BMW 3 E46 | Bi-Xenon HID Projector Headlight Retrofit and Upgrade kit Installation DIY

[@iMagic16]

A few things to note if you're thinking about doing this: I just did this mod last night to my OEM AL Halogen Reflectors, on a UK 2003 330i and after much trial and error have it figured out and now want to help you! Click Read More to see a huge guide on this project. :) The below is mostly not shown in this video! -- The headlights in this video are the ZKW, and the ring he punches out is specific to them. The AL will not have it! -- Wear gloves, and have a microfiber to hand to clean magical fingerprints off shiny surfaces. -- Do not touch the bulb glass. -- The projector come with bulb mounting mechanism screwed on, you need to remove this in order to mount projector. Also note the metal clip - this is used to mount the bulbs and should be removed before mounting. -- The rubber grommet shown in video will prevent the project sitting fully inside the bowl, and prevent you screwing in the bulb mount. I had to ditch this. -- If you use the E46R shroud (the one in vid) you will need to trim the top-left of the shroud in order for it to fit. -- You need to clip in a black adaptor ring into the projector shroud, and then press fit it in place. -- Do not touch the bulb glass. -- To mount xenon bulbs, locate the little notches and place bulb inside, now take the clip and slide it into the holes as far as it can go. From here I used pliers to get both sides down and into the latching mechanism. -- I was unable to de-pin the connector as shown here, so I had to snip and solder on the other side. For me, leaving 7/10 length on the projector, and 3/10 on the connector worked fine for me with plenty of room to work. -- For AL headlights, I had to drill a hole BELOW the mounting point, but still out of sight. -- If you go for Xb35 bulbs, they come with an extra adaption harness. you can safely remove them. -- Do not touch the bulb glass. -- Be ready to "clock" the projectors - I use pliers and grab the outside from where the bulb mounts, and twist. it should resist heavily but still be able to move -- Mark on your wall the point your halogens hit BEFORE you do this, or take it to someone who can adjust headlights accurately afterwards. Xenon's are bright, don't be a dick and blind people. -- If you touched the bulb glass, wipe it down with isopropyl and clear skin oils off. This will kill bulbs (xenon, halogen) faster than expected! Hopefully this helps somebody. Please do join in below if you have anything constructive to add!

[@Retrofitlab]

Thanks for the great extra write-up / explanation!

[@kennethblindheim2676]

Any downside to blacking it out? I mean painting the chrome black 🤔

[@AS-tv4cv]

I bet you touched the bulb glass.

[@bobsmithinson2050]

You’re a real MVP for anyone who attempts this mod. I have an e39 now, but I miss the ease of opening these headlights like a cabinet

[@jabaricallan4939]

i guess Im asking the wrong place but does anyone know of a trick to get back into an instagram account? I was dumb forgot the password. I love any tips you can give me.

[@slimatmim]

lol I hate how easy that was. Everything fitted perfectly

[@Wavyy69]

Wow I’m going to do this to my wagon is xenonless right now thanks for the video it will help me tons

[@awychoi]

The mini h1s are one of the best and easiest to retro. But the FX-R is still king in terms of aftermarket projectors.

[@nauticaimports4085]

Very nice vid! Almost OEM finish!

[@nauticaimports4085]

What type of HID projector I'm gonna need,to retrofit a Mercedes W204 Halogem projector? Is this a bolt on procedure? Thanks in advance

[@nauticaimports4085]

Hi, I will arrange the pics asap! I've tried the Ebay Cheap HID 4300k kit, but it put less light output them the stock halogem!!!

[@Slinki1111]

Nice upgrade! To the guy who said is this kit available for the coupe I'm not even going to tell you what is wrong with you lmao.

[@lmmm12]

Sorry to ask this again, but this is the correct video. Can I tilt headlights with this upgrade? I don't want to blind everyone.

[@sickgr33k]

Oh ok thanks. Will probably buy one then. Mine is the pre facelift haha. Thanks so much for the reply

[@xTRVLNMANx]

Thanks; good to know! I plan on buying them very soon. Just hoping its not messy with the wiring; Im a neat freak! ;)

[@mujjuman]

wow this was nice and easy. im guessing no one uses FX-R anymore

[@mujjuman]

+Retrofitlab nice haha. A few years back, I did FXR retrofit and it was such a pain!! So much easier now. Wow.

