[DangerousTacos]

Hey all,

New here, and pretty much new to the BMW ballpark as well. Our 325i was purchased used a few months ago to replace my mother's totalled Denali, which got me turned on to BMWs. Anways, had a question about the headlamps.

Her 325i came with the halogen non-halo headlamps, had we known more about BMWs when purchasing we probably would have kept looking at other 3-series. Live and learn! Getting to the point, my 550i has the xenon headlamps and the halos... I noticed that it is possible to convert from the halogen headlamps, but it is very pricey to do so. Was wondering why the OEM projectors are so expensive, and if there are any good alternatives to the OEM lamps. I've seen a few different ones on eBay for between $150 and $400 a pair, but have not heard anything good or bad about them. Has anyone had any experience with these?

Sorry if its been discussed before, or if its a newb-ish question. Looking forward to posting here!

Thanks,
Sean

[Scottycs]

The zomk headlights look good and look like stock. If they are anything like the zomk for the E39, they look good, but the output sucks (i.e. projector sucks). Not sure about any of the others, I just picked up a set of OEM headlights for $400 from a salvage yard. When and doubt, go with some OEM lights if you can.

[DangerousTacos]

Originally Posted by Scottycs

The zomk headlights look good and look like stock. If they are anything like the zomk for the E39, they look good, but the output sucks (i.e. projector sucks). Not sure about any of the others, I just picked up a set of OEM headlights for $400 from a salvage yard. When and doubt, go with some OEM lights if you can.

I think the zomk ones are the ones I have seen on eBay. Shame to hear the projector sucks. I'll have to keep an eye on the salvage yards, I didn't think I'd be able to get a set of OEM ones that cheap! Did you do a xenon conversion as well?

[Scottycs]

In the process. see my thread i just posted.

[crazed792]

Basically, there are a few types of existing conversions (from cheap to expensive):

1. Throwing a xenon conversion kit into your halogen housing. It will blind people, look fairly bad and just isn't a good solution.

2. Get non OEM xenon housing/HID kit. I've heard nothing good. Apparently quality is subpar both in output, and long term staying together/moisture getting in and such.

3. OEM 2009+ (LCI)halogen conversion. Gets rid of the amber corners as well as gives you angel eyes. Non xenon solution. I have some for sale, if you're interested (see my sig for link. I'm going option 5).

4. OEM 2006-2008 type conversion. Get the lights from wherever and get a kit from somewhere. E90 ANdy (banned for the rest of the month) and others sell kits new and used.

5. OEM 2009+ (LCI) xenon conversion. Similar to number four, but probably costs about a grand more. I must be crazy.



Scottycs' option would probably cost between 2-3 depending on if you have an HID kit. The problem is with getting everything working on a car designed for halogens. Mostly this issue boils down to impedance matching as the bulbs are different wattages. There is even more of an issue with this in the LCI stuff. I'd wait to buy anything if you are going this route until you see it all working error free for Scottycs.

Hope this helps.

[DangerousTacos]

crazed792, thanks for the info. The only way I'd do this is if I'm going to add xenons/projectors, thats the main point in it for us. Thank you for the offer though.

What does LCI mean, clear corners?

[Scottycs]

I have some "chrome housing aftermarket projectors" installed on my car currently from the previous owner. Output is quite good actually, and the cutoff is great! AE look good as well (CCFL), but I can't get past the chrome!!!!

E90 Andy kits look good, but his prices are not that reasonable. $1200 for used headlights is not a good deal by any means. And a quality 55w HID kit can be had for $80 or so.

[DangerousTacos]

Originally Posted by Scottycs

I have some "chrome housing aftermarket projectors" installed on my car currently from the previous owner. Output is quite good actually, and the cutoff is great! AE look good as well (CCFL), but I can't get past the chrome!!!!

You're planning to replace them, right? I'd be interested in the details on them, and pics if possible. I don't really dig chrome, but if the price is right we could probably deal with it...

[Scottycs]

I'll take pictures tomorrow. If you were not on the other side of the state you could see them! haha

[DangerousTacos]

Originally Posted by Scottycs

I'll take pictures tomorrow. If you were not on the other side of the state you could see them! haha

I actually have friends in Charlotte whom I try to visit a few times every couple of months.

Consider yourself lucky for having a BMW dealer nearby! Closest one to me is in Raleigh I believe, about 50 miles from my home. Gotta pay to play though, I suppose!

[Scottycs]

I lived in Raleigh for most of my life. Leith BMW SUCKS!!!!!! avoid at all costs.

Originally Posted by DangerousTacos

I actually have friends in Charlotte whom I try to visit a few times every couple of months.

Consider yourself lucky for having a BMW dealer nearby! Closest one to me is in Raleigh I believe, about 50 miles from my home. Gotta pay to play though, I suppose!

[DangerousTacos]

Thanks for the heads up, I hadn't heard anything about them. Do you know if Hendrick is any better? I believe they're a part of the Cary Automall.

[Scottycs]

So what is the best way to cancel errors from HID kits? I briefly hooked up my H7 HIDs. Work when car is off. Wont turn on when car is on and I got an error. Too dark to really do anything, will investigate more tomorrow.

[crazed792]

Originally Posted by DangerousTacos

crazed792, thanks for the info. The only way I'd do this is if I'm going to add xenons/projectors, thats the main point in it for us. Thank you for the offer though.

What does LCI mean, clear corners?

No problem. LCI means stands for "Life Cycle Impulse" which is a fancy way of saying a mid cycle refresh. European models had clear corners from the beginning so that doesn't quite cover it, but the LCI model does have clear corners in the US version where as pre-LCI didn't, so in a way that's accurate (though there are more changes than just headlights).

Originally Posted by Scottycs

So what is the best way to cancel errors from HID kits? I briefly hooked up my H7 HIDs. Work when car is off. Wont turn on when car is on and I got an error. Too dark to really do anything, will investigate more tomorrow.

For the most part the reason they error is due to improper wattage. The car is expecting I believe 55 watts for your bulbs, but HIDs (at least BMW OEM) run at 35 (except I think on LCI if you have AHL, and then that light is 55, but you side markers will throw errors). You need to setup some kind of impedance matching that tricks the car into thinking you have the proper wattage running through. I'm not sure of the best way to DIY without using a prebought kit (there are some links to ways the might work, but people seem really hit or miss, and add aftermarket xenons rather than OEM, and I have no idea how to make that work). I'm guessing the prebought kits split power somehow and part goes to the lights and part gets resistors that go to stop the flow at the right amount, but that's only a guess. That or it just rewires in such a way that it can't check at all.

[DangerousTacos]

Reading all this makes me glad my 550i came with the xenons... Just wish we had known this stuff before buying the 325i, seems like a huge headache to get it the way we want it.

[E92-Lighting]

i would get the 06-08 pre-lci projectors, after you install those, you can get xenons with angel eyes