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      01-05-2011, 12:42 AM   #1
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Halogen To HIDs and LED AE's Conversion

Hi guys, so this has been a exciting last couple weeks, as some of you know I have had a HID conversion done to my 2011 128i. At the moment, I am not able to do a complete DIY or detailed list of parts needed, but I really want to share my conversion with you guys, and see if maybe we could get a group buy going for those that want to make the switch from halogens to HIDs and AEs.
Here are some of the photos of the swap:













The group buy could go a couple of different ways, but this is the way that my shop and I are thinking of doing it. We will stock up on depo headlights and complete the swap for HIDs and AEs and then ship the headlights out to you guys and it will be a simple plug and play to install them in your car. No need to cut any wires, no needing to worry about bulb out error codes, and a very sexy set of new headlights. At this time we cannot give an exact total for what it would cost, but it will be well under the cost of buying OEM xenons. To get this going we are going to need about 10 people willing to do the conversion, but the more the better. If you have friends that are looking to do the same, let them know that we have a conversion for them. Any questions, concerns, etc., feel free to pm me. Happy New Years Everyone!!
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      01-05-2011, 12:48 AM   #2
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Group Buy Official List:
1. Sarracino89 (Completed Conversion)
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10.
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      01-05-2011, 01:11 AM   #3
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wow these look sweet and exactly what many 128i owners are looking for : ). At this moment I can't afford any upgrades, but maybe later around march when its my birthday ^_^. This looks awesome, and probably a good reasonable price too. I know giving a price is hard, but maybe a range of prices?

Great job!!!

edit: how do the new angel eyes work? If I remember the depo has just 4 bulbs, is this something similar to the LS1?
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      01-05-2011, 02:16 AM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Greenkirby21 View Post
wow these look sweet and exactly what many 128i owners are looking for : ). At this moment I can't afford any upgrades, but maybe later around march when its my birthday ^_^. This looks awesome, and probably a good reasonable price too. I know giving a price is hard, but maybe a range of prices?

Great job!!!

edit: how do the new angel eyes work? If I remember the depo has just 4 bulbs, is this something similar to the LS1?
It depends on what options will be offered, ex: hids and upgraded AEs, just HIDs, or just Upgraded AEs..... But what I will say is that the complete conversion like mine will cost under a $1000 which is the cost for a set of OEM xenons with the crappy angel eyes.
It is a ring of LEDs similar to the LS3/1 that replaces the stock depo angel eyes.
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      01-05-2011, 07:41 AM   #5
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I have to play devil's advocate for a moment regarding this conversion. What happens if someone purchases these lights, installs them, and is then faced with bulb out warnings, flickering lights, or non-functional lights? I am only asking because, reading through the many posts about the topic, the JLevi lights were supposedly a plug-and-play option too and then people were installing them and encountering errors and/or non-functioning lights. It seems that these cars are very finicky when it comes to mods like this and what works with some production runs doesn't work with others. Not knocking the thread or the mod, just doing a little CYA
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      01-05-2011, 08:40 AM   #6
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Under 1000$... well, like $200-300?

And can we get a closer pic of the AEīs?
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      01-05-2011, 09:50 AM   #7
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Originally Posted by AW128i View Post
I have to play devil's advocate for a moment regarding this conversion. What happens if someone purchases these lights, installs them, and is then faced with bulb out warnings, flickering lights, or non-functional lights? I am only asking because, reading through the many posts about the topic, the JLevi lights were supposedly a plug-and-play option too and then people were installing them and encountering errors and/or non-functioning lights. It seems that these cars are very finicky when it comes to mods like this and what works with some production runs doesn't work with others. Not knocking the thread or the mod, just doing a little CYA
It's acutally a great question dave, and I am glad you brought it up. I would have to ask the shop to make sure, but I believe every unit would be checked and verified on my car before being shipped out or installed for those that are local. And for whatever reason if you receive them and you do encounter any of these problems, you will be able to have a contact line. Again, I would have to pose this question to the shop to be certain, but this would most likely be the case.
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      01-05-2011, 10:02 AM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Knob View Post
Under 1000$... well, like $200-300?

And can we get a closer pic of the AEīs?
Hey Knob,
The conversion would include the complete headlights, HIDs installed, as well as AEs installed, if that is what you would like. The headlights alone if you purchase them online from retailers like my friend Kevin from **********s.com, will cost you $350. Mtech hid conversion kits (note: the HIDs used in the conversion will not cost as much) run between $200-300 new, less for used one's obviously, and then how ever much it would cost you to get them working properly. And the AEs do not have a set price yet, because we would need some sort of relative number of people to get an estimate.
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      01-05-2011, 10:42 AM   #9
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Count me in! Any price under 1000$ is a go for me.

Dunno the options yet but I want that completed conversion!

Group Buy Official List:
1. Sarracino89 (Completed Conversion)
2. Satalite (Complete Conversion HID/LED)
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.

It will be under ~1000$ for a complete look-a-like plug and play similar to yours?

