Stuck with Old, Ugly Halogens!!! help!

NoCrease DeQuis · 03-11-2019, 07:41 PM

Hello all,
I have a '13 328i xdrive (love the car). But a huge problem is the fact that my halogen headlights seem to betray my car's "look." A family member has a GT with "legit" BMW angel eyes and led, and they just look so much better.

Any thoughts on what to upgrade to? (OEM full angel eye style seems like $500 and I don't want to pay that for headlights)

I need a cost-effective option, preferrably.

How much is installation?

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...RIK920RD&psc=1
a cheap product I found. Is it worth it, or just too cheap to be good?

Thanks!

sspade · 03-11-2019, 08:00 PM

Full forward lighting LED conversion.

This can be done for about $100 or so...

You'll need to get all of the bulbs off eBay or Amazon and also purchase BimmerCode*

*Remember to pick up an Vgate iCar WiFi dongle to connect to the cars OBD port (off eBay or Amazon).

328iX · 03-11-2019, 08:05 PM

I love my beautiful halogens, but i'd honestly just save up for the DEPO lights over that cheap gimmick amazon product

sspade · 03-11-2019, 08:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 328dX

I love my beautiful halogens, but i'd honestly just save up for the DEPO lights over that cheap gimmick amazon product

+1

I would not attempt that Amazon BS you linked...

LED's will get you whiter, brighter light. But if it's the halo's you are after, then just save up for DEPO's.

ndx6spd · 03-12-2019, 06:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 328dX

I love my beautiful halogens, but i'd honestly just save up for the DEPO lights over that cheap gimmick amazon product

I'm sorry, but beautiful halogens?

Bmw halogens (at least on f3x) are outdated and shitty, even compared to low/mid level big 3s.

Cant see shit in the rain. They didnt even fit projectors.

OP, def go with Depo or try to find used OEMs if budget is tight.

328iX · 03-12-2019, 08:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ndx6spd

I'm sorry, but beautiful halogens?

Bmw halogens (at least on f3x) are outdated and shitty, even compared to low/mid level big 3s.

Cant see shit in the rain. They didnt even fit projectors.

OP, def go with Depo or try to find used OEMs if budget is tight.

Yup they’re beautifullll haha. I love the lci headlights too but honestly don’t mind my halogens. Especially if you got clear non foggy lens

eddymerckx3 · 03-12-2019, 08:29 AM

100+ pages of discussion on this topic here:

https://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/fo...play.php?f=430

sspade · 03-12-2019, 09:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ndx6spd

Quote:

Originally Posted by 328dX

I love my beautiful halogens, but i'd honestly just save up for the DEPO lights over that cheap gimmick amazon product

I'm sorry, but beautiful halogens?

Bmw halogens (at least on f3x) are outdated and shitty, even compared to low/mid level big 3s.

Cant see shit in the rain. They didnt even fit projectors.

OP, def go with Depo or try to find used OEMs if budget is tight.

Used OEM isn't an option LOL

ndx6spd · 03-12-2019, 09:26 AM

^No? Cant grab some off totaled/junkyard f30?

sspade · 03-12-2019, 09:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ndx6spd

^No? Cant grab some off totaled/junkyard f30?

Apparently it is WAYYYY more than plug and play and would literally cost upwards of $3-4K to make it happen. It basically been determined to be unfeasible or impossible by this forum.

I would absolutely love to find out that is now incorrect... but I believe LED or DEPO are the only options.

Yes, there are competitors of DEPO but as far as I can tell, they are the cream of the crop in aftermarket for F30.

Gen13 F36 · 03-12-2019, 09:56 AM

Haha...why bmw still make halogen bugs me. They selling BMW ownership experience and halogen I think ruins it

ndx6spd · 03-12-2019, 09:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sspade

Apparently it is WAYYYY more than plug and play and would literally cost upwards of $3-4K to make it happen. It basically been determined to be unfeasible or impossible by this forum.

