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Hey y'all.. Years ago I saw (I think on here) a mod that lit up the projector housing cone dimples without turning the headlights on. I've been searching but can't find it anywhere. Any tips on a how to do this? I did see a seller (pic attached) with the mod already done, but I don't want to replace my whole units
I don't know if this is the thread you're referencing (don't remember if that pic was in it) but here's the link from the thread that got me interested in this, and ended up doing mine from scratch, all those years ago. (BTW mine are still working)
This maybe a 2part question along with the OP.
Anyone know where to find the plug &play (pre-facelift) projector headlights without those stoopid halo rings?
Priced within reason I should also add.
I would have to assume after upgrading to projectors that the factory auto levelers would become inoperable/no longer work as intended....(?)
Thanks.
Are you asking about factory pre-facelift xenon’s? If so, they weren’t projectors and had fluted lenses behind the clear outer covers. Both have auto levelers and should be plug and play between xenon styles.
To retrofit from halogen, the BCM(?) needs to be programmed and the level sensors should be added if you’re concerned about legality. I’ve read some posts where something was added to the wiring (capacitors?) to go from halogen to xenon without reprogramming, but I’m not sure if this hack actually works or is safe.
I don't know if this is the thread you're referencing (don't remember if that pic was in it) but here's the link from the thread that got me interested in this, and ended up doing mine from scratch, all those years ago. (BTW mine are still working)
Are you asking about factory pre-facelift xenon’s? If so, they weren’t projectors and had fluted lenses behind the clear outer covers. Both have auto levelers and should be plug and play between xenon styles.
To retrofit from halogen, the BCM(?) needs to be programmed and the level sensors should be added if you’re concerned about legality. I’ve read some posts where something was added to the wiring (capacitors?) to go from halogen to xenon without reprogramming, but I’m not sure if this hack actually works or is safe.
Well, I'm not sure.
I have a pre-facelift 04 R53 - My original headlights are what i refer to as the early type, "flat lense" low beam style. From what I've gleened from the Bentley, the low beams are xenon and the high beams are halogen (?). Anyway, I was looking at replacing them with something like these Amazon
.
Although It would be nice if I could find the later factory model headlights at a affordable price that still retained the auto hight adjuster function, I figured the above link would suffice. I just don't care for the halo ring clutter appearance. Merely more an aesthetic thing for me.
I’m pretty sure both the pre face lift xenon and halogen headlights have the internal flat lenses for the low beams, and the most obvious way to tell them apart are the required headlight washers on the xenons. The facelift xenons were projectors with washers, and the halogens had faceted reflectors instead of the internal flat lens. Both styles of xenon use halogens for the high beams.
If you have pre FL xenons, FL xenons should be plug and play, including the auto leveling sensors. From all of the projects and skills I’ve seen, you should easily be able to remove the outer cover and modify the factory halo trim for your own custom look.
They took a while to find, but I was eventually pick up an extra set of factory FL xenons from eBay with lenses which I rate around 7-7.5, and the shipped price was a little less than the headlights you linked above.
I’m pretty sure both the pre face lift xenon and halogen headlights have the internal flat lenses for the low beams, and the most obvious way to tell them apart are the required headlight washers on the xenons.
The facelift xenons were projectors with washers, and the halogens had faceted reflectors instead of the internal flat lens. Both styles of xenon use halogens for the high beams.
Ah - Yes I see that now. I did a search on ebay and saw the other BIG "flat lens" style that you are referring to. The Bentley never showed a picture of that larger clear low beam lens type. ^^^Facelift BIG flat style low beam lamps/lens
They only pictured the projector style indicating them as the 2005 Facelift (build date after July,2004).
I continued my search on ebay with 2006 or "pre-facelift" in my search term query and a few minor results turned up with the facelift projector style I desire...still at OUTRAGEOUS prices for even pre-owned.
Although ,I shouldn't have been surprised.
It would be nice to have the auto leveling feature with the projectors that I linked to above, but I think I'll be ok modding out the halo and having to live with manual adjustment. I never could tell if my factory self leveling ones did anything anyway.
As always, I can usually count on getting a clear answer and great advice from you RB.
Thanks again!
Where can I find Plug n' Play Projectors with washers?
Well I'm back to where I had started in search for upgrading my pre-facelift Xenons to projector headlights with washers that work/compatible with factory xenons.
It seems that all of the aftermarket ones I've found either falsely picture/advertise headlights with washers (when they don't), or neglect to mention that the projector headlights offered are incompatible with Minis originally equipped with factory Xenons.
The OEM/preowned factory '05+ projector headlights listed on eBay are usually in worse condition than the '04 Xenons I currently/original have on my car.
Cosmetically, my original Xenons are not in too unsightly condition. Even though I've changed the bulbs they still don't throw out a lot of light (by today's standards).
I would just prefer not to have to spend another $1,000 on new factory projectors.
I have read through quite a few old threads but have yet to find a post where folks have purchased their healights from.
Anyone have any recommendations or a reasonably priced source for plug n' plays w/washers?
I have a theory that the clear “lenses” are the same in both xenon versions and can be swapped, but I don’t have both versions of the xenon’s to compare or for test fitting. If true, you can get a set extremely clouded face lift xenon’s for cheap and use your lenses on them.
Maybe you can find some broken headlights for almost nothing during your salvage yard runs to experiment with.
Good advice/alternative.
I also considered doing this.
Interestingly enough 2wo of the vendors suggested the same solution for purchasing the newer aftermarket projectors they were selling.Unfortunately, it was also mentioned that none of them were comparable with factory Xenons.
I added a couple of factory facelifts I found on eBay to my watch list that were just as you describe and will probably have to go that route. If nothing else.
I kinda feel foolish now passing up on a couple of Mini's I found at asalvage yard a few months back with really nice condition projectors. I really didn't think much about it at the time.