[@TheRomanoLV]

Hey, I'd like to buy this kit off you guys, but I'm afraid that I don't really know what to get. Is there a guide/explanation on what to buy? I got an e46 330i lci in eu

[@Retrofitlab]

It depends a lot on which original headlights you have, single xenon / bi-xenon and the brand, ZKW or AL bosch, more info here; blog.retrofitlab.com/the-great-bmw-3-e46-headlight-page/ based on your model you probably have the bi-xenon version from AL, but please check to be sure :-)

[@ramonj08]

I like how the e46 headlight is simple to disassemble but the e38 (7 series) is a pain to just get it off the car and then to disassemble it.

[@djsoviedo]

Podrías hacer una demostración convirtiendo los faros de un MB w203 faro maní (estos vienen desde el 2001 al 2007) desde Paraguay te lo estaremos agradeciendo infinitamente. Saludos cordiales! ;)

[@AteshAhmedovic]

Just bought one for E60 hope it will fit

[@Avstract23]

What did you do with the wire from the projector ? After 1:12 i didnt see you wire them or anything

[@Retrofitlab]

Good question! The cable is a solenoid cable and it is used to trigger the high beam mechanism on the projector. It is connected to the original high beam signal with a splitter (normally included in our kits) so you have bi-xenon/high beam from the projector and from the original high beam.

[@its_me_lo1142]

Meaning??? It’s used to wire the one projector? And split it from xenon and high beam in same projector bulb?

[@ImpasteNexus]

wow that was easy

[@zeyhatn.4798]

H1

[@Retrofitlab]

Hi, What do you mean exactly with H1?

[@KV89-b3c]

Do you mean that cable, you drill a hole for ? But do I have to cut the high beam cable ? Can you please post a picture or something :D

[@onDishez]

Well done! U went from h7 halogen to d2s big xenon? Also any issues with flickering or coding? Is a capacitor required? Thanks

[@michaelderochemont5254]

Welke xenonlamp zit er in op deze video (2:41)? En kan ik deze ook meebestellen met de set, welke moet ik dan selecteren in het keuzemenu?

[@zorocliuclaudiu1027]

can you make a video about how to replace e46 coupe facelift xenon projectors?

[@zorocliuclaudiu1027]

+Retrofitlab i have this problem with my headlights (e46 coupe facelift) and i can't find any tutorial to change the projectors. i think that it will be the first tutorial for a coupe and you will have many views

[@sterlo53ify]

Must say vary nice conversation.

[@ancaGURU01]

Hello, I've also seen people mounting a projector instead of their high-beam, how does that work? And if I only put this kit on the low beam, how will it also be connected to the light commands behind my wheel when I want to flash or to switch to high beam. Thank you

[@bmwe46bosniafanlovebmw83]

I need HELP please !!! I have bmw E46 2003. and my front xenon headlight has broken,not glass,only hooks on plastic black case are broken,so that is expensive here for xenon headlights version,but i can buy headlight without xenon very cheap ,so my question is this, is it possible to take case of non xenon headlight and put my xenon bulbs and lenses in it? Thank you very much,your videos are very usefull :)

[@teonesterov9141]

+BMW E46 Bosnia Fan love bmw Absolutely yes. Grab a pair of cheap headlights and slap these projectors in. You will lose the auto-leveling function and you will have to use usual ballasts, but it will be legal and have the same performance as the originals (if not better). I have these projectors on my scooter and it produces more light on the road than my BMW E46 with original Xenon headlights.

[@TheKakles]

does that kit fit both sides so i can do bi-projectors on same headlights. or is it just for low-beam side? or is there different cables or plugs on the high-beam side?

[@xTRVLNMANx]

I just put in halos for these halogen headlights, and I really want to get projectors! Will these work with the halos that I put in? To me, it looked like enough clearance!

[@MisterKoae]

Hi! Can I put halogen H1 bulbs in the projectors without any other modification ? Thanks. Nice video btw.

[@MisterKoae]

Thank you!

[@BlessedMD123]

GodBless🙏🙏🙏🙏

[@petergondolier4088]

My experience with similar retrofit kits is that the reflector ring does not lock in position on the lens. The plastic tabs of the ring have nowhere to lock onto the metal housing, so they always fall off, unless you glue them. Since there was no audible click when you put the OEM reflector ring back in, does your kit have the same problem, if not, can you show us how the reflector ring is held in place?

