[Timothi2]

Originally Posted by nsjames

I'm XI and It's RWD.

so I'd have to find driveshafts and a front subframe and the like from a 3'er.

If I decided to do it it would be the same price to buy an e90 donor.

Maybe when/if the n52 dies, but it would need to not be a daily driver, and at that point I'd probably put an LS in it for lulz.

so for once in my automotive life I exercise restraint, and I really like my n52.
it makes all the right noises a straight six at 7 thousand rpms should.

hahaha yep, in that case it's not worth it. I was under the impression they were both XI, which would have been much easier. Maybe I should've just stuck with the n52, but I needed a project and my mind refused to dream small so now I've got an n54 6mt wagon. Might be selling it in a few months if anyone's interested, I can't stop thinking about an f81 touring

[nsjames]

I currently have a comanche restoration project, a 22 ft aluminum boat hull in a friends barn that is halfway back to running on the water and a number of other small things that need done.

like finishing the never ending bath remodel.

If I told my wife that I was going to buy another car so I could cut up the perfectly running one in the driveway I might get murdered.

thems just facts.
and I can't even blame her. I have a problem.

[nsjames]

Originally Posted by MPOWER5266

I want to get rid of the orange in the headlights but I'm not sure how to do it and euro spec lights are crazy expensive.

well I've got one I intend to take apart to see how to do it.

so I guess we'll bump that up the aforementioned project list.

[E91WAG3N]

Originally Posted by MPOWER5266

I did the LEDs in the pic. I had to code the warning off with my Carley but they have been great.

Awesome, I'll give them a try! Would hate for my Euro tails to get ruined.

Originally Posted by MPOWER5266

I want to get rid of the orange in the headlights but I'm not sure how to do it and euro spec lights are crazy expensive.

I've seen a DIY/youtube/something where a guy cut the lenses off then painted the orange reflector silver, then caulked them back together. I don't think I'm up for that approach.

New units aren't THAT expensive used on ebay.de or new via schmiedmann. I bought brand new Euro headlights for my e82 and it was one of my favorite mods on that car. Worth the grand imho. I'm waiting for one of the lights to fail on my daily e91 before replacing with euros. LCI headlights will physically fit as well, but require coding the LED indicator.

Option 3 is a sticker. I've seen a few versions floating around, it'll likely look tacky and bug me in person. Looks okay in photos.

[MPOWER5266]

Originally Posted by E91WAG3N

Awesome, I'll give them a try! Would hate for my Euro tails to get ruined.

I've seen a DIY/youtube/something where a guy cut the lenses off then painted the orange reflector silver, then caulked them back together. I don't think I'm up for that approach.

New units aren't THAT expensive used on ebay.de or new via schmiedmann. I bought brand new Euro headlights for my e82 and it was one of my favorite mods on that car. Worth the grand imho. I'm waiting for one of the lights to fail on my daily e91 before replacing with euros. LCI headlights will physically fit as well, but require coding the LED indicator.

Option 3 is a sticker. I've seen a few versions floating around, it'll likely look tacky and bug me in person. Looks okay in photos.

I didn't know lci lights would fit.....

[nsjames]

Originally Posted by MPOWER5266

I didn't know lci lights would fit.....

this is also news to me.

I thought the hoods/bumpers/grill was different so they did not fit.


shit, I'll refurbish some ebay LCI lights myself.

[E91WAG3N]

Barrique91 has halogen LCI's on his pre-LCI. He can chime in on fitiment, but they look to fit great. Just eyeballing my LCI and pre-LCI in the garage and they look to be a match.

The bumper and hoods are different, but can be swapped (as a pair) either to 'upgrade' to LCI or 'backdate' to pre-LCI.

Rear outer tails are physically the same size, so an LCI trunk can be swapped and LCI lights fitted and coded.

Total LEGOs, just like E36s!

[Barrique91]

Yep. Lci halogens on a pre-lci halogen car is total plug and play. Nothing had to be changed whatsoever.

[MPOWER5266]

What about xenons?

[E91WAG3N]

Originally Posted by MPOWER5266

What about xenons?

The primary issue is will they physically fit without swapping an LCI hood + bumper. Plenty of folks have done a full front clip LCI update.

Snapped 2 pictures of my cars. Top is LCI, bottom is pre-LCI, both have adaptive xenons. The plug itself is oriented differently but the housing and wires all appear to be the same. Might have to re-pin, though. Coding for sure to prevent an error. The only difference functionally are the separate amber running lights on LCI vs. 2 filament bulb used for turn signal and running light on pre-LCI.

