Headlight replacements, upgrades on an '02 with factory Xenon?
 

**Edited for clarity!

Hi all!

I'm looking to REMOVE my factory self-adjusting Xenon headlight package on my '02 X5, and replace it with a standard halogen package. The lenses are very foggy, and a restoration kit can only do so much. But, if I'm going to replace them, I'd like to go with something aftermarket to improve the look. Specifically, something like this:

https://www.carid.com/2002-bmw-x5-he...322911961.html

A side-bonus is that this is cheaper than replacing them with an OEM set, and 'downgrading' to the halogen package will allow me to fit G8 LED bulbs, which will be brighter than the factory Xenons.

Has anyone here tried to convert/downgrade an E53 Xenon package to halogen before?

It's been done before. Some options you have to bake open the headlights and swap over components and I believe there is another option that is fairly plug & play but it's around $600-800. I've seen a set on eBay before

OEM are way better quality then the ones you are looking for on carid. Why not not just buy a used set that needs some polishing up and your good to go. Hacking up a xenon system to work in a non xenon sounds like a trip of ups and downs.

Okay... seems to be a bit of confusion here. I don't want to use the Xenons at all - I want to use LED bulbs instead. What I'm taking about here is a complete replacement. I want to remove the Xenon package entirely, and go to a regular halogen headlight package so I can use other (better) bulbs that are direct-fit for the halogen application.

The enclosures, maybe. But I'm guessing you've not seen how much brighter good modern LED bulbs are compared to our Xenon lights. The difference is almost like night and day (heh.)

OEM-replacement Phillips D2S Xenon bulbs are in the 4200k color temp range, and produce about 3,400 lumens. Lumen G8 bulbs, on the other hand, are in the 6500k color temp range and produce about 6,000 lumens. They are literally almost twice as bright.

I've already tried polishing this set. They're still very foggy and a bit yellowed. Sometimes, you just have to replace them.

Even then, why would I spend $350 on a used OEM set that is already foggy and yellowed when I can get totally new aftermarket enclosures for less? I've used aftermarket enclosures in some of my other cars and they tend to work just fine.

That isn't what I'm trying to do, please see first paragraph of this reply :D

I understand what you want to do, but, just so you know, there are processes that are documented here that will restore even really yellowed lens. And, there are bulbs available to upgrade the original headlights and change to a 5000 white or even higher if you want a blue tine. As mentioned, depending on the mfg. date the headlights can be opened so that you can also modify the interior. I renovated and upgraded my headlights and fog lights. I went to LED bulbs in the interior and license plate as well.

If you go to LEDs, make sure they will not cause an error.

It would be better if you upgrade the Xenon projectors and a set of new Xenon bulbs and ballasts. Get a set of Spyder headlights, open them up and do the retrofit. That would be the best route to go, not putting LED bulb in the halogen projectors.

The stock halogen projectors that I pulled out of my spyder headlights seemed pretty terrible. The build quality was low and the materials seemed sub par. I wouldn't be surprised of the optical clarity of the lens of those ebay headlights is poor.

But since you seem hellbent on ditching xenon and converting to LED anyway, you may as well swap in a nice bi-xenon projector while you're at it. At least then you'll have high quality lenses, better highbeam output, and the ability to switch back to xenon in the future.

Do you guys mean these?

Spyder Auto | BMW X5 projector headlight

... Cause those are only for '04-'06 non-Xenon models. Mine is an '02.

What eBay lights? The ones I linked to are made by CG, those are WAY better quality assemblies than what you'll usually find on eBay.

Yours look very nice! How did you get rid of the chrome?

Still, it's not about the color, it's about the brightness (in lumens.) I want brighter lights so I can see better at night. LEDs are currently the brightest on the market.

What kind of error?

Are there any Bi-Xenon projector sets that will fit an '02?

Having driven an F80 M3 with and without full LED lighting, I will tell you that my experience is although the color/technology etc is superior, xenon lighting still wins out on a Lux meter -

Do what you'd like but I used the Spyder pre-facelift lights (that look like facelift E53 lights) and have EvoXR projectors in them and added LED angel eyes - I am due for a new set of D2S bulbs, have not decided if I will go CBI or the newer Philips Xtreme Vision, but as my wife says when I drive around at night (and especially on high beam) - "your lights are ridiculously bright"

I cut the 'mirror' part off.