Headlight assembly... need to switch it up
 

Hey all, I have a 2003 X5 4.4 with HID, and I've been on the hunt for a headlight assembly upgrade since I bought my car 3 years ago. I have the HID headlamps and all, but I am stuck with the amber corners (which is my biggest gripe). I got ahold of the guys at Custom Angel Eyes, but someone from there told me there was an issue with their assemblies for the X5 and they would get back to me once it was straitened out, this was back in August of 08. :dunno:

The most important thing here is to get rid of the amber corners, maybe add some angel eyes to freshen things up this spring/summer, but I would like to keep the auto leveling HID and keep it as "stock" as possible.

Any suggestions?!?!

THANKS!

Modifying your existing headlights is probably next to impossible since you have a 2003. However you might want to make sure. There is a date code on the back of the headlight housing. Any dc prior to 10/2002 can be easily opened and the amber removed (along with an AE install). Here is a pic of the dc reading 08/2001:

http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x...DATEcode01.jpg

OEM headlights with the amber removed and CCFL angel eyes installed:
(more info on my userpage)

http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x...592AGAIN01.jpg

Hey thanks for the info zerochief, I love your X, i was just checking out your personal page. I'll look for the numbers when i get out of work later, I think it was an early model 03, so hopefully i can ready up and take the headlight assembly apart. I have a few other questions for you, now that i see you have some items I'd like to instal. Is that an AFE cold air intake? How do you like it? Does it make a huge HP difference and sound difference? I have a remus exhaust too, but I'm not sure if i have the "X" pipe, is it something you installed separately? Or did it come from direct from Remus? Does the "X" pipe make a huge sound and HP difference than say just bold on Remus muffler's?

Thanks!

We can source the OEM Euro Headlights which will not have the amber, however they are fairly expensive ($1k per side).

Unfortunately we are not aware of any other options currently available.

Headlight Assembly upgrade for 03 X with HID
 

Zerochief made some good suggestions, but does anyone know of a place where i can buy ready made headlight assemblies? I'm a bit nervous to take the stock ones apart, if its even an option.

Please let me know!

Thanks

Thanks, but it's a bit past my budget.. no other options?

Yes that is the AFE cold air intake. It doesn't add much HP itself but you get a good "swish" sound when you accelerate. The x pipe is independent of the Remus exhaust. It replaces the stock resonator and adds a deeper sound but probably not much HP itself either. The combination of a CAI, Remus, x pipe and ECU programming will give you a bit more HP, but nothing to write home about. I really like these mods and don't regret doing them one bit. BTW good luck on your headlight conquest and you can PM me anytime. -ZC

PM sent!

Still on the search for a decent headlight upgrade...
 

Can anyone tell me the quality of these ebay headlight assemblies? I'm weary, obviously there are good deals on quality product via ebay, but there's also tons of junk not worth its own plastic. This is all over ebay...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2000-...ht_5728wt_1118

Can anyone attest to their quality? Has anyone installed this product or something like it? They do look very nice, but again, I worry...

The seller talks about a different wiring structure for x5s with factory auto leveling and HID... :pullhair:

Thanks!

few ppl have installed those. I'm assuing the wiring is to make sure they let people without the auto level know. You should be able to plug and play. Send the seller a msg. Good luck.. I feel your pain.. went through it myself.

What route did you end up taking? the lights on your 01 look nice!

Thanks! I did the bake and switch.. was tedious but LOVED the outcome. Too bad they are gone now - would have loved to have been able to sell them to a member on the site..

Okay.. i just ordered Umnitza headlights.. should be here friday and im pumped to rip into it. i'll post before and after pics :thumbup: wish me luck!

Still waiting, it's been 2 weeks and 2 phone calls, still havn't seen my headlights!!!!:wow:

Has anyone dealt with Umnitza?

GOT EM!
 

If anyone would like to know, I got the headlights in this morning and they look AWESOME. After 3 years of researching I FINALLY got what I was looking for. Now just the install, I'l have to do a bit more reading up to make sure to get it right.

