Let's install european headlights

[Purgatory]

Just call up BMW Stockholm and I am sure they'd be happy to sell them too you, if you can figure out how to dial out internationally and the time difference.

[nakata24]

Nice post, ive searching so long for bmw forums and finally found this. Awesome. I also bought the xenon headlights but i have problems with the installing. When i plug the power cable in the xenon headlights, they dont
wanna light up, only the angel eyes are burning. Im 100% sure the bulbs are
ok. Did u use another cable on your headlights or just the standard power cable from the car?

Thnx

[Purgatory]

I have a feeling this is going to be difficult for you. This DIY was not meant for halogens to Xenon swaps. For this you'll need extra parts which I am not too familiar with.

Off the top of my head, you'll need to purchase ballasts (which plug into the bottom of the xenon headlights) and bulbs. I'm unsure of weather you'll need additional ECU software to control the adaptive headlight movements, as the headlight will shift based on steering wheel input. Finally, I'm not sure if existing wiring is suited to provide the power necessary to light up the ballasts. Not to mention, all of these parts are going to crazy expensive purchased from BMW, much more than it would have cost to upgrade to Xenons from the factory.

That said, for all other readers, if you aren't sure whether you should get Xenons, do it! Because upgrading after the fact is not a good option.

I would think that a better solution would be to purchase and aftermarket xenon kit, and use the xenon headlights as housing for the aftermarket bulbs and ballasts. This should work. Hope this helps.

[jayparry]

did you have any problems with adaptive headlights not working warning or know how to get around

[GuamX1]

I like it

[Purgatory]

Nope, the adaptive headlights worked perfectly right out of the gate with no issues during "auto-level".

Thanks for the props. I enjoy the look of the headlights everyday I get into my car.

[Purgatory]

Yup, they work. just take out your old ballasts and put them on the new headlights... they are both made by Velo and should work.

[Louis75th]

How about 2012 135i headlight? Do you think it is pug& play too?

[razputin]

I've had to replace one of my bi-xenon headlights and ended up getting one from Germany which is obviously set up for driving on the right. Can this be adjusted/set for driving on the left?

[greensto]

Thank you for this DIY

[awns729]

I'm having trouble getting the headlight physically out of the car. I believe all the bolts on the headlight were broken, so it's just that bracket that's blocking them from coming out. The bracket has the 2 torx in the front, but I don't understand how to get to the rear bolt for it? I don't see anything obvious under the wheel well cover. The car is on ramps and not jacked up, so I wonder if that's the issue?

[Dackelone]

Originally Posted by awns729

I'm having trouble getting the headlight physically out of the car. I believe all the bolts on the headlight were broken, so it's just that bracket that's blocking them from coming out. The bracket has the 2 torx in the front, but I don't understand how to get to the rear bolt for it? I don't see anything obvious under the wheel well cover. The car is on ramps and not jacked up, so I wonder if that's the issue?

You might want to pull the front bumper cover off. I know it is not necessary, but it would make it easier to see what's going on.

[awns729]

Originally Posted by Dackelone

You might want to pull the front bumper cover off. I know it is not necessary, but it would make it easier to see what's going on.

I actually had it off. Not sure how it could be done without pulling it off

Figured it out. Was a little hidden bastard bolt in the upper corner holding a bracket on that needs to be moved out of the way to get the light out. Will post pica for the next guy when I'm done. Thanks for your response dack, always helping!

[eeghie]

Kudoos to OP for a very clear DIY contribution. As your last post was in '12, I hope you are still an addict ... and able to answer the following:

Originally Posted by Purgatory

5. Xenon Bulb/Ballast Installation - Most headlights do not come with either ballasts or Xenon bulbs as these are expensive and are usually purchased separately. Before installing your new headlights you'll need to install bulbs and ballasts this can be accomplished easily when the headlight is out of the car. It is possible to install the bulbs while the headlight is in the car but not the ballast. So do yourself a big favour (yes, again with the correct spelling) and install them with the headlight out of the car.



a. Remove the rear headlight cover (the piece with the two metal clips), un-clip the two metal clips hold the cover in place. Insert the bulb into the headlight, press the bulb in place being careful not to bend any of the metal prongs inward and rotate the black locking mechanism to secure the bulb in place. Connect the ballast connector to bulb (this will install in part b.)

Just so i'm clear: your US and the new ECE bi-Xenon headlight housings were mechanically plug&play exchangeable, and you re-used your US electronics, connectors, ballast and bulbs to connect to the new ECE housing?

Do you have more pictures of the connection points between the new ECE housing and the US electronics/driver modules?

Can anyone comment if the LCI version of this DIY would be pretty much equal or ...

[Pieroalon77]

Does anybody know if you must have the headlights in place in order for the light to come on?
I recently got two new xenon headlights to replace the halogen that came on my 2008 128i.
Before installing the headlights i wanted to make sure they work so i plugged them in. both halo lights come on but the low and high beam will not.

Do the headlights need to be grounded?
Please help

[6MT_Addict]

Originally Posted by Pieroalon77

Does anybody know if you must have the headlights in place in order for the light to come on?
I recently got two new xenon headlights to replace the halogen that came on my 2008 128i.
Before installing the headlights i wanted to make sure they work so i plugged them in. both halo lights come on but the low and high beam will not.

Do the headlights need to be grounded?
Please help

Did you install ballasts for the adaptive headlights and xenons? If not you need to remove the old headlights to swap the ballasts over.

Edit: at second glance I see you are replacing halogen headlights with xenon. You need to do some coding and wiring modifications for adaptive xenons to work on a car originally fitted with halogens. They are not plug and play. You also will need to make sure you have both the ballasts and control modules for the new headlights.

[hlmiii]

Originally Posted by 1AddictsAnonymous

They (Xenon vs. Halogen assemblies) are not plug and play.

Correct.
Along with the rest of the post.

It does not matter whether or not the lights are physically installed. They will function the same way in either position. Here they will function incorrectly until the coding, etc. is completed properly.

FWIW: the wiring harness provides the "ground" return path. The assembly - including the mounting points - is plastic and electrically non-conductive.


P.S. After full installation is completed and proper operation, you will need to check and possibly set the headlights' aim. This is easy and straightforward. See thread and forum.

[6MT_Addict]

Originally Posted by hlmiii

Correct.
Along with the rest of the post.

It does not matter whether or not the lights are physically installed. They will function the same way in either position. Here they will function incorrectly until the coding, etc. is completed properly.

FWIW: the wiring harness provides the "ground" return path. The assembly - including the mounting points - is plastic and electrically non-conductive.


P.S. After full installation is completed and proper operation, you will need to check and possibly set the headlights' aim. This is easy and straightforward. See thread and forum.

+1, well written and informative post!

[interruptguy]

Hi Purgatory,
Is there a change that the pictures are still available?