I would absolutely love to find out that is now incorrect... but I believe LED or DEPO are the only options.

Yes, there are competitors of DEPO but as far as I can tell, they are the cream of the crop in aftermarket for F30.

Gotcha, thanks for the info.

cwinches · 03-12-2019, 10:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sspade

Apparently it is WAYYYY more than plug and play and would literally cost upwards of $3-4K to make it happen. It basically been determined to be unfeasible or impossible by this forum.

I would absolutely love to find out that is now incorrect... but I believe LED or DEPO are the only options.

Yes, there are competitors of DEPO but as far as I can tell, they are the cream of the crop in aftermarket for F30.

There are multiple stickies in the cosmetic/lighting forum on retrofitting OEM headlights, both adaptive and non-adaptive. Coding is required but that's only a matter of changing a few options. The main problem is finding parts at a reasonable price. OEM adaptive xenon headlights sell for around $1500 each, and once you tack on the modules you can easily hit $4k for new parts. Cost-wise, DEPOs are a real bargain.

NoCrease DeQuis · 03-12-2019, 12:28 PM

Sounds good. I'll look into the DEPOs...
If not, I can handle the halogens fine. They are not foggy or anything, just unattractive in proportion to the oem adaptive ones.

Littlebear · 03-12-2019, 12:28 PM

I need to see an idiot's guide for the halogen to LED wiring change, preferably for an LCI car!

Thank you,
Murf

sspade · 03-12-2019, 02:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Littlebear

I need to see an idiot's guide for the halogen to LED wiring change, preferably for an LCI car!

Thank you,
Murf

No wiring to worry about, all plug and play (with a touch of coding). No modification to vehicle required. All reversible.

I did a half ass write up sometime ago with bulb numbers and such...

Billfitz did a very nice write up on his process with more detail and photos.

k3vin0615 · 03-12-2019, 02:37 PM

BMW salesmen themselves have told me that a bmw with halogens is not a BMW lol

sspade · 03-12-2019, 03:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by k3vin0615

BMW salesmen themselves have told me that a bmw with halogens is not a BMW lol

Really?

Because those guys are usually highly educated, stand up individuals who would never say anything like that to up-sell.

People are funny!

k3vin0615 · 03-12-2019, 03:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sspade

Really?

Because those guys are usually highly educated, stand up individuals who would never say anything like that to up-sell.

People are funny!

that is true. but I went there to see a 335i that was no longer on the lot.
he then showed me a new 320i that was on the lot.
I just said no thanks it has halogens and is a 20i
he laughed and told me i don't blame you, a bmw with halogens is not a bmw.
i didn't even buy a car from them.

Littlebear · 03-12-2019, 03:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sspade

No wiring to worry about, all plug and play (with a touch of coding). No modification to vehicle required. All reversible.

I did a half ass write up sometime ago with bulb numbers and such...

Billfitz did a very nice write up on his process with more detail and photos.

I'm sorry Sspade, but I mean the wiring info for putting OEM BMW LED headlight units in, with the needed wiring harness, not just the bulb swap. I think you are referring to the bulb swap?

Murf

M Smurf · 10-22-2019, 10:00 AM

My suggestion for those non-HID owners looking for visibility. After expermienting with Kensun and the ballast hardware as well as the most expensive halogens I could find, these LEDs were by far the best, almost HID!

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Billfitz · 10-22-2019, 11:54 AM

I wouldn't recommend LEDs that are fan cooled, the fans are a weak point prone to failure.

