problemchild 435 Report post Posted January 24, 2015 (edited) Difficulty Level - 3/10 Time taken - 90mins Tools Needed - 21mm Hole Cutter and drill HID Kit - H7 Canbus 5000k My Car - E60 LCI 525d Ok guys, been promising to do this for a while so seeing as it wasnt -3degC today I thought I would get on and do it. The kit I bought was from hids-direct and was the 35W Canbus Pro H7 kit and i got the 5000k as this is more OEM(i've gone off the blue tint look) http://www.hids-direct.co.uk/canbus-pro-hid-conversion-35w-kit-h1-h3-h7-h8-h9-h10-h11-9005-9006/ (i paid £52 in November but they are already down to £49 and the reason i didnt go with an Ebay kit for £30 was for the 2yr warranty) Firstly I have to tell you that this is a really easy upgrade. All you have to do is plug the 2 connectors into the OEM bulb holder and it works. Here you can see the only 2 connectors!! Ok, so its not quite as easy as this due to some quirks and some space issues. If you've had to change a headlamp then you know its difficult to get your hands in there but this is doable without removing headlamps etc. even though space is tight!! but if you have 2 ham joints for hands then maybe get some help of a pianist. Firstly, remove the standard filament bulb (it twists). Remove and retain the fitting plate from the OEM bulb connector (it just clips off the black connector) The first thing I did was to connect the kit up to the OEM bulb connector and test if it works (the bulb will only fire up if you connect the wires to the correct position so if it doesn't work then swap wires) Now here we come across the first "quirk"... The OEM fitting plate that we retained needs to butt up against the back of the new bulb BUT the kit is all pre wired with connectors that won't fit through the hole in the mounting plate. Solution..... remove the wiring from the big grommet so that you only have the smaller connectors to fit through which they do (just) along with the grommet... Moisten the wires so they slide through the very small holes and now you will end up with this... feed the connectors, wires and grommet of the bulb wiring through the mounting plate (make sure its the correct way round) and now make sure the mounting plate is the correct way around.. and that the little tab all lines up nicely... (it way help to familiarise yourself with how the plate aligns with the OEM bulb to make sure you get the orientation correct) now..... before you feed thee wiring through the grommet again, you need to modify the headlamp back cover... use the drill and 21mm (i only had 20mm and that worked fine) to make a hole in the cover. (i toyed with the idea of offsetting the hole to the side to make better use of the space BUT there is a lively dimple right in the middle of the cover that is perfect as a centre!!) the reason you have to do this now is again the big connector doesn't fit through the hole.....!! so feed the cover onto the wires too and then feed the connectors back through the tiny holes in the grommet (moisten wires again) and seat the grommet into the hole... before putting everything into place its worth just trying to fit the bulb by twisting it into place (to work out how it sits etc) and test... now you have done that, you can try and feed the wires through the grommet and try and move the back cover into place. (pic just before closing the cover) so inside the light unit now you have the new bulb, held in place by the OEM mounting plate, and the OEM bulb connector with the 2 connectors from the kit plugged in. on the outside of the light unit you have the big ballast. i located onto the soft inner wing padding/soundproofing using tie wraps wear i could..... i'll see if thats where they stay but there is a number of options. NOW REPEAT FOR THE OTHER SIDE..... final results... if you have any questions please ask. might be handy of this was pinned for a bit?? and here is them with the ultra bright DRL halos from BAUS... JJ Edited February 20, 2016 by problemchild 4 Jubz97, andy-e60, baus and 1 other reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ROB163 73 Report post Posted January 24, 2015 Nice guide, i assume it would be different for pre-LCI? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
problemchild 435 Report post Posted January 24, 2015 (edited) exactly the same in theory - these kits are always v easy. i'm sure there is v little difference. on my BRABUS forfour i have the standard spring clip retainer for the bulb so that was easier. JJ Edited January 24, 2015 by problemchild Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
marko530d 108 Report post Posted January 24, 2015 Great write up its my next job just need set of lci halogen headlights Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vlady 182 Report post Posted January 24, 2015 Great thread! I just changed mine 2 weeks ago and I paid money to do that! Only if I saw this earlier! Nevertheless it is very useful guide! Well done! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
problemchild 435 Report post Posted January 24, 2015 Great write up its my next job just need set of lci halogen headlights yeah - i guess thats the only issue......i really wouldn't advise fitting HIDs to reflector headlights. JJ Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
marko530d 108 Report post Posted January 24, 2015 They look crap too Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
marko530d 108 Report post Posted January 24, 2015 What are your lights like at night now ? Much improved? 1 Benmuir reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Batfinnk 3 Report post Posted January 24, 2015 I might be able to save you the cost oy buying lci headlights. I bought set a set of retrofit projector lenses for my works van. No reason they won't fit the halogen lamps in these. Can be fitted to H4 or H7 lamps. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
problemchild 435 Report post Posted January 24, 2015 What are your lights like at night now ? Much improved? yeah - noticeable around town JJ Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
problemchild 435 Report post Posted January 25, 2015 seen these..... modified bulb mounting plates for £6 so you can skip a some bits BUT i still think you would need to disassemble to get the grommet fitted correctly http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2x-H7-METAL-HID-CONVERSION-KIT-BULB-HOLDERS-CLIPS-ADAPTORS-BMW-5-SERIES-E60-F10-/221551744054?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&fits=Car+Make%3ABMW%7CPlat_Gen%3AE60&hash=item3395835436 JJ Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
