Aftermarket Headlight options? (Advice please!)

f30diva · 03-14-2019, 03:36 PM

Hi all!

I have halogens in my 2015 f30 and am absolutely ready to upgrade to something with decent quality lighting and ideally angel eyes. Was hoping to get some insight on which option to choose:

Depos (most obvious option), though I prefer the LCI look.

Ebay lights (similar cost to depos but have the updated LCI look, though I think the turn signal is a little ricey). This is my favorite option right now but I'm not sure it's worth it given rice factor and they aren't as common/well-reviewed as depos

More ebay lights These are the cheapest option by far but I haven't heard the best reviews (and the leds look dotty which seems ricey to me). I like that this has the dual projector though.

Alibaba lights (hella risky?) This is the ideal look I'm going for but I don't want to risk buying through Alibaba with no reviews.

In all cases I'm planning on upgrading with a HID kit (or at least LEDs). Anyone have recommendations on this with regards to aftermarket lights?

What would you recommend? I've seen a few of the install videos/threads on here and am planning on installing myself (though I don't want to take the wheels off since I don't have a jack/jack stands). Is this an awful idea?

Thanks everyone!!

AK415 · 03-14-2019, 08:18 PM

It really depends on what you like.

From what I know, Depo makes pretty good stuff and it is plug and play, although the harness is a little longer (from what I have seen on Kies Motorsport).

I would not opt for the Alibaba ones. My friend had some on his gti, the fitment was bad, some bulbs were welded in, and light were pretty scattered despite being projector. It lasted about 3 years and they were done.

I have oem projector on my F32, the only thing I did was to change the signal bulb from orange traditional ones to silver LED. They are still orange, but you don't see it during the day.

Photographerlife · 03-15-2019, 12:01 PM

F30diva,

Check these out: https://www.protuninglab.com/20122014f30.html

At one time I had Depos from USR and then I wanted to see if I could get the lenses replaced. That was a bad move on my part.

Anyway, I needed new lights so I ended up getting these: https://www.protuninglab.com/20bmwf303seh.html

I have grown to like them. I was running HIDs on them but then I found a really good set of LEDs - https://www.amazon.com/NINEO-Headlig.../dp/B01MFABBZW

After some trial and error, this set up is working well for me.

If you are still not sure, try and run the LED in your OEM headlamps. Use this as a guide - https://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1349409
- https://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...&highlight=LED

I hope this helps.

f30diva · 03-15-2019, 12:26 PM

Thanks!!

Photographerlife Were you unable to replace the lenses with the depos? Something I may want to do is mod them further (ie with Bavgruppe vision rings or something similar).

What trial and error did you go through to get the setup working? Just coding out errors and fixing flickering with resistors?

Thanks so much!!

Photographerlife · 03-15-2019, 04:47 PM

I took it to a guy in SoCal to get it retrofitted with clear lenses. He tried but failed and said it was really difficult to open them. Once he opened one of the headlights, he couldn't properly put it back together. However, retrofitting headlights is what he does as a business and I have seen his other work.

For the headlights I have now, I started with halogen bulbs. Tried a few - silverstar, ultravision, PIAA - to name a few. Then gave Morimotos a shot. MM worked well for sometime but I guess the canbus was fried and the setup started acting up.

So I tried the MM LEDs. The problem with those was that they were a little too big compared to the H7 bulb size. The beam pattern was worse than halogens.

Then I went back to HIDs. Had them professionally installed which worked for a short while and then this set started to turn on and off intermittently.

So, I did some research and found these LEDs. So far they have been doing a good job. I just have to adjust the angles a little bit but other than that they are good.

ktrvn · 03-16-2019, 04:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Photographerlife

F30diva,

Check these out: https://www.protuninglab.com/20122014f30.html

At one time I had Depos from USR and then I wanted to see if I could get the lenses replaced. That was a bad move on my part.

Anyway, I needed new lights so I ended up getting these: https://www.protuninglab.com/20bmwf303seh.html

I have grown to like them. I was running HIDs on them but then I found a really good set of LEDs - https://www.amazon.com/NINEO-Headlig.../dp/B01MFABBZW

After some trial and error, this set up is working well for me.

If you are still not sure, try and run the LED in your OEM headlamps. Use this as a guide - https://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1349409
- https://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...&highlight=LED

I hope this helps.

Sorry I'm quite new to this, but I saw you swapped the HIDs for LEDs on your headlights. Were you talking about the headlights you linked from protuninglab? I saw headlights that I liked on there, but they were HID and was wondering if its possible to swap the HIDs for LEDs

Photographerlife · 03-17-2019, 08:41 PM

Hey!!

So, depending on what headlights you pick you have the option to add HIDs to it. Send me the headlights you are looking at. I would be able to tell you better if I can see what you are looking at.

ktrvn · 03-19-2019, 11:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Photographerlife

Hey!!

