The stock headlight seems to be really complicated with the way H7 bulb is mounted. Anyone done a conversion on this with just bulb and ballast?

Sorry, I also have a 2000 323i

Your in luck! I've recently converted my '99 323i's H7 to Xenon lighting (D2S, igniter, and ballast). Took a little R&D, though. I still can't figure out why BMW decided to change to H7 from the 9006 system.

From where the twist lock right is, using a dremel tool, I cut out the casing behind the ring. I then hollowed out the contacts so that the bulb can pass through and allow the igniter to connect.

It's very important that the focal length remain the same as the stock H7 bulb. When I recessed it in by a 1/4" it totally threw off the pattern. It definitely lit up the sky and ticked many drivers off that were heading in the opposite direction, let alone the one I followed.

The only thing that I need to figure out is that since I have removed the H7 bulbs, the instrument panel is showing a burnt out bulb condition. According to my neighbourhood BMW dealer, they told me there are no relays to remove and it was all controlled by the computer. I know that it goes out when I replace the bulb, so the riddle is to determine what the amperage draw is (other than the 10A it needs for the original bulb). Ideally, I would use some form of resistor to 'fool' the system thinking there is a bulb there. Any suggestions? Maybe I should have bought the 330 instead.

I'll never go back to halogens again.

My experience with the HID conversions is 2 cars so far. A H7 on my 540 and a 9006 on my 328. Well, the H7 took me a lot longer since I had to fabricate a mount to hold it in. The 9006 was just a simple twist in.

Since it's going too deep, you could probably fabricate a spacer. Even using existing spacers. Easy one is cut one out of a pipe. Make sure it will handle the temp your bulb will put out.

As far as the computer showing head light out. Here is a link for a fix (under tips & tricks, fix for after market Xenons). But I have also read that you could get the dealer to upgrade your computer so that it knows you have HID.

http://www.bmwtips.com

Your right!! HIDs rule.

Thanks Alex. That did the trick!