X5 F15 LED headlight retrofit

[kevoncox]

Originally Posted by blue dragon

You are probably the only one who didn't understand what retrofit meant.

I don't doubt it. I don't claim to be an expert. I was just explaining my confusion. Oh, wait another newbie asked the same question. It might be annoying but a lot of these vehicles are changing hands from the original owners. A lot of the knowledge that you assume everyone knows, the new owners may not.

[kevoncox]

Originally Posted by -c-

Well in the US market all x5's came standard with HID's so in my main header I had "LED retrofit" so that was implying swapping the stock headlights with the Optional LED's.

I'm not a lawyer so I left much to the imagination I guess....

Man tough crowd!

No need to apologize or anything like that. Thank you for the write up. I honestly, didn't know what was the difference and was simply trying to figure it out. As I mentioned, some of the new guys frequenting the forum may not be privy to the info that you old timers have. Thanks for everything.

[-c-]

Originally Posted by kevoncox

No need to apologize or anything like that. Thank you for the write up. I honestly, didn't know what was the difference and was simply trying to figure it out. As I mentioned, some of the new guys frequenting the forum may not be privy to the info that you old timers have. Thanks for everything.

No worries I get it.

Sometimes it's hard to tell if someone's just shaking your chains or not in these forums as it's hard to tell with text

All is good ! We just love putzin with our cars and sharing it on the forum here.

Not very good with descriptions so I do apologize that it was hard to follow.

Happy holidays to all!!!!!

[lonestar22]

How is the output on the road? LEDs are by far more efficient but I've seen some non projector LEDs that so not look as good as HID on the ground. Whats your opinion?

[///d]

Originally Posted by lonestar22

How is the output on the road? LEDs are by far more efficient but I've seen some non projector LEDs that so not look as good as HID on the ground. Whats your opinion?

Here for a response as well. I've had hit and miss experience with vehicles with LED headlights. Some are great, others disperse the light so damn fast you cant see 20ft in front of the vehicle without the high beams on.

[ANDY12114563]

Hi quick question. Did you program the modules to the car? I did the retrofit and I have a bunch of check control messages for the lights. I tried to initialize the new leds and it would let me because the car is not communicating with the modules. Right now currently the main lights turn on. The halos don't work with the light switch turned on for the daytime running lights and turn signals dont work. Thanks

[-c-]

Originally Posted by ANDY12114563

Hi quick question. Did you program the modules to the car? I did the retrofit and I have a bunch of check control messages for the lights. I tried to initialize the new leds and it would let me because the car is not communicating with the modules. Right now currently the main lights turn on. The halos don't work with the light switch turned on for the daytime running lights and turn signals dont work. Thanks

All the programmer did was change it from HID to led on the program it was very quick and simple.

As long as your headlights are from a 2016 or newer and your X5 is a 2016 or newer it should work fine.

Please reach out to Marius and he will be able to guide you on the programming side.

He also will probably double check whitch fuses you connected them to.

[-c-]

Originally Posted by ANDY12114563

Hi quick question. Did you program the modules to the car? I did the retrofit and I have a bunch of check control messages for the lights. I tried to initialize the new leds and it would let me because the car is not communicating with the modules. Right now currently the main lights turn on. The halos don't work with the light switch turned on for the daytime running lights and turn signals dont work. Thanks

I sent you his contact number to help you out.

[chumbedi]

Originally Posted by lonestar22

How is the output on the road? LEDs are by far more efficient but I've seen some non projector LEDs that so not look as good as HID on the ground. Whats your opinion?

I assume if LED headlights are not good/ efficient maybe the car owner put some weird Chinese LED H4 replacement bulbs.

[Variante Alta]

I have a 2015 X5 35d that came with factory installed LED headlights (lucky me!). I have found the light (even in decoded NA format) to be excellent for throw, sign illumination and roadway illumination compared to the already great HIDs. Do the Anti-dazzle and Variable Light Distribution coding and they're truly amazing headlights. And ya, they also look cool even when you're not using them .

Good write up on the retrofit - very helpful to many I'm sure. I see you changed out the fogs too that match the LED headlights - nice touch!

[AdamiPL]

where I can get the wires? or I can make them by my self? do you know what's the product number for that pins/connectors?

[-c-]

Originally Posted by AdamiPL

where I can get the wires? or I can make them by my self? do you know what's the product number for that pins/connectors?

Pm sent

[amp82]

Great article, thanks. Quick question, are these the adaptive LED lights you fitted (which change direction as you turn the steering wheel)? I had them in my old VW (adaptive, but still xenon) and now miss it on the X5

[-c-]

Originally Posted by amp82

Great article, thanks. Quick question, are these the adaptive LED lights you fitted (which change direction as you turn the steering wheel)? I had them in my old VW (adaptive, but still xenon) and now miss it on the X5

Yes the HID and the LED's both turn as you drive and these LED headlights can be coded to do a Matrix style DIP (anti dazzle) with the high beams witch is cool!

I think in the USA all X5's had HID that turned with the steering wheel and the LED's where an added option but also turned with the steering.

[NYBulldog]

I found a cheap set of 2015 X5M LED headlights but I have a 2016 X5 35i... I just read through your thread... should I even bother getting them?

[-c-]

Originally Posted by NYBulldog

I found a cheap set of 2015 X5M LED headlights but I have a 2016 X5 35i... I just read through your thread... should I even bother getting them?

Unfortunately I'd pass unless you know how to rewire the x5 for the older setup.

Their was a guy on here who did the x5 led upgrade with the older 2015 headlights into his 2016 and they worked fine but it involved removing the inner wheel wells and accessing the power wire block in the engine compartment and rewiring the truck to accept them. It took them a while to get it working but I don't have history on that build.

Getting the correct led headlights for your model year is the best way to keep it simple.


Getting the correct year headlight will make it as close to a plug and play setup as you could hope for..

[zero2sixtyZ]

Nice writeup. Incredible deal for $400. Most of the pairs on ebay are going for 2k+
Good info on the model year differences.

[-c-]

Originally Posted by zero2sixtyZ

Nice writeup. Incredible deal for $400. Most of the pairs on ebay are going for 2k+
Good info on the model year differences.

Yea sometimes eBay is truly a place to find steals.

But you have to move quick.

Some of my best deals where from people with spelling error's and the only reason I found it was I made the same spelling error and they where motivated to sell! lol.

[M3HNGRY]

Years later I still haven't done this yet. Hopefully, get to do it this winter

[slidewayscoupe]

2017 X5 w/ HID's and I've been wanting to do this! Thanks for the info!

From what I gather, I should look for 2016+ LED housings and even then, it still requires some miscellaneous wiring and coding?

[lonestar22]

anyone know if its possible to add euro LED headlights to a NA X5 and be able to utilize the cornering light thats built into the headlights. You can see it in the inside corner of the headlight.

[spit]

Originally Posted by lonestar22

anyone know if its possible to add euro LED headlights to a NA X5 and be able to utilize the cornering light thats built into the headlights. You can see it in the inside corner of the headlight.

good question it would be a really good upgrade