So, depending on what headlights you pick you have the option to add HIDs to it. Send me the headlights you are looking at. I would be able to tell you better if I can see what you are looking at.

https://www.protuninglab.com/pro-yd-...12-drl-bk.html

or

https://www.protuninglab.com/hid-pro...12-drl-bk.html

They look the same.. not sure of the difference, but I'd love to be educated! Also if anyone has these headlights on their car please post it!

Photographerlife · 03-21-2019, 03:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kyletrann

https://www.protuninglab.com/pro-yd-...12-drl-bk.html

or

https://www.protuninglab.com/hid-pro...12-drl-bk.html

They look the same.. not sure of the difference, but I'd love to be educated! Also if anyone has these headlights on their car please post it!

So, the two links that you sent are for the same set of headlights. One comes with halogen bulbs and the other comes with HID's already installed - hence the price difference.

I would suggest getting the one that comes with halogen (the cheaper of the two listed) bulbs and then put LEDs in them.

ktrvn · 03-21-2019, 04:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Photographerlife

So, the two links that you sent are for the same set of headlights. One comes with halogen bulbs and the other comes with HID's already installed - hence the price difference.

I would suggest getting the one that comes with halogen (the cheaper of the two listed) bulbs and then put LEDs in them.

Ahh... gotcha, thank you for pointing that out! How's the LED's you linked treating you? Any fitment issues or any other issues or was it plug and play?

Photographerlife · 03-27-2019, 11:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kyletrann

Ahh... gotcha, thank you for pointing that out! How's the LED's you linked treating you? Any fitment issues or any other issues or was it plug and play?

I have not had any issues with them. I did code out the warm/cold monitoring so that saves me the annoying warnings.

scostu · 03-28-2019, 03:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by f30diva

Hi all!

I have halogens in my 2015 f30 and am absolutely ready to upgrade to something with decent quality lighting and ideally angel eyes. Was hoping to get some insight on which option to choose:

Depos (most obvious option), though I prefer the LCI look.

Ebay lights (similar cost to depos but have the updated LCI look, though I think the turn signal is a little ricey). This is my favorite option right now but I'm not sure it's worth it given rice factor and they aren't as common/well-reviewed as depos

More ebay lights These are the cheapest option by far but I haven't heard the best reviews (and the leds look dotty which seems ricey to me). I like that this has the dual projector though.

Alibaba lights (hella risky?) This is the ideal look I'm going for but I don't want to risk buying through Alibaba with no reviews.

In all cases I'm planning on upgrading with a HID kit (or at least LEDs). Anyone have recommendations on this with regards to aftermarket lights?

What would you recommend? I've seen a few of the install videos/threads on here and am planning on installing myself (though I don't want to take the wheels off since I don't have a jack/jack stands). Is this an awful idea?

Thanks everyone!!

On my previous F31, I replaced the OEM halogens with Depos. No problems at all for almost 4 yrs.

floridaorange · 03-28-2019, 04:24 PM

I feel like we could easily get a 20 person group buy within a week or 2 for headlights and significantly lower the cost.

ya?no?

Fmjp1986 · 03-29-2019, 07:42 AM

I'm in Europe but I'm up for a group buy !

f30diva · 03-29-2019, 05:04 PM

I'd be in for a group buy! Depos are currently out of stock everywhere I've looked though.

Dieter_Gunter · 04-23-2019, 07:58 PM

I actually have a similar question for my 2016 328i. I currently have the Halogen headlight and would like to change to the LED ring ones. I am pretty new to this so any help would work!

Could I buy some OEM LED headlights (not the XEON) and just plug them in? If so, could anyone give me the part# for ones that would work on my model, I would really appreciate it!

I have looked to get some from USR but they only offer 2012-2015 model, however I have seen some on eBay that state 2012 - 2016. Would that mean that even a 2015 headlight would fit my 2016?

I have seen some on eBay and CarID that state would fit but I am not a fan of the lego blinkers:
https://www.carid.com/2016-bmw-3-ser...parentsubmodel[]=MODEL|328i

I would prefer a look closer to the factory LED headlight!

