I'm looking into updating my pre-01 lights and just needed to know if there are any ways to retrofit the auto-leveling headlight feature?

I've heard Umnitza's p39's can do it, obviously the OE Hella's could be fitted, but is it possible to say add them to my pre-01 non-xenon lights or say the DEPO updated lights?

BTW - this is just a question and in no way am I saying this is what I want. Just weighing the options.

I'm looking into updating my pre-01 lights and just needed to know if there are any ways to retrofit the auto-leveling headlight feature?

I've heard Umnitza's p39's can do it, obviously the OE Hella's could be fitted, but is it possible to say add them to my pre-01 non-xenon lights or say the DEPO updated lights?

Its more complicated then you think. The self leveling feature is actually hooked up to the car's suspension. Its not as easy as swapping headlights. I think there are several suspension components involved. Good Luck

there are sockets in the back of hella xenon lights where wires plug into the auto level motors. cars without factory xenons dont have the wiring, or the suspension mounted sensors gumbi mentioned.

there are sockets in the back of hella xenon lights where wires plug into the auto level motors. cars without factory xenons dont have the wiring, or the suspension mounted sensors gumbi mentioned.


so thatsss what those sockets are for...

Ok, so I knew about the two leveling devices you need on the suspension arms (one front and one rear) but as for the leveling motors, that's IN the headlight assembly or packed on the outside?

You know I was wondering if there are different suspension components that have mounting points for the sensors and it doesn't look like there's a difference for cars with our without auto-levelling. On my old 528i and 330CI, the sensors were mounted on the control arms - and would get busted every once in a while because I'd forget they were there when doing suspension installs.

You can get the brackets and autolevelling sensors separately (2 total - one on front the other on the rear). From what I remember the sensors don't tie into anything other than the headlights. I guess it depends on whether you think having auto-levelling is worth $200+. I honestly have not missed it at all having had cars with it.

Its more complicated then you think. The self leveling feature is actually hooked up to the car's suspension. Its not as easy as swapping headlights. I think there are several suspension components involved. Good Luck

ARE YOU F-ING kidding me? daaamn :eek: i might never replace my lights in that case then

Its not that complicated there are two sensors on the suspension one on front one rear and then you have the small motors inside the headlights. they are just screwed in with two screws and simply push and pull a adjuster.

Its not that complicated there are two sensors on the suspension one on front one rear and then you have the small motors inside the headlights. they are just screwed in with two screws and simply push and pull a adjuster.

Ok, so my question is can this be screwed onto another adjuster on another non-leveling assembly?

Adding the sensors to the controls arms looks like a breeze... wiring on the other hand. ugh

Ok, so my question is can this be screwed onto another adjuster on another non-leveling assembly?

what kind of lights do you have? From what I recall when I dissected a pair of Depo P39s, they have the adjustment motors in them. Factory xenons all have them.

I was wondering the same thing. I have a 98 540, and upgraded to the OEM Hella euro clear xenon AE's. The car came with halogens, so no auto level sensors. In order to retrofit, would I just need to buy and mount the sensors, wire them into the LCM and headlights, and get the LCM recoded at the dealer?

what kind of lights do you have? From what I recall when I dissected a pair of Depo P39s, they have the adjustment motors in them. Factory xenons all have them.

I have nothing other than the pre-01' lights at the moment but I'm trying to figure out which ones to upgrade to. Somebody needs to figure out if all DEPO p39s have them, can any of yall look? Non-Umnitza and Umnitza ones.

Most if not all p39 depos don't have auto level motors built in.

Most if not all p39 depos don't have auto level motors built in.

Have you taken a set of them apart before? The halogen P39s I bought from Umnitza had adjustment motors. I verified this by taking the housings apart.

Have fun with that. The entire retrofit becomes a total disaster if you don't do something right. My 98 has self leveling xenon's but they were installed by the PO, I would over NEVER tackled the project. Just buy regular xenon's and ditch the self leveling idea.

Have you taken a set of them apart before? The halogen P39s I bought from Umnitza had adjustment motors. I verified this by taking the housings apart.

Well ya got me in a corner :nono

I havent taken mine apart because I didn't want to compromise the seal. Mine don't have a plug coming out the back so I assume the motors are not in there.

I have my stock xenon light housings still and they have the adjustment motors in them I could swap them if i wanted.