128i Xenon Upgrade?

[drtvinp]

Originally Posted by reisf

Yeah they are but they look like shit (my opinion). If you want to do this stick with OEM headlights.

All opinions are welcome lol

What would you say is the big difference? I was under the impression they were reps, similar to how VMR makes the CSL rep

[E91WAG3N]

Originally Posted by reisf

Yeah they are but they look like shit (my opinion). If you want to do this stick with OEM headlights.

100% agreed.

I wrote the following in another thread on the subject:
You get what you pay for. There aren't any Chinese made replicas that can match the quality of oe German manufactures like Bosch/Valeo/ZKW. As an e36 fanatic for the past 10+ years, I've had Bosch, ZKW and depo headlights. Their depos are ok for under $200 (compared to $500+ for new oem glass units) but you can tell they cut corners compared to ZKW and Bosch units. The depo e82 headlights look just as cheaply made from what I've seen.

[reisf]

Originally Posted by tpizza01

All opinions are welcome lol

What would you say is the big difference? I was under the impression they were reps, similar to how VMR makes the CSL rep

The halo's look completely different and use embedded LEDs rather than a single bulb and fancy fibre optics. The projector is smaller and has poorer light output. And i'm not sure if they offer bi-xenon functionality as they have a halogen high beam.

Also i did the conversion on my previous 1er - halogen to LCI bi-xenons. You really don't need to bother with the headlight level sensors. Even without them the headlights do the auto-level thing where the headlights go up and down on startup so if you are being bothered about that when you get a vehicle inspection to renew your registration, you can point that out.

The more obvious problem you need to worry about is the fact the headlights don't have washers on them (required by most countries). But in Australia (the washers are required here) i was never bothered once about that, both times i took my old car to get inspected the guy just looked at the car (from 10 meters away) and passed it on the spot haha.

[drtvinp]

Good stuff, guys, thanks. Looks like I'm gonna have to put it on the back burner though, along with the blacklines, until I can scrape some cash up (after any performance mods of course)

[ChillFill]

I would do exterior upgrades first, like I'm doing to mine because in my opinion the 135 comes with plenty of power stock, and to me is definitely a huge jump from my 2004 325ci! I recently installed blacklines and the difference is amazing, next mod is some Lux V5 angle eyes. Mods like these greatly improve the look of the car and is something everyone that sees your car can appreciate. You'll find yourself turning your head back 2/3 times before you enter your house (if you're not already) Of course I am planning on doing engine mods once I'm satisfied with the exterior.. nothing major Mostly cooling, and some suspension upgrades.

[_Pants]

Do we have any updates on this thread? I am in the process now of piecing together my OEM retrofit kit and would love a complete list of items needed if anyone can help out. Thanks guys!

[driftben]

I am in the process of putting together a proper how to build thread. It's just time I need to finish it.

You will need:-

Headlights (bi-xenon or adaptive)
Front and rear level sensors and brackets
FRM which supports xenons (usually FRM 2 or 3 with XE or ADL or MAX)
A few connector pins FRM end and headlight end of the loom from BMW .
A couple new plugs for the level sensors from BMW.
A headlight switch which doesn't have the manual headlight adjustment on.

Jobs a gooden

Part numbers to follow

[ChillFill]

How expansive is this conversion exactly? Somewhere on the forums I read that it is an $1,000 undertaking.

I was looking into this when I started the hunt for the 1er, luckily got an awesome deal on the '35

Coming back from work today I saw a brand new 4 series, with halogen..
I can't exactly complain about someone not paying for the xenon/led option but the headlights make such a difference. As nearly 85% of all the other cars you see on the road have halogen. It never made sense to me how some people go and buy a brand new BMW with standard lights, especially as they are luxury vehicles.

[Suprgnat]

Originally Posted by ChillFill

It never made sense to me how some people go and buy a brand new BMW with standard lights, especially as they are luxury vehicles.

In my case, I didn't want all the other crap I would have had to buy to get the xenons. Xenons required ZPP, of which I only wanted the Boston leather. And, I didn't buy my car for "luxury".

[ChillFill]

Either way BMW is a luxury marque, whether you buy it for that or not

[Suprgnat]

Originally Posted by ChillFill

Either way BMW is a luxury marque, whether you buy it for that or not

At least that's how it's marketed in the U.S. In other locals it's marketed as a performance brand.

[E91WAG3N]

Originally Posted by Suprgnat

In my case, I didn't want all the other crap I would have had to buy to get the xenons. Xenons required ZPP, of which I only wanted the Boston leather. And, I didn't buy my car for "luxury".