03-14-2019, 03:36 PM	#1
f30diva Enlisted Member 12 Rep 29 Posts Drives: BMW F30 Join Date: Feb 2019 Location: CA iTrader: (0)	Aftermarket Headlight options? (Advice please!) Hi all! I have halogens in my 2015 f30 and am absolutely ready to upgrade to something with decent quality lighting and ideally angel eyes. Was hoping to get some insight on which option to choose: Depos (most obvious option), though I prefer the LCI look. Ebay lights (similar cost to depos but have the updated LCI look, though I think the turn signal is a little ricey). This is my favorite option right now but I'm not sure it's worth it given rice factor and they aren't as common/well-reviewed as depos More ebay lights These are the cheapest option by far but I haven't heard the best reviews (and the leds look dotty which seems ricey to me). I like that this has the dual projector though. Alibaba lights (hella risky?) This is the ideal look I'm going for but I don't want to risk buying through Alibaba with no reviews. In all cases I'm planning on upgrading with a HID kit (or at least LEDs). Anyone have recommendations on this with regards to aftermarket lights? What would you recommend? I've seen a few of the install videos/threads on here and am planning on installing myself (though I don't want to take the wheels off since I don't have a jack/jack stands). Is this an awful idea? Thanks everyone!!
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03-14-2019, 08:18 PM	#2
AK415 Lieutenant 197 Rep 417 Posts Drives: 2015 F32 435i Join Date: Oct 2018 Location: DFW iTrader: (1)	It really depends on what you like. From what I know, Depo makes pretty good stuff and it is plug and play, although the harness is a little longer (from what I have seen on Kies Motorsport). I would not opt for the Alibaba ones. My friend had some on his gti, the fitment was bad, some bulbs were welded in, and light were pretty scattered despite being projector. It lasted about 3 years and they were done. I have oem projector on my F32, the only thing I did was to change the signal bulb from orange traditional ones to silver LED. They are still orange, but you don't see it during the day.
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03-15-2019, 12:01 PM	#3
Photographerlife Private 21 Rep 54 Posts Drives: 2013 BMW 328i Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: Tempe, AZ iTrader: (0)	F30diva, Check these out: https://www.protuninglab.com/20122014f30.html At one time I had Depos from USR and then I wanted to see if I could get the lenses replaced. That was a bad move on my part. Anyway, I needed new lights so I ended up getting these: https://www.protuninglab.com/20bmwf303seh.html I have grown to like them. I was running HIDs on them but then I found a really good set of LEDs - https://www.amazon.com/NINEO-Headlig.../dp/B01MFABBZW After some trial and error, this set up is working well for me. If you are still not sure, try and run the LED in your OEM headlamps. Use this as a guide - https://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1349409 - https://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...&highlight=LED I hope this helps.
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03-15-2019, 12:26 PM	#4
f30diva Enlisted Member 12 Rep 29 Posts Drives: BMW F30 Join Date: Feb 2019 Location: CA iTrader: (0)	Thanks!! Photographerlife Were you unable to replace the lenses with the depos? Something I may want to do is mod them further (ie with Bavgruppe vision rings or something similar). What trial and error did you go through to get the setup working? Just coding out errors and fixing flickering with resistors? Thanks so much!!
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-15-2019, 04:47 PM	#5
Photographerlife Private 21 Rep 54 Posts Drives: 2013 BMW 328i Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: Tempe, AZ iTrader: (0)	I took it to a guy in SoCal to get it retrofitted with clear lenses. He tried but failed and said it was really difficult to open them. Once he opened one of the headlights, he couldn't properly put it back together. However, retrofitting headlights is what he does as a business and I have seen his other work. For the headlights I have now, I started with halogen bulbs. Tried a few - silverstar, ultravision, PIAA - to name a few. Then gave Morimotos a shot. MM worked well for sometime but I guess the canbus was fried and the setup started acting up. So I tried the MM LEDs. The problem with those was that they were a little too big compared to the H7 bulb size. The beam pattern was worse than halogens. Then I went back to HIDs. Had them professionally installed which worked for a short while and then this set started to turn on and off intermittently. So, I did some research and found these LEDs. So far they have been doing a good job. I just have to adjust the angles a little bit but other than that they are good.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-17-2019, 08:41 PM	#7
Photographerlife Private 21 Rep 54 Posts Drives: 2013 BMW 328i Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: Tempe, AZ iTrader: (0)	Hey!! So, depending on what headlights you pick you have the option to add HIDs to it. Send me the headlights you are looking at. I would be able to tell you better if I can see what you are looking at.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-29-2019, 07:42 AM	#14
Fmjp1986 Registered 2 Rep 4 Posts Drives: BMW F30ed Join Date: Jan 2019 Location: Lisboa iTrader: (0)	I'm in Europe but I'm up for a group buy !
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03-29-2019, 05:04 PM	#15
f30diva Enlisted Member 12 Rep 29 Posts Drives: BMW F30 Join Date: Feb 2019 Location: CA iTrader: (0)	I'd be in for a group buy! Depos are currently out of stock everywhere I've looked though.
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04-23-2019, 07:58 PM	#16
Dieter_Gunter Registered 0 Rep 1 Posts Drives: 328i Join Date: Apr 2019 Location: CA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2016 BMW 328i [0.00]	2016 F30 Headlights I actually have a similar question for my 2016 328i. I currently have the Halogen headlight and would like to change to the LED ring ones. I am pretty new to this so any help would work! Could I buy some OEM LED headlights (not the XEON) and just plug them in? If so, could anyone give me the part# for ones that would work on my model, I would really appreciate it! I have looked to get some from USR but they only offer 2012-2015 model, however I have seen some on eBay that state 2012 - 2016. Would that mean that even a 2015 headlight would fit my 2016? I have seen some on eBay and CarID that state would fit but I am not a fan of the lego blinkers: https://www.carid.com/2016-bmw-3-ser...parentsubmodel[]=MODEL\|328i I would prefer a look closer to the factory LED headlight!
	Appreciate 0 Quote