Adaptive Xenon to Adaptive LED Headlights

bin01123 · 02-03-2022, 11:32 AM

Posting here for more visibility.

I’d like to upgrade the headlights in my 2011 750I (WBAKA8C59BCY37145) from Adaptive Xenon to Adaptive LED headlights from the later model F02 750i.

The adaptive LED appear to be plug and play with coding needed. Is that the case and if not, does anyone know what’s needed to make this work with my car?

addy27 · 02-03-2022, 12:36 PM

Not plug and play at all. You need some new modules, new/modified wiring and a bunch of flashing/coding.

Similar to what the F10 LED retrofit is like. The only LED headlights that didn't require this much work were the F06 LED headlights up to 2015.

bin01123 · 02-03-2022, 12:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by addy27

Not plug and play at all. You need some new modules, new/modified wiring and a bunch of flashing/coding.

Similar to what the F10 LED retrofit is like. The only LED headlights that didn't require this much work were the F06 LED headlights up to 2015.

Thanks for the info and dang!!!!

Was really hoping to do this upgrade.

bin01123 · 02-03-2022, 02:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by addy27

Not plug and play at all. You need some new modules, new/modified wiring and a bunch of flashing/coding.

Similar to what the F10 LED retrofit is like. The only LED headlights that didn't require this much work were the F06 LED headlights up to 2015.

Related question....is there another decent option for upgrading the headlights

zvery777 · 02-03-2022, 03:33 PM

From what I heard, xenon perform better than the LED ones. If you are getting then for the look then I can agree.

addy27 · 02-03-2022, 03:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zvery777

From what I heard, xenon perform better than the LED ones. If you are getting then for the look then I can agree.

Might be personal preference but I went from Xenon to LED and for me overall LEDs have been a lot better. I would say low beam they are either equivalent or Xenon is more uniform, but every other feature the LEDs out perform. High Beam with LEDs is great, and the Glare Free high beam feature is also great (albeit its not the same in the US as it performs in the EU)

Overall, I agree the cost is pretty high to do the retrofit and you have to really want it.

bin01123 · 02-03-2022, 03:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by addy27

Quote:

Originally Posted by zvery777

From what I heard, xenon perform better than the LED ones. If you are getting then for the look then I can agree.

Might be personal preference but I went from Xenon to LED and for me overall LEDs have been a lot better. I would say low beam they are either equivalent or Xenon is more uniform, but every other feature the LEDs out perform. High Beam with LEDs is great, and the Glare Free high beam feature is also great (albeit its not the same in the US as it performs in the EU)

Overall, I agree the cost is pretty high to do the retrofit and you have to really want it.

I probably should have done more research before I made the move on the headlights.

ezaircon4jc · 02-03-2022, 06:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by addy27

Might be personal preference but I went from Xenon to LED and for me overall LEDs have been a lot better. I would say low beam they are either equivalent or Xenon is more uniform, but every other feature the LEDs out perform. High Beam with LEDs is great, and the Glare Free high beam feature is also great (albeit its not the same in the US as it performs in the EU)

Overall, I agree the cost is pretty high to do the retrofit and you have to really want it.

Agree... My "new" G30 has the adaptive LED's and they are much better/brighter than the Xenon.

bin01123 · 02-03-2022, 09:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ezaircon4jc

Quote:

Originally Posted by addy27

Might be personal preference but I went from Xenon to LED and for me overall LEDs have been a lot better. I would say low beam they are either equivalent or Xenon is more uniform, but every other feature the LEDs out perform. High Beam with LEDs is great, and the Glare Free high beam feature is also great (albeit its not the same in the US as it performs in the EU)

Overall, I agree the cost is pretty high to do the retrofit and you have to really want it.

Agree... My "new" G30 has the adaptive LED's and they are much better/brighter than the Xenon.

