downgrade headlights

deadmoo · 03-14-2012, 05:44 PM

Does anyone know if it is possible to downgrade the headlights on a 2008 135i? I have adaptive (dynamic) headlights know. Is it possible to replace them with oem statics xenons or halogens? Or is it possible to replace them with any of the halogen to bi-xenon aftermarket upgrade kits out there?

andrey_gta · 03-14-2012, 05:46 PM

it should be possible to downgrade to non dynamic xenon with out probs, i think the software coding is the same...just plug in and play. The price may be the deterrent.

Halogen may be more complicated, you may need to disable or disconnect more systems

deadmoo · 03-14-2012, 05:52 PM

Thanks for the reply. I am trying to find the cheapest option. The mounting tabs on by headlight housings broke off. As far as I can tell, that means I need to order a completely new set of headlights. Getting a new set of expensive adaptive headlights every time this weak plastic part breaks seems crazy to me. I didn't even know I had adaptive headlights until the things broke. I think I could live with static xenons or even halogens. I have seen a lot of guides on how to upgrade, but nothing on how to downgrade.

tony0713 · 03-14-2012, 09:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by deadmoo

Thanks for the reply. I am trying to find the cheapest option. The mounting tabs on by headlight housings broke off. As far as I can tell, that means I need to order a completely new set of headlights. Getting a new set of expensive adaptive headlights every time this weak plastic part breaks seems crazy to me. I didn't even know I had adaptive headlights until the things broke. I think I could live with static xenons or even halogens. I have seen a lot of guides on how to upgrade, but nothing on how to downgrade.

if it is just the tabs that are broken, you should be able to get tab repair kits from BMW. they are new tabs that screw into pre positioned holes on the light housings.

deadmoo · 03-14-2012, 11:48 PM

That is great news, tony. You are a life saver.

I found some pics of what I think you are talking about on the french forum. I guess this is a common design on german cars. This is my first BMW, so I wasn't familiar with this.

http://www.bmw-one.com/phpbb3/viewto...661&start=1125

repair kit part number: 63116924482

EDIT: This should probably be a sticky somewhere, if it isn't already.

WPG D33Z · 03-16-2012, 11:09 PM

This calls for some

deadmoo · 03-19-2012, 05:50 PM

I ordered the headlight repair kit. It was definitely the correct parts and it worked very well. The kit actually comes with replacement mounting hardware for both the right and left headlights, so you only need to order one repair kit. I have seen them for as low as $20. I paid $40 at my local dealership. To do the repairs, you will also need a Dremel or similiar tool with a cut-off wheel to trim the remaining plastic of the old tabs off before installing the replacement ones. The repair kit also comes with some replacement bolts, screws, etc just in case they were also lost when the tabs were broken.

I followed this thread's instructions for removing/re-installing the headlights:

http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=219345

Refer to french thread above for a basic idea of how the repair kit works. You don't need to know french. It is self-explanatory from the photos.

03-14-2012, 05:44 PM	#1
deadmoo New Member 1 Rep 10 Posts Drives: 2008 135i Vert Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: MD iTrader: (0)	downgrade headlights Does anyone know if it is possible to downgrade the headlights on a 2008 135i? I have adaptive (dynamic) headlights know. Is it possible to replace them with oem statics xenons or halogens? Or is it possible to replace them with any of the halogen to bi-xenon aftermarket upgrade kits out there?
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03-14-2012, 05:46 PM	#2
andrey_gta Brigadier General 298 Rep 4,040 Posts Drives: 130i coupé ;) Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Bimmerpost iTrader: (1) Garage List 2008 BMW 128i [10.00]	it should be possible to downgrade to non dynamic xenon with out probs, i think the software coding is the same...just plug in and play. The price may be the deterrent. Halogen may be more complicated, you may need to disable or disconnect more systems __________________ 128i Sport 6MT converted to Euro 130i spec, 3.73 diff, tuned by evolve ~220 whp 207 wtq(ft-lb) SAE In-progress: //M front arm, M3 rack, e36M lip Wishlist: Coils, n55 mnts, headers, LSD, e60 finn diff "The 1-series is the last car that BMW engineered before the Germans, as a car-making culture, fell out of love with driving." - R&T 2013 135is
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03-14-2012, 05:52 PM	#3
deadmoo New Member 1 Rep 10 Posts Drives: 2008 135i Vert Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: MD iTrader: (0)	Thanks for the reply. I am trying to find the cheapest option. The mounting tabs on by headlight housings broke off. As far as I can tell, that means I need to order a completely new set of headlights. Getting a new set of expensive adaptive headlights every time this weak plastic part breaks seems crazy to me. I didn't even know I had adaptive headlights until the things broke. I think I could live with static xenons or even halogens. I have seen a lot of guides on how to upgrade, but nothing on how to downgrade.
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03-14-2012, 11:48 PM	#5
deadmoo New Member 1 Rep 10 Posts Drives: 2008 135i Vert Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: MD iTrader: (0)	That is great news, tony. You are a life saver. I found some pics of what I think you are talking about on the french forum. I guess this is a common design on german cars. This is my first BMW, so I wasn't familiar with this. http://www.bmw-one.com/phpbb3/viewto...661&start=1125 repair kit part number: 63116924482 EDIT: This should probably be a sticky somewhere, if it isn't already. Last edited by deadmoo; 03-14-2012 at 11:54 PM..
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03-16-2012, 11:09 PM	#6
WPG D33Z First Lieutenant 23 Rep 316 Posts Drives: 2008 135i vert Cobb Stage2 Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Winnipeg, Canada iTrader: (1)	This calls for some
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03-19-2012, 05:50 PM	#7
deadmoo New Member 1 Rep 10 Posts Drives: 2008 135i Vert Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: MD iTrader: (0)	It worked I ordered the headlight repair kit. It was definitely the correct parts and it worked very well. The kit actually comes with replacement mounting hardware for both the right and left headlights, so you only need to order one repair kit. I have seen them for as low as $20. I paid $40 at my local dealership. To do the repairs, you will also need a Dremel or similiar tool with a cut-off wheel to trim the remaining plastic of the old tabs off before installing the replacement ones. The repair kit also comes with some replacement bolts, screws, etc just in case they were also lost when the tabs were broken. I followed this thread's instructions for removing/re-installing the headlights: http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=219345 Refer to french thread above for a basic idea of how the repair kit works. You don't need to know french. It is self-explanatory from the photos. Last edited by deadmoo; 03-21-2012 at 09:10 AM..
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