Did Some Headlight Mods (instructions inside)

[Sherj]

Originally Posted by M3PO

Those lenses will not be any better than the OEM lenses. Definitely spend the money for the upgraded lenses. It's those concentric rings that's the problem. Take a look at my comparison shots on the first page.


Which AE rings are those?

These are cob led halos eyes, the yellow ones in the video is the one I have

. I have not seen anyone else run them in our cars so I took the plunge, it has a more plasma look to them which is why I got them. I got 95mm from this guy (http://www.ebay.com/itm/1-Pair-COB-1...-/151272512309). I also got 110mm from another ebay seller but he stopped listing them for some reason, and I brought some covers to hide the yellowness (http://www.ebay.com/itm/2-COB-angel-...51a3d4&vxp=mtr)

[Flea7]

Originally Posted by M3PO

Those lenses will not be any better than the OEM lenses. Definitely spend the money for the upgraded lenses. It's those concentric rings that's the problem. Take a look at my comparison shots on the first page.

No offense, but I think you're underestimating the first generation Projector lens that BMW came out with. They were very good compared to new ones coming out. Those concentric rings are not the problem. I would bet that this would have a sharper cutoff that the clears that are being sold.

[M3PO]

Originally Posted by Flea7

No offense, but I think you're underestimating the first generation Projector lens that BMW came out with. They were very good compared to new ones coming out. Those concentric rings are not the problem. I would bet that this would have a sharper cutoff that the clears that are being sold.

I mean think about it, those rings HAVE to disturb the cutoff. I came from a 350z that had those same concentric rings and the clear lenses sold by this same company, The Retrofit Source, were a vast improvement.

[Flea7]

The pictures I posted are the actual cutoffs from the X5 projectors. They are just that sharp and should be brighter with a HID light source.
I don't remember what year but they are early 2000?

I believe they are made by Hella. Audi's also had them as well. I remember the earlier BMW's and Audi's had awesome projectors with the sharpest cutoff that displayed a prism when you looked them directly.

[M3PO]

Originally Posted by Flea7

The pictures I posted are the actual cutoffs from the X5 projectors. They are just that sharp and should be brighter with a HID light source.
I don't remember what year but they are early 2000?

I believe they are made by Hella. Audi's also had them as well. I remember the earlier BMW's and Audi's had awesome projectors with the sharpest cutoff that displayed a prism when you looked them directly.

Those do look nice. The beam shape looks nice too. I'm not sure I guess. But like I said, the concentric rings had a negative affect in the Nissan/Infiniti cutoff.

[evovince]

Which ZKWR lens did you guys get? The hella specific or the standard?

[knolow]

Wow what a diy. I will see if I work up enough nerve to earn this diy badge.

[Gpeck14]

I just wanted someones thoughts on this:

I was thinking of changing out my cornering lights for these when I do this DIY.

http://www.theretrofitsource.com/led...ts-type-s.html
They are 89mm (3.5") round and 91mm deep do you think this would work? I was also thinking of wiring it separatlely as fogs.... what about ERROR codes?

Thanks guys!!!

[whats77inaname]

Originally Posted by M3PO

DISCLAIMER: This is at your own risk. I wrote this after the fact and may have forgotten some minor steps so go slow and pay attention!

Basic things that you will need:
-Clear projector lenses
http://www.theretrofitsource.com/pro...roducts_id=136

Looking at that link, which did you purchase: the ZKW-Rs or the ZKW-R Hella specific units?

[evovince]

Originally Posted by whats77inaname

Looking at that link, which did you purchase: the ZKW-Rs or the ZKW-R Hella specific units?

I got the ZKW-R standard, non Hella specific.

[0-60Motorsports]

Excellent work. Looks great

[wyatth]

Jeeze, and I thought this was difficult on the E46!
I put ZKW lenses in my E46M and they made a nice improvement. No baking needed and the headlight covers are cheaply replaceable. Step backwards, BMW.

[rod.bearings]

If anyone's whose done this doesn't want their oem zkw lens, I'll take it off your hands!

Or if anyone knows where I can find a cheap defective lens let me know!

[M3Bimmer77]

Very nice work but what is all this about? Dont get it. Is it for brightness or just appearance?

[opihi5]

What would you say the difficulty was for this diy. I just helped my friend do this on his subaru today and it wasn't that bad. Planning on doing to my m3 but i'm worried the bmw will be more difficult.

[SaNGRia]

Originally Posted by M3PO

Appreciate the compliments gentlemen! I will get some better pics of the results at some point!

Hey. Thank you for sharing really good information. I am retrofitting my headlights at the moment. And I can not continue to project due to clear lens sizing issue. I got all the parts from bav gruppe. And the 3 inch lenses they advertised is not the correct size for our lens bracket. In order to install them I have to bend all the legs and make it oval shape then try to fit that after market lens in! But the problem is I only removed 2 legs from the housing and I was not expecting over size lens for this retronotfitting! ANyway. I made quite a bit research and ZKW-R the one to go for ours. But that also requires some spacer and that means I need to remove the adaptive housing to do that! SO if I do not use the spacer is that really going to be a problem? Did you use spacer? If not what are the cons ?

Thank you!

[SaNGRia]

I remove the adaptive part and remove everything on the projector. I got small washers from HomeDepot. Since we have the adaptive headlights we can only adjust the distance by using on the bracket legs.

Did anyone adjust the lens using the washers on ZKW-R on e92-e93?





I will also appricate if someone verifies that the red cables are ground and yellow cables are positive in the wiring diagram of headlights? (I am holding the drl/angel eyes H8 plug) and according the diagram 3rd pin is Low/High beam positive / 2nd and 4th pin is ground. But i dont know why they used red for ground or yellow for positive ?

[opihi5]

I don't feel comfortable putting 2 grand + in the oven. Can I use a heat gun

[Flea7]

That's probably more of a risk....you'll have better results using a temp controlled oven

[SaNGRia]

Originally Posted by opihi5

I don't feel comfortable putting 2 grand + in the oven. Can I use a heat gun

I used heat gun it is extremely easy! Just heat up each side properly and do it like 2 min and then wait little bit do another 2 min and do another 2 min After that use your flat screwdriver that's it!

[opihi5]

Originally Posted by SaNGRia

I used heat gun it is extremely easy! Just heat up each side properly and do it like 2 min and then wait little bit do another 2 min and do another 2 min After that use your flat screwdriver that's it!

what would you recommend blacking out the chrome corners with? Does the spray tint come out good?

[SaNGRia]

Originally Posted by opihi5

what would you recommend blacking out the chrome corners with? Does the spray tint come out good?

I used EasyOff to remove chrome part. and then used self etching primer and then spray flat black. Turned out like perfect factory painted shrouds I will share some pic when I am done with the project !

Additional Info :

And the HID ballast does not turn on when you use regular 12V adapter! I had to bring my spare oem battery to light up the yellowish 4300k xenon on the new clear lens!

Now I cant wait to plug 6000k osrams