Last edited by Satalite; 01-05-2011 at 10:47 AM..
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      01-05-2011, 10:44 AM   #10
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Glad to see you jumping on board with this Scott after all of our emails, can't wait to see it on another 128 And if anyone has questions about anything feel free to pm me or post here to the thread.
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      01-05-2011, 10:47 AM   #11
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Sorry knob, here is the up close of the AEs
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      01-05-2011, 10:54 AM   #12
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Does this kit work for a 135i or it only works for the 128i?
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      01-05-2011, 10:57 AM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TZANIDO777 View Post
Does this kit work for a 135i or it only works for the 128i?
I am pretty sure the 135 comes standard with xenons? At the moment, the conversion kit would require that you purchase the whole headlights in the kit. If you wanted the whole kit, it will work as a direct replacement for your stock xenons or halogens but if you are interested in the HIDs alone feel free to pm me with some specifics on your car.
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      01-05-2011, 11:04 AM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Sarracino89 View Post
I am pretty sure the 135 comes standard with xenons? At the moment, the conversion kit would require that you purchase the whole headlights in the kit. If you wanted the whole kit, it will work as a direct replacement for your stock xenons or halogens but if you are interested in the HIDs alone feel free to pm me with some specifics on your car.
No your right it does come standard with xenons, but I was just asking because maybe some 135i owners might want the conversion kit for the brighter and better angel eyes.
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      01-05-2011, 11:08 AM   #15
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Ok, let me find out from the shop what it would be for a stock xenon conversion for the AEs, and then I will get back to you. I know a couple of ppl with 135s so maybe they can stop by and we can see about doing the AE conversion for stock xenons. Were you also looking into the HIDs?
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      01-05-2011, 11:38 AM   #16
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Thanks for the informations and the pic.
HID Kits arenīt allowed in Germany, so this isnīt an option for me (even though some bmw driver got that).

Letīs say I send my Depo to you, or whoever and you replace the depo gings with these ones. How much would that cost (+shipping costs to germany).

And how did you (?) manage to get the headlights out, without removing the bumper?



If I donīt have to pay $600-700, iīm in. But shipping my headlights overseas is still a problem to me.... :\

Last edited by Knob; 01-05-2011 at 11:46 AM..
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      01-05-2011, 01:40 PM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Knob View Post
Thanks for the informations and the pic.
HID Kits arenīt allowed in Germany, so this isnīt an option for me (even though some bmw driver got that).

Letīs say I send my Depo to you, or whoever and you replace the depo gings with these ones. How much would that cost (+shipping costs to germany).

And how did you (?) manage to get the headlights out, without removing the bumper?



If I donīt have to pay $600-700, iīm in. But shipping my headlights overseas is still a problem to me.... :\
Do you already have a set of depos? and if so are they currently your only headlights, meaning if you sent them here, would you be without headlights for your car? And I understand shipping overseas is a pain, so let me know if you can find adequate shipping and we can go from there. Feel free to pm for any further questions.
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      01-05-2011, 03:34 PM   #18
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I got one pair of depos installed, but I still have the normal halogen headlights (just without the motor stuff).

But I would still like to know how to get the headlights removed, without removing the bumper, that would save me a lot of time and nerves.


the shipping costs about $45-80

Last edited by Knob; 01-05-2011 at 03:40 PM..
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      01-05-2011, 03:44 PM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Knob View Post
I got one pair of depos installed, but I still have the normal halogen headlights (just without the motor stuff).

But I would still like to know how to get the headlights removed, without removing the bumper, that would save me a lot of time and nerves.


the shipping costs about $45-80
It took two people to do, but essentially you loosen or remove most of the bolts that hold the bumper in place, and then pull the bumper away and place towels in between so that it gives you room to work with. I believe you can see one of the towels in the pics. Well if you want to send us your headlights, go ahead and pm me and we can figure out a price for shipping and the installation of the LED AEs.
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      01-05-2011, 03:57 PM   #20
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im also interested in these but would like to know the price first...

also sorry to go out of topic, but you don't need to remove the front bumper to switch the headlights?
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      01-05-2011, 04:05 PM   #21
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im also interested in these but would like to know the price first...

also sorry to go out of topic, but you don't need to remove the front bumper to switch the headlights?
Hey Jaespark87, we are still waiting on a supplier to get a price for the actual headlights, and then should be able to give a price very soon.
As for the bumper, you don't necessarily have to take it off to switch the headlights, you just have to loosen it enough to be able to wiggle them free. Some of the pictures above should show it partially off. Also, since your local, we could get the install done for you if you would like.
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      01-05-2011, 04:11 PM   #22
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Sarracino89 View Post
It took two people to do, but essentially you loosen or remove most of the bolts that hold the bumper in place, and then pull the bumper away and place towels in between so that it gives you room to work with. I believe you can see one of the towels in the pics. Well if you want to send us your headlights, go ahead and pm me and we can figure out a price for shipping and the installation of the LED AEs.
So you can "simply" pull the bumper a bit, if you remove all the screws and stuff? Man, we really need a video tutorial for this, or Iīll have to try it on my own
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