Xenon Lights E39

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Touring - 22 Feb 2005 18:42 GMT

Hi all. I have a 01' E39 with normal lights (although the car is equipped
with those tinny washers to the head-lights) I know that this is necessary
to have xenon lights, and i know also that xenon lights are auto-leveled.
Is there any light bulb that i can adapt so i can get xenon in my car, or
do i have to chage all the system?
Thanks

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tech27 - 22 Feb 2005 19:27 GMT

> Hi all. I have a 01' E39 with normal lights (although the car is equipped
> with those tinny washers to the head-lights) I know that this is necessary
> to have xenon lights,

You don't need headlamp washers to have Xenon lights.

and i know also that xenon lights are auto-leveled.

> Is there any light bulb that i can adapt so i can get xenon in my car, or
> do i have to chage all the system?
> Thanks

No, and don't even consider it. From what I've heard it's a nightmare and
most people wished they hadn't done it - at least with any aftermarket kits.
If you are really intent and have a strong heart (and pocketbook), you'll
want to get a complete kit from BMW.

You have been warned! (-;

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John Carrier - 22 Feb 2005 20:06 GMT

>> Hi all. I have a 01' E39 with normal lights (although the car is equipped
>> with those tinny washers to the head-lights) I know that this is
[quoted text clipped - 12 lines]
> kits. If you are really intent and have a strong heart (and pocketbook),
> you'll want to get a complete kit from BMW.

Or just from Hella (who makes the OEM part). I agree, you don't want to put
together a kit, but you can find some pretty nice installations (including
white turn signals vice amber) in the aftermarket for a little bit less than
from your dealer.

For some reason, Hella has never made a bi-xenon retrofit kit for the E39.
Now THAT would be nice.

R / John

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Michael Low - 22 Feb 2005 23:48 GMT

<snip>

> For some reason, Hella has never made a bi-xenon retrofit kit for the E39.
> Now THAT would be nice.

I agree. The H7 halogen daytime running lights (hi-beams) make the E39
look dated.

I actually have Sylvania Silver Star H7 bulbs for my hi-beams. They
approach the look of the Xenon HIDs on my car when used as hi-beams but
when they are used in DRL mode they only burn at half wattage and look
no different from other halogen bulbs.

Yet I've noticed some E39s with DRLs that look like bi-Xenons. They
could be HID add-ons because so far every H7 bulbs vendor whom I've
asked says the aftermarket H7 bulbs won't produce HID light at DRL
wattage, even if the bulbs were rated 7500° to 8000°K.

Does anyone have other experiences to add?

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