Hi all,
Long time lurker, first time poster. I have an Australian delivered 2009 (pre-LCI) X5 E70.
I am attempting to update my non-HID headlights with LED's for the Angel Eyes (Halo's). After much frustration, googling and buyers remorse... and seeing a few posts on here of people stuck with the same problem I wanted to share the outcomes of my research in one easy post.
I will in the near future attempt the upgrade and post the results here now that I (*think I) know what to do.
For sake of simplicity, when I refer to "park", this is the bulb that lights up the Angel Eyes.
Firstly, to cover the basic PITA this is:
1. On Halogen E70 headlights the inner most bulb housing is the high-beam.
2. Conversely on bi-xenon OEM HID headlights, this is the DRL/park light bulb housing. This takes a H8 bulb and those of you lucky enough to have factory-HID, I salute you and you can stop reading. After-market parts and the interwebs has you well covered.
3. On Halogen E70 headlights the park light is found in a special housing between the high-beam and low-beam bulb housings.
4. This park light housing is not easily accessible AT ALL. It is behind some structural parts holding the front quarter guard to the chassis. There are 3 screws, 2 which MIGHT be accessible with effort; 3rd screw is beneath the housing and not worth trying to get to.
5. Best method of changing the park light (without removal of the quarter panel and headlight assembly) is through the wheel arch as far as I can tell.
Now for the park light itself:
1. It seems to be a custom BMW part, I have not seen it elsewhere.
2. It is shared between some other models (most notably some E90 models).
a. You can see the E70 part here:
https://www.ecstuning.com/b-genuine-...g/63127192578/
b. You can see the similar E90 part here:
https://www.ecstuning.com/b-genuine-...h/63117161444/
3. For lovers of RealOEM.com:
a. see the E90 diagram here:
RealOEM.com - Online BMW Parts Catalog
b. see the E70 diagram here:
RealOEM.com - Online BMW Parts Catalog
So as for my plan to upgrade the park light to LED:
1. The only part I have found so far is from Wiesslicht (sold through Bimmian.com):
https://bimmian.com/Accessories-for-...o-Upgrade-Kit/
2. I do not know if it will fit or direct the light correctly, but will give it a shot. I already bought (and came to regret) the H8 bulb for HID E70's from Bimmian and am hoping they will let me do an exchange.
3. I will take it to the BMW specialist I have parleyed with for years. He will remove the wheel arch and replace later on, while I have a go at this. He has done this a number of times but only with the OEM bulb part (not a chunkier LED part).
4. ???
5. Profit... or at least LED AE's on my factory halogen E70.
Please wish me luck.