First Mod and HID advice...

[bmwguy]

Hey guys,

So after owning my new 07 plate X5 se 3.0d for less than 2 days I have done my first mini mod. I should also add the first of many mods I have planned for the car!

Tonight in the pissing rain and wind I changed my kidney grills for the chrome and titan silver versions. Probably a marmite mod but I love them and think they freshen up the front end!





Next I plan to change the amber angels for some white light HIDs. I usually buy my HIDs via HIDs direct but they are out of stock for the X5 for the foreseeable future. Can anyone recommend an alternative high quality supplier?

Thanks!

Guy

[snrbrtsn]

A worthwhile mod that suits the colour, nice and subtle

[shak]

Looks good, how much did the grills set you back?

[bmwguy]

Hello mate,

I got them from Cotswold BMW via an M3 forum I'm on as they do discount to forum members (I could be wrong but I think they offer discounts for members here too??)

All in incl delivery they were around the £130 mark.

[Horizon]

[quote="bmwguy"]
Hey guys,

So after owning my new 07 plate X5 se 3.0d for less than 2 days I have done my first mini mod. I should also add the first of many mods I have planned for the car!

Tonight in the pissing rain and wind I changed my kidney grills for the chrome and titan silver versions. Probably a marmite mod but I love them and think they freshen up the front end!






I like the chrome / satin ones myself too, on the E70 and one got them 3 series, but as there is a few F15 owners now I do agree they look better with the black ones, as the satin ones are too in your face.
I've always used HIDS direct as they are local to me, and are priced reasonably.
I got the 80w angel eyes kit from them 18 months ago, a bulb went a few months ago.
Don't get carried away spending loads on high wattage ones as the difference is minimal.
Some on here use HIDS 4 U but they are  more expensive.

[jagr]

Chrome/Titan grills suit Grey cars, looks good.

I fitted these to my X3

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B01 ... UTF8&psc=1

Look good too me:

[X5Sport]

They don't fit the E70. It uses an H8 bulb for HID equipped cars which sits behind the inner light unit (which is fake).

I ended up using an MTEC blue filtered halogen lamp which gives the right colour and is just a bright.  Until now none of the LED equivalents have been any good, even when spending significant money, because of getting the light to correctly align with the optical tubes to each angel eye.

[bmwguy]

[quote="X5Sport"]
They don't fit the E70. It uses an H8 bulb for HID equipped cars which sits behind the inner light unit (which is fake).

I ended up using an MTEC blue filtered halogen lamp which gives the right colour and is just a bright.  Until now none of the LED equivalents have been any good, even when spending significant money, because of getting the light to correctly align with the optical tubes to each angel eye.
[/quote]

Thanks mate, that sounds interesting. Have you got any pictures of your headlights you could share? did you get the MTECH bulbs from hids direct? cheers!

[X5Sport]

Taken in full bright sunlight, middle of the day.

Can't remember where I bought them now.  :-[

[bmwguy]

They are awesome!! Are H8 bulbs the correct ones to fit the e70? 

[Horizon]

X5Sports is an LCI E71, you won't find any bulbs that will get close to the LCI ( different headlights ). Don't think the Pre LCI cars are H8.
Check HIDS directs site for bulb type as a reference

[X5Sport]

No mine is a pre-LCI E71 - model year 2011.  Those lights are H8 35W halogen, not HID or LED, just with a blue filter over the glass envelope.  Pre2010 E70s use the same lights.  H8 are fitted to cars with HIDS but not those without.  They use a special bulb.

I don't know whether MTEC still make them, but have had a quick look on line without success.  There are other manufacturers still doing them (on Amazon).

[Horizon]

[quote="X5Sport"]
No mine is a pre-LCI E71 - model year 2011.  Those lights are H8 halogen, not HID or LED, just with a blue filter over the glass envelope.  Pre2010 E70s use the same lights.  H8 are fitted to cars with HIDS but not those without.  They use a special bulb.

I don't know whether MTEC still make them, but have had a quick look on line without success.
[/quote]

My mistake, I took it yours was an LCI, as it had the 8 speed box.

[X5Sport]

The 8-sp came with the 40d X6, but was also part of the LCI E70 which was released in early 2010, so an easy mistake to make.  I think the E71 LCI was MY2013.

X6's were a little behind....

Though not for long  >:D

[bmwguy]

[quote="X5Sport"]
No mine is a pre-LCI E71 - model year 2011.  Those lights are H8 35W halogen, not HID or LED, just with a blue filter over the glass envelope.  Pre2010 E70s use the same lights.  H8 are fitted to cars with HIDS but not those without.  They use a special bulb.

I don't know whether MTEC still make them, but have had a quick look on line without success.  There are other manufacturers still doing them (on Amazon).
[/quote]

http://www.hids-direct.co.uk/mtec-12v-5 ... bulb-type/

These look like they could be what your describing? You can select h8 35w bulbs from the drop down box. If so I'll be getting myself some ordered up! Certainly saves some £££ over buying a HID kit!