Xenon retrofit on LCI E60
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Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 258
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From: Enschede, Holland
I'm still very very happy with my LCI E60, but one thing I really did miss was Xenon. I had it on my previous car, and I felt like a huge step back not having it anymore.
Fortunately, the E60 LCI has projection headlights, even for standard Halogen units (unlike the pre-LCI E60s).
I was considering 2 things:
1) Replace the cheap & simple standard halogen H7 bulbs (no brand?) with Philips Xtreme halogen (+80% is claimed, with much whiter light)
2) Find Xenon bulbs with exactly the same light spot location --> Same focus spot so no change in the light projection. More work because you need to place the DC/DC converters somewhere.
I decided to do 2) and it was easier than I thought. The most difficult part was to find a Xenon set with real white light instead of blueish. I wanted 4300K but ended up with 6000K because I could not find 4300K in a H7 socket. Still a bit too blue for me so I'm still considering other bulbs...
Other than that: It feels like 5 times more light and I'm very happy I did it. Traffic signs and road markings are much more visible, a difference of day & night.
I did quite some testing before I hit the road:
-Same projection area --> No blinding
-No error messages
-No heat issues (lower bulb temperatures compared to halogen)
See pics.
Fortunately, the E60 LCI has projection headlights, even for standard Halogen units (unlike the pre-LCI E60s).
I was considering 2 things:
1) Replace the cheap & simple standard halogen H7 bulbs (no brand?) with Philips Xtreme halogen (+80% is claimed, with much whiter light)
2) Find Xenon bulbs with exactly the same light spot location --> Same focus spot so no change in the light projection. More work because you need to place the DC/DC converters somewhere.
I decided to do 2) and it was easier than I thought. The most difficult part was to find a Xenon set with real white light instead of blueish. I wanted 4300K but ended up with 6000K because I could not find 4300K in a H7 socket. Still a bit too blue for me so I'm still considering other bulbs...
Other than that: It feels like 5 times more light and I'm very happy I did it. Traffic signs and road markings are much more visible, a difference of day & night.
I did quite some testing before I hit the road:
-Same projection area --> No blinding
-No error messages
-No heat issues (lower bulb temperatures compared to halogen)
See pics.
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My Ride: 2007 E60 530i
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Sweet mod! Enjoy your xenons. 
Thread Starter
Senior Members
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 258
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From: Enschede, Holland
Originally Posted by Wiu-Bimmer' post='453757' date='Aug 1 2007, 12:58 AM
Very nice work, congrats.
Question, since I have not seen any LCI w/o xenons, are the angel eyes the same as the LCI w/xenons?
Question, since I have not seen any LCI w/o xenons, are the angel eyes the same as the LCI w/xenons?
The internal part of the headlight unit is different (original xenon headlights are more complicated due to auto-levelling and AKL stepper motors).
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Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 33
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From: Co Meath, Ireland
My Ride: July 01 2008 - Carbon Black "Batmobile" E60 - LCI 520D - M Sport - 18 Inch Wheels - Auto (New Joystick) -- M Rear Trunk Spoiler - Badge Deletion - 50% Front Doors 35% Rear Doors and 20% Rear Window - Windscreen with Green Shade Band - Folding, Tinted Mirrors - Porsche "Flamenco Rot" Nappa Leather (Door Cards, Arm Rests, Seat Facings and Center Arm Rest - Climate Control - USB 6FL - Bluetooth
Hey Timewa,
That looks fantastic. Fair play
After 2 mths of searching I found this thread !!!
as I have an LCI 520D with halogens and the light is driving me crazy ? 
What were the bulbs you used (and where did you source) Can I use same bulbs in main beam unit ?
Really appreciate your help
That looks fantastic. Fair play
After 2 mths of searching I found this thread !!!
as I have an LCI 520D with halogens and the light is driving me crazy ? What were the bulbs you used (and where did you source) Can I use same bulbs in main beam unit ?
Really appreciate your help
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Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 891
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From: Miami, FL
My Ride: 2005 BMW 525i Black Sapphire Metalic/Auburn Interior, Sports Package, Premium Package, Side and Rear Sun Blinds, Bluetooth with IPhone connected.
Originally Posted by bmw-jim' post='674690' date='Sep 21 2008, 04:31 PM
Hey Timewa,
That looks fantastic. Fair play
After 2 mths of searching I found this thread !!! as I have an LCI 520D with halogens and the light is driving me crazy ?
What were the bulbs you used (and where did you source) Can I use same bulbs in main beam unit ?
Really appreciate your help
That looks fantastic. Fair play
After 2 mths of searching I found this thread !!!
as I have an LCI 520D with halogens and the light is driving me crazy ? What were the bulbs you used (and where did you source) Can I use same bulbs in main beam unit ?
Really appreciate your help
Members
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 33
Likes: 0
From: Co Meath, Ireland
My Ride: July 01 2008 - Carbon Black "Batmobile" E60 - LCI 520D - M Sport - 18 Inch Wheels - Auto (New Joystick) -- M Rear Trunk Spoiler - Badge Deletion - 50% Front Doors 35% Rear Doors and 20% Rear Window - Windscreen with Green Shade Band - Folding, Tinted Mirrors - Porsche "Flamenco Rot" Nappa Leather (Door Cards, Arm Rests, Seat Facings and Center Arm Rest - Climate Control - USB 6FL - Bluetooth
Originally Posted by elite_motorsports_BMW' post='675632' date='Sep 22 2008, 09:44 PM
I offer a h7 HID conversion kit for 2008 lci nonxeon projectors and for pre LCI. Let me know if you are interested. No error messages, hyper white! A++ must do mod!
Sent you a pm