I inherited this car. Just before I got it, I had a F10 535i with adaptive LED headlights and I loved it. But I had to get rid of the car so I know what I'm missing not have the LED lights. They are some of the best headlights I've had on a car.

manija · 04-09-2022, 04:12 PM

some time ago asked BMW technician what is better - Xenon or LED for F10/F11.
he answered, if you would like to spend money to be stylish, go for LED

but from technical point of view - light emission is almost the same for Xenon and LED, as it must meet common standards...

ezaircon4jc · 04-09-2022, 05:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by manija

some time ago asked BMW technician what is better - Xenon or LED for F10/F11.
he answered, if you would like to spend money to be stylish, go for LED

but from technical point of view - light emission is almost the same for Xenon and LED, as it must meet common standards...

Having both; Xenon/HID on F10 535i & LED on G30 540i; the LED is MUCH brighter. It's almost the difference between Xenon/HID & halogen. I have added LED headlights to my "must haves" on any future purchase.

manija · 04-09-2022, 05:42 PM

agree - for future - yes.
but for retrofitting ... should think twice

billowusu · 06-01-2022, 04:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by addy27

Not plug and play at all. You need some new modules, new/modified wiring and a bunch of flashing/coding.

Similar to what the F10 LED retrofit is like. The only LED headlights that didn't require this much work were the F06 LED headlights up to 2015.

They do have plug and play versions on Ali express.https://www.aliexpress.com/item/3256...67386976%21sea

addy27 · 06-02-2022, 09:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by billowusu

Quote:

Originally Posted by addy27

Not plug and play at all. You need some new modules, new/modified wiring and a bunch of flashing/coding.

Similar to what the F10 LED retrofit is like. The only LED headlights that didn't require this much work were the F06 LED headlights up to 2015.

They do have plug and play versions on Ali express.https://www.aliexpress.com/item/3256...67386976%21sea

Yes there are options like these available, but none have the adaptive capabilities like the oem/hella versions. So just for looks, sure.

02-03-2022, 11:32 AM	#1
bin01123 Lieutenant 78 Rep 447 Posts Drives: 2011 750i Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Atlanta, GA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2011 BMW 750i [0.00] 2011 BMW 328I [0.00]	Adaptive Xenon to Adaptive LED Headlights Posting here for more visibility. I’d like to upgrade the headlights in my 2011 750I (WBAKA8C59BCY37145) from Adaptive Xenon to Adaptive LED headlights from the later model F02 750i. The adaptive LED appear to be plug and play with coding needed. Is that the case and if not, does anyone know what’s needed to make this work with my car? __________________
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02-03-2022, 12:36 PM	#2
addy27 Captain 388 Rep 950 Posts Drives: F10 550i Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Bay Area, CA iTrader: (2)	Not plug and play at all. You need some new modules, new/modified wiring and a bunch of flashing/coding. Similar to what the F10 LED retrofit is like. The only LED headlights that didn't require this much work were the F06 LED headlights up to 2015.
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02-03-2022, 03:33 PM	#5
zvery777 First Lieutenant 268 Rep 330 Posts Drives: 2021 M550 Join Date: Mar 2021 Location: Minneapolis, MN iTrader: (0)	From what I heard, xenon perform better than the LED ones. If you are getting then for the look then I can agree.
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04-09-2022, 04:12 PM	#10
manija Enlisted Member 3 Rep 31 Posts Drives: ex E61, ex E91, F11 525d LCI Join Date: Apr 2022 Location: LT iTrader: (0)	some time ago asked BMW technician what is better - Xenon or LED for F10/F11. he answered, if you would like to spend money to be stylish, go for LED but from technical point of view - light emission is almost the same for Xenon and LED, as it must meet common standards...
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04-09-2022, 05:42 PM	#12
manija Enlisted Member 3 Rep 31 Posts Drives: ex E61, ex E91, F11 525d LCI Join Date: Apr 2022 Location: LT iTrader: (0)	agree - for future - yes. but for retrofitting ... should think twice
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