BMW X5 (E70) LCI Xenons Dim

[Leasenewbie123]

Having driven the X5 in the dark for the first time in months I was shocked at how bad the light output is from the xenons. I took the car to BMW today who told me there is nothing wrong with it however on an unlit road the performance is very poor.

I am used to driving a Mk7 golf in the dark and excuse the phrase but the lights are night and day different; when we first got the X5 I thought the lights were amazing and I am 100% sure they have deteriorated.

In the image below you can see two dark circles; is this a common symptom of failing bulbs or damaged projectors?



Has any one else experienced this on a 7 year old X5? BMW quoted £180 for a replacement bulb if I wanted to try it... I know I can get a replacement bulb for ~£50 a piece online but also having read various forum posts for other vehicles it could also be the projector unit. BMW do not appear to sell these separately and at ~£1200 for a new headlamp this is not an option!

[Charlie Croker mk2]

Osram night breaker unlimited xenon bulbs . Standard fit bulbs are dim and have dark areas !

[Eddieslofart]

Charlie Croker mk2 said:

Osram night breaker unlimited xenon bulbs . Standard fit bulbs are dim and have dark areas !

This, just done the same in my E70. Big difference. 2 for £90 on Amazon.

[scz4]

Eddieslofart said:

Charlie Croker mk2 said:

Osram night breaker unlimited xenon bulbs . Standard fit bulbs are dim and have dark areas !

This, just done the same in my E70. Big difference. 2 for £90 on Amazon.

Do you have a specific link? Quite fancy giving these a try.

Is there a special install procedure to follow with them being xenon? I've only ever changed halogen bulbs.

[Fas1975]

scz4 said:

Do you have a specific link? Quite fancy giving these a try.

Is there a special install procedure to follow with them being xenon? I've only ever changed halogen bulbs.

No special procedure, this vid talks you through it

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bPeVE4mf-oA

Easier if you have small hands (I don't )

[SebringMan]

Get new OE bulbs or the Osram Nightbreakers.

Just putting OE Osrams into my M3 made a night and day difference. One of my bulbs had previously been changed and the other was original.

[Leasenewbie123]

Great advice thanks - new Osram Nihhtbreakers arrived today; took all of 15 minutes to fit (very tight space to work in).

The difference is incredible; they are a little more yellow that the Philips bulbs they replaced but believe they are same K rating so guess that they will change slightly as they “burn in”. Ether way I will take being able to see over asthetics.

[mikeyscott]

Interesting this as my 2011 135i headlights this year I thought have been really poor. I thought muck, but kept them clean. So might get some of these

My wife’s LED lights on the mini - brilliant

[Leasenewbie123]

Mine were ~£90 delivered from PowerBulbs with the 25% discount code.

Whilst it’s not a cheap way just to see if it is the bulbs it’s worth it against price of BM investigation which is useless or replacement headlight units.

The X5 is 2011 too so assume after 6 or 7 years the bulbs degrade.

[scz4]

Do you have a link? Just to make sure I order the right thing.

[Leasenewbie123]

https://www.powerbulbs.com/product/osram-night-bre...

Just make sure your car takes a D1S bulb if it isn’t an X5 (not sure if all BMs use D1S or other types)

[scz4]

Leasenewbie123 said:

https://www.powerbulbs.com/product/osram-night-bre...

Just make sure your car takes a D1S bulb if it isn’t an X5 (not sure if all BMs use D1S or other types)

Perfect thanks. Mine is also a 2011 LCI X5, so should be the same.