JY Projector Headlight replacement

[taosx5]

Hey all, long time since I have been on here. That is probably a good thing. I have spent the last two hours researching headlight replacements and have learned a lot. Has any one used these JY projector replacements or dealt with Andys Auto Sport? (there were only four searches and not much mentioned about their products or service)

LHP-X500JM-TM JY Projector Headlights - Black at Andy's Auto Sport

What is the fit and finish like? I have two 2003 E-53s, a 4.4 bought new and now has 155K miles. I have restored the headlights lens 3 times and they just are not lasting between restorations so was thinking of replacing the entire housing. New OEM units are over $700 per pair and that just seems outrageous.

My other X5 is a 4.6 with a 131K miles. The lens and bulbs on it are like new. So I was thinking since I replaced the tail light assemblies awhile back on it with LEDs I was thinking of moving the headlights from it over to the 4.4 and replacing the 4.6 with one of these projector replacements. I will be selling the 4.6 in the next six months. It has much more aftermarket mods on it so makes more sense keeping the 4.4 bone stock. It might make selling the 4.6 easier if it looks a little more modern.

Thanks in advance for thoughts or ideas.

[Ricky Bobby]

Those look absolutely horrendous

I have these and so does Matt on his 4.6 (mam4.6) - yes they are aftermarket but they at least look OEM+ and they take a lot of the stock xenon parts if you have OEM xenons

Fits Black 01 03 E53 x5 CCFL Halo Projector Headlights Lights Lamps Left Right | eBay

[taosx5]

Originally Posted by Ricky Bobby

Those look absolutely horrendous

I have these and so does Matt on his 4.6 (mam4.6) - yes they are aftermarket but they at least look OEM+ and they take a lot of the stock xenon parts if you have OEM xenons

Fits Black 01 03 E53 x5 CCFL Halo Projector Headlights Lights Lamps Left Right | eBay

Ricky Bobby, Thanks for the quick reply. These look pretty sharp. I have some questions if you have a minute.

Did you change out any of the bulbs or do you recommend changing stock bulbs? How is the fitment? Are they pretty much a plug and play or does it require a little bit of splicing? Does the OEM amber bulb work with the blinker? In the photos it appears these not come with a lens cover, is that my imagination.

Thanks in advance for any insight, it is much appreciated.

[Ricky Bobby]

Not sure if you have halogens or xenons - I have xenons, the lights I have are made for halogen cars, but the projector used in them is the same bolt pattern as the stock xenon projector. Basically I swapped all the parts over from my stock headlights that would fit, hooked up the ballast, and did some other things while they were open (changed CCFL angel eye rings to LED, and swapped for a bi-xenon projector)

Fitment was as good as the Depo lights I've seen. The OEM amber bulb will not fit, its a different bulb socket, but it will plug into the factory connector - the headlights come with turn signal bulbs (1156)

If you have halogen lights, I would recommend the Depo versions ($350) - I only bought these because I wanted to swap over my stock xenon internals and I knew they had the bolt pattern on the projector to make it an easy swap.

Either way, I recommend clear film on the aftermarket lenses for protection.

[taosx5]

Originally Posted by Ricky Bobby

Not sure if you have halogens or xenons - I have xenons, the lights I have are made for halogen cars, but the projector used in them is the same bolt pattern as the stock xenon projector. Basically I swapped all the parts over from my stock headlights that would fit, hooked up the ballast, and did some other things while they were open (changed CCFL angel eye rings to LED, and swapped for a bi-xenon projector)

Fitment was as good as the Depo lights I've seen. The OEM amber bulb will not fit, its a different bulb socket, but it will plug into the factory connector - the headlights come with turn signal bulbs (1156)

If you have halogen lights, I would recommend the Depo versions ($350) - I only bought these because I wanted to swap over my stock xenon internals and I knew they had the bolt pattern on the projector to make it an easy swap.

Either way, I recommend clear film on the aftermarket lenses for protection.

Thanks Ricky Bobby. Yes both of my X5s have bi Xenon lights or at least I am pretty certain they do. They are both stock and both have auto leveling and all the other stuff. These OEMassive seem to be the ticket. I have done lots of research on headlight replacements but so far your suggestions have been best. It is just I have been so busy lately that I have not paid much attention to maintenance items on the X5s. What exactly do you mean by "hooked up the ballast"? Is that splicing the hot and ground wire in that I have seen on lots of youtube videos?

The 4.4 we bought new and it has been a real good car for the most part. The 4.6 I bought with about 60K miles on it but recently has required more $$ in maintenance costs. It sure runs good and is great to drive on long trips but I have to decided to sell it come spring. About a week ago, the auto sensor quit working. I havn't had a chance to research why. Anyway thanks for you advise and insight. It is much appreciated.

[Ricky Bobby]

OK I'll try not to confuse you - If you want plug and play solutions you will have to spend the $550 on the Depo solutions, those are a true plug and play setup.

Those lights above I showed, will need to be baked open completely and lenses removed to separate the internals. You will need to also bake open your stock headlights to get to the factory xenon internals. The self leveling motor, as well as the xenon projectors will swap into the aftermarket lights. The bulb gaskets, bulb covers, vents, seals and ballast tray all will swap as well. The OEM Hella ballast will install in the same position under the aftermarket headlights, and you can run the plug into the xenon bulb in the same way it is run in the factory headlight, since the bulb covers swap over.

Then you will most likely need a bit more butyl glue, and place your headlights back in the over for a few mins, then take it out and clamp the lens back on the housings and let it cool off before finishing up the install of the new lights.

Let me know if you have any other questions

[taosx5]

Originally Posted by Ricky Bobby

OK I'll try not to confuse you - If you want plug and play solutions you will have to spend the $550 on the Depo solutions, those are a true plug and play setup.

Those lights above I showed, will need to be baked open completely and lenses removed to separate the internals. You will need to also bake open your stock headlights to get to the factory xenon internals. The self leveling motor, as well as the xenon projectors will swap into the aftermarket lights. The bulb gaskets, bulb covers, vents, seals and ballast tray all will swap as well. The OEM Hella ballast will install in the same position under the aftermarket headlights, and you can run the plug into the xenon bulb in the same way it is run in the factory headlight, since the bulb covers swap over.

Then you will most likely need a bit more butyl glue, and place your headlights back in the over for a few mins, then take it out and clamp the lens back on the housings and let it cool off before finishing up the install of the new lights.

Let me know if you have any other questions

Ricky Bobby, sorry to be so dense. I honestly have done a bunch of research but it had me so confused I wasn't sure which way to go. I appreciate your time.

I had seen the term baking but didn't know what that meant so I looked it up. It is probably more than I want to take on right now with work and all so I think I just talked my self out of going with the OEMassives. It sounds like a great option if I new more about what I was doing.

I also did not realize is that the self levelers are in the headllight. I thought they were a sensor near the sway bar so I have learned another thing about these cars. Who woulda thunk it. I think on my next weekend off, I am going to take the entire headlights out of the 4.4 and do a very comprehensive refinishing of the lens and have a clear coat put on it like you suggested. Thanks for your help and guidance. It is appreciated. Cheers!

[Ricky Bobby]

^Cheers my friend, glad to help out! My own headlight retrofit planning took over a year lol -