[rothwem]

The LCI xenons seem more fragile than the Pre-LCI. I've not heard of anyone's Pre-LCI projectors breaking, but the LCI version seem to break all the time and then you get the "truffle hunting mode" in one headlight. All it seems to take is one good bump.

Anecdotal, I know.

[nsjames]

Originally Posted by rothwem

The LCI xenons seem more fragile than the Pre-LCI. I've not heard of anyone's Pre-LCI projectors breaking, but the LCI version seem to break all the time and then you get the "truffle hunting mode" in one headlight. All it seems to take is one good bump.

Anecdotal, I know.

my pre lci headlamp broke after a pothole.

the wishbone linkage is shattered at the socket for the projector's ball.

why I have an extra one to take apart.

I wished I had known that an LCI one would fit, because I'd have upgraded then.
everyone had told me you needed to swap the hood too.

[rothwem]

Originally Posted by nsjames

my pre lci headlamp broke after a pothole.

the wishbone linkage is shattered at the socket for the projector's ball.

why I have an extra one to take apart.

I wished I had known that an LCI one would fit, because I'd have upgraded then.
everyone had told me you needed to swap the hood too.

Good to know! You're the first I've heard about.

[MPOWER5266]

My work bench in the garage is full of projects for the wagon. I got a free set of aluminum trim. A woman in my local BMWCCA put up a post about finally getting rid of the ugly aluminum trim in favor of wood. When I asked her what she did with the aluminum she told me she put it in the trash. I immediately sent her a message offering to buy it and she said she would ship it to me for free.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

It needs to be cleaned up, some of the pins are missing, and one of the pieces needs the mounting points repaired but the price was right. Not sure if I am going with aluminum or wrapping it.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

[ppointer]

Score!

[CTinline-six]

Originally Posted by MPOWER5266

My work bench in the garage is full of projects for the wagon. I got a free set of aluminum trim. A woman in my location BMWCCA put up a post about finally getting rid of the ugly aluminum trim in favor of wood. When I asked her what she did with the aluminum she told me she put it in the trash. I immediately send her a message offering to buy it and she said she would ship it to me for free.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

It needs to be cleaned up, some of the pins are missing, and one of the pieces needs the mounting points repaired but the price was right. Not sure if I am going with aluminum or wrapping it.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

Wow that looks great! More pics when done please.

I also have a tan interior with woodgrain and have been thinking about doing the aluminum trim swap.

[MPOWER5266]

Originally Posted by CTinline-six

Wow that looks great! More pics when done please.

I also have a tan interior with woodgrain and have been thinking about doing the aluminum trim swap.

I was worried that it would be too light but I keep looking at pic with the one piece and its growing on me.

[nsjames]

mine was aluminum/tan from the factory and I prefer it to the wood grain.

my car was super dumb optioned. I'm pretty sure it cost more than an entry level 5 series.
if only they had ticked the box for charcoal and not beige.

I've got to blow my interior apart for cleanig this spring.

[CTinline-six]

Originally Posted by MPOWER5266

I was worried that it would be too light but I keep looking at pic with the one piece and its growing on me.

I've seen some newer F30s with the color combo, but then again they all have a giant stick-on ipad in the center of the dash so a bit difficult to compare for me.

Edit: I also have that exact same 850i model as the one on your shelf haha. Got it many years ago.

[MPOWER5266]

Originally Posted by nsjames

mine was aluminum/tan from the factory and I prefer it to the wood grain.

my car was super dumb optioned. I'm pretty sure it cost more than an entry level 5 series.
if only they had ticked the box for charcoal and not beige.

I've got to blow my interior apart for cleanig this spring.

Did you change out the trim?

Originally Posted by CTinline-six

I've seen some newer F30s with the color combo, but then again they all have a giant stick-on ipad in the center of the dash so a bit difficult to compare for me.

Edit: I also have that exact same 850i model as the one on your shelf haha. Got it many years ago.

I need to put it all in and give it a few weeks to see if I like it. As for the 850, I picked it up at an antique shop for like $5 about a year go. Its rough but kinda neat for the garage.

[nsjames]

Originally Posted by MPOWER5266

Did you change out the trim?

options list says it was ordered with the aluminum trim.

[E91WAG3N]

Another option for the trim (not my car) -



Looks like a wrap, Piano is stupid rare and expensive new.