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      01-17-2016, 04:01 AM   #1
usual_suspect
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After install LED headlights

Hi all,

I have F15 2015 Alpine White with M-sport. I bought this car about 2 months ago from a dealer here in Sweden. I really love the car except one thing - this car did not have the adaptive LED headlights. My recent car was the LCI X3 that was equiped with these headlight and i really miss that light when driving at night. Also i think that the LED headlight gives the X5 a much better and aggressive look than the Xenon.

Does anyone one no if its possible to after install the Adaptive LEDs, or at least just LED instead of Xenon for a reasonable amount of money?
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      01-17-2016, 06:30 PM   #2
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Quote:
Originally Posted by usual_suspect View Post
Hi all,

I have F15 2015 Alpine White with M-sport. I bought this car about 2 months ago from a dealer here in Sweden. I really love the car except one thing - this car did not have the adaptive LED headlights. My recent car was the LCI X3 that was equiped with these headlight and i really miss that light when driving at night. Also i think that the LED headlight gives the X5 a much better and aggressive look than the Xenon.

Does anyone one no if its possible to after install the Adaptive LEDs, or at least just LED instead of Xenon for a reasonable amount of money?
I hate to be the bearer of bad news but I think it'll cost you more to retrofit your f15 now unless you buy a used unit on EBay (likely damaged) or have access to a salvage yard (Pick n Pull). Buying a new oem unit will cost you more than the $1,900 the upgrade.
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      01-17-2016, 08:35 PM   #3
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Anything is possible. You will need:

- new wiring harness
- new light units, and if you buy from eBay you are likely to get screwed as most of the used ones are US standard and won't work for you in Europe. You will get many, many unresolved errors. Others in Europe have bought US LEDs and have had nothing but trouble
- You will need to code your car to recognize the lights. After every firmware update by the dealer, you will need to code your car again
- You will also need to code the anti dazzle feature which is a standard for EU/ROW LED lights
- You may need a new KAFAS (camera) as the adaptive feature uses KAFAS and last I checked there were three different versions.

Personally, I would not mess with it, and if you feel like you need more lumens, consider upgrading the fog lights to LED (many of those on eBay, just avoid the ones for night vision options), and consider a high quality LED bar which can go behind the grills.

I have considered a bar that will illuminate only with high beams, if switched to on.
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      01-17-2016, 08:43 PM   #4
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Your other option would be to buy an aftermarket LED kit.

http://www.amazon.com/SNGLŪ-Super-Br...ustomerReviews

I haven't really done any real research but the one above looks good from customer images. LEDs are not as bright as HID lights so the higher wattage should be what you're looking for. Color output should be good since the Lexus's single projector LEDs give off a decent output
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      01-18-2016, 04:10 AM   #5
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Yea, I realize that it would be a really bad investment. Specially since there is some other features I also would like to add. Multifunctional Display is one of them.

I have called my dealer this morning to start negotiating on a new order instead.

Anyway - thanks!
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      01-18-2016, 08:10 AM   #6
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the long term headache will be after every service you will have to restore everything you coded. as others have stated, for the effort and aggravation you will endure through out this project along with the costs associated you are far better off leaving it alone or trading your vehicle for the exact options you want.
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      01-18-2016, 09:25 AM   #7
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No, I will probably order a new car instead as you suggest.

Quote:
Originally Posted by iconoclast View Post
the long term headache will be after every service you will have to restore everything you coded. as others have stated, for the effort and aggravation you will endure through out this project along with the costs associated you are far better off leaving it alone or trading your vehicle for the exact options you want.
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      01-20-2016, 08:35 AM   #8
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I have retrofitted LED headlights on my E71 (prior gen) X6 - I am guessing the F15/F16 is the same, you will need to buy full LED lenses and determine which wiring changes have to take place. In addition, the FRM module will have to be coded appropriately.

The key will be figuring out which wiring has to be added/changed - BMW created a retrofit harness for the E70 M/E71 X6 to fit these - and as far as I know that has not been done for the F15/F16 yet.

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      01-20-2016, 09:50 AM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by CFoote View Post
I have retrofitted LED headlights on my E71 (prior gen) X6 - I am guessing the F15/F16 is the same, you will need to buy full LED lenses and determine which wiring changes have to take place. In addition, the FRM module will have to be coded appropriately.

The key will be figuring out which wiring has to be added/changed - BMW created a retrofit harness for the E70 M/E71 X6 to fit these - and as far as I know that has not been done for the F15/F16 yet.

Chris
That is good input. I add that there is additional complexity with the F15/16 as the LEDs for both US and EU as are designed for the anti dazzle function which also rely on the KAFAS. There are three different KAFAS in the parts catalog. The coding aspect is more involved (though well documented here in several threads), and, as you have mentioned, without an official retrofit kit by BMW, one would expect to have to recode after every dealer update.
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      01-21-2016, 09:56 AM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MattBianco View Post
That is good input. I add that there is additional complexity with the F15/16 as the LEDs for both US and EU as are designed for the anti dazzle function which also rely on the KAFAS. There are three different KAFAS in the parts catalog. The coding aspect is more involved (though well documented here in several threads), and, as you have mentioned, without an official retrofit kit by BMW, one would expect to have to recode after every dealer update.
Yes good point! Forgot about anti-dazzle and KAFAS - we have basic KAFAS in our E chassis because it is just high beam assistant.

Chris
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