Headlights on 11/06 E53

[Spartan]

I have used the search function several times and come up with many headlights but nothing that helps me find me what I really want.

I would like to know what if any types of globe fittings I can use in my X5. As per the header it is an 11 month 2006 build, but it seems to be a bitza build or I am getting mixed messages.

Some of the information indicate it is a facelift model whilst the lights seem to indicate it is barely out of the carbide light capability. It has what appears to be yellow lights for everything, or more correctly...Orange. I'll post some images of them, they are clear lens glass/plastic and will get a full on polish up soon.

[Spartan]

Images of my Headlights, well only one side, but am I stuck with this type of globe?...or can I fit something else and can I also use the white LED in the Angel Eye light?

[Cadesto]

You can basically plug (twist) anything size H7 into the low beam housing you are showing. Just be sure to keep the little shitty piece of metal between the lamp and the connector clip so you can secure the new light (lamp) back in
Brightest “whitest” is going to be around 6300k (kelvin scale) going down to say 4800k is going to be “warmer” more “orangish” looking, 2400k is like your grandmas table lamp…
I’ve been running OSHRAM brand “for off-road use only” for many years and pleased.
The first couple of generations LED were junk for different reasons
BUT
I just got these Sylvania LED H7 with built in fans “for fog light use only” from autozone for about 85 after rebate, impulse buy but a worthy one.
I’m in the middle of buffing my headlight housings or I’d show you a greater difference.
Also probably the most dull and orange of all is you angel eyes ring, look into a similar LED for those it is I believe what you are referring to as “The Globe Style”
Can’t remember from where but I believe ECS tuning and Pelican should have most of the gear




Sent from my iPhone using Xoutpost.com

[Cadesto]

keep these!
Angel Eye (globe) replacement

Another view with the wiring harness and capacitor, this one was rigged up in one of my old X5s to go straight to the ECU key on +v
I find it easier to just push the fog light button these days and have them all on!passenger sylvania led driver OSHRAM
like I said they’re pretty foggy from buffing right now…
installed
Box of the Sylvania LEDs
OSHRAM bulb on left Sylvania LED on right . These are for your low beams

I can’t recall atm the high beam and fog light upgrade specs.





Sent from my iPhone using Xoutpost.com

[Spartan]

Thx Cadesto, I found these "Just be sure to keep the little shitty piece of metal between the lamp and the connector clip so you can secure the new light (lamp) back in"... later and figured they might be one of those things that will come back to bite you if you don't keep them .


Black Friday sales was a boon as I took a gamble and got almost identical Angel Eye LED's to what you have.


My Ford which I had shown in my intro, was running LED for high and low beam. It had a dual led main light and a single for the driving light at 6500k. I left the lower bad weather lights with the halogen globes as they gave off the lower 4500k band and were more suitable in the fog and rain.


Do you leave the back covers off at all to allow for heat disappation? If not, what do you do to eliminate the heat buildup inside the enclosed space? My lights are set to come on when the engine is running.


Thx Jeff

[Spartan]

Hey guy, I also meant to ask. What is the purpose of that bulbous object that covers the globe in what I can only presume to be the Low/High beam H7 unit.

How does it work and how in gods name does it shine any damn light down the road when all it has is a halogen bulb in it?


I understand projector lenses are special shaped reflectors that refract the light through a clear glass by means of the angles of the backing relection plate/lens. I had them on other cars and you could certainly improve or destroy the light just by changing the K rating. But this I don't understand at all
Jeff

[wpoll]

Originally Posted by Spartan

Hey guy, I also meant to ask. What is the purpose of that bulbous object that covers the globe in what I can only presume to be the Low/High beam H7 unit. ...

The outer beam unit? That's the low-beam (and also the high beam in some cases). The bulbous bit is the Xenon projector lens...



(image courtesy of Overboost)

[X5chemist]

Wow, 11/06 build? In the states, it would be considered an '07 model. Mine is 04/06. Did BMW make X5's into early '07?

[nick325xit 5spd]

Originally Posted by X5chemist

Wow, 11/06 build? In the states, it would be considered an '07 model. Mine is 04/06. Did BMW make X5's into early '07?

I can't speak to the specifics of the E53, but I can tell you that BMW has a history of running extended model years. The 1995 M3 in the US ran from March 1994 (roughly - don't shoot me if I'm off by a month) to December 1995, for example. My 1995 M3 was produced in 10/95.

The 2011 model year was another weird one. BMW ran the MY2011 E90 M3 from 3/10 to 10/11.

Net-net, BMW will periodically run a model year long if they have a reason to.

And it's not just BMW that does weird things with model years. My wife's MY96 993TT was produced in 3/95.