Has Anyone Retrofitted LCI Headlights?

AdamGarciaTX · 04-30-2013, 04:38 AM

Like the title states, I was wondering if anyone has retrofitted the 2013+ headlights with the LED angel eyes to a 2009-2012 model car.

ManiacGT · 04-30-2013, 07:26 AM

Not that I know of or have seen. These units are very expensive, around £1500 (well over $2000) per unit from the dealer. If you're happy to spend that money they're yours, personally they don't offer much more than non LCI with LED Halos so I'll save my cash, or keep an eye out for second hand units/crashed cars which may be a while yet as they're only just being delivered...

VailM3 · 04-30-2013, 07:50 AM

I am interested in it but agreed, price might be back breaking.

BMWZ4RIDER · 04-30-2013, 07:52 AM

Agreed.

InsanePineapple · 05-02-2013, 01:06 AM

For that kind of cost, might as well trade in for a new Z4...

VailM3 · 05-02-2013, 07:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by morfinx

For that kind of cost, might as well trade in for a new Z4...

cars must be cheap in the US where 2k= new car.

InsanePineapple · 05-02-2013, 01:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VailM3

cars must be cheap in the US where 2k= new car.

I was being facetious

Nevertheless, the price is bit too high just for the LED accents.

Hujan · 05-03-2013, 12:06 AM

Forgive my ignorance: Can one not simply replace the bulb with an LED?

We are planning on picking up a 2010 Z4 on Saturday and one of the first things I plan to do is swap out the yellow angel eyes to something that is bluish-white. I'd prefer LEDs for the brightness, but if it can't be done inexpensively, I suppose we'll settle for different halogen (H8?) bulbs.

AdamGarciaTX · 05-03-2013, 01:42 AM

Its not only the brightness of the angel eyes that is the difference. The LCI headlights have an led band across the "brow", different design for the turn signals, LED angel eyes, and the projector housing seeming to be more clear plastic/acrylic based than the silver painted housing on the pre-LCI.

CedarZ4 · 05-03-2013, 11:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hujan

Forgive my ignorance: Can one not simply replace the bulb with an LED?

We are planning on picking up a 2010 Z4 on Saturday and one of the first things I plan to do is swap out the yellow angel eyes to something that is bluish-white. I'd prefer LEDs for the brightness, but if it can't be done inexpensively, I suppose we'll settle for different halogen (H8?) bulbs.

This can be done. That is to say, you can buy LED H8 bulbs and replace the halogen ones and get a bluish-white tint. However, even when you do that, it will not look like the 2014 LCI angel eyes because of the design itself. Haven't looked into it in much depth, but the pre-LCI AEs will have hot spots, namely the inner circle being brighter than the outer. Also, only at certain angles will it appear the brightess. The new LCI AEs, due to the design, will look just as bright at any angle.

So, long answer short, yes you can buy LED bulbs and put them into your 2010 Z4 for white/blue AEs. However, they will not look exactly like the LCI ones, even if you use HIDs (there will still be hotspots regardless).

JasonT · 05-13-2013, 11:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AdamGarciaTX

Like the title states, I was wondering if anyone has retrofitted the 2013+ headlights with the LED angel eyes to a 2009-2012 model car.

LCI is a MY14, and a completely different design/technology from the inside out. Cost efficient, just change the light bulbs !

ManiacGT · 05-14-2013, 04:58 AM

I still don't quite understand BMW's marketing blurb for the LCI headlights where they state an 'all new' '3D design'... weren't the previous ones 3D?

ZheHbKa · 05-14-2013, 09:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ManiacGT

Not that I know of or have seen. These units are very expensive, around £1500 (well over $2000) per unit from the dealer. If you're happy to spend that money they're yours, personally they don't offer much more than non LCI with LED Halos so I'll save my cash, or keep an eye out for second hand units/crashed cars which may be a while yet as they're only just being delivered...

+1 get LED bulbs at a fraction of the price

Malfunction · 05-14-2013, 11:05 AM

Newbie question. Do the LED bulbs require a ballast? Can someone recommend an easy to install option?

BMWZ4RIDER · 05-14-2013, 08:05 PM

LED electric chips require Drivers vs ballasts for operation. Drivers run the LED at various amps to produce light output. The H8 LEDS run in the car are being run from a 12 volt DC source vs Line voltage 120-277 volt source and require a special step down driver converting the power from 120 volts to 12 volts. Look on Ebay for H8 LED for Angel eyes. There are some very good Lamps for $80-100 per set that are plug and play. Cree LEDs, (Cree is the led chip manufacturer) is a quality led chip.

