Projectors53 / Xenon conversion

[mtX5]

those headlights are similar to mine. they look like the OEM facelift headlights, and having CCFL angel eyes is a bonus..

[e30mpower]

Simon's are by far my favorite, but since I have an 03 any type of Xenon conversion or AE install is out of the question unless I find the 00-02s somewhere. I don't like the CCFL angel eyes, looks a little too glitzy for my taste. I'm really considering those DEPO lights on ebay with the crystal clear corners (even though I hate them), because from what I understand from you guys is that the DEPO is a good assembly. There are just so many options out there and I don't know what all is involved in any of them.

If I had it my way I would take it to the dealer, shell out the $2k for the "official" retrofit and be done with it. But of course then I wouldn't have AEs. And there are so many other things I need to get done for it before I can justify $2000 for lights. I've got that tranny failure to think about, which I know is just around the corner. Plus my CV axle boot, water pump, fan clutch, rear brakes, and Inspection II -- which are all overdue. I would have an easier time dealing with a <$800 aftermarket assembly.

I just want to clarify what the DEPOs look like actually installed, anybody got any pics? Keep in mind my X is alpine white, I'm thinking it's going to need some kind of amber up front to look decent. Also, would it be tacky to convert the rear tail lamps to the clears without doing the headlights?

[mtX5]

simon's are basically the DEPO lights on eBay.. many different sellers have those lights but in the end they are just about all the same DEPO lights..some w/HID kits some without..some with auto leveling and some without..

[matoX5]

hey all, with the depo lights, can the oem ae's be brightened up with new led bright white globes like on the face lift lights

[e30mpower]

So, I was reading that other thread about the guy with the 04 who didn't know if he had HID or Halogen but wanted to install 8000k bulbs... Somebody told him to stay away from the 8000k and max out at 6000k or else it would look ricey.... opinion? the depos on ebay are listed at 8000k and I definitely do not want to give the impression that I went to AutoZone and picked up a $15 "Cool Blue" bulb just so I could pose. My ML has factory Xenons and I'm comfortable driving 80+ at night with the high beams on... Not so with the halogens in the X5 - is 8000k going to do anything for me?

[ekvals]

Im sure if you ask the seller if he can supply the headlights with 6000k, he'll have an option for it...

[mtX5]

i wouldn't go past 6000k because it doesn't suit a bmw in my opinion.. and you lose visibility

[simoncpw]

Hi Bros,

Yes, my headlights are basically the same as those available from a few ebay sellers. But I got it directly from Depo thru a local contact here.
1) the lights comes with a pair of H7 (4300) bulbs, installed at the high beam socket when the lights left the factory, although the low beam takes H7 too
2) I got a set of HID kits myself with H7 (6000) bulbs) and installed them for the low beam. While some sellers offer the HID kits and sell them together with the headlights as a "full package".
3) The "Angel Eyes" are not CCFL, and yes, it's not as orange as the real OEM ones. A member has change the bulbs for the AE to white / LEDs [URL="http://www.Xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-forums/x5-e53-forum/59012-i-made-video-p53-lights.html"]here/URL]. And some sellers also offer to install the CCFL AE and charged additional cost.

I'm very with these headlights and would strongly recommend it. The build quality is not as superior as the OEM Hella lights, but it's way better than all other After-market options out there.

Good luck!