E53 x5 headlights

[X5smw]

..... are utter poo! 
 

can the standard headlights be upgraded on a 2002 model?

apparently it has projector lamps. I have seen brighter caves. 
 

is it a straight swap for hid or too much hassle? 

[Greydog]

Morning Stu

My 4.4 was a shock had to get out and walk round the front to check they were on ?? My 4.6 came with HID as standard. If the picture above is your car it looks as though the head lamp units are aftermarket to begin with.

I cured my 4.4 by fitting OEM HID units from a specialist breaker (Quarry Motors) they came complete with lamps and Ballast's. 

Dave

 

 

[X5smw]

Afternoon Dave, thanks for the reply. 
the car is mine in the pic. I was thinking they were aftermarket lamps too. I think I might put some original ones in as I can’t see a thing! 
thanks for the advice, I have used quarry before for one of the e36’s 

 

[Greydog]

Hi Stu

Like the number plate, I have an X5 plate on mine.

It might be worth trying LED headlamp bulbs one of our sons runs a Toyota the lights were totally rubbish, he put some LED lamps in and its much better, still not brilliant but at least he can see where he is going. Remember to get LED's with built in resistors or you will be driven mad with bulb failure warnings.(ask me how I know)

If you do get OEM units if you get 2002 or earlier you can split the lamp (Sept 02 on wards you cant look for the little manufacturing clock cast in the plastic body) the glue is soft and if you use a heat gun carefully you can remove the lens. I did this to clean the lens inside and out with a polishing kit brings them up like new. While they were off I fitted CCFL halo rings then re-assembled and resealed the glue with the heat gun and a glue gun where there were gaps. For my Halo's I took a feed from the Main DME loom so my halo's come on with ignition but remain on for 20 seconds after ignition off and key out.

Dave

 

 

[X5smw]

Wow Dave, sounds like fun with the halos. 
this one has them fitted so I’ll leave them in. God shout about the led bulbs, I didn’t think of that. 
I’ll  get some and report back! 
cheers

stu. 

 

[X5smw]

Hi Dave, 

do you have any recommendations for the led headlights? Do I need to swap 2 or 4? 
also, I was thinking of wiring my halos up and run them as daylights. I can code them but no option to use the sidelights, only headlights. Cheers! 

[Greydog]

Morning Stu

Now it looks as though we have a couple of dry days I will see if I can get a picture of the wire to tap into to power your Halo/DRL's My son's LED bulbs are H7 and give a good strong white light and as far as I know a straight swap

It will depend on what lamps are in the headlight ?

Dave

[X5smw]

Update..... 

i finally got round to getting some led lights...

I cannot See a thing!

 

im going to go back standard lens and run led bulbs.

i could tell they were brighter as the road signs were lit up in the distance, but absolutely nothing in front of the car... and I mean nothing. The angle of the light is correct as they self level, but it is just a faint glow. Projector headlights are a bad bad design. as I live in the countryside, I couldn’t even make out the road markings.

I was expecting Blackpool illuminations, I got Elton John’s candle in the wind! 😂

 

[Greydog]

Morning Stu

I wonder if the after market headlamp units are the cause? Headlamp units from any E53 up to 2003 will fit, the facelift ones 2004 on (for simplicity) with clear indicators wont fit.

Also check out companies like Cree for HID conversions to the standard light units they are well known been around for years and as far as I know their kits are complete so no faffing around. Best solution would be OEM HID lamps one of the specialist breakers would be my first call plus a polishing/lens cleaning kit to make them pritine before fitting.

Or you could drive really slowly listening to Elton, the driving really slowly is so you don't run over your Guide Dog !! 🤣

Dave

[X5smw]

Hi Dave.

i think the lenses are the issue on the aftermarket ones. 

I’ll get some standard ones and try them. I might take your tip and fit some halo units in when I get time 👍🏻

.... as for driving slowly, my wife is Brazilian and does not understand the word slow! .... or knows who Elton John is! 😂😂😂

[Greydog]

Morning Stu

"Mais rápido" in the dark with Elton playing !!! Jeeze you know how to live life on the edge 🤣😂

Dave

[X5smw]

I married a Latino salsa dancer ..... doing 200mph On a unicycle blindfolded And on fire would be less on the edge! 😂😂😂

quarry doesn’t have any lights in at the moment, but the hunt is on! 

[Greydog]

Lucky boy !!

Don't forget the well known auction sites they come up trumps some times

[X5smw]

I got some new lights... set of standard on eBay for £35 delivered.... 

guess what....

I CAN SEE!!!

the issue was the lenses on the aftermarket units. Now to find some decent led lights 

 

[Greydog]

Whoop Whoop Stu

Don't get carried away now, but at least after the clocks have gone back you will be allowed out after 4.0 pm without the white stick.

Check the part numbers on the replacement units are the bulbs halogen or HID? The standard HID units are good if they are Halogen then LED lamps should be a straight swap and not wallet busters

Dave