BMW 1 Series Coupe Forum / 1 Series Convertible Forum (1M / tii / 135i / 128i / Coupe / Cabrio / Hatchback) (BMW E82 E88 128i 130i 135i)
 





 

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      12-28-2014, 08:18 PM   #1
discr33t
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halogen to xenon question

I've done some searching and some reading and it seems like depo headlights are the most popular for this but I am curious if it is possible to buy 135i xenon headlights and have them installed on my 128i to replace the halogens? Is aftermarket a must, or can I buy OEM and have them installed?
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      12-28-2014, 10:11 PM   #2
Butters03
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Yes you can but buying new from the dealer the swap will cost you over a grand.
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      12-29-2014, 05:03 PM   #3
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Or you can buy oem xenons and pay 50$ to code them to your car from a forum member here. Swapping them is easy.
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      12-29-2014, 09:07 PM   #4
discr33t
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ok thanks for the info guys. so i can pretty much order oem xenons for a 135i, install them on my 128i and then i just need to pay for someone to code them? i assume the dealer can do all of this for me if i want to pay for it, or i can install myself and pay a forum member to code or and independent bmw shop?
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      01-06-2015, 11:54 PM   #5
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bump for this, how can you tell if you have halogen or xenon lights? Is it about the color temp?
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      01-07-2015, 04:27 AM   #6
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Halogen Headlights are obviously yellow in appearance, you don't have the trademark bmw angel eyes and there will be a scroll wheel type thing on the headlight switch that you can use to manually adjust the height level of the headlight.

Xenons headlights have a distinct white/blue color, have the angel eyes and level automatically.

I just did this on my e87 hatchback - but using OEM xenons. It is an absolute pain, definitely not plug and play, but 5000% worth the end result. (Oh btw, i'm only 20 y/o and not a mechanic/auto electrician, so if i can do it, you guys can definitely do it!)

To install OEM xenons, you will need a new (or used) footwell module, the FRM3 labelled "XE" - it is the footwell module specifically for xenon head lights. You'll also need an additional wiring harness (available from BMW) and coding to complete the upgrade.

Also all 1 series headlights are the same shape and have the same wiring configurations/pin arrangements

I've researched this retrofit heavily and know the ins and outs of how these headlights work and how the cars are set up so if you have any questions - ask

Last edited by reisf; 01-08-2015 at 01:53 AM..
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      01-18-2015, 08:29 AM   #7
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When retrofitting the oem xemons, will the adaptive lights work too?
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      01-18-2015, 10:01 AM   #8
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Halogens are reflector headlights, xenons and HID are projector. If you look into your headlight and see the bulb and then a big parabolic dish behind it, that's halogen. If you look into your headlight and you just see what looks like the outside of a sphere, that's xenon.

Not applicable to your situation but good information for anyone else that might read this. NEVER EVER put xenons or HIDs in a headlight housing meant for halogens. Not that it will damage your car but it will blind everyone else on the road. You can usually see this in hondas where the person buys an HID kid to replace his halogen and then it's super bright. Projector headlights are super bright but the lens you see on the front also shapes the light so it points at the road and not into people's eyes.
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      02-07-2015, 07:29 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Booey1979 View Post
When retrofitting the oem xemons, will the adaptive lights work too?
Theres 2 types of OEM Xenon's headlights, there's adaptive and non-adaptive.

I retrofitted the non adaptive ones and it still wasn't that easy, i would the adaptive ones will require extra sensors and wiring
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      02-09-2015, 12:07 PM   #10
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Retrofit sounds expensive and difficult when Depo's with xenon are plug and play.
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      02-13-2015, 07:50 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Ankur194 View Post
Retrofit sounds expensive and difficult when Depo's with xenon are plug and play.
It wasn't that expensive...

Left and Right Headlights: $200AUD
New Ballasts: $100AUD
Xenon Bulbs (2): $189AUD
New Footwell Module For Xenons: $250 AUD
Wiring Kit: $100AUD

Total: $839 AUD

If you look hard enough you'll find all the parts you need for cheap...(Online, Wreckers, Salvage yards...)