I'll post pics soon. OH I should also mention that the guys at Umnitza made up for my lengthy wait time by offering cool loooking silver painted bulbs at a 3 for one deal.

If you guys get to see this, thank you. If I can build up my mod fund a bit more, I'll be giving you guys a call. THANKS :thumbup:

Question about halo..
 

Hey all, so I attempted to install the headlights today, and I have a few questions, one being the size of the halo over the high beam. Check out the pics below, it seems strange to me that the halo over the high beam is the same radius as the halo over the low beam. I would think it should fit over the high beam perfectly. I called umnitza to ask about it and they said it was just the style of the Predator, but every picture i see of this type of headlight, each halo matches the redius of its respective "space"

My other question, i was able to remove my stock headlights just fine, the rest of it is just plug and play, except for just a few wires. One wire the aftermarket lights seem to lack is what seems to be the ground wire. The other wires that I cannot seem to find where goes are the wires coming from what i think is the halo on the low beam side. See the last picture below.

If anyone has ANY insight, that would be awesome!

Thanks

Any help would be awesome!
 

BUMP!!

sent you a PM... I havent been checkin this forum lately or I would have chimed in sooner my bad.... bad X5world enthusiast, bad, shame on me
:rofl:
lol

Zac

Oh man RPX5 those AEs are EFFED up! Those AEs are NOT supposed to be like that, at least I've never seen them like that. Those guys are trying to pull a fastone on you.

Where did you buy them .. please don't say Umnitza! :(

If you search many people tried and had probs with those HLs.

Lemme see if I can find a thread with wiring but I would not keep those HLs!

Twins, Richi and Zak have already sent tons of info and threads regarding Umnitza my way. I've been educated on the subject and product, and have been in contact with Umnitza, they will be getting the proper AEs soon and will pay shipping both ways to have them repaired to the normal look. In the meantime, i plan on installing them to make sure that condensation doesn't build up and that all other components work. I don't think I'll tap into the fog's just yet, maybe I'll wait on the CORRECT AE's before i get into all that fun stuff..

an update for those who can help!
 

This is an update to my 2 year long quest to find clear front corners (on an assembly kit that works)!!

I purchased the DEPO lights with and updated AE set up, for my 03 X5 with Xenon, installed the lights, tapped into the fog's and everything went smooth until I began to receive error message. Plus he car has been acting very funky.

The lights no longer turn on automatically when it becomes dark outside, and when I turn the light dial all the way to the right (in order to put the lights on manually), all hell breaks loose; my interior lights turn on, radio stays on but loses sound completely, I receive an error prompt in German, and my hazard lights begin to blink. The lights do work (sometimes), and do seem to level themselves, and I am able to shut off the interior lights, shut off the hazards and turn the radio back on without any resistance, but the error messages do not go away.

As i said, the lights do work sometimes, one day both low beams will be working, the next only one and Ill get the "check low beam error" the next day they will be working again, and I'll get the "check high beam error" and obvious enough, one high beam will be out only to come back on the next day.

I'm not sure if this is a standard thing with DEPO assemblies, but it is not something that I am willing to live with. I purchased the items in order to improve the vehicle, not add headaches.

If anyone has experience with DEPO headlight assemblies, PLEASE chime in. I have heard that it may have something to do with the ballast, and I'm contemplating just sending the whole thing back and performing a "bake and switch" since my headlight assemblies have an 02 manufacture date.

I should add that there is really no issue with the AE set up, since it is a just a very basic connection to my fog lights. I plan to change this down the road, but first i want the assemblies to run properly.

Thanks in advance :dh: :cussing: :damn: :pullhair:

Pics
 

Thought i would add some pics so you can see what I'm dealing with...

I thought you were returning the lights?!

It sounds like:

1) Wired wrong
or
2) Missing something - like maybe an an error-cancelling harness.
or both 1 & 2.

My dash went crazy when wiring my HID fog upgrade. I got the error-cancelling unit and solved my pronlem.

However yours are the headlights but its obvious something is wired wrong. I could have sworn there were several threads asking about how to wire the same exact headlights.

