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Marky_d View Drop Down
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    Posted: 11-December-2011 at 08:17
Hello all, I have a small query, I have a 3 series m sport e90 on a 10 plate, I am looking to upgrade my headlights to HID Xenon, I have been told that some kits cause all kinds of problems and some are tempremental, any advice/ recommendations would be appreciated. Thank you in advance
 

Edited by Marky_d - 11-December-2011 at 08:18
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Andrew Rolland View Drop Down
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Points: 6579 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Andrew Rolland Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 11-December-2011 at 08:35
You will still be under BMW warranty at that age so I wouldn't touch changing headlights.
 
I would think that if you did change the headlight system from ordinary bulbs to Xenons would mean the car may need to be re-programmed as it will have a different effect on the electrial system including bulb failure systems.
 
Xenons also need to have a headlight wash system fitted too, I think.
 
Why do you want to change?  Standard headlights are quite good on E90's, way better than E39s!
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UweM3 View Drop Down
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what Andrew said. I wouldn't go anywhere near an aftermarket kit for such a new car. All lights are linked to the LCM = Light control module and if you fit a kit which isn't fooling the LCM good enough you will see constant bulb failure messages.

Not even speaking of the legal side.
Xenon = automatic height leveling system + high pressure wash system.

If you are not happy with the factory bulbs you can buy some of these:
http://www.powerbulbs.com/vehicles/cars/uk-ireland/bmw/3-series/1999-2005/car-headlight-bulbs

Fully agree with Andrew about E39 lights. Wax candle springs to my mind!
E61 520d, slow and buzzy but my wallet likes the mpg.....
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Electrolytic View Drop Down
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don't mess up the warranty.  osram bulbs 

you can get inline resistors to sort LCM ebay.

HID auto level + washers only have to work if fitted.
hence why my car passed its MOT a few days ago with aftermarket HID's in.
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shorty View Drop Down
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Originally posted by Marky_d Marky_d wrote:

Hello all, I have a small query, I have a 3 series m sport e90 on a 10 plate, I am looking to upgrade my headlights to HID Xenon, I have been told that some kits cause all kinds of problems and some are tempremental, any advice/ recommendations would be appreciated. Thank you in advance
 
Having just had my "run about" car M.O.T'd i spoke to the tester as i had read in the press that they were trying to make these kits  Ilegal as to many drivers are being "Blinded" by cars with this conversion kit . He told me that this is true & gave the following reasons .......as above drivers being blinded ......... reflectors within "Standard" cars not being up to the job & in some extream cases cars going on fire from the heat generated as the pack is normaly housed behind the plastic reflector & melts the plastic  Shocked
I then asked "Most new cars have the brighter Xenon lights fitted so how will that go ? " ....... he replyed that they will be O.K as they are "Factory Fitted" & not a kit .
Hope this helps
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I am also looking at doing the same thing thanks for all the great information guys!
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thepits View Drop Down
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Originally posted by UweM3 UweM3 wrote:

Fully agree with Andrew about E39 lights. Wax candle springs to my mind!
Surely not as bad as E30's though?! Shocked
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Originally posted by thepits thepits wrote:

Originally posted by UweM3 UweM3 wrote:

Fully agree with Andrew about E39 lights. Wax candle springs to my mind!

Surely not as bad as E30's though?! Shocked


I would say WORSE than the E30. It's a joke, never understood how this could pass the design stage.
E61 520d, slow and buzzy but my wallet likes the mpg.....
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moustapha View Drop Down
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If you decide to upgrade watch out for the HID's which are illegal for being too bright
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Electrolytic View Drop Down
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Originally posted by moustapha moustapha wrote:

If you decide to upgrade watch out for the HID's which are illegal for being too bright

as you sure about that? 
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Andrew Rolland View Drop Down
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Originally posted by Electrolytic Electrolytic wrote:

Originally posted by moustapha moustapha wrote:

If you decide to upgrade watch out for the HID's which are illegal for being too bright

as you sure about that? 
 
^Suspected spammer, just came on here to plug a business in his signature which was removed.  Usual craic dug up an old post.
Be exclusive and drive a Petrol 5 Series!

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UweM3 View Drop Down
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Points: 5445 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote UweM3 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 09-January-2013 at 14:05
striclty speaking, ALL HID aftermarket kits are illegal.

If you passed MOT with one fitted, call yourself lucky. Or an MOT tester tunring a blind eye or not up to speed.

read here
http://assets.dft.gov.uk/publications/dft-information-sheets/aftermarket-hid-headlamps.pdf

Edited by thepits - 09-January-2013 at 14:23
E61 520d, slow and buzzy but my wallet likes the mpg.....
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moustapha View Drop Down
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Yes I believe over 8k is the illegal limit here in the UK!
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UweM3 View Drop Down
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nothing to do with 8k or 4k or whatever.

H I D bulbs in HALOGEN lights are not legal.
E61 520d, slow and buzzy but my wallet likes the mpg.....
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