Malfunction · 05-15-2013, 04:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BMWZ4RIDER

LED electric chips require Drivers vs ballasts for operation. Drivers run the LED at various amps to produce light output. The H8 LEDS run in the car are being run from a 12 volt DC source vs Line voltage 120-277 volt source and require a special step down driver converting the power from 120 volts to 12 volts. Look on Ebay for H8 LED for Angel eyes. There are some very good Lamps for $80-100 per set that are plug and play. Cree LEDs, (Cree is the led chip manufacturer) is a quality led chip.

Thanks!

Desmo85 · 10-05-2013, 05:41 AM

*Bump*

Has anyone done the retrofit yet? I found a guy offering 450$ per pre-LCI Headlight

CedarZ4 · 10-05-2013, 11:16 AM

I've been wanting to try it, but wasn't able to find a source that is selling 2014 headlights...

Mind sharing the source? I may buy one to see if it's at all possible...

Desmo85 · 10-05-2013, 03:55 PM

I´ve found the partnumbers:

http://realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?...25&hg=63&fg=05

I simply googled it and found dozens of suppliers with online shops!

Left: 63127348953
Right: 63127348954

Cheers

CedarZ4 · 10-05-2013, 04:36 PM

Which store gave you a quote of $450? I could only find ECSTuning and Turner BMW selling them, but for $1,200 per side! Not sure I'm willing to put down that kind of money to experiment with... $450 maybe

Desmo85 · 10-06-2013, 03:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CedarZ4

Which store gave you a quote of $450? I could only find ECSTuning and Turner BMW selling them, but for $1,200 per side! Not sure I'm willing to put down that kind of money to experiment with... $450 maybe

No you got me wrong, he wants to buy them for 450€ per side for my current Headlights, the new ones however are 925€ per side.

So I would have to pay 1000€ for the parts only.

ManiacGT · 10-06-2013, 06:17 AM

You'd pay out 1000 euros to get bright halos? Money to burn...

04-30-2013, 04:38 AM	#1
AdamGarciaTX Private 13 Rep 61 Posts Drives: 2011 Z4 35is Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: United States iTrader: (0)	Has Anyone Retrofitted LCI Headlights? Like the title states, I was wondering if anyone has retrofitted the 2013+ headlights with the LED angel eyes to a 2009-2012 model car.
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

04-30-2013, 07:26 AM	#2
ManiacGT Major 87 Rep 1,448 Posts Drives: Z4 sDrive 35i Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Manchester, UK iTrader: (0)	Not that I know of or have seen. These units are very expensive, around £1500 (well over $2000) per unit from the dealer. If you're happy to spend that money they're yours, personally they don't offer much more than non LCI with LED Halos so I'll save my cash, or keep an eye out for second hand units/crashed cars which may be a while yet as they're only just being delivered...
	Appreciate 0 Quote

04-30-2013, 07:50 AM	#3
VailM3 Captain 64 Rep 766 Posts Drives: 2011 Z4 35is Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Geneva Switzerland iTrader: (0)	I am interested in it but agreed, price might be back breaking.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

04-30-2013, 07:52 AM	#4
BMWZ4RIDER BMWZ4Rider 77 Rep 801 Posts Drives: 2009 BMW Z4 35i Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Cape Cod, MA iTrader: (0)	Agreed. __________________ 2009 BMW Z4 35i/SMG/DCT/Premium,Cold, Sound PK/Com Acc/Ash/PDC/Wind Deflector/Smoked Reflectors/Red Calipers/Cl Mask/M Series Grill/6000K LED's/De-Badged/M Pedals/CF Mirrors-Engine Cover/Stubby/20% Tint/H8 LED's/LCI Side Markers/Sniper Sprint Spoiler/VMR V710/H&R Sport Springs/KN.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-02-2013, 01:06 AM	#5
InsanePineapple Shenanigans 86 Rep 1,252 Posts Drives: See Signature Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Austin, TX iTrader: (1)	For that kind of cost, might as well trade in for a new Z4... __________________ [Current] Tesla Model 3 Performance [Retired] Audi R8 V10 6MT, BMW i3 BEV, BMW i3 REx, BMW Z4 sDrive35i DCT, BMW 335i Coupe 6MT
	Appreciate 1 Super Spartan1569.50 Quote

