BMW X3 Forum
BMW X3 Forum
Welcome to the ultimate BMW X3 community.
BMW Garage BMW Meets Register Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read
Post Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
      06-04-2012, 11:58 PM   #1
flexfft
New Member
United_States
1
Rep
20
Posts

Drives: 3er
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: DC

iTrader: (0)

European / German Headlight Swap

Has anyone swapped their US spec headlights on a F25 to European/German spec (sans orange/amber reflector)? Or can anyone confirm that this is possible and a direct plug/play without issues? I know that folks have swapped the rear signals successfully (to get amber signals) but I have not been able to find much on headlights.

Thanks in advance-
Appreciate 0
      06-06-2012, 03:37 PM   #2
flexfft
New Member
United_States
1
Rep
20
Posts

Drives: 3er
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: DC

iTrader: (0)

no one on this?
Appreciate 0
      06-06-2012, 05:18 PM   #3
ReturnZero
First Lieutenant
United_States
45
Rep
323
Posts

Drives: 2013 X3 35i M-Sport
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Dallas, Texas

iTrader: (1)

I'm sure it would be technically feasible, but probably very expensive to get the new housings. Also might be a bit difficult to get a hold of, you'll have to get someone to purchase them in Europe and have them shipped over.
Appreciate 0
      06-06-2012, 06:12 PM   #4
Nahoa
Lieutenant Colonel
United_States
45
Rep
1,876
Posts

Drives: F25 35i Mineral Silver/Black
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Virginia

iTrader: (0)

Like switching out the side view mirrors or the rear turn signals . . . . . why don't they have the amber rear turn signals in the US? Why????
__________________
Appreciate 0
      06-06-2012, 06:21 PM   #5
ReturnZero
First Lieutenant
United_States
45
Rep
323
Posts

Drives: 2013 X3 35i M-Sport
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Dallas, Texas

iTrader: (1)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Nahoa View Post
Like switching out the side view mirrors or the rear turn signals . . . . . why don't they have the amber rear turn signals in the US? Why????
There are regulations over there which stipulate that rear turn signals must be amber, but in the US they can be amber or red in the back. My guess is the BMW designers prefer the look of having the housing be all red, so that's what they do in markets where this is possible.
Appreciate 0
      06-07-2012, 04:35 AM   #6
Nahoa
Lieutenant Colonel
United_States
45
Rep
1,876
Posts

Drives: F25 35i Mineral Silver/Black
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Virginia

iTrader: (0)

I'd thought that before, too, about the consistent red appearance of the gels. I think the amber models still look red when they're not activate. Unless they preferred the "all red" even when activated? Goofy to me. The safety advantage of the instant recognition of the amber as a turn indicator seems significant -- from a distance on a rural road, in the midst of heavy traffic when folks are frequently on and off the brakes quickly. I hope they change their mind going forward!
__________________
Appreciate 0
      06-07-2012, 02:54 PM   #7
br21
New Member
1
Rep
8
Posts

Drives: x3
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: pl

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by flexfft View Post
Has anyone swapped their US spec headlights on a F25 to European/German spec (sans orange/amber reflector)? Or can anyone confirm that this is possible and a direct plug/play without issues? I know that folks have swapped the rear signals successfully (to get amber signals) but I have not been able to find much on headlights.

Thanks in advance-
We are currently in the process of that transformation, in few days time I should be able to say more, but as for now it looks it's just a straight swap
Appreciate 0
      06-07-2012, 03:56 PM   #8
flexfft
New Member
United_States
1
Rep
20
Posts

Drives: 3er
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: DC

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by br21 View Post
We are currently in the process of that transformation, in few days time I should be able to say more, but as for now it looks it's just a straight swap
br21, good stuff, please do let us know how it goes...I asked one dealer and they told me they opened a PUMA case on the issue and Munich said it wasn't possible due to programming on a US Spec vehicle, which I find suspicious and can't technically understand why it wouldn't be possible (case number 51185218 if anyone is interested, I didn't follow up with Munich).

