Venom Headlights for Facelift e53. Anyone Tried Them?

[crystalworks]

Thank you everyone for your comments and feedback. Special thanks to you RB for taking the time to give all that info and direction. I know how long that stuff takes once you sit down and start writing it.

I'll be re-doing the OEM units then and I'm guessing I'll come out in the $350-$450 range. The PO did replace the HID bulbs at some point but used 6000k or something as they are too blue for my tastes. I will be replacing with OEM Phillips/Osram D2S. Definitely going to pick up those AliExpress rings you linked too RB. The Umnitzas are nice but the warranty is basically worthless with how difficult it is to open the headlights... though the second time would be much easier than the first. I have used rings like those you linked in the past and they are still going strong at 5+ years... so not too concerned there. Since the lights are going to be open I am also going to do the EvoXR projectors you mentioned if they are bolt in as you say. That sounds like a no brainer if they are an upgrade.

Again thanks for all the assistance. This is why I ask questions before hitting the "Buy it Now" button. I'm still new to this chassis and haven't been exposed to all its intricacies the way you guys have.

[mam4.6]

AWESOME PLAN! You'll have some kick-ass lights, and you'll be blown away by the projectors. I couldn't help but giggle like a little girl when I turned mine on after receiving them from RB!

[Ricky Bobby]

And in all actuality crystal, not to get you jealous Matt, but the rings I used in my lights were not available when I did your lights, although you upgraded to Morimoto rings since then. Those rings I linked to were BRIGHT

I'm going off X5SND's notes in his facelift housings build thread you may want to reference:

http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-foru...s-you-say.html

From my notes yes the 145 semi circle should be good for the outside, I used a 120mm full circle on my inner ring but my housings are slightly different, you should be fine with either the 120mm or 125mm for the inner ring, just make sure its full circle as the inner rings are fuller to the top in the housing.

Study X5SND's thread for tips on opening, it will NOT be easy, and you will be probably 1 of 5 who have completed it WITHOUT cutting the housing open. Take your time, long bake times at lower heat to keep the housings warm while you pick and prod at the permaseal will go a long way.

If you try to zap the housings in the oven at 280 degrees for 10 mins and then go picking at them it will be negative effect. Per Caesar @ Lightwerkz, they use 220 degrees for 30 mins at a time with the housings to get them evenly warm.

Invest in a few sets of small curved picks, thin screwdrivers and get a set of hooked utility roofing blades for your utility knife (I don't like Xacto knives because of the torque and pressure you will be using when cutting, don't want fingers cut!)

Yes please get OEM 4300K bulbs to tune with, 6000K is garbage.


Btw, make sure when you order EvoXR's from TRS you get a brick of butyl, after those housings are finally open you will need to scrape the old permaseal out and replace with new butyl for a seal. You may also need the Bi-xenon splitters from TRS, not sure though, as I didn't have bi-xenon on my 2003, so I had to tap into the factory high beam to activate the solenoid (now I have quad high beams)

Any other questions shoot me a message but as long as you have patience I am confident you can get them open without damage. And yes although the Umnitza rings are good, I do not agree with their retrofitting methods. They would tell you to cut the lenses off the housing. Not something I'm a fan of.

[MINIz guy]

Long time no post, but if you're interested in aftermarket E53 headlights, I have some Spyder ones for sale. They need new angel eyes installed, otherwise they are in perfect condition. They have Hella E55 bi-xenon projectors installed with a clear lens. PM me if interested.

[crystalworks]

Originally Posted by MINIz guy

Long time no post, but if you're interested in aftermarket E53 headlights, I have some Spyder ones for sale. They need new angel eyes installed, otherwise they are in perfect condition. They have Hella E55 bi-xenon projectors installed with a clear lens. PM me if interested.

Unfortunately looks like your X is a pre-facelift model... otherwise I might have taken you up on that to run something while modding the stockers.

[g300d]

Any updates on this retrofit?

Looking for better lighting for my facelift as well. Am close to just bolting on a light bar and hanging some lights off it rally style seeing how opening the headlights is such a pain lol!