Alternative to Pre-Facelift Depo lights on Ebay for 600 bucks?

[Ricky Bobby]

OK I have a big update here:

If you are looking to retrofit the Depo headlights with another projector, or want a cheaper option than the "pre-installed" $650-700 option on ebay, I have the sizes of the replacement rings for the Depo headlight, the low beam rings are 120mm (circle) and high beam rings are 146mm (semi-circle)

They can be found as a kit if you search for an LED angel eye kit for 08-10 non-projector Mitsubishi Lancer lights:

LED SMD Angel Eyes Kit Super White for Mitsubishi Lancer

If you are replacing the Depo rings in the E53 in the existing location as they are mounted on the reflector bowl/shroud (chrome piece), those are the sizes and type you need, the low beam can be a full circle but for clearance inside the housing issues its recommended the high beam be semi-circle.


AS WELL, member Fernando (powers1) has a spare set of the Depo headlights opened, and sent me some nice pictures showing what can be done with the Depos much more afforadably. The 131mm and 160mm angel eye kits CAN BE FITTED to the Depo E53 headlights, as long as you mount them to the black shroud piece as the openings are that size.

Waiting on his pictures, but basically I'm hoping that we may have saved some members a few hundred bucks in the future.

What this means is you can buy the Depo D2S or H7 "Halogen Angel eye ring" headlights for around $350, then fit a set of readily available $55 LED angel eye rings to the headlights after opening them. All the LED ring sets I see for sale have relay, remote on wire harnesses included as well. A savings of approx $250-300.


You also could readily retrofit a better projector in there, the OEM FX35 projector (not FX-R) is a direct bolt on as long as you drill 2 new mounting holes, the Depo projector is based on the old Audi D2S Valeo projector.

FX-R 3.0 can be mounted, but is more custom. EvoX-R is not recommended in these as the lens is 3" and the Depos utilize a 2.5" lens projector, fitting an EvoX-R will sacrifice some of the width of the projector.


Hope this post is beneficial and I await any questions, as well as Fernando's pictures to show us the inner workings of the Depo headlights!

[Ricky Bobby]

Thank you Fernando I think those pics will explain a lot!

If you prefer to go the easier route of buying the halogen ring versions and just replacing the bulbs with 11 of the T5 LED's, here are the best prices I have found:

10pcs Car T5 5050 1SMD Wedge Xenon White LED Light Bulbs 74 17 18 37 70 2721 | eBay

Would not be as bright as replacement rings, but would still look very nice and at $350 + $7 in bulbs you would have LED white rings on the Depo headlights, basically gaining the look for half the price.

[powers1]

Originally Posted by Ricky Bobby

Thank you Fernando I think those pics will explain a lot!

If you prefer to go the easier route of buying the halogen ring versions and just replacing the bulbs with 11 of the T5 LED's, here are the best prices I have found:

10pcs Car T5 5050 1SMD Wedge Xenon White LED Light Bulbs 74 17 18 37 70 2721 | eBay

Would not be as bright as replacement rings, but would still look very nice and at $350 + $7 in bulbs you would have LED white rings on the Depo headlights, basically gaining the look for half the price.

It was your project ,I just helped

Unfortunately,the camera couldnt really capture the T5 led bulbs properly in pic 2,but in real life,they look like 5 white spots instead of yellow,so its a no go option,for me
Member fullmetal jacket was the first to try this route and you can search for pics he posted in the Forum and you will know what I mean

[Ricky Bobby]

I know its definitely not the best option, but sure is cheap if someone is not too worried about the "brightness" of the rings and just wants the nicer color.

Personally it is nice to know the sizes of the rings and all but if I get a nice tax refund this year from Uncle Sam I'm looking forward to doing an FX35 projector swap into the housing and have a TRUE lighting upgrade.

[Ricky Bobby]

For what its worth, here is the kit needed if you'd like to buy Depo headlights, and put in your own LED angel eye rings, made for a Mitsu Lancer but the sizes and shapes are spot on, would fit right on top of the existing rings or in place of the rings installed on the Depo's from the factory, your choice.

At $400 for the lights and the LED rings, quite a nice savings over the ebay versions.

Car Headlight Kits SMD Led Angel Eyes for Mitsubishi Lancer(08 10) non projector 120mm 146mm Halo Rings-in Lights & Indicators from Automobiles & Motorcycles on Aliexpress.com

[MINIz guy]

Anybody want to buy a pair of Spyder headlights? They are the discontinued/hard-to-find ones that Ricky Bobby was looking for. I don't drive the X5 much anymore and have stalled my new headlight retrofit.

PM me for pictures, prices and parts list.

[Ricky Bobby]

I will vouch for Miniz stuff top notch! I was lucky to acquire a pair in the past year but they are definitely discontinued by Spyder and accept all Hella E55 style projectors for direct retrofit!

[MINIz guy]

Ok, bringing this back from the dead.

I have these Spyder headlights with Hella E55 bi-xenon projectors in them. Clear projector lens and Morimoto D2S HID kit also included. Haven't been on the X5 for 2 years. The CCFL angel eyes have burned out on them, and I don't feel like buying LED ones for the car. Selling for $400.

[powers1]

Finally found the patience to start to ,modify the "awful" spider shrowd reflector,which along with the "dotted" angel eye lamps ,is the other thing a lot of us dont like about the DEPOs !
So,here´s how I did it:-
* Bought E46 Shroud from here Chrome Finish Iris Style Shroud Centric Rings for 2 5'' and 3 0'' Projector Lens | eBay
*Cut and trimmed it to fit over over Depo shroud and over 120mm Angel eye.
*Epoxy glued to angel eye and over Depo shroud. DONE!

Unlike the Depos sold in the States,the Depos in Europe have lamps ,so I am also going to fit CCFL angel eyes ,146mm and 120mm,in its place.
Unfortunately,there is no exact CCFL or SMD size for the higher beam,so we have to make do with the 146mm (actual space is 150mm).Some have forced it to fit the Depos 150mm space but its risky as the CCFL ring isnt flexible and will break sooner or later!Because of this I opted to cut and trim the DEpos angel eye top plastic cover ,so it fits totally recessed and then I can glue the CCFL angel eye on top of this and give it a better finish!Following pics will explain.
I have also sprayed black most of area around the turn indicator bulb to loose the chrome and will post pics here ,once I have completed a headlight.

Hope it helps others

[Ricky Bobby]

Nice looking work Fernando! Looking forward to the finished product!

I just noticed btw that you are one of the few members who has less miles than me haha!