Fog / Driving Light HID Upgrade

[Xenon]

I've seen a few member pics of X5's with HID upgrades in their fog lights. I have a 07, what would be the most common/best way to go about upgrading them to HID?

[Xenon]

Anyone?

[Denalio]

Pretty simple to do. You can get a retrofit HID kit for the fogs. Most are plug n' play. Should come with harness, ignitor, ballast and capacitors. You will need H11.

http://www.xoutpost.com/x5-e70-forum...-fogs-diy.html

[Sarge]

I've been contemplating this as well. I've not yet been able to verify that the H11 HID bulbs work with the reflector in the fog lights, and I also haven't found an OEM-supplier based kit yet either (i.e. with Sylvannia or Bosch ballasts).

Cheap ballasts can cause the lights to take a long time to 'warm up' and they can be tempermental and unreliable.

I may just try to find some upgraded halogen bulbs rather than fool around with junk ballasts, etc...

So, all that said, if you do find a high quality solution that works, please post it here.

[Sedoy]

Long "warm up" is something that you will experience with "digital" ballasts which is design to distribute start up load to protect your vehicle harness. With digital ballasts you don't need relays, start up load won't exceed 7-8 Amps.
Most of newer chinese ballasts (cheap ones) have pretty good reliability now, I installed 6 pairs with zero problems so far. The key is to buy ones with lifetime warranty.

Originally Posted by Sarge

I've been contemplating this as well. I've not yet been able to verify that the H11 HID bulbs work with the reflector in the fog lights, and I also haven't found an OEM-supplier based kit yet either (i.e. with Sylvannia or Bosch ballasts).

Cheap ballasts can cause the lights to take a long time to 'warm up' and they can be tempermental and unreliable.

I may just try to find some upgraded halogen bulbs rather than fool around with junk ballasts, etc...

So, all that said, if you do find a high quality solution that works, please post it here.

[Sarge]

Originally Posted by Sedoy

Long "warm up" is something that you will experience with "digital" ballasts which is design to distribute start up load to protect your vehicle harness. With digital ballasts you don't need relays, start up load won't exceed 7-8 Amps.
Most of newer chinese ballasts (cheap ones) have pretty good reliability now, I installed 6 pairs with zero problems so far. The key is to buy ones with lifetime warranty.

I guess I prefer the quick startup with a relay.

The lifetime warranty is great, so long as it means 'we're almost positive this will never break, under even the worst circumstances.'

Any brand recommendations?

[Bodaddy]

I actually just purchased the Xenoflo HID conversion kit from Bimmian. I'll post pics when installed, but looked very nice and high quality when I received them.

[Sedoy]

I had a relay and it failed after 8 months, it was paint on the a$$ to pull back all wires to replace stupid relay.
Brand name doesn't really matter since 95% if all ballasts came from two manufactures in China and Taiwan, which later get different housings and labels. So, as long as the seller looks legit and offers good warranty go for it.

Originally Posted by Sarge

I guess I prefer the quick startup with a relay.

The lifetime warranty is great, so long as it means 'we're almost positive this will never break, under even the worst circumstances.'

Any brand recommendations?

[Xenon]

So is it as simple as buying a HID kit w/ H11 bulbs? Or are there some special fittings used to insert the bulb?

[Denalio]

Yes. If you get a kit with H11 bulb that should be it. Nothing else required.