At any rate, highly interested in the results, thank you in advance!
Appreciate 0
      06-07-2012, 04:01 PM   #9
flexfft
New Member
United_States
1
Rep
20
Posts

Drives: 3er
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: DC

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by ReturnZero View Post
There are regulations over there which stipulate that rear turn signals must be amber, but in the US they can be amber or red in the back. My guess is the BMW designers prefer the look of having the housing be all red, so that's what they do in markets where this is possible.
Someone else here on the forums swapped these so they are a confirmed direct replacement...believe the cost was around 600USD for the pair from an ebay source.. No headlights yet though...let us know br21!
Appreciate 0
      06-21-2012, 03:42 AM   #10
flexfft
New Member
United_States
1
Rep
20
Posts

Drives: 3er
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: DC

iTrader: (0)

any update br21?
Appreciate 0
      06-21-2012, 03:36 PM   #11
br21
New Member
1
Rep
8
Posts

Drives: x3
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: pl

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by flexfft View Post
any update br21?
rears I'm swapping tomorrow, but there shouldn't be any problem.
front ones are working, next week we are going to electronics guy who should turn of those side markers, etc so then I will provide an update
Appreciate 0
      06-21-2012, 04:36 PM   #12
flexfft
New Member
United_States
1
Rep
20
Posts

Drives: 3er
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: DC

iTrader: (0)

so you installed the fronts with no issue? ie, no codes, just fired right up?....did you have adaptive?

....updates appreciated...rear ambers should be plug/play. thx again for leading the way here.
Appreciate 0
      06-23-2012, 09:21 AM   #13
jc4ho
New Member
1
Rep
26
Posts

Drives: BMW
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Toronto

iTrader: (0)

I've been looking into this the day I got my car and it always seemed to be direct swap. Now I realize that the US spec vehicles are equipped with Bi-Xenons for hi-beams whereas that may not be the case in Europe. So for a direct swap you may loose the ability to use your xenon headlights as high beams. Not sure entirely, just a hunch.

I suppose we can easily confirm with someone from Europe and see what their high beams are like.
Appreciate 0
      06-23-2012, 03:24 PM   #14
ReturnZero
First Lieutenant
United_States
45
Rep
323
Posts

Drives: 2013 X3 35i M-Sport
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Dallas, Texas

iTrader: (1)

AFAIK the Euro lights are bi-xenon just like ours. They should be identical in every way except for the amber reflectors and they'll have different cutoff patterns instead of our DOT ones. Usually the Euro cutoff patterns are a really good upgrade on their own, good light further down the road and a sharper, more colorful edge.
Appreciate 0
      06-24-2012, 12:50 PM   #15
br21
New Member
1
Rep
8
Posts

Drives: x3
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: pl

iTrader: (0)

rears are no problem, straight swap... of course you still lack rear fog light which is obligatory in europe (at least in some countries)
front ones are working after straight swap, only those markers using orange side indicator bulbs are problematic, it's job for good guy with proper software for bmw
Appreciate 0
      06-27-2012, 02:12 PM   #16
br21
New Member
1
Rep
8
Posts

Drives: x3
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: pl

iTrader: (0)

lights swaped for european ones, everything works OK, rears straight swap, front ones also, only needed computer guy who turned off amber side markers
Appreciate 0
      07-02-2012, 03:33 AM   #17
flexfft
New Member
United_States
1
Rep
20
Posts

Drives: 3er
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: DC

iTrader: (0)

Thanks for the update, so you did find a way to disable the side markers?
Appreciate 0
      07-03-2012, 04:51 PM   #18
br21
New Member
1
Rep
8
Posts

Drives: x3
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: pl

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by flexfft View Post
Thanks for the update, so you did find a way to disable the side markers?
yes, for bmw specialist with a computer it wasn't a problem.
he also unlocked many more things like rear hood closing via key, radio stations with even frequency channels, european navigation, language, etc.
Appreciate 0
      07-07-2012, 11:17 AM   #19
flexfft
New Member
United_States
1
Rep
20
Posts

Drives: 3er
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: DC

iTrader: (0)

Thanks again br21, I wonder what he changed....also wonder if this would be possible via the coding program that everyone is using now. I don't suppose it is possible to get more detail from your bmw specialist on what values he changed for coding or further detail on the coding itself?
Appreciate 0
      07-08-2012, 12:42 PM   #20
br21
New Member
1
Rep
8
Posts

Drives: x3
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: pl

iTrader: (0)

unfortunately I won't be able to help with that, as he's not wanting to share his secrets which I understand 100%...
Appreciate 0
Post Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 09:01 AM.




xbimmers
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
1Addicts.com, BIMMERPOST.com, E90Post.com, F30Post.com, M3Post.com, ZPost.com, 5Post.com, 6Post.com, 7Post.com, XBimmers.com logo and trademark are properties of BIMMERPOST