Hella halogen angel eye headlights with xenon retrofit-with pictures

[MNsport528i]

Link to pdf:
http://web.mac.com/esckoehler/iWeb/S...c%202009-1.pdf

[98bimmer]

very nice install how long did it take you?

[MNsport528i]

very nice install how long did it take you?

Actual time spent working on this was not very long - maybe an hour to modify the bulbs, and I let them dry overnight. Removing and installing the brackets/ballast/resistor packs took maybe a total of three hours. Once you get one side done, the other goes much faster. However, I spent a substantial amount of time test fitting and measuring prior to modifying the adapter, and trolling ebay for a good deal on ballasts and bulbs. I also tried an aluminum adapter from ebay which I modified (I have an picture somewhere) but that was not able to make it work. In retrospect, it is a fairly easy upgrade - I just wasn't convinced I could make it all work with stock components.

[oekundar]

very nice cut off!...nice work...any pictures of the headlights themselves?

[brandon5069]

Very nice!!!!!!

If it's not too painful to answer, would you mind saying how much this cost you???

[Busta]

Thanks for the write-up. If you don't mind me asking, what was your total cost?

[MNsport528i]

very nice cut off!...nice work...any pictures of the headlights themselves?

sort of:
DSC_0051.jpg
Hella ambers.jpg
I have more, including an attempt at a nighttime picture with xenon's turned on...

[MNsport528i]

Thanks for the write-up. If you don't mind me asking, what was your total cost?

I've been collecting parts since April...trying best to remember...
Hella halogen angel eye projectors: $449
(note: I did not want the clear corner/clear blinker set commonly available at eurosport/bekkers/bavauto etc - I wanted the amber corner/amber blinker headlight, but the xenon version is only available from the dealer and they are very expensive, received a dealer quote for over $2300 for a complete set. So I decided to modify the relatively inexpensive halogen version.)
Ballasts/bulbs: $239
Ballast brackets, adapters, angel eye adapters, labels, epoxy: $110
total: $798

[MNsport528i]

Updated and summarized conversion in pdf file.
http://web.mac.com/esckoehler/iWeb/S...onversion.html

[00BMW540i6]

I could use my 00 Xenon Ballasts for this, correct?

[MNsport528i]

Yes - I believe the '00 stock xenons used the so called Hella 'Gen III' ballast for D2S bulbs, which is what I used.

I could use my 00 Xenon Ballasts for this, correct?

[MNsport528i]

Updated/corrected H7 bulb holder part numbers in the DIY guide - follow link to pdf, see first post in this thread.

[Zapjackson]

An even more extensive, and more OEM way, to modify them would be to swap in some OEM xenon projectors. X5s and 01+ E39s all use the same xenon projector. And the Audi A6 bi-xenon uses the same projector but in a bi-xenon version. Just a thought.

[MNsport528i]

An even more extensive, and more OEM way, to modify them would be to swap in some OEM xenon projectors. X5s and 01+ E39s all use the same xenon projector. And the Audi A6 bi-xenon uses the same projector but in a bi-xenon version. Just a thought.

I might try that with a set of repairable halogens soon, and I will post a writeup - I was hesitant to 'bake apart' the halogens used in this DIY writeup, since they were brand new.

[E39AllDay]

damn those are sick i just have straight hid's in my 540 and 528 thinking about gettin halos though. what do you recommend

[Edgy99]

waking this thread up to ask question. OE Hella halogen. Looked at the car today, and one of my angel eye rings is dangling down!

No bump, accident, anything. So question is, how hard to get these headlights open, and snap them back into place?

Can post pics tomorrow.

[Edgy99]

Answered my own question and fixed -- here's the full story for anyone else who has this problem in the future: http://cparente.wordpress.com/2011/0...la-headlights/

[gdharvey]

I'm still learning and don't understand everything yet about these good looking light replacements. I'm curious why the junk yard quoted $125 per light/$250 for the pair off of a 89 528 there for a blown head gasket - I was getting the Aux Fan and since the lights had to come out I noticed them and asked about them. I laughed at the price since I know I've seen them cheaper on the net like these:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/97-03...item3cb9f305b7

And they don't even have that conversion kit (HID??). So were they right to try to get that much?? Is there 2 types the other w/the kit (little more complex) than these? Am I wrong in thinking around $200 to get this style replacement? Thx for info. V/r -g

[Edgy99]

Hmm, let's start with these basic rules:

1989 was a different body style, don't know why you looked at those lights

OEM will usually cost more, b/c people like the stock look and the quality

On eBay you have no idea what you're getting

Be careful cheaping out too much on headlights. Suggest you continue to research, and look at reputable sources. Once you totally know what you want, then you can check out eBay and used options. There's some good background info in this blog post: http://cparente.wordpress.com/2010/0...hts-and-bulbs/


My two cents, good luck!

[gdharvey]

1989 was a different body style, don't know why you looked at those light

My apologies for the transpose...it was a 1998 528i...I have the 1997 (528i). I believe the parts to be interchangeable between the two.

I can't validate whether the lights were OEM or just upgraded - like what I'm looking to do.

thanks for info...