Ok.
Have made my mind up. I will be replacing the projector bowls. Took the car to an auto electrician who said the lights are oem but someone has been messing about that doesn't know what they're doing.

So....

Now I need to know what type of projector bowls will fit and if possible any other bmw models I can "borrow" the bowls from that will fit right in if I can pick up a set of used/for parts units?

Dang - how strange. :confused:

Firstly, can you let us know what year and model (engine) X5 you have (it makes a difference).

Secondly, the projector assemblies are not available as a separate part - you may find something at a wreckers but I doubt many will want to pull the headlight assembly apart and sell just the projector assembly - they are more likely to want to sell you the whole headlight assembly. Which might be quicker and easier but certainly not cheaper.

I guess one option is to find out what the projector assemblies you have are from and then obtain the correct lamp fitting parts for those assemblies. :dunno:

I still find it odd that the parts you have there don't go together as they certainly look like they should. Frustrating to try and figure this out from such a distance... :(

*edit* There's places like this that might help..

BMW X5 E53 OEM Headlight Ballast Bulb Igniter Control Unit Replacement

Looking in the part where the bulb housing meets the bowl there was some sort of a clip hook but no spring clip. If you look in the pictures in taken of the bulb and igniter there are no grooves that will attach to the housing
My cars rear of the projector looks identical to this one I found on the web http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/2016...ccc354fc05.jpg

But missing the small inner clip. Nothing from the parts I have catches the metal parts in the picture


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OK - at least this indicates your projector assemblies are likely factory ones - but your D2S lamp retaining clips are missing?

So to get back to a factory setup it looks like you'll need a pair of D2S lamps, a pair of factory ignitors and a way to source the missing D2S retaining clips.

What wiring is connected to the current D1S lamp/ignitor assembly? There should be a small low-voltage multi-pin connector at the bottom and a single larger wire going to the top of the ignitor (as can be seen in the first image I posted of the factory setup a few pages back).

Hopefully, the factory wiring is un-modified.

Hang on - I might be wrong about the wiring going to the factory ignitor - it might just be the single loom going to the top - checking now.

*edit* - nothing in the WDS about the headlight internal wiring but images indicate that there is only a single plug going to the ignitor. I got confused! :rolleyes:

I was thinking of somehow removing the metal holder and getting an adapter clip http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/2016...ffe1f7d744.png
Which will seat the bulb into the housing?
The current wiring set up is a black cable with a connector that clips into the igniter on the d1 bulb. I've traced it back to a small junction type box at the bottom inside the housing. Doesn't look like it's been messed about with all looks oem.

Sounds like a plan. At least that way you only need to source a could of clips and not new lamps, ignitors etc.

It also seems like a previous owner must have purchased the wrong lamps (D1S rather than D2S) and instead of obtaining the correct lamps, they have "bodged" a solution - I mean to say - bobby pins?! :rolleyes:

Ands phew! that the wiring still seems original - fixing that would be "fun". :thumbup:

Looking at the photo in post #23, there are three small metal tabs you should be able to bend out (away from the lens) to release the factory D2S lamp retainer. Hopefully, the new D1S lamp retainer is held on the projector assembly by the same three tabs. Be careful no to bend these tabs too much or they will break off.

These tabs...

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f2...psbrcwwwb3.jpg

Something like this may be an option too...

http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/ODg0WDEwNz...dYIGX2/$_1.JPG

BMW MINI R52 Xenon Headlight Philips XenStart D1S Bulb Holder Retaining Clips | eBay

From what I can see, the tabs look like they line up (11 o'clock, 3 o'clock and 7 o'clock). :cool:

So am I correct in thinking the d1s wiring is the same as d2?


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