Let me see if I can find them. Meanwhile, I'm not sure if I would be keeping those HLs connected. You might just screw-up a module or two or ..... :dunno:

Well Twins, I was going to return the lights, but decided to give them a try.

The lights are definitely wired correctly, atleast from my standpoint. Everything was basically "plug and play" from stock to aftermarket, except for the AE's obviously, but I seem to have no problem with the AE's or anything they are connected to, so the problem lies therein my new DEPO assemblies.

I was told it could be the aftermarket ballast causing problems, and it does make sense, since all errors relate to low beam lights (ie, self level error; check low beam error) and i have no idea what that german error message means.

I did receive new ballasts, which i will install and test on saturday, hopefully they work, if not i will for sure send the lights back.

As for the wrongly sized high beam halo, this will be replaced as soon as the vendor receives the correct size on his end. Unfortunately this particular vendor was trying to put a few things past me, but so far i think i have caught him. This whole episode may work out in my favor, i am able to test the lights through trial and error, figuring out if this is in fact a good aftermarket option for me, I get to make sure they don't collect condensation, (so far so good) making sure my car recognizes the aftermarket product (still WIP), and making sure that they are a quality product in general (still TBD). The only real downside is that I keep spending my free time taking apart the car, playing with new parts, updated parts, incorrect parts etc. etc., its getting very time consuming and downright frustrating, although, I am learning a lot about my x as i go! I do like the look of these particular headlights, and hope that they will work out for me in the end, if not, I'll be performing the bake and switch, maybe someone can recommend the best angel eye setup for that particular option.

Thanks!

Might need something like I needed - error-cancelling harness or whatever ... I bet you can use the same ones available from other places.

Okay .. it's your call but the more I hear from you about what's going on ... :dunno:

Good luck and definitely keep sharing your results ... I'm sure others are interested like me. :popcorn:

Thanks, lol, I'll keep on posting.

I know you have a face-lifted 04, but where did you get your lights?

I assume you mean the headlights. The Euro HLs were bought from wuzin when he sold his X.

yes headlights, and coool! are they OEM euro's? thats a good find!

Yup, OE euros. Expensive but for me worth it.

Soo, i received the new ballast last Thursday, and installed them on Saturday. I've been driving around the past few days testing the lights, and so far so good :thumbup:. The lights shine bright and there are NO error messages. Check out the pics below, and if anyone has any experience with the "Supernova" ballast please let me know if i can expect a nice long life out of them!

I should also add that it has been very rainy here the past few days, and so far NO condensation either. Things may be looking up!


Let me know what you think! Thanks!

Right on! I hope it works out for you. how have your headlights held up going through the car wash? you mention that they havent fogged up yet even with some rain... good stuff.

Thanks Zac! I havn't been through the wash just yet. I guess that will be the ultimate test. It's a nice day today, so maybe after work I'll roll it through.

too late to try angelibright?

http://i395.photobucket.com/albums/p...2120096502.jpg

http://i395.photobucket.com/albums/p...3212009649.jpg

http://i395.photobucket.com/albums/p...2120096612.jpg

Well.. AngelIBright was my original choice, and I live very close to Dave, but I contacted him several times over the past year and a half and he didn't seem too interested in getting me the parts i needed. I even contacted him as recently as 2 weeks ago, and I got "yes, send me an email and I'll get back to you with what I have to offer." Still no reply and I definitely have the correct email address, since we've had some conversations via email over the past few years. Plus from what I hear, Dave is out of the X5 business. Have you heard different?

I read about Umnitza, and realized that they have exactly what i was looking for, granted it is taking a while to get all the bullsh** squared away but I think all will work out in the end, and I'll end up with the look I've wanted since I bought my X 4 years ago. I can't (but can a little bit) complain, since Matt over at Umnitza HAS been accessible and working back in forth with me to square some things away.

Anyway, angelibright uses DEPO.. right? So I'm basically going to get the same look, just without the remote control.