+1!

Much happier to have a slicktop and shell out a few bucks for a retrofit than have all the extra ZPP goodies I don't want.

[ChillFill]

But won't the retrofit cost you just as much money? To have the retrofitted xenons look like oem that is

[Suprgnat]

Originally Posted by ChillFill

But won't the retrofit cost you just as much money? To have the retrofitted xenons look like oem that is

For model year 2013, to get the xenons required ZLP+ZPP or $900+$3500=$4400.

[E91WAG3N]

Originally Posted by ChillFill

But won't the retrofit cost you just as much money? To have the retrofitted xenons look like oem that is

I think you're missing the point. I and others want a lightly optioned car. Ordering xenons when the e82 was in production required you to have the premium package as well. Premium package forces you to have a sunroof among other items. The sunroof assembly weighs about 50lbs and is added weight in the worst possible location. I wanted a basic 3,000lb rwd naturally aspirated inline 6. I never really liked the e92 335i that I ordered new because of its weight and size compared to my e36.

I'll likely be spending around $1500 to retrofit with OEM euro spec housings.

[ChillFill]

Thanks for clarifying! I did not purchase my car new and while I know the 135 came with xenons standard, I thought it was a standalone option for the '28, no premium package required.

IMO that's how options should be offered. Xenons is a separate addition from a sunroof.. but I guess that's another way for BMW to make their money.

[E91WAG3N]

Originally Posted by ChillFill

Thanks for clarifying! I did not purchase my car new and while I know the 135 came with xenons standard, I thought it was a standalone option for the '28, no premium package required.

IMO that's how options should be offered. Xenons is a separate addition from a sunroof.. but I guess that's another way for BMW to make their money.

Lighting Package/Xenon was a standalone early in production, but made they made Premium Pack a prerequisite at some point.

I bought my car used and mentally accounted for the cost of the retrofit as part of the purchase price of the car itself. Even if I found a factory xenon car, I almost certainly would have bought Euro clear housings for it anyways so the added cost ends up being under $1,000 (bulbs, ballasts, igniters, leveling sensors, FRM module).

As a long time, e36 addict, I've retrofitted the 'better' Euro market Bosch/ZKW headlights and OEM clear lenses to a couple of cars. All par for the course in my eyes.

I'm currently looking for an e91 to add to my stable and my first mod will be Euro rear tails which have orange indicators, rather than the USDM red which are hard to see, therefore not as safe in my opinion.

[ChillFill]

Originally Posted by ubersteuer

Lighting Package/Xenon was a standalone early in production, but made they made Premium Pack a prerequisite at some point.

I bought my car used and mentally accounted for the cost of the retrofit as part of the purchase price of the car itself. Even if I found a factory xenon car, I almost certainly would have bought Euro clear housings for it anyways so the added cost ends up being under $1,000 (bulbs, ballasts, igniters, leveling sensors, FRM module).

As a long time, e36 addict, I've retrofitted the 'better' Euro market Bosch/ZKW headlights and OEM clear lenses to a couple of cars. All par for the course in my eyes.

I'm currently looking for an e91 to add to my stable and my first mod will be Euro rear tails which have orange indicators, rather than the USDM red which are hard to see, therefore not as safe in my opinion.

So what all goes into retrofitting a clear euro housing?

[E91WAG3N]

Originally Posted by ChillFill

So what all goes into retrofitting a clear euro housing?

If your car already has Xenons, you remove bumper, remove headlights, swap over bulbs/ballasts etc... then replace. Pretty straightforward, most of your time will be spent lining everything up.

[Bimmer-Bob]

Originally Posted by ChillFill

So what all goes into retrofitting a clear euro housing?

Going from US-spec to Euro-spec housings is very straightforward, assuming you're going from halogen-to-halogen or xenon-to-xenon. There is a bit of additional work required to fit LCI lamps on a pre-LCI car (some minor wiring to get the LED eyebrow to light up). Obviously going from halogen-to-xenon is considerably more complicated (don't forget the leveling sensors!), but it's doable if you're persistent enough.

The main obstacle when going to Euro-spec lamps is the cost - adaptive xenon headlamp housings run around $800 apiece.

[E91WAG3N]

Ordered euro housings, ballasts and bulbs. Need to verify which FRM part number I need and order it along with the level sensors.

[swagon]

Originally Posted by ubersteuer

Ordered euro housings, ballasts and bulbs. Need to verify which FRM part number I need and order it along with the level sensors.

Did you buy new parts?

You need FRM3 XE E82 or MAX (in case of non-AHL xenons). FRM3 AHL won't work properly.