John@Motorcepts

Yes it's done! No errors of course! Needed to run a relay cable for insurance Worked out great! I used a mini HID bulb which the warm up time is quicker. I used my Philips Design Ballasts for quality assurance. No pix of the install on the inside cuz I simply forgot to ask my friend to take them But I wont be selling it anyway so it doesnt matter Maybe to a special few on special requests in NYC. It's too much work. Ran over 10 feet of wire from trunk to the driver side footwell. Wired in a switch. Popped in two diodes for insurance. Install looks clean. Now let's look at some pix!!! I have 4 videos but can only post 2. I need to edit the last 2 videos since my license plate shows CLEARLY on it.

Youtube Clips:

Video 1

Video 2

Picture taken with flash:


Picture taken without flash:


Closeups:

sdg1871

Holy sh*t. Looks fantastic.

You are the man John.

NC916

That's clean dude, wouldn't the housing melt if you have it on for too long. I remember someone did it on a Acura TL the 04+ model and it was super bright but it kind of deformed his housing because of the heat.

NC916

Would the HID turn on when in reverse mod or you have to use the switch?

John@Motorcepts

Thanks Scott!

His ballasts EFFed up and caused it to go over 35 watts. It was pushing probably over 60 watts. I am surprised the bulb didnt burst. He only deformed one side since he had old ballasts laying around. It only damaged one side of his housing and the other was fine since the other ballasts are okay. HIDs do in fact run a bit cooler than halogens. I am not too worried since I dont have the reverse lights on for a long time and I am not using regular HID bulbs. Plus, I use only quality ballasts and not cheap ones that costs $60. I am running a shorter HID bulb so it's not close to the housing. I am sure if you have it on for two hours straight, it may start deforming though.

While installing these HID reverse, I am SOOOOO glad that the battery is in the trunk! I THANK BMW DEARLY!!!! Or else, I'll have to run it all the way to the front of the car I still had to. Wired up the switch. It's an illuminated switch but I didnt bother with it. I have 2 people in line for this HID Reverse light. Next week, I will do 2 more E60s. Pretty booked this week and I prefer not to work saturdays and sundays

John@Motorcepts

It will turn on when I am in reverse gear. I can also use the switch whenever I want on the fly for tailgaters. I am pretty sure this is not so "legal" but I rarely drive the car. I was coming home tonight out for a drive and I was testing my switch. I switched it on and then off. Works great. Right behind me is an Impala. Well, I live by a precinct. The unmarked Impala drove away from me.

ricky1329

I found end-up will more existing if reverse light position change over to fog light position.

nomis_nehc

Damn... you really went ahead and done it!

Just watched the vids... I WANT IT!

And from the second video, it looks like it's so bright it'll make it impossible to see the plates? LOL... the ultimate set up for M5s if one should decide to run away from the police, hahaha!

v_therussian

John, again, you're the man when it comes to this lighting crap!


But you still don't have a cheap and better alternative to Orion V2, so you've basically wasted time and effort doing this mod, while you should be working on AE's

John@Motorcepts

hmm...that'll be a tough one!

yes I did!!! Even though I had all the parts for like the past 2 weeks. Car is going in for bumper repairs and clear bra this week. Then full detail following week and preparing for June meet!