I dont know all that much about headlights but I am a little upset that I couldnt find an e90 325i without the Xenon headlights... so I'm looking for an aftermarket solution.

I've found lots of results on ebay but they range from $15 to $3000.

Some of the results seem to be just bulbs but claim that they will replace regular halogin bulbs and dont need an extra kit.

Others come with a conversion kit that costs upwards of $300 and claim that you need a conversion kit to use any xenon bulbs.

I was wondering if anyone here has any thoughts on this as to what I should do.

the ones that r like $15 are just bulbs that have a xenon glow, they arent actually xenon. they glow usually blue. the kits that have a like a power box and w/e that r like $300 plus, those r the real deal. and as far as how much power i think stock e90's lights are 4600k, if u get higher like 6000k they glow brighter and usually a different color

Assuming you have projectors in your low beams then all you really need is a good conversion kit.

Projectors are required so that you don't blind oncoming cars. Regular halogen reflectors don't react well to high intensity discharge (HID) lights as the HIDs produce anywhere from 2 to 3 X's the lux as compared to the halogens.

You need the conversion kit for the following reason. Halogen is a heated filament in a halogen gas (12 volts) while HIDs are xenon gas that is excited with high voltage, 25,000 volts. HIDs are similar to those mercury vapor lights you see on street corners.

I don't know if the new E90 is using a 9006/9005 combination or an what combination.

Most conversions I have done and seen involve replacing the H1 bulb with the HID replacement bulb because these systems had a projector in the low beam.

If you have one of the combinations I am sure that a good conversion kit will work fine as long as they are projector. Projectors are the ones that have a lens around 2-3 inchs in diameter. They have a sharp cut off and don't blind oncoming drivers.

BMW as well as most European cars that use HIDs use 4300K, K as in Kevin, as the standard. It produces the most white light and lux output. HIDs pull 35 watts per light versus 55 watts for your stock halogen bulb.

The conversion kit installation is not hard to do as there are plug and play systems out there that plug into the stock headlight socket to the ballast which kicks the voltage up then from there to the HID bulb. It is possible to get a Low Beam Failure warning on your OBD due to the difference in wattage (55 versus 35). I have had this happen twice in two conversions but the warning went away after just two uses and has not returned.

I would be happy to answer any questions you might have.
You can also try HIDplanet.com as there are good tutorials on what HIDs are.
Hope this helps some...

Thanks for this write up fun, I do have more questions regarding this conversion any help is appreciated.

I have a 2007 320 Europeen version which comes with halogen stock bulbs and would like to convert to HID. I got kinda of confused on whats on ebay as well. I would like to convert the high and low beams which are H7LL according to the sylvania guide. Theres an MTEC conversion kit which the seller claims its specificaly for this model (E90). what I dont understand is why is it specifically for the E90, shouldnt any HID H7 kit work?Is it possible that I purchase a kit and the cars wirring wont plug directly into the ballast, is this why he states its specically for this model? Seller claims no warning lights on the dash, which is making me believe I need to buy this specific model.

Do you guys recommend MTEC or what other brands? so far theyre the only ones I found that state specifically for the E90.
Also the fog lights are H11 would it be hard to find a plug and play HID kit for this type of socket?

Thanks for the additional help.

Step 1. Verify you have projection headlights. Pull in front of a wall or building and if the lights are very distinct like this ___/----____/---- Then feel free to proceed.

Step 2. CAREFULLY install the light, the are delicate.

Step 3. Refer to one of the FAQ's for install help


I would suggest buying from a supporting vendor here, since you will receive a quality product with support and a warranty.

~Phil

I appreciate the help, would anyone know how to get rid of the failure lamp indiator after installing a xenon kit?

if u find out about the failure light on the screen let me know too :) when I turn them on failure light goes off but when my lights are off failure comes back on. sux

With e90's it is easy to tell if you have projectors, as far as I have noticed the only ones with projectors are the ones with Angel Eyes from the factory. and if they have projectors, i think they automatically come with HID's.