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      07-19-2018, 08:59 AM   #1
Chet_520dM
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BMW 5 Series F10 Headlights

Hi Everyone,

I recently bought a 520D M Sport 61 Plate and got a few questions regarding my headlights: -

1. In clear daylight when I put the lights on Auto the main lights come on and not just the two rings (angel eyes) as expected. Does anybody know why this would be happening?

2. The colour of the main lights is yellow and I wanted that ice white look (like my old 325d 10 plate) Is this a simple change of bulb? If so, which bulbs do I need as trying to avoid a cheap look.


Any help/advice would be appreciated and I've attached the pics of my old lights and lights on new car. Essentially, i want to achieve the look of my old lights on the 5 series.

Thanks.
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      07-19-2018, 09:11 AM   #2
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Your E92 had xenon lights but you only have halogen lights on the F10 and so the daytime running lights (DRL) actually switches on the dipped beam (as you have discovered) because the halogen rings are not bright enough to be daytime lights and only function as parking lights.

You will only get the angel eyes only with xenon headlights.

Halogen lights look yellow - you can put bulbs with a blue tint in if you like but they look a bit naff IMO. A quality bulb like nightbreakers is your best bet but you won't really get the xenon look without HID / LED.
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      07-19-2018, 09:54 AM   #3
Chet_520dM
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Thanks for that Ian, that's really helpful and clears a lot of things up.

I agree with you on the blue tint bulbs, would you recommend or have any experience with HID conversion kits? I've seen some on ebay (below).

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-5-Ser...from=R40&rt=nc

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/HID-XENON...sid=m570.l1313

Also, do you have a link for these nightbreaker bulbs you mentioned?

Thanks in advance.

Last edited by Chet_520dM; 07-19-2018 at 10:02 AM..
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      07-19-2018, 11:54 AM   #4
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Not quite accurate advice from xenon there. It depends on what FRM (or light module) you currently have. I have halogen lights on my 2013 pre-LCI F11; originally I had what you had:
Your current halogen lights have angel eyes as parking lights. If you put the switch in Auto position the dipped beam is on all the time.
I coded the FRM module. The folowing now happens depending on where the light switch is:
- Auto Lights - Daytime: Angel Eyes as DRL's (brightness can be adjusted in 5 steps), Nighttime: dipped beam
- Off - Everything off
- Parking lights - Angel Eyes only (stay on when the ignition is off)
- Dipped/Full beams

I did the the above coding using a Carly, which works perfectly.

The statement about angel eyes not being possible as DRL's might apply to lesser versions of the FRM, but it definitely works with FRM3 and halogens.

Lastly, you'll ask 'how do I know what FRM I have?'. The answer is through diagnostic software. I use INPA for this part, and Carly for the actual coding.
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      07-20-2018, 04:50 AM   #5
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thanks for that bfleming. I don't have a clue what INPA or Carly is however the information is useful. Will a specialist be able to carry out the work that you've explained above?

I've started shopping for second hand xenon lights to save hassle, if i go down this route do you know the spec of the headlight that I'd need?...Would I need to shop for an LCI Xenon headlight?
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      07-20-2018, 06:08 AM   #6
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The Xenon light conversion is way more complicated than 2 new headlights, you need the level sensors on the suspension, the wiring loom, control modules, lights switch - it's a massive job, definitely not DIY unless you're very competent. I wouldn't touch it personally.
I'm away for the next couple of weeks, but if you fancy a trip down to J10 of the M1, I'll help you with coding - or at least determine if any is possible.
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      07-20-2018, 06:37 AM   #7
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Scratch that plan then regarding new headlights.
I might just take you up on that offer if it still stands when your back. Let me know whens suitable and have a good holiday.
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      07-21-2018, 03:29 AM   #8
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Hi there, I was very naive when I bought my F10 and thought I had xenon lights when I actually had the halogen kit.

I upgraded with a HID kit, has been on the car for 18 months now with no problems.

It's this one -

https://www.ebay.ie/itm/BMW-F10-CANB...-/252664811475
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      07-23-2018, 01:15 AM   #9
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Chet is correct re. the coding (obviously, he's done it on his) - I was referring to out-of-the-box configuration.

You can get xenon conversion kits but be aware of the new MOT rules - it will fail if not done properly.
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      07-23-2018, 05:10 AM   #10
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Dan01 I made exactly the same mistake as you did. I looked at them close up very quickly when viewing the car and all seemed ok at the time, got on the motorway and put the lights on and my heart sank when i seen they weren't white xenons.
Have you got a pic of how your lights look with that HID kit that you used? If not, no worries.

xenon Thanks for the advice, much appreciated.

Last edited by Chet_520dM; 07-23-2018 at 07:46 AM..
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      07-25-2018, 05:41 AM   #11
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The big telltale for anyone looking at a 5 series is the headlight level adjustment switch next to the headlight switch. If you can adjust the level yourself, you don't have Xenons. Obviously someone will say 'switch them on, then you'll know'. True, but if you're looking on Autotrader, the level switch is a giveaway.

Halogens:


Xenons:
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      07-25-2018, 05:48 AM   #12
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Same on any car, not just the 5 series. Factory-fitted xenons have to have automatic height adjustment.
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      07-25-2018, 05:51 AM   #13
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bfleming Mine are defo halogens in that case, its kinda put a downer on my purchase but the info you've provided is very helpful to know going forward.
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      07-26-2018, 07:19 AM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by xenon View Post
Same on any car, not just the 5 series. Factory-fitted xenons have to have automatic height adjustment.
Correct, but as this is a 5 series forum I was being specific.
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