine :P

1ToBeOn2Wheels · 05-03-2010, 02:23 AM

Looks great! Glad to see there are high-quality products like this on the market for the 1 coupe. Now when are we going to see some high-quality LED tail light upgrades I wonder?

SV Concepts III · 05-03-2010, 12:08 PM

Night and day different, great look and glad to hear you are happy with them!

Simsims · 05-03-2010, 01:53 PM

Personally I think the chrome & raised projector lens makes it look as if the iris of the eye is going to pop out

not meaning to offend the op at all..

SchlauCow · 05-03-2010, 02:24 PM

beauty is in the eye of my projectors

i find the lights to be much better than my depressed looking concave ones

SV Concepts II · 05-07-2010, 03:14 PM

Looks great, could you possibly investigate the bulb size/fitment for the AEs? I believe these units utilize 4 individual halogen bulbs for the AEs...this is of course for potential LED bulb replacements/upgrades.

Armada · 05-07-2010, 05:43 PM

Wow, those look great. Nice work!

SchlauCow · 05-10-2010, 02:24 PM

Ok, after looking at the lights some more, here are more pics... Also, if you own a 2010 128i, then the front blinker bulbs will be 7507 type.

Picture of 7507/front blinker housing
http://img266.imageshack.us/img266/3938/img4162s.jpg

Anyone know what the circled adapter is for? These are on the Depos.
http://img227.imageshack.us/img227/6070/img4163u.jpg

This is the inside of the housing unit, looking at the fish eye/outer beam. If you notice, 4 smaller adapter units... those are what light the angel eyes...
http://img683.imageshack.us/img683/1011/img4164h.jpg

This is a picture of one of the four angel eye bulb housing...
http://img101.imageshack.us/img101/5687/img4173x.jpg

This is a picture of the bulb... I wonder if these could be replaced with something brighter -- if so, the angel eyes would be much brighter.
http://img714.imageshack.us/img714/17/img4177b.jpg

Picture of the car from the front
http://img685.imageshack.us/img685/205/img4185q.jpg

Feedback is appreciated, thanks.

SV Concepts II · 05-10-2010, 02:33 PM

Interesting, it seems like it uses regular 5w 194 type halogen bulbs for the AEs. Our 194 LED bulbs should fit no problems.

JOE2391 · 05-10-2010, 10:45 PM

still interested would like to see some brighter angel eyes... and any problems u ran into...

fatjoez · 05-11-2010, 01:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SchlauCow

beauty is in the eye of my projectors

i find the lights to be much better than my depressed looking concave ones

hey buddy
I've got the same set of headlights.

Question for you or the Jlevi boys, can the headlight level control dial still be used with these headlights?

Doesn't seem to do anything for mine but I've never actually tested it fully on a flat surface against a wall

SV Concepts II · 05-11-2010, 11:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fatjoez

hey buddy
I've got the same set of headlights.

Question for you or the Jlevi boys, can the headlight level control dial still be used with these headlights?

Doesn't seem to do anything for mine but I've never actually tested it fully on a flat surface against a wall

I'm not sure, I doubt it though.

fatjoez · 05-11-2010, 06:17 PM

ouch

aacabriolet · 05-13-2010, 01:56 PM

Looks good. Try some White LED's for the angels

SchlauCow · 05-13-2010, 02:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aacabriolet

Looks good. Try some White LED's for the angels

Thanks, I'm ordering some 194 LEDs soon to replace those little halogen bulbs... pics to follow.

fatjoez · 05-13-2010, 04:35 PM

Which LEDS is he referring to? The Rings??
Or the bulb inside or what
How easy are they to replace?

SV Concepts III · 05-13-2010, 04:39 PM

The rings are powered by 194 halogen bulbs, you can replace those with 194 LED bulbs for a whiter output.

aacabriolet · 05-14-2010, 03:25 PM

Can we possibly have some more night pics please?

from a distance and closer.

And then some more when you get the White LED's so we can compare!

It seems the four wedge bulbs for the angel eyes are distinctly visible instead of a "full" flowing ring like the OEM ones? Or is that just in the pics?

