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Headlights Upgrade

Discuss your latest mods or ideas, and anything to do with the BMW X5 (E53).
Fletch89
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Headlights Upgrade

Post by Fletch89 » Tue Aug 23, 2016 9:45 am

Morning guys,

Recently purchased my first X5. It's a 2002 model E53. I am looking to upgrade the headlights to the angel eyes, but I have just spoken with one company who said that it won't be possible to upgrade at all because the standard lights that are installed at the moment are xenon headlights. Is this true?

Here is a picture of my exact vehicle so you can see what the headlights are like at the moment:

Image

And this is how I would like the lights to look if it's possible.

Image

Image

Any help is appreciated guys!

Cheers,

Dom  :)

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ianst0028
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Re: Headlights Upgrade

Post by ianst0028 » Tue Aug 23, 2016 9:59 am

theres a kit on ebay that will give you the angel eyes but you have to separate the headlamp glass
i did it to mine but wasn't happy with the look and my lenses were quite scruffy so i changed the lights completely
my profile pic is how they looked (in black and white) 
X5 e53 3.0 2002 with LPG

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ianst0028
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Re: Headlights Upgrade

Post by ianst0028 » Tue Aug 23, 2016 10:09 am

better pic

Image
X5 e53 3.0 2002 with LPG

Fletch89
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Re: Headlights Upgrade

Post by Fletch89 » Tue Aug 23, 2016 10:12 am

Thanks for the reply Ian. Where did you source your new lights from? Any links?

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ianst0028
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Re: Headlights Upgrade

Post by ianst0028 » Tue Aug 23, 2016 10:48 am

https://www.energizedcustoms.co.uk/

but mine weren't hid lights .... i changed them to hid ones after i upgraded the lights
X5 e53 3.0 2002 with LPG

Fletch89
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Re: Headlights Upgrade

Post by Fletch89 » Tue Aug 23, 2016 10:50 am

Those were the guys that told me this morning that it wouldn't be possible to upgrade to angel eyes as the ones I have are xenon.....

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ianst0028
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Re: Headlights Upgrade

Post by ianst0028 » Tue Aug 23, 2016 11:08 am

has yours had the hid's added aftermarket or is it an original factory spec ??



* hope that makes sense it made more sense in my brain
X5 e53 3.0 2002 with LPG

Fletch89
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Re: Headlights Upgrade

Post by Fletch89 » Tue Aug 23, 2016 11:09 am

I think they're original factory spec

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ianst0028
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Re: Headlights Upgrade

Post by ianst0028 » Tue Aug 23, 2016 11:22 am

yeah they are ..... i've just checked the factory spec on yours and they were a fitted option

i think the only way your going to be able to get angel eyes it to split the lamp
X5 e53 3.0 2002 with LPG

Fletch89
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Re: Headlights Upgrade

Post by Fletch89 » Tue Aug 23, 2016 11:30 am

OK great. Any idea how I would go about that? Best to go to my usual garage and see if they can do it for me?

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Re: Headlights Upgrade

Post by Fletch89 » Tue Aug 23, 2016 1:20 pm

Just seen these on Amazon. Would they do the job?

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Xenon-headligh ... e53+tuning

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Re: Headlights Upgrade

Post by Imy » Tue Aug 23, 2016 6:17 pm

The Amazon link will work but you would be changing quality lights for cheap after market parts.

Where are you based?

There are a few companies who will do this for you. Being xenon shouldn't be a problem as the Angels would be hooked up to sidelight source.

Look up NEM never enough mods

He's in south London and his work is bang on. Not the cheapest but one of the best by far

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henrym3
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Re: Headlights Upgrade

Post by henrym3 » Tue Aug 23, 2016 9:28 pm

When you look at those headlights on amazon you can see they are from FK Automotive in Germany and they are not cheap and nasty, they supply good quality gear. You should go on their website and look at the headlights, they have angle eye lights plus fitted with LED indicators. No they are not OEM quality but you can buy a set for less than the price of one OEM light. They fit perfect. I have a set of OEM that I fitted CCFL angle eyes to, you have to heat up the lights to soften the glue and then  separate the the plastic covers. The CCFL angle eyes are very bright. Of the two sets the FK Automotive look 100% better and more modern.(in my mind) 
E53 X5 4.6is, Carbon Black, LPG, Paddle Shift, Dynavin N6, Lowered, 22"Wheels, Side Bars. Perfusion Exhaust
E30 M3 Black, S50B32 Engine, 6 Speed Box, Ireland Engineering ARBs & Big Brake Conversion, Lowered, 18"LMs, CF CAI, CF Splitter & Barge Board, ZM3 Quad Exhaust.
VW R32 Gone

Fletch89
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Re: Headlights Upgrade

Post by Fletch89 » Wed Aug 24, 2016 9:14 am

Thanks for the replies guys. I have sent the guys at NEM a message so will hopefully hear back from them soon. I am based in Harrogate, near Leeds by the way.

Any more advice or suggestions are appreciated  :)

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Re: Headlights Upgrade

Post by Imy » Wed Aug 24, 2016 12:33 pm

[quote="henrym3"]
When you look at those headlights on amazon you can see they are from FK Automotive in Germany and they are not cheap and nasty, they supply good quality gear. You should go on their website and look at the headlights, they have angle eye lights plus fitted with LED indicators. No they are not OEM quality but you can buy a set for less than the price of one OEM light. They fit perfect. I have a set of OEM that I fitted CCFL angle eyes to, you have to heat up the lights to soften the glue and then  separate the the plastic covers. The CCFL angle eyes are very bright. Of the two sets the FK Automotive look 100% better and more modern.(in my mind)
[/quote]

If you have a choice of aftermarkets or modified OEM then which is the better route? I know of FK and their products. They maybe better than the chinese versions but end of the day OEM is better.

Also NEM are top dollar. Their work is fantastic and its not a cheap DIY job, theyve done loads of jobs before and their pricing is on par with the FK lights. I know where my money would go.

And yeah CCFL is generally crap. LED is the only way to go.

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