03-11-2019, 07:41 PM	#1
NoCrease DeQuis New Member 6 Rep 20 Posts Drives: '13 F30 328xi; '15 F34 GT Join Date: May 2018 Location: Manassas, Virginia iTrader: (0)	Stuck with Old, Ugly Halogens!!! help! Hello all, I have a '13 328i xdrive (love the car). But a huge problem is the fact that my halogen headlights seem to betray my car's "look." A family member has a GT with "legit" BMW angel eyes and led, and they just look so much better. Any thoughts on what to upgrade to? (OEM full angel eye style seems like $500 and I don't want to pay that for headlights) I need a cost-effective option, preferrably. How much is installation? https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...RIK920RD&psc=1 a cheap product I found. Is it worth it, or just too cheap to be good? Thanks!
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03-11-2019, 08:00 PM	#2
sspade Major General 2465 Rep 5,457 Posts Drives: F30 Join Date: Oct 2017 Location: Stevenson, WA iTrader: (3) Garage List 2016 BMW 320i [7.87] 2014 BMW 328i [6.83]	Full forward lighting LED conversion. This can be done for about $100 or so... You'll need to get all of the bulbs off eBay or Amazon and also purchase BimmerCode* *Remember to pick up an Vgate iCar WiFi dongle to connect to the cars OBD port (off eBay or Amazon).
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03-11-2019, 08:05 PM	#3
328iX David 786 Rep 2,010 Posts Drives: 2015 328iX F31 Join Date: Nov 2018 Location: Temecula, CA iTrader: (0)	I love my beautiful halogens, but i'd honestly just save up for the DEPO lights over that cheap gimmick amazon product
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03-12-2019, 08:29 AM	#7
eddymerckx3 Private First Class 60 Rep 147 Posts Drives: 2015 328i xdrive sport line Join Date: May 2018 Location: NY, NY iTrader: (0)	100+ pages of discussion on this topic here: https://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/fo...play.php?f=430
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03-12-2019, 09:26 AM	#9
ndx6spd Private First Class 79 Rep 156 Posts Drives: 2015 335i x Join Date: Oct 2018 Location: Detroit iTrader: (0)	^No? Cant grab some off totaled/junkyard f30?
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03-12-2019, 09:56 AM	#11
Gen13 F36 Brigadier General 1599 Rep 3,752 Posts Drives: 428i Gran Coupe Join Date: Nov 2017 Location: Los Angeles, CA iTrader: (1)	Haha...why bmw still make halogen bugs me. They selling BMW ownership experience and halogen I think ruins it
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03-12-2019, 12:28 PM	#14
NoCrease DeQuis New Member 6 Rep 20 Posts Drives: '13 F30 328xi; '15 F34 GT Join Date: May 2018 Location: Manassas, Virginia iTrader: (0)	Sounds good. I'll look into the DEPOs... If not, I can handle the halogens fine. They are not foggy or anything, just unattractive in proportion to the oem adaptive ones.
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03-12-2019, 12:28 PM	#15
Littlebear Banned 3510 Rep 2,044 Posts Drives: ...the Mods crazy. Join Date: Oct 2017 Location: Not here, apparently.... iTrader: (2)	I need to see an idiot's guide for the halogen to LED wiring change, preferably for an LCI car! Thank you, Murf Last edited by Littlebear; 10-30-2021 at 06:02 AM..
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03-12-2019, 02:37 PM	#17
k3vin0615 Private 26 Rep 95 Posts Drives: 2013 F30 335I M sport Join Date: May 2017 Location: Boston iTrader: (0)	BMW salesmen themselves have told me that a bmw with halogens is not a BMW lol
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10-22-2019, 10:00 AM	#21
M Smurf Lieutenant 157 Rep 425 Posts Drives: 2013 328i M Sport Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Minneapolis, MN iTrader: (1)	My suggestion for those non-HID owners looking for visibility. After expermienting with Kensun and the ballast hardware as well as the most expensive halogens I could find, these LEDs were by far the best, almost HID! https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/...?ie=UTF8&psc=1 Attached Images
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10-22-2019, 11:54 AM	#22
Billfitz Lieutenant General 8225 Rep 16,065 Posts Drives: '15 328iX GT Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: New Hampshire iTrader: (0)	I wouldn't recommend LEDs that are fan cooled, the fans are a weak point prone to failure.
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