05-03-2013, 12:06 AM	#8
Hujan Brigadier General 576 Rep 3,741 Posts Drives: M3 Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: . iTrader: (16)	Forgive my ignorance: Can one not simply replace the bulb with an LED? We are planning on picking up a 2010 Z4 on Saturday and one of the first things I plan to do is swap out the yellow angel eyes to something that is bluish-white. I'd prefer LEDs for the brightness, but if it can't be done inexpensively, I suppose we'll settle for different halogen (H8?) bulbs.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-03-2013, 01:42 AM	#9
AdamGarciaTX Private 13 Rep 61 Posts Drives: 2011 Z4 35is Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: United States iTrader: (0)	Its not only the brightness of the angel eyes that is the difference. The LCI headlights have an led band across the "brow", different design for the turn signals, LED angel eyes, and the projector housing seeming to be more clear plastic/acrylic based than the silver painted housing on the pre-LCI.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-14-2013, 04:58 AM	#12
ManiacGT Major 87 Rep 1,448 Posts Drives: Z4 sDrive 35i Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Manchester, UK iTrader: (0)	I still don't quite understand BMW's marketing blurb for the LCI headlights where they state an 'all new' '3D design'... weren't the previous ones 3D?
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-14-2013, 11:05 AM	#14
Malfunction Private 5 Rep 80 Posts Drives: 2015 Porsche GTS Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Montreal iTrader: (0)	Newbie question. Do the LED bulbs require a ballast? Can someone recommend an easy to install option?
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-14-2013, 08:05 PM	#15
BMWZ4RIDER BMWZ4Rider 77 Rep 801 Posts Drives: 2009 BMW Z4 35i Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Cape Cod, MA iTrader: (0)	LED electric chips require Drivers vs ballasts for operation. Drivers run the LED at various amps to produce light output. The H8 LEDS run in the car are being run from a 12 volt DC source vs Line voltage 120-277 volt source and require a special step down driver converting the power from 120 volts to 12 volts. Look on Ebay for H8 LED for Angel eyes. There are some very good Lamps for $80-100 per set that are plug and play. Cree LEDs, (Cree is the led chip manufacturer) is a quality led chip. __________________ 2009 BMW Z4 35i/SMG/DCT/Premium,Cold, Sound PK/Com Acc/Ash/PDC/Wind Deflector/Smoked Reflectors/Red Calipers/Cl Mask/M Series Grill/6000K LED's/De-Badged/M Pedals/CF Mirrors-Engine Cover/Stubby/20% Tint/H8 LED's/LCI Side Markers/Sniper Sprint Spoiler/VMR V710/H&R Sport Springs/KN.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-05-2013, 05:41 AM	#17
Desmo85 First Lieutenant 83 Rep 329 Posts Drives: E60 / E87 / E89 Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: SoBe iTrader: (0)	Bump Has anyone done the retrofit yet? I found a guy offering 450$ per pre-LCI Headlight
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-05-2013, 11:16 AM	#18
CedarZ4 Captain 68 Rep 715 Posts Drives: G05 M50i, Tesla M3P Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: SoFL iTrader: (2)	I've been wanting to try it, but wasn't able to find a source that is selling 2014 headlights... Mind sharing the source? I may buy one to see if it's at all possible...
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-05-2013, 03:55 PM	#19
Desmo85 First Lieutenant 83 Rep 329 Posts Drives: E60 / E87 / E89 Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: SoBe iTrader: (0)	I´ve found the partnumbers: http://realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?...25&hg=63&fg=05 I simply googled it and found dozens of suppliers with online shops! Left: 63127348953 Right: 63127348954 Cheers
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-05-2013, 04:36 PM	#20
CedarZ4 Captain 68 Rep 715 Posts Drives: G05 M50i, Tesla M3P Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: SoFL iTrader: (2)	Which store gave you a quote of $450? I could only find ECSTuning and Turner BMW selling them, but for $1,200 per side! Not sure I'm willing to put down that kind of money to experiment with... $450 maybe
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-06-2013, 06:17 AM	#22
ManiacGT Major 87 Rep 1,448 Posts Drives: Z4 sDrive 35i Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Manchester, UK iTrader: (0)	You'd pay out 1000 euros to get bright halos? Money to burn...
	Appreciate 0 Quote