Euro City Lights

GearHead · #1 01-01-2006, 07:27 PM

Hello fellow X5 luvers

Wishing all a very Happy & Successful 2006

While researching within X5world, I see that I am not the only one that has caught on the headlight modding bug ...

I just completed my upgrade the headlights on my 325 and am looking at my X5. I have a 03 X5 3.0 with 9/03 built date and it is Xenon equipped. The light fixture is pre-angel lights.

Upon my research while working on my 325, I know that cars in Europe don't have the AMBER light as parking light. The side lights are only used as turn signal and they have another low power city light that comes on when the light switch is at position one.

I have been looking into my X5 light whether it has the same setup but to no avail. When I place my light switch to position one, the side amber lights come on while at position two, the amber and the Xenons come on. During my checking on the wiring at the back of the headlight housing, I see a pair of leads for the Hi-beam Halogen, a pair for the side (turn signal) light and 2 pairs into the Ballast for the Lo-beam Xenon.

I am willing to purchase a new pair of Euro light housing (with the city lights) and transfer the ballast system from my existing fixture into this new lense. Does such a beast exist ? Can someone (especially our European X5 folks) chime in and give me some insight. I am trying to keep my head lights as ORIGINAL BMW with the Euro setup.

Thanks in advance

imaznumkay · #2 01-01-2006, 07:30 PM

i think the clear "lenses" only exist for 04 and later models (facelifted)
im not sure...

but you could get a pre03 headlight housing and take the amber portion out just like me and get the solaris invisibulbs for amber turn signal....

GearHead · #3 01-01-2006, 07:49 PM

Hi there

I am actually fine not having 'clear lense' and don't mind having amber side lights. What I am looking for is when I place my light switch in position 1, I have a 'city light' (not my side amber light) come on. When I place my switch in position 2, my lo-beam Xenon comes on with the 'city light'. When I place my turn signal on, then my amber comes on. I think this is the setup in the european X5s. Am I making any sense?

If so, I am looking for the appropriate BMW part so that I can 'retro' my US lights to work like the European X5 (pre facelift).

Any suggestions here?

TIA

GearHead · #4 01-02-2006, 11:44 AM

Folks .... any insight on how the lights work for the European X5s?

Any suggestions ???

Thanks again in advance

breytonX5 · #5 01-02-2006, 12:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GearHead

Folks .... any insight on how the lights work for the European X5s?

Any suggestions ???

Thanks again in advance

That would be very similar to our daytime running light (DRL) up here except we have it on all the time. But you want it to be on at position 1 and without the turn signal lights on. My guess is it can be done.

GearHead · #6 01-02-2006, 12:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by breytonX5

That would be very similar to our daytime running light (DRL) up here except we have it on all the time. But you want it to be on at position 1 and without the turn signal lights on. My guess is it can be done.

Hi BreytonX5

Thanks for your response. Funny you said about DRL, I do recall other X5s on the road in Southern California with their lights closest to the nose grill on during the daytime driving (thus DRL) and since that same light fixture is where the Hi-beam is, can I assume there is 2 bulbs within that same fixture (one for Hi beam and the other for DRL)

I am looking for the setup on the European X5 (pre facelift) and I think at position one, some other bulbs and not the side amber turn signal comes on at position 1.

Does anyone know this is the case...

Thanks again in advance

drex · #7 01-02-2006, 12:57 PM

there is a citylight socket and cutout in the main reflector (high beam) that on US spec X5s can be drilled out in the back. this is very similar to the city lights on the Z3s.

might be able to supply pics later!

GearHead · #8 01-02-2006, 01:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drex

there is a citylight socket and cutout in the main reflector (high beam) that on US spec X5s can be drilled out in the back. this is very similar to the city lights on the Z3s.

might be able to supply pics later!

Hi drex

Thanks for the offer. I am looking forward to your pics. If this is the case, then I am assuming that the European X5s as 2 bulbs in the main reflector (Hi-beam).

If so, does anyone have the BMW part number for the European light fixture (pre-facelift) that supports Xenon. I can take my ballast from my US spec light fixture and move it to this new one.

Anyone????

DE05 LSF · #9 01-02-2006, 02:26 PM

I've got an 05 X5, position 1 activates the angel eyes only. That's the euro side (city) lights.

I used to have a 330 E46, which is very similar to 03 X5 lights. That had an extra bulb and was activated at positon 1 only. So there would be a combined bulb for dipped & high beam and a small additional bulb for the side light.

GearHead · #10 01-02-2006, 02:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DE05 LSF

I've got an 05 X5, position 1 activates the angel eyes only. That's the euro side (city) lights.

I used to have a 330 E46, which is very similar to 03 X5 lights. That had an extra bulb and was activated at positon 1 only. So there would be a combined bulb for dipped & high beam and a small additional bulb for the side light.

Hi DE05 LSF

Thanks for the feedback. Based upon your comments, it appears that the 03 X5 (pre-facelift) has 2 bulbs (Hi beam & dipped --- aka city lites) in the main light reflector.

Pls let me know if I have the wrong assumption.

Also, if I go ahead a procure a 'Euro' light housing, is my assumption of removing my Ballast from my US spec Xenons and transplanting to the Euro spec light housing a possibility ????

Thx again