How much would the Depos + HID Conversion kit cost?
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      02-14-2015, 10:33 AM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Gray_Panther
Or you can buy oem xenons and pay 50$ to code them to your car from a forum member here. Swapping them is easy.
Whoa is this legit? Please tell me this is this easy.
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      02-14-2015, 08:09 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by giannski View Post
Whoa is this legit? Please tell me this is this easy.
Yeah it's not that hard if you know what you're doing and have all the parts ready to go (not doing what i did and going and fitting only half the parts and expecting it to work haha)

Can save the 50 bucks if you know how to code too :P
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      02-16-2015, 06:21 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by reisf View Post
It wasn't that expensive...

Left and Right Headlights: $200AUD
New Ballasts: $100AUD
Xenon Bulbs (2): $189AUD
New Footwell Module For Xenons: $250 AUD
Wiring Kit: $100AUD

Total: $839 AUD

If you look hard enough you'll find all the parts you need for cheap...(Online, Wreckers, Salvage yards...)

How much would the Depos + HID Conversion kit cost?
The Depo's with HID kit run around $475 USD shipped. No need for wiring kit, foot well module, and coding is up to you. They accept the halogen factory harness and are completely plug and play. Only coding required would be to recode the DRL to be Halo instead if you are so inclined. There are a few other manufacturers out there who are cheaper but consensus on this forum is that Depo are as near quality and look as close to factory as you can get.
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      05-08-2015, 09:55 AM   #15
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So I'm guessing 128 owners are out of luck unless somebody is willing to spend $1100 per side buying OEM 135i headlight assemblies...
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      05-08-2015, 01:12 PM   #16
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2008 BMW 135i  [10.00]
Quote:
Originally Posted by $iriu$black View Post
So I'm guessing 128 owners are out of luck unless somebody is willing to spend $1100 per side buying OEM 135i headlight assemblies...
I purchased my LCI Adaptive Xenon assemblies on Ebay for far less than that. The donor car was a wright off - have a look and you should be able to find used assemblies there, or on the for sale section here, for hundreds less. All in I paid less than $1000, the Pre-LCI assemblies go for less than LCI as well.

Just got to Real OEM, grab the headlight part numbers, and throw them into google with BMW; Ie: BMW ###############
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      05-08-2015, 01:27 PM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 1AddictsAnonymous View Post
I purchased my LCI Adaptive Xenon assemblies on Ebay for far less than that. The donor car was a wright off - have a look and you should be able to find used assemblies there, or on the for sale section here, for hundreds less. All in I paid less than $1000, the Pre-LCI assemblies go for less than LCI as well.

Just got to Real OEM, grab the headlight part numbers, and throw them into google with BMW; Ie: BMW ###############
Thanks for that info! I guess we just needed guidance where to look. As far as I know no 128 owner here in the forums have done it (not sure as I'm a newer member myself) and posted pics here or a DIY or whatnot.
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      05-08-2015, 03:36 PM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by $iriu$black
Quote:
Originally Posted by 1AddictsAnonymous View Post
I purchased my LCI Adaptive Xenon assemblies on Ebay for far less than that. The donor car was a wright off - have a look and you should be able to find used assemblies there, or on the for sale section here, for hundreds less. All in I paid less than $1000, the Pre-LCI assemblies go for less than LCI as well.

Just got to Real OEM, grab the headlight part numbers, and throw them into google with BMW; Ie: BMW ###############
Thanks for that info! I guess we just needed guidance where to look. As far as I know no 128 owner here in the forums have done it (not sure as I'm a newer member myself) and posted pics here or a DIY or whatnot.
It has been done, but you'll have to dig pretty deep. I'll try and find the thread again, but the conversion isn't too bad. Also it doesn't matter if it's a 135 or 128, both electrical systems are pretty much identical
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      05-08-2015, 04:03 PM   #19
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I am thinking of doing the same thing later down the road. Found these on eBay last night, around $500 each used. Left and right.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/BMW-1-SERIES...4bb03e&vxp=mtr

http://www.ebay.com/itm/BMW-1-SERIES...4baffe&vxp=mtr
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      05-11-2015, 06:52 PM   #20
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We offer to take your stock headlights and do the conversion to HID + add LED angel eyes.
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      05-19-2015, 07:22 PM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mike@x-ph.com View Post
We offer to take your stock headlights and do the conversion to HID + add LED angel eyes.
Mike,

Are you able to add halos and the LCI eyebrow LED to stock halogens?
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