[lowrydr310]

I have a set of LCI adaptive xenon headlights that I acquired from a forum member. They didn't include the adaptive modules, but I don't care for that feature enough to spend a few hundred dollars for new modules so I simply sealed the opening under the headlight with some ABS plastic cutouts that I made and RTV silicone, has been working great and completely waterproof.

The only complaint with these headlights is that the beams are shaky over rough roads and bumps. I can see the cutoff line bouncing and it looks like flickering. It's not the headlight itself but the projector that's shaking. When I had the lights apart I made sure that none of the connectors or adjustment joints were broken or loose, everything inside is solid it's just the projectors themselves are sloppy. I'm guessing it's the complexity of the joints and motor for the adaptive function that's not as solid as a fixed projector.

I'm looking for any suggestions specifically if you've replaced your LCI projectors before. Ideally I'd like a direct-fit projector (non-adaptive, I don't think there are any aftermarket adaptive projectors) that can be mounted to the existing holes on the floating bracket inside the headlight housing, and retain the use of the D1S bulb.

Edit: I found these: https://www.retrofitlab.com/bmw-3-e9...eadlights.html but it says Pre-LCI fitment only. Anyone know of a similar kit for the LCI lights?

[bmw335ie90]

I don't have any actual experience on this but I also have an LCI with adaptive and did a bunch if reading in the past.

The two main difficulties I found are that the lights are "perma sealed" which makes them much more difficult to remove the lenses than normal butyl sealed headlights like on Pre LCI. The second thing is that the stock projector is a shitty plastic one that sits in a gimbal mechanism. This mechanism is what allows the projector to swivel left and right. The gimbal has unique mounting holes which doesn't allow any projector to just drop in without some work. The gimbal is what shakes, and is why you can see the lights giggle when you hit bumps, it is a common complaint on LCI xenons with adaptive. Deleting the whole mechanism and installing a custom bracket would likely be the best option for a projector retrofit on these headlights.

There is a member here that sells a bracket.

E90 LCI projector bracket retrofit for G5 for Mini D2S https://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1734257

[lowrydr310]

I'm aware of the permaseal but have spoken to a few people who got them apart. Apparently it takes lots of patience but I may try it.

I found that member with the custom brackets and I'm likely going that route. I like the idea of using a better projector and a better quality lens. I looked at the G5 options but they all seem to be generic clones of the real Hella G5, and many of the photos I've seen of the beam patterns and cutoffs don't look that great. If I'm opening the lights I don't want something breaking again. The Mini D2S seems to be the way to go, but that means I can't reuse my relatively new D1S bulbs. I'd need D2S bulbs and the D2S->D1S conversion igniters.

[nibbtastic]

Late to the party but for posterity, Lightwerkz and possibly a few others offer a G5 adapter bracket and real Hella G5's for the AHL bracket (same one that's in the E70 Headlight). Need to dremel the AHL bracket a bit. Detailed in the video below.

[lowrydr310]

Originally Posted by nibbtastic

Late to the party but for posterity, Lightwerkz and possibly a few others offer a G5 adapter bracket and real Hella G5's for the AHL bracket (same one that's in the E70 Headlight). Need to dremel the AHL bracket a bit. Detailed in the video below.

Thanks for sharing! This is one of the best videos I've seen regarding how to cut the lens off. I really like that ultrasonic knife idea. I know a dremel was out of the question due to the mess but I had been thinking of getting an oscillating tool. That ultrasonic knife makes a very clean cut with minimal mess.

I still haven't replaced my E90 projectors yet, but I did acquire the brackets that I needed that were linked above. Despite having LCI AHL lights I don't have the AHL modules so I disabled that feature. I've seen a few projector upgrades on E90s and they all look awesome; beam pattern on nearly any aftermarket projector is significantly virtually negating any benefit from adaptive lighting.


My pre-LCI E93 needs new outer lenses and I'm going to upgrade those projectors too; seems like Lightwerkz also sells brackets for those (Bosch 'E46' style adaptive projectors from the factory)