Numpty question - Xenon upgrade on a F31 330d Touring?

[djbunker8]

Hello all
Very happy with my 13 plate F31 330D, but noticed the newer face lifted cars tend to have Xenon headlights. Any way you can upgrade from a non-Xenon car?
TIA

[bmwmike]

New headlight units or if it has projectors (and ONLY if it has projectors) you can fit a HID kit.

[JakeT]

In short- no. You'll need the lamps, a new switch, and more coding. You'll also need the self levelling installed and headlamp washers. I think that they're adaptive, also.

[djbunker8]

Cheers fellas. A trip to Halfords for new bulbs by the looks of it then.

[kingofdbrits]

Yes. £500 for the new headlight units plus bulbs, plus the coding. Here's info on them http://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/showthread.php?t=...

or you could just buy LED bulbs and put them in the halogen units, again will need coding though, but will only cost £20.

[anonymous-user]

I thought that cars fitted with Xenons had to have headlight washers too?

OP are you talking about the actual headlight bulbs or the whiter, brighter drl style angle eye lighting on the facelift?

[bmwmike]

Not an MOT requirement to have levellers and washers. If they are fitted they should be tested if practical to do so.

HID can be safely fitted to projector headlights. They cannot be fitted safely to reflector headlights as you'll dazzle everyone and look very chavvy.

[JakeT]

Taken from the MOT Inspection manual:


Where HID or LED dipped beam headlamps are
fitted, switch on the headlamps and check the
operation of any headlamp levelling and
cleaning devices fitted.

That would suggest to me that they are needed for the purpose of an MOT. Not to mention, that it's just as bad as fitting them to a reflector housing I find. When the lenses are dirty, they scatter much more, and when not levelled properly they tend to shine straight into oncoming traffic. Not ideal.

HOWEVER

Unless Light output is less than 2,000 lumens these are required. Measuring it would be nearly impossible mind. Mercedes will fit lights just under this amount so that their new cars don't need headlight washers.

[bmwmike]

JakeT said:

Taken from the MOT Inspection manual:


Where HID or LED dipped beam headlamps are
fitted, switch on the headlamps and check the
operation of any headlamp levelling and
cleaning devices fitted.

That would suggest to me that they are needed for the purpose of an MOT. Not to mention, that it's just as bad as fitting them to a reflector housing I find. When the lenses are dirty, they scatter much more, and when not levelled properly they tend to shine straight into oncoming traffic. Not ideal.

HOWEVER

Unless Light output is less than 2,000 lumens these are required. Measuring it would be nearly impossible mind. Mercedes will fit lights just under this amount so that their new cars don't need headlight washers.

http://forum.bmw5.co.uk/topic/128718-f10-hid-upgrade/?page=2

[JakeT]

See paragraph above. There's conflicting information in the manual it would suggest to me. While you could get away with it, I wouldn't. A Set of Nightbreakers is a good compromise.