[@Retrofitlab]

Sorry, what do you mean with the reflector ring? The chrome shroud? Because yes, you are correct it, unfortunately, needs to be glued. kzbin.info/www/bejne/emHRc619dtJ5ncU

[@petergondolier4088]

The chrome shroud, reflector ring, whatever you want to call it, has to be glued in. You could use the OEM reflector ring without gluing it, with the addition of a semi-circular piece of sheet metal to the lens housing as follows: 1. Get a piece of 16 gauge sheet metal. 2. Measure the circular distance from one side of the top of the lens arm, to the top of the other lens arm, add about 3/4" to the total. 3. Cut a piece of sheet metal about 3/4" wide by the length you determined. 4. Bend the metal piece in a semi-circle so it fits flush along the back edge of the reflector lens housing. 5. Trim the piece to fit as closes as possible to the same shape as the metal housing. 6. Hold the piece in position and trim the length so it overlaps the side of the housing by 1/2". 7. Secure the piece to the hosing on both sides with a small pair of needle nose vice grips. 8. Drill a 1/8" hole through both pieces and secure each side with a short pop rivet. 9. Install the reflector and mark the locations of the original 2 side retaining snaps on the sheet metal ring. 10. Cut out a notch with a dremmel for the tooth of the snap ring and install it. Note: In steps 3 and 6 the width/length may need to be wider, or shorter, trial and error will determine the size and placement you need.

[@awaken77]

what about ballasts installation? where to mount them on the car which doesnt have OEM HIDs?

[@kenrickleung3673]

will angel eye kit also fit there if i put on these projector?

[@awaken77]

what about legal aspect of such conversions? In Poland, car cannot have HIDs if not equipped by headlight washers and self-leveling system. Otherwise, car can't pass technical inspection, or registration can be suspended

[@Tilan123]

Would this do anything to the electronic adjustment of the lights? (There's a wheel button inside the cabin of my E46 where I can change the height angle of the light)

[@tihomirbanjac9792]

Hello ... Can you tell me where that switch the connector with the red and black wire ... I would put the H7 xenon ... Many thanks for your reply ...

[@tihomirbanjac9792]

***** Thanks for your reply ... So if I understood it would only have to connect the wire from the long light ... This helped me a lot ... Thanks ...

[@TheProjectDprojectd]

those 2 wires that pass through where you made the hole, call where? in the wires of the high lighthouse? Conect in parallel or serial alloy?

[@Retrofitlab]

They are connected to the high beam splitter :)

[@malp6280]

hmmm due the projectors having the ability to do hi/low beam can u retrofit the headlights to have high beam function alongside your main beams???

[@malp6280]

+Retrofitlab brilliant, just what I thought... would u simply connect the solenoid to the high beam power supply to allow it to engage when hi beams are switched on!?! I've just completed my headlight projector retro fit on my 04 e46 sport tourer... I've also noticed when ppl say ensure the projectors are straight on the light housing ... however there's small tabs on the adaptor plate to & screw attachment point on the rear of the projector etc so they only go in 1 way which ensures there level... you only need to make sure the adaptor plate doesn't work loose n swing rnd whilst tightening the locking nut. upto now I'm very impressed with the projector install compared to bare hid install or basic bulbs as supplied

[@onDishez]

Does the shroud need to be glued or epoxied in? Can you send me wiring instructions?

[@MrBre4ker]

Which lights now serve as high-beams, the halogens or the xenons? Also, could the same process work for the inner(high-beam) halogens to have a quad xenon setup? Thanks for the answer

[@MrBre4ker]

Would you only have to modify the shroud, or are there other modifications required?

[@thejackman82]

Thanks! Would you have kit for e46 coupe?

[@nunoleite7471]

Good afternoon I wonder if optical mount complete with bi xenon as they appear in the video but with the minimum selvage round white light and wanted to see if they have photos or videos forced the car bmw d and 46 320 in 1999 and the price all optical and all material is possible to say the brand of optical

[@BartGBx]

Thought i'd ask the question here because last time you responded very fast :), i bought this kit for my BMW e46 but when i want to install the xenon, the pins on the xenon plug are to wide and do not fit in the holes from the original lamp, should i take it apart and put other on?

[@rogeriodaa]

Hi I would like some help here which kit and add-ons do i have to buy for my e46 2005 left hand drive... My actual light is h7 halogen... I would like to put my car like this video

[@maciejarcipowski6963]

Is it connected to the car kit does not cause an error in the computer?

[@FELIPE8226M]

Does your bi led you guys have on website plug and play for halogen e46? And is the light output just as good as xenon?

[@Retrofitlab]

Hi, The LED kit is not 100% plug-and-play but the advantage of the LED kit is that it is more simple than Xenon. The LED kit is without ballast. Please note that you need to know what your headlight brand is.

