BMW Xenon Lights

Vertigo100

Hey all i have a BMW 318i (E46) and was wanting to upgrade to Xenon lights but i dont know much about them. How much would a set cost me and do i need any extra equipment or do i just stick them in instead of my old halogen bulbs? Also would i be able to pick the up from any decent auto store or would i have to order them? Cheers in advance.

Vertigo

littlejukka

why do you want to upgrade?

stronger bulbs without the correct focusing and wiring behind them can create a hazard, akin to full beam from ordinary bulbs. get it done properly or not at all.

Vertigo100

because i am finding the bulbs i have too dull. i was posting here to try find out about them before deciding

milltown

I think you have two options.

A. Go along to your BMW dealer, lube up, bend over and ask him to fit the BMW Xenon upgrade kit. Be prepared for a bill of over €1k I'd guess.

B. Do a bit of research on aftermarket HID kits on boards like E46 Fanatics, Bavarian-Board.co.uk and BMW-driver.net and get a good independent mechanic or BMW specialist to fit them.

It's not as simple as a bulb change as it's a totally different kind of light requiring new reflectors, ballasts and ignitors.
If you plan to keep the car for a while and do a lot of driving on poorly lit roads at night it's a very worthwhile upgrade.

rebel.ranter

Have a chat with Ger Collins in Abbeyfeale 068-32404. He might have a scrapper with Xenons, he should be able to fit them I'd imagine.

Proper Xenons are very good. However I have read that some of the after market (non-O.E.M.) lights are quite bad. Particularly bad for oncoming traffic, dazzling drivers. So if you can go for a 2nd hand genuine ones rather than new aftermarket kits.
Bear in mind too that legally manufacturers had to fit headlight washers to cars with Xenons, dirt on lenses can cause the light to "scatter". So while legally you won't be obliged to fit washers do the decent thing & fit washers.;)

MarkN

Apart from all that, they need to be self leveling and they must have washer jets too.

I wouldn't even think your local BMW dealer will be interested.

You can buy some very good after market kits - have a look at www.vagparts.co.uk - it's not BMW but it will give you an idea of what is out there.

Anan1

Here's a set of OEM xenon headlights, complete with bulbs & ballasts: http://cgi.ebay.ie/BMW-E46-M3-CSL-XENON-HEADLIGHTS-MINT_W0QQitemZ270152905548QQihZ017QQcategoryZ10374QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem I wouldn't think they'll be too cheap, but the only thing missing will be the automatic headlight levelling system.

MarkN

That link seems like a good buy but the price will be a lot higher come the 17th but worth keeping an eye on OP.

RobAMerc

is that all you need to fit them ?
Do you not need a heap of other stuff under the hood too ?

Also these will only fit pre 03 facelift coupes and verts - or any M3 up till this year, but the market will still be huge for them - they'll rocket in price I would say.

Anan1

RobAMerc wrote:

is that all you need to fit them ?
Do you not need a heap of other stuff under the hood too ?

There is a legal requirement that cars fitted from new with HID lights have to have headlight washers and automatic headlight levelling. All you need to give light is the ballasts & bulbs, though.

666bxg

Vertigo100 wrote: »

Hey all i have a BMW 318i (E46) and was wanting to upgrade to Xenon lights but i dont know much about them. How much would a set cost me and do i need any extra equipment or do i just stick them in instead of my old halogen bulbs? Also would i be able to pick the up from any decent auto store or would i have to order them? Cheers in advance.

Vertigo

I successfully upgraded my E46 coupe to xenons recently.

Got new projector lenses which look exactly like original and popped in the HID bulbs - and I have well focussed, non dazzling xenons for under €320 all in! To boot these lights have angel eyes as well!

Installation is a doddle and took the car for beam adjustment at a local garage. PM if you want to know more....

Victor_M

I bought a set from www.hidireland.com recently, E175 for a pair of H7 HID's, just make sure you stipulate the colour 4300K are the normal white ones, and ask for digital ballasts so the bulb blown light on the car doesn't stay on all the time. I found them very helpful, the fitting is relatively easy.

New cars that have them fitted have to have headlight washers & self levelling, retro fits don't, but you will need to refocus afterwards, get it done in any garage or do it yourself. As they output a fairly intense beam it will make it very unsafe for oncoming traffic.

They make a massive difference especially at this time of year.

Victor_M

666bxg wrote: »

I successfully upgraded my E46 coupe to xenons recently.

Got new projector lenses which look exactly like original and popped in the HID bulbs - and I have well focussed, non dazzling xenons for under €320 all in! To boot these lights have angel eyes as well!

Installation is a doddle and took the car for beam adjustment at a local garage. PM if you want to know more....

666bxg PM sent

smitas5

LADS, all you need is a HID KIT. 4300K to 8000K depending on color you want. I wouldn't recommend to go too blue as it will look too fake. If you know how to change the bulb and you know how cable tie works, the you're all set. The only problem you can have is if you go too blue that Garda can start stopping you for having blue light (imitating emergency light). but if you bellow 8000K. you are ok.
€160 with 1year warranty will sort you out. washers and regulators? yes... good thing to have. but not necessary. you can manage without them and and have it all without going to your garage. never heard of problems with wires blowing or going on fire though.