Aftermarket HID Kit?
 

So my 2006 E53 didn't come with factory xenon lights (massive PITA). However the car does have standard projector lenses. I want to know how easy it is to install an aftermarket HID kit.

On my old car I just purchased a HID kit from eBay and installed it with pretty good results. All I had to do was still a small hole in the rear of the headlight to run the cables out of. Is it the same for the e53? I've heard rumours of the bulb holder being different so it needs to be modified to hold the hid bulb. Is this correct?

Also, what colour/wattage would be suitable? I'm leaning towards a 55w H7 kit in 6000k.

Now I know people are going to suggest that I look for an OEM kit. In Australia they are hard as hell to find and cost a small fortune so as far as I'm concerned it's out of the question.

Anybody with any experience in this?

should be pretty much plug and play. i have not installed one on an E53 but I have had good results on other vehicles. i always lean towards 4300k to make them look as close to OEM as possible. higher temp lights look too aftermarket to me.

I fitted this kit, Philips Superslim 35W 6000K HID Xenon Canbus Conversion KIT Brandnew H7 Type | eBay

Pretty much plug and play, just need to drill an entry hole for wiring. I drilled mine through the clip in cover behind the projector lense. Approx 20 mm hole saw from memory to suit the supplied rubber grommet. There are mounting points conveniently close for ballasts. A few cable ties and you're done. The insulation on my existing wiring within the headlight enclosures was really disintegrating, so you need to be careful not to disturb it too much. Usual warning to be wary of fake Chinese HIDs applies. Just because it says Philips on the packaging....

Pretty much as above.

I would probably also code off the bulb monitoring for those lights.

Ahh ok! That looks like the standard HID bulb type. My guess is as long as it is a H7 globe it should work.

What is the output like for the 35W? Any regrets on not buying the 55w kit?

No, I was happy to have genuine Philips 35w rather than unbranded Chinese knock off 55 watt globes and plastic ballasts.

Just purchased the Philips 35w kit from eBay. Thanks for the advise! Will post photos when finished.

Has anyone upgraded the stock halogen projector to a xenon projector?
To give proper light dispersion with HIDs?
I bought a spare set of headlights to play with (I've got a 2006) and at first I thought I'd have to painfully cut the permaseal , and have started to work on one;
but I've noticed I can almost remove the projector through the back, I might just have to do a small amount of cutting; has anyone tried it with facelift halogen projector e53 headlights?
I feel like I'm working blind;
someone somewhere must have tried it before?