Dunno if you know what I'm saying

SV Concepts III · 05-14-2010, 03:31 PM

Hopefully he can post some night shots, we don't have a car here to do it on unfortunately.

For the 194 bulbs, it's actually very similar to the OE units in that you can see the two inlets to the factory fiber optics where the bulbs line up.

05-02-2010, 02:12 PM	#1
SchlauCow ****** 137 Rep 337 Posts Drives: Honda M6 Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Radiance iTrader: (4)	Depo Projector Headlights -- A good choice Hey all, I recently purchased some Depo projector headlights from JLevi. I found them very nice and great quality. You will want these if you have the standard concave, halogen headlight sets that come with the 128i. The installation was easy, it just takes some time and patience. The hardest part of installing these was the bottom headlight bracket torque screw and pulling off/unclipping the side of the bumper. Anyways, here are some before and after pictures... you definitely want these! They are a good compromise if you're not going to buy the more expensive aftermarket BMW lights (which are pretty hard to find, at least for me). The orange you see on the sides of the lights are from the bulb, NOT the plastic housing itself. I am planning on buying some invisibulbs soon. Enjoy. Any questions, let me know. Like I said, very easy to install...
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

05-02-2010, 02:20 PM	#2
Yvette Major General 761 Rep 7,408 Posts Drives: M Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Vancouver iTrader: (19)	can we have more pics? from further, side view, close up, how does it compare to OEM in looking wise? is inside the headlight darker than OEM? how dark? from your pics, it looks great! I can't tell the difference thanks
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-02-2010, 05:48 PM	#3
bmwsam First Lieutenant 10 Rep 358 Posts Drives: 135i M-Sport Join Date: May 2009 Location: Bay Area iTrader: (0) Garage List 2012 135i [0.00]	This looks really good and it's nice to see on another car similar to mine. I'm planning on ordering these sometime soon. Did you upgrade the lowbeams too? __________________ 128i M-Sport: Le Mans Blue/Black Interior 6MT, Premium Hi-Fi, Ipod/USB, BMW CCA Member: Central California Chapter
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-03-2010, 01:54 AM	#4
SchlauCow ****** 137 Rep 337 Posts Drives: Honda M6 Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Radiance iTrader: (4)	Here are some additional pictures. I didn't upgrade the bulbs at all, they're OEM. I might do this later on. When you order these, you will have the option to upgrade. I simply switched out the blinker module, and the two high/low beam lights, plugged them in the pre-wired connectors, and placed them in the new unit. Easy install. All plug and play. Absolutely no errors. I haven't been up close and personal with the OEM angel eyes lights, so I'm not sure... I am sure someone could post a pic of the OEM angel eyes and post it here. When/if you purchase these, get the invisibulbs too unless you want the yellow from your OEM lights to shine :P
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-03-2010, 02:23 AM	#5
1ToBeOn2Wheels Freude am Fahren 31 Rep 703 Posts Drives: B9 Audi S5 Coupe Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Sierra Nevada Foothills, California iTrader: (0)	Looks great! Glad to see there are high-quality products like this on the market for the 1 coupe. Now when are we going to see some high-quality LED tail light upgrades I wonder?
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-03-2010, 12:08 PM	#6
SV Concepts III Lieutenant General 375 Rep 17,017 Posts Drives: BMW Duh Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Santa Clara iTrader: (13)	Night and day different, great look and glad to hear you are happy with them!
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-03-2010, 01:53 PM	#7
Simsims Captain 37 Rep 615 Posts Drives: 119/220 Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Ottawa iTrader: (0)	Personally I think the chrome & raised projector lens makes it look as if the iris of the eye is going to pop out not meaning to offend the op at all.. __________________ VO 1M - everything except sunroof RIP BSM 135i 2009-2011
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-03-2010, 02:24 PM	#8
SchlauCow ****** 137 Rep 337 Posts Drives: Honda M6 Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Radiance iTrader: (4)	beauty is in the eye of my projectors i find the lights to be much better than my depressed looking concave ones