marko530d 108 Report post Posted January 25, 2015 seen these.....modified bulb mounting plates for £6 so you can skip a some bits BUT i still think you would need to disassemble to get the grommet fitted correctly http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2x-H7-METAL-HID-CONVERSION-KIT-BULB-HOLDERS-CLIPS-ADAPTORS-BMW-5-SERIES-E60-F10-/221551744054?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&fits=Car+Make%3ABMW%7CPlat_Gen%3AE60&hash=item3395835436JJgot them on my watch list lol Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
marko530d 108 Report post Posted January 25, 2015 I might be able to save you the cost oy buying lci headlights. I bought set a set of retrofit projector lenses for my works van. No reason they won't fit the halogen lamps in these. Can be fitted to H4 or H7 lamps. image.jpgWhere did you buy these ? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
problemchild 435 Report post Posted January 25, 2015 got them on my watch list lol might be a waste though as you still need to pull the wiring through to get the headlamp cover onto the cables........ the cover needs to slide up the wires to thee rubber grommet........so you can disconnect from the ballast (big square lump) and disconnect the the 2 smaller plugs but i doubt the large plug that connects to the ballast will fit through the 21mm hole. ...and without this you don't have a weatherproof seal. JJ Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Batfinnk 3 Report post Posted January 25, 2015 Got them from ebay. £28 delivered. Had to buy a separate H1 hid kit and wiring loom as my oem bulbs are H4 but H7 would still need an H1 hid kit but should be plug and play. You have already got separate main beam so no need to connect the flap motor on them. The only downside is the pita of separating the headlights to fit them. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
baus 466 Report post Posted January 25, 2015 The only downside is the pita of separating the headlights to fit them. it's not that hard!https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9itQRr8ks9I#t=0 Takes about 2-3 hours for each side Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Batfinnk 3 Report post Posted January 25, 2015 (edited) I know. Never done them before but mine are being fitted on a transit connect which if the bits from the forums online are tobe believed are a real nightmare compared to most for some odd reason. the headlight output on them even with uprated H4 bulbs is still not fantastic. Maybe I'm just spoilt with the hids on my E61. Edited January 25, 2015 by Batfinnk Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
andy-e60 274 Report post Posted January 25, 2015 Nice write up ...much more detailed than my basic effort ...http://forum.bmw5.co.uk/topic/85231-it-happened-morimotos-are-in/Did you manage to get the 'return wire' of the HID bulb facing / pointing downwards ? Probably easier to tell by looking at the beam pattern...If you see two vertical shadows like ^ that then the return wire is upwards. If no shadows then you got the return wire in the correct downward position . Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
problemchild 435 Report post Posted January 25, 2015 I think they are facing up I tried the other way but I'm sure I couldn't get them to twist into place the othe way. I'll have a look at my beam pattern.....JJ Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
andy-e60 274 Report post Posted January 25, 2015 I thought they probably are facing upwards as a few other people who installed their HIDs also found that the return wire ends upwards somehow. I don't remember exactly how I managed to do mine but because I was so mindful of ensuring it does indeed end up downwards, I must have turned the bulb within the metal holder to make sure it does definitely sit with return wire downwards. Have a look at your beams to check and make sure. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
problemchild 435 Report post Posted January 25, 2015 (edited) the bulb will only sit one way in the mounting plate... ...because of the flat edge. and this tab means the mounting plate will only go one way onto the back of the headlamp unit. but doesn't seem to be an issue... JJ Edited January 25, 2015 by problemchild Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Batfinnk 3 Report post Posted February 7, 2015 Here you go. All fitted. Very impressed tbh. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vlady 182 Report post Posted February 7, 2015 Nice write up ...much more detailed than my basic effort ...http://forum.bmw5.co.uk/topic/85231-it-happened-morimotos-are-in/Did you manage to get the 'return wire' of the HID bulb facing / pointing downwards ? Probably easier to tell by looking at the beam pattern...image.jpgIf you see two vertical shadows like ^ that then the return wire is upwards. If no shadows then you got the return wire in the correct downward position .I have this issue! ;(Is there definitely enough cable length to twist these bulbs 180 degrees? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
andy-e60 274 Report post Posted February 7, 2015 Cable length isn't the issue, it's the bulb holder. I struggled initially as the bulb holder configuration makes the bulb sit the 'wrong' way. I twisted the bulb within the aftermarket holder - it was tight but I wasn't going to have the 'return wire' sitting upwards and definitely have a shadow. I have no shadow as the return is definitely in the downward position. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vlady 182 Report post Posted February 7, 2015 Cable length isn't the issue, it's the bulb holder. I struggled initially as the bulb holder configuration makes the bulb sit the 'wrong' way. I twisted the bulb within the aftermarket holder - it was tight but I wasn't going to have the 'return wire' sitting upwards and definitely have a shadow. I have no shadow as the return is definitely in the downward position.Thank 530dE60, I will investigate this. What aftermarket bulb holder is it, do you have a link or it is part of the HID kit? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
