Angel Eyes Retrofit

[jlochking]

I bought an angel eye kit off eBay a while back and been very hesitant to install it. The original owners of the car had light strobes put in the front and rear turning signals, but supposedly had an issue with the front headlamps (xenon's). They had to replace them because of condensation buildup on the lenses (Prohibitively Expensive). They never replaced the light heads and no issue since.
I would like to reinstall the light heads and add the angel eyes kit but i don't want to risk having to shell out a few thousands of dollars for new headlamps if things go bad. I have researched about installing these kits i.e. baking the headlamps. I am very hesitant but have the time and would like to try it. Wondering if anyone had done this before and might be able to give detailed instructions and tips, especially for baking lamps and wiring. I have attached a picture of the kit for reference.

[djbock]

http://www.xoutpost.com/articles/x5/l...-2003-x5s.html

[UCrewX5]

There are several articles in the LIGHTING section of the home page, including http://www.xoutpost.com/articles/x5/l...0-2002-x5.html

[jlochking]

I have seen this stuff, it is helpful and confidence inspiring, but has anyone done this and had an issue with condensation or had to replace the headlamps. Was the condensation issue related or an independent event? I have read of this issue on other threads so could it be simply coincidental?
---Where did that wiring harness come from? Is that built by someone or a DIY?

[djbock]

The harness should have come with your kit, if not, then it is incomplete.

When I installed mine, I did have an issue with condensation afterwards but fixed it by reopening my headlights and adding some black silicone RTV sealer to the factory sealer. Have had zero issues since.

[jlochking]

where did you get the kit? mine is incomplete probably because it was cheap, <$50 if i remember. Is there anywhere to buy the missing parts?

[zerochief]

You need to be understand articles 1,2,4,5 under LIGHTS on the main page. Print them out if you want to. Take NINCH's advice an tap the fogs since you don't have the harness. BTW here's what the date stamp looks like reading 08/01:

Originally Posted by djbock

When I installed mine, I did have an issue with condensation afterwards but fixed it by reopening my headlights and adding some black silicone RTV sealer to the factory sealer. Have had zero issues since.

Same here... I had to RTV them 2x, no problems since.

[jlochking]

So, I since then I have gotten ahold of early model headlights and opened them up easily. They are currently open and will remain so until I am able to do the following mods. Id like to install the angel eyes, add the sport waffle corners that are currently on my car, and add light strobes in the corner turn signals.

Where can I find the clearish corner inserts that are stock on the 4.6?

For the most part I can do the angel eyes except where do i run the wires?

Also I know it possible to remove the waffles on the headlights. How do you remove the black casing that is holding them?

The lights I bought came without the xenon bulbs or anything. When I go to swap them with the existing xenon what do i need to take from the original equipment to have them work? I know when you take them out it is simply a plug, is that all I need? I can't tell if there is a bulb or anything in the new lights.

Lastly where can I find white light head strobes at a good cost? The car is wired for them but they where taken out by the original owner because the headlights fogged up.

PS. The 4.6 is in the shop today, the mechanic this morning and there is a coolant leak, which i knew about, in a 'pan' in the coolant system. I have checked real oem and didn't see such a thing in the diagrams for the coolant system, but I am really not worried as he is a very very trusted local mechanic for german cars. Trust him with anything.

While he has the car apart he is going to replace most of the gaskets and valves that are typically become problems on these cars and replace the same in the intake manifold that is causing a squealing noise when shifting at approx. 4000 rpm. I know many people have mentioned a similar issue.

He said he should be able to get it out of the shop for around $1600. I think thats reasonable, he is also doing the routine 65,000 mile maintenance. Can't wait to get the beast back!

[djbock]

Contact jlevis and see if they can help you out. Or buy the kit from them.

http://jlevistreetwerks.com/BMW-E53-..._51/index.html

[X5devon]

your wiring harness is complete you simply wire it into the side light cable, don't forget if your car is a 2003 model you will not be able to split the lights as BMW changed the type of glue used.