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      06-26-2012, 06:33 AM   #1
LatinBimmer
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Question Retrofit Headlights (replace standard with xenon)

Hello guys, I found a thread in this forum about retrofit fog lights, but I want to know if its possible to retrofit standard headlights with xenon. Is that possible?
Thanks
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      06-26-2012, 06:38 AM   #2
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Possible? Sure. Reasonable? Very likely not. With the E8x it was about 2500-3000€ if you had it done by BMW. Parts alone were 1500-1700€ (new) or ~1000€ (used where possible/new).

Problem is: You need the headlights with all the controlling hardware, you need the automatic height adjustment (sensors to the axles and more electronics) and the headlight washing system (yet again more electonics).

Ok, that is at least the full official way and the one neccessary in germany, because both mentioned extra-systems are mandatory with xenon.
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      06-26-2012, 06:46 AM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 1thomas View Post
you need the automatic height adjustment (sensors to the axles and more electronics).
My normal headlights have automatic height adjustment, is this specific aspect not standard?
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      06-26-2012, 06:56 AM   #4
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I mean not the manual adjustability (via the knob from inside the car), but the permanent automatic readjusting.

But tbh: I am not 100% sure, that the F20 doesn't have that by default. I'm gonna check that.

-edit-
I just checked the pricelist: Over here it is listed as a feature coming with the headlight-washer.
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      06-26-2012, 07:01 AM   #5
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I think I'm lost.... I also have all the electronic system as standard with my actual headlights...both, the manual adjust inside the car and the permanent sensors... All of these electronic sensors has to be replaced? God!
I just want the angel eyes headlights... I don't really care if they are HID Xenon or normal...
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      06-26-2012, 07:13 AM   #6
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Was the same problem with the E8x . For that they released in 2009 aftermarket HID-Angeleye-headlights... We'll pobably see some for the F20 too, question is just: When?
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      06-26-2012, 07:39 AM   #7
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Before xmas... I hope so :P
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      06-26-2012, 09:59 AM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 1thomas View Post
I mean not the manual adjustability (via the knob from inside the car), but the permanent automatic readjusting.
-edit-
I just checked the pricelist: Over here it is listed as a feature coming with the headlight-washer.
Strange, mine does have it (when I start the car, it automatically dips up and down and settles at a specific level), but I don't have the headlight washer system.

Probably one of those country-specific things...
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      06-26-2012, 10:03 AM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MartinHattingh View Post
Strange, mine does have it (when I start the car, it automatically dips up and down and settles at a specific level), but I don't have the headlight washer system.

Probably one of those country-specific things...
Same here... when I start the car it automatically dips up and down...and he sensor works all the time..but not the washer..
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      06-26-2012, 10:26 AM   #10
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Nonono.. this auto-up-and-down-on-start is normal . Thats the initialisiation of the headlights. The manual adjustment from inside the car is made by an electrical motor at the headlights. And this thing is doing this little up-down as its starting procedure. If you still have a manual height adjustment inside the car, there is no sensor. Because with xenon you don't have something to adjust, see this pic:

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-n...4/IMG_3413.jpg
That is: fogs front/rear | light on/off | speedo-light-dimmer

But I am not sure wether there is a manual adjuster with HIDs at all! Anyone has a picture of how this area looks with normal headlights?

Even my old e87 used to do the little up-down-startup-thing, not having any automated height-sensor .
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      06-26-2012, 10:32 AM   #11
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Ah OK, it's all becoming a little bit clearer now!

I have manual height adjustment yes, so makes sense that there wouldn't be anything auto to clash with that.
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      06-26-2012, 10:38 AM   #12
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The small plastic arms with sensors on the control arms are easily visible in the wheel wells, both front and rear. On my car, they are on the left side.
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      06-26-2012, 10:44 AM   #13
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Yeah.. those things would need to be retrofitted for xenon.. And the washer.. and aaaalllll the electronic stuff.. some ECUs like light-ECU, probably some ECU for the sensors.. reroute the washing-stuff and somehow make it know it has to wash the headlights every x screen-washes.. and with the new lights-ecu you might also need the led-taillights (because retrofitting those requires new light-ecu, so..). All in all, its probably still possible, but still very unattractive to do .
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      06-26-2012, 11:23 AM   #14
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wow...I'll ask my dealer and see what options available to do this
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      06-26-2012, 11:38 AM   #15
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I remember reading somewhere that Xenon by default requires headlight washing as a safety feature, to prevent built-up crud from combusting and causing damage/fire...

Don't know how much truth there is to this, but it sounds plausible.
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      06-26-2012, 11:48 AM   #16
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Yes, it is required by law (at least in germany), as is the automatic height adjustment. But I doubt it has anything to do with them catching fire.. . Why its exactly mandatory.. no idea.. Finland has headlightwashers mandatory for all cars for like 20yrs, xenon or not. Reasons may vary, but most countries have such a rule. The automatic height adjustment is obviously for blinding reasons (as xenon is much nastier than normal h7 f.e. when it blinds you)
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      06-27-2012, 01:32 AM   #17
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Remember you will need to change the bumper as well to one that has the holes for the light washers.

I don't think xenons need light washers because of heat and explosions, because there is no guarantee that you'll use them when enough crud collects on the headlights to become a problem. (So this wouldn't be a good solution)

I also seem to think xenons produce less heat than conventional bulbs because of how they create light.

I suspect they have more to do with crud diffusing the light beam which would blind oncoming cars. Judging by the fact that USA cars don't need light washers when xenons are fitted, but often come with "cold weather packages" I assume the biggest concern is snow slush.

Which makes them a complete waste in south africa (doesn't snow) where they are compulsory as well. And they cost 1/2 the price of the xenons again that need to be added on!

Having owned a car with them they add no value at all. All they do is spray all over the front of the car when you just want to give your windscreen a quick spray to clear dust.
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      06-27-2012, 01:58 AM   #18
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The bumper usually has the holes pre-drawn and it can be cut out.
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      06-27-2012, 02:40 AM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MartinHattingh View Post
I remember reading somewhere that Xenon by default requires headlight washing as a safety feature, to prevent built-up crud from combusting and causing damage/fire...

Don't know how much truth there is to this, but it sounds plausible.
That's not true at all.

In Mauritius, headlight washing is an extra option and is not mandatory for xenon headlights.

It is only required by law to be fitted with xenon in Europe (although I don't know why exactly)
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      06-27-2012, 02:47 AM   #20
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I agree with 1thomas, wait for the aftermarket ones if you really want the angel eyes

Just make sure when you decide to buy them, that they comply with your car insurance.

Here in Aus, if you had After market lights fitted and have a bingle, they will not cover the cost of them in the claim. They will only give you standard as replacements unless you had genuine BMW fitted.
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      06-27-2012, 03:02 AM   #21
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Thats why it takes years for aftermarket-headlights in germany. They have to pass the same tests and meat the same criteria as any factory-headlights. This is making the production expensive and makes them only do it, when they know/think there is a big enough market for it. In return with these legal aftermarket parts you will never have any insurance/legal-issues.
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      06-27-2012, 07:02 AM   #22
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cedchung View Post
It is only required by law to be fitted with xenon in Europe (although I don't know why exactly)
As is mentioned in a few posts above, the reason is for light diffusion. When the light cover is dirty, the light is diffused and does not point where it is supposed to. This is not a big problem in Halogen lights (as the light is not so strong and white), but it is with Xenon lights (due to light intensity).
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