I don’t usually post on message boards but I found this post and I wanted to reply. Sorry if I am not following the forum etiquette.

I have done the halogen to xenon conversion on my car. I have a 2005. Let me tell you the way you are going results in an extremely expensive conversion. I had originally bought the oem kit with the headlamps, ballasts, bulbs, level sensors, wiring harness etc. I had someone work works at a dealer start putting in the parts and they realized that the computer that comes with the car is not compatible.

I am not one hundred percent sure how it works but I know he gave up on installing the retro fitted harness and just wired it directly somehow. I know the computer in the car also had to be re-programmed. The reason for this has to do with the car looking for the halogen current draw and having the xenon current draw. You will get the warning on the dash board saying that the front headlights are out and the computer will turn off the lights.

I can go on and on about all the problems we encountered...

Make a VERY long story short… I spent about 1500 in oem parts, and about 1500 in labor and I did get it to finally work with 100 percent oem parts. Best bet just go with an aftermarket kit and forget going oem

After the retrofit job, you must code your x5 by using BMW SSS to add this equipment. Otherwise, it won't work and pop up errors.

Hi, I have searched a couple hundred of the thousand posts on headlights :dunno: as I am interested in getting whiter headlights. Sorry for dumbing down this thread but how do I know if I have xenon head lights or standard? I have a 2004 build facelift E53. Have attached a pic. Thanks...

Mozzie,
Xenon headlights are also known as HID's (High Intensity Discharge) lights. They use a xenon gas filled bulb and a projector to emit a light beam as opposed to a standard halogen light which essentially bounces light off a curved mirrored surface.
Xenon h/lights are very easily identified by slightly different hues of blue, purple, white etc when viewed from different angles. You may recall seeing an HID equipped vehicle going over a speed bump at night time, it's quite noticeable when doing so.
Xenon h/lights are completely different from halogen lights when viewed from a distance. They emit a much whiter (usually) and far brighter light beam.
Asides from the above, HID h/lights have several other advantages over halogens.

You might find this rather informative as it details exactly what you are asking. It's bit of read but well worth being informed if you so desire: intellexual net · m k i v

Also check out this thread by Twins Poppa: Any one with experience with this HID Kit ... (Check out Post #44).

GL

Hey Mozzie,

From my experience it is probably easier to get a after market HID kit then swap for OEM lights. You can easily tell if you have the halogen bulbs if you look under the hood at the light housing. If you can twist out your low beam bulb then you have a halogen. The white xenon lights require electronic boxes called ballasts and are a bit more complicated as far as access to the bulb goes.

The X5 is a bit deceiving because the headlight housing from the exterior looks identical regardless of having halogen or xenon bulbs. That is because the halogen bulbs use the same style projector as the xenon. In any case I am very happy with my swap to OEM xenon headlights...and in the end it did not cost me but a few hundred dollars...and a few hundred hours of my time.

rlipsitz9 & X Foomph, thanks for the info. Definitely something to think about!!