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-07-2010, 03:14 PM	#9
SV Concepts II 269 Rep 6,093 Posts Drives: E90 M3 Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: 1460 White Oaks Rd. Suite F Campbell, CA 95008 iTrader: (7)	Looks great, could you possibly investigate the bulb size/fitment for the AEs? I believe these units utilize 4 individual halogen bulbs for the AEs...this is of course for potential LED bulb replacements/upgrades.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-07-2010, 05:43 PM	#10
Armada Second Lieutenant 20 Rep 217 Posts Drives: e82 Join Date: May 2010 Location: Southern California iTrader: (0)	Wow, those look great. Nice work!
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-10-2010, 02:24 PM	#11
SchlauCow ****** 137 Rep 337 Posts Drives: Honda M6 Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Radiance iTrader: (4)	Ok, after looking at the lights some more, here are more pics... Also, if you own a 2010 128i, then the front blinker bulbs will be 7507 type. Picture of 7507/front blinker housing http://img266.imageshack.us/img266/3938/img4162s.jpg Anyone know what the circled adapter is for? These are on the Depos. http://img227.imageshack.us/img227/6070/img4163u.jpg This is the inside of the housing unit, looking at the fish eye/outer beam. If you notice, 4 smaller adapter units... those are what light the angel eyes... http://img683.imageshack.us/img683/1011/img4164h.jpg This is a picture of one of the four angel eye bulb housing... http://img101.imageshack.us/img101/5687/img4173x.jpg This is a picture of the bulb... I wonder if these could be replaced with something brighter -- if so, the angel eyes would be much brighter. http://img714.imageshack.us/img714/17/img4177b.jpg Picture of the car from the front http://img685.imageshack.us/img685/205/img4185q.jpg Feedback is appreciated, thanks.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-10-2010, 02:33 PM	#12
SV Concepts II 269 Rep 6,093 Posts Drives: E90 M3 Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: 1460 White Oaks Rd. Suite F Campbell, CA 95008 iTrader: (7)	Interesting, it seems like it uses regular 5w 194 type halogen bulbs for the AEs. Our 194 LED bulbs should fit no problems.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-10-2010, 10:45 PM	#13
JOE2391 Private First Class 7 Rep 152 Posts Drives: 128i Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: NY Westchester County iTrader: (0)	still interested would like to see some brighter angel eyes... and any problems u ran into...
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-11-2010, 06:17 PM	#16
fatjoez student 226 Rep 911 Posts Drives: e90 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Bermuda Triangle iTrader: (0)	ouch
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-13-2010, 01:56 PM	#17
aacabriolet Major 118 Rep 1,002 Posts Drives: '14 435i Coupe Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: SA iTrader: (0)	Looks good. Try some White LED's for the angels
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-13-2010, 04:35 PM	#19
fatjoez student 226 Rep 911 Posts Drives: e90 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Bermuda Triangle iTrader: (0)	Which LEDS is he referring to? The Rings?? Or the bulb inside or what How easy are they to replace?
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-13-2010, 04:39 PM	#20
SV Concepts III Lieutenant General 375 Rep 17,017 Posts Drives: BMW Duh Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Santa Clara iTrader: (13)	The rings are powered by 194 halogen bulbs, you can replace those with 194 LED bulbs for a whiter output.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-14-2010, 03:25 PM	#21
aacabriolet Major 118 Rep 1,002 Posts Drives: '14 435i Coupe Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: SA iTrader: (0)	Can we possibly have some more night pics please? from a distance and closer. And then some more when you get the White LED's so we can compare! It seems the four wedge bulbs for the angel eyes are distinctly visible instead of a "full" flowing ring like the OEM ones? Or is that just in the pics? Dunno if you know what I'm saying
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-14-2010, 03:31 PM	#22
SV Concepts III Lieutenant General 375 Rep 17,017 Posts Drives: BMW Duh Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Santa Clara iTrader: (13)	Hopefully he can post some night shots, we don't have a car here to do it on unfortunately. For the 194 bulbs, it's actually very similar to the OE units in that you can see the two inlets to the factory fiber optics where the bulbs line up.
	Appreciate 0 Quote