Pre-Facelift Fog Light options

[TECN1K]

Looks like these are projector capsules, using an H3 bulb, internal wiring, sealed with a dust cap.

Anyone upgrade these from halogen to HID/LED?

[g300d]

Yup, a lot have, with good results.

Some post-facelift guys replace their reflector fogs for these.

OE housings (Valeo) works well from what I read, replacements housings like Depo/TYC may require a bit of tweaking to get the best output.

Also, I read a reference to get a short capsule HIDbulb to go with these as IIRC it positions the light source closest to where it should be in the housing, for better output.

[TECN1K]

What's been done to channel the HID harness outside of the housing?

The H3 uses spade connectors, internally. Going to have to drill & cut?

[g300d]

I believe they use H3 based HID capsules and the harness connects to the rear of the bulb.

Some of our more detail-oriented members have utilized the OE plug on the light housing, which requires a bit of wiring work but is doable.

Most just make a hole in the rear of the housing for the wire to pass through and seal around the wire with some silicone sealant.

[TECN1K]

I like the idea of using the internal harness. I'll clip my H3 HID harness and solder on the appropriate spade connectors, so I can use the external 9006 style harness plug, and retain the dust cap - keeping everything stock and revertible to a certain degree.

[Ricky Bobby]

H3C Kit from TheRetrofitSource.com is what I used, I used the dust cap on the back cover and had to drill a 5/8" hole I think - been water tight for almost 3 years now, I have currently 4300K fogs to match my xenons, but I may do 3000K fogs for contrast - the Morimoto kit is very reliable and comes with the Canbus error cancellers for $150 or so

I had reflectors on my 2003 (03-06 has reflector fogs), I bought the Valeo projector fog housings from BMW and the output is great considering no other changes. They are a good housing, you may have to aim them down a bit.

[RFaber]

Ricky, so you prefer the projector to the reflector fogs?? I have both, (the reflectors installed, the projectors need a different connector) I was thinking of matching my HID's with the fogs, and was thinking which to use! any thoughts??
thanx

[Ricky Bobby]

If you are putting xenons in them, I would strongly urge NOT to do so in the reflector fogs because of glare of putting HID's in reflector housings. Anyone who says they don't put off a decent amount of glare is lying to you, if the fogs are aimed in a functional fashion.

I like the look of the projector fogs a bit better as well as they match the projectors in the low beams. However, if you just have halogen bulbs, it would be a lateral and aesthetic improvment only, as they both are similar in brightness.

The Valeo fogs are approx $100 apiece from the dealer, plus your H3 xenon kit of choice, and you'll need error cancellers for the H11 connection that you have to your factory fogs, on your 2003 X5.

Hope that helps!

[TiAgX5]

The best bet for reflector fogs is replacing the H11 bulbs with H9s, minor plastic trimming of plug required.

The H9 bulbs are used for sportbike high-beams, 50% brighter with a 10 watt increase in draw.

I installed PIAA Extreme White 4150k bulbs, good match to the OE Xenons in color and brightness.

[bcredliner]

I followed Ricky Bobby's recommendations when I added angel eyes to my Xenons. I went with an HD kit for the fogs and went to 5000s all around. Very white with the suggestion of s smidgin of blue.