Once i get everything squared away for good, which will be within the next 2 weeks (ugh), I'll post my my outcome with updated pictures!

angelibright does not use depo. they use some other manufacturer. And you are correct as I just got an email from him, he seems to have abandoned the headlight business, and turned his focus on LEDs only. So that sucks. I have a minor issue I'm still trying to get corrected.. and its been taking forever.

If I were to do it all over again, I would get OEM headlights, and find someone who can open them up and clear them out and install the AE rings. they look great, and perform great. and you get to pick out all the components.

I hear you on the OEM, I tried to put mine in the oven last week and I couldn't even get them opened up! LOL :rofl: my girlfriend thought I lost it when she came home to find the oven on and my headlight inside.

I have to tell you that the overall quality of the DEPO I now have is pretty good. The HID ballasts were junk to begin with, but now that I've replaced them with a "new" ballast that Umnitza sent, I'm not getting any error messages and the lights are shining nice and bright.

What is the problem you're having with your's?

one of the AE rings are not as bright as the rest. its not a MAJOR issue and its only noticeable if you focus on it, but for the price i paid for my headlights i expect them to not look ghetto, and work properly.

Okay, I've given up. The "updated" aftermarket ballasts quit working for me. It seems my onboard computer is very stubborn and only wants to work with original parts.

Now that I recall I had the same issue with tail lights way back when, and the dealer gave me brand new ones under warrantee since they thought the ones I got (on ebay) were faulty stock ones (SCORE :D ).

Anyway, back to the topic, I took out the P53s and packaged them back up nicely for the vendor, and re-installed my stock headlights, its a relief that my lowbeams are now working with no issues, its been a while. Ugly amber corners, but that will change soon enough.

The vendor is being great, and will refund my purchase completely upon receipt of the package.

I am in in kahouts with a member here, working on a top secret headlight project. I'm looking forward to the outcome and will send all praises necessary to the deserving individual once finished. (:D don't wanna let everyone in on the secret just yet) All i'll say, is that I'll be able to use all original components for the HID.
:nanana:

im interested in seeing this outcome; goodluck :thumbup:

Thanks, I'll post the details when done.

Eh.. all options fell through.. I'm still stuck with ugly amber corners... blaahhhh

Wow, even pre-facelift have probs with clear corner headlight options?! Come on, there has got to be a better option out there. Try a PM to Mrbmwx5. I'm sure Tom could get those suckers open and maybe even do all the work. OEM HLs with AEs added and clear/paint the corners.

Shame you had to go through all that and still nothing. Good Luck!

Ya what a big pain! I tried aftermarket DEPO, I tried to open mine, and Weasel had a set he was going to open and alter for me as well, but they were after the glue change so no luck there. I talked to the ebay vendor Fishcake, and i guess he will be getting some DEPO lights in that I'll be able install and use with my stock xenon components. It will take about 30-45 days though. Hopefully it happens sooner! My car looks great from all angles except the front.. I'll send any updates along!

Subscribed :D

I still wish I was able to find a way to open the 10/02 headlights..... I hate feeling conquered by something so stupid as a glue. (I may still try other options for opening as they present themselves)

LOL, make sure you let me know if you come up with anything!

Will do!

RPX5 where did you get those wheels?

They're Maya, I think the company is out of business now though. I love em, they have the same staggered dimensions as 87's but a huge lip polished lip.

They look good, I have TSW Snettertons staggered, I wanted your look but couldnt find the rim, I have the same color truck. Also I am selling it if you know someone. Did you lower yours, I am trying to figure out how to get the self leveling inact off my gauge cluster, any idea?

Thanks! I was thinking of refinishing after this summer since the lip is getting a bit cloudy. I was thinking of a darker gunmetal gray, what do you think?

About the autolevel inact warning. I'm not exactly sure how you can turn it off/repair it. I had that same warning when I installed aftermarket headlights and ballasts, but once I put my stock back in, it went away. I read a thread here once about that same warning turing on for a number or reasons possibly unrelated to your suspension, such as certain blown fuses. But do a search or ask some more savvy members here. I'm sure you'll find some help.