[@FELIPE8226M]

​@Retrofitlab Thank you, I already ordered it, on your website it says it fits my factory zkw halogen

[@TheEhssan0]

Have you ever tried on E46 but the other shapes i mean 1997-2003 ?? Which is coming without projector?? Please let me know if you did it already!! Thx

[@TheEhssan0]

Thanks, do you have any links in KZbin , please share it for me, and also let me know that can use LED instead of mini H1 ?

[@TheEhssan0]

Thanks, for your information

[@thejackman82]

Hi there! I found these on ebay D2S Mini Bi-Xenon HID Projector Easy H4 9003 Installation Low & High Beam Would they fit my e46 coupe? Many thanks in advance!!!!

[@bombi0107]

Hi. The importance (for what?) are red and black wire?

[@bombi0107]

Cheers!

[@waffenCC]

I have oem xenons on my PFL E46. Can i make them quadxenon with these?

[@N0t0rI0uss]

if I have Bosch projectors Installed already but my housing broke can I buy non projectors and swap my projectors in to the new ones like this? please anything info would help

[@mujjuman]

the mini H1 are better than the oem projectors IMO

[@dekz1295]

Does it works on an 1998 Pre-Facelift?

[@tazt11]

Hi! I have -99 320 e46 pre-facelift version so does these fit?

[@theleblebici19]

Could this kit be used in headunits that already have Xenon in them? Because I have original Xenon headunits, but with the burned reflectors.

[@sher854]

Where do i get this tool from to remove ring?

[@MissTeenGeorgia]

When will you do for F30 ? desperately waiting

[@JoakimLaine]

any coupe/cabrio kit coming??

[@daisyramirez53]

what do you guys do with the high beam slot?

[@sickgr33k]

i have an e46 coupe and this headlight looks exactly like mine. are you sure it wont fit an e46 coupe?

[@neil3858]

Looking for 04 g35 sedan that already has factory hid but would like to install projectors. Thanks

[@G33ZiM3]

So, you retrofitted from halogen to xenon HID + shroud? No halos?

[@Retrofitlab]

Yes, to bi-xenon, and no halos were added, but could have been done :-).

[@plumbix88]

How big should the Angeles eyes be for this projector?

[@markrosenstand]

Is the included projector the newest version (6.0)?

[@kenrickleung3673]

and what kind of bulb will fit this kit, for example, if this bulb fail, what bulb i should replace? h4? h1? d2r ? any shipping to Canada?

[@kenrickleung3673]

***** how much in US dollor, and are they H1 bixenon (so i can remove the original high beam, and will the angel eye kit also fit in there?

[@brendam455]

I have a 2001 bmw 325ci how do I wire projectors?

[@brendam455]

ok email sent

[@MultiTerpen]

Do you have a version for the 1998?

[@MultiTerpen]

***** Cool!! Do you guys ship to Norway?

[@Stup0]

Will this fit on E46 Compact? Is it possible to use with halogen lamp, or have to be a xenon?

[@davidandrade4206]

Have you tried in a BMW e87 2005?

[@Ultimatebeatdastreet]

A question. Can I fit Halogen standard bulbs into this Projectors? Thank you

[@Ultimatebeatdastreet]

Retrofitlab thank you very much

[@alinaveed1793]

@@Ultimatebeatdastreet hey i cant see their response and was looking for this question, what did they say?

[@Ultimatebeatdastreet]

​@@alinaveed1793 I don't remember. I didn't go ahead with the project

[@MrWoudima]

Wie schliesst man die kabel an damit der projektor von abblendlicht auf fernlicht schaltet

[@joeyknuckles4173]

Can i use h7 bulbs with an adaptor? And if i could how will i go about it?

[@noereyes3644]

where can I buy the supply's to make this

[@KV89-b3c]

Hello, I just installed the kit , but the bixenon function doesn't work. What do I have to do ?

[@onDishez]

why Dont you have united states listed under countries? I'm trying to place my order

[@Tommykesson]

Will this fit 2004 M3 e46 and give the light that we need in Sweden ?

[@carbonstore8266]

i want to know if you guys can ship to the us?

[@vikramroopun761]

How much for this kit and its H1 or H7?

[@leonidbgaveor9715]

where I have to plug the wire from that new Kit ?

[@outsider9292]

is this 2,5'' or 3'' inch? I have FL model 2003... I think my FL model have bigger diameter of the short beam than pre FL model 98'-01'...or? 146+131 diameter

[@Retrofitlab]

This is the halogen headlight which is converted to bi-xenon (with a 2,5" projector). For the xenon headlight there are different version with 2,5" single xenon projectors and 3" bi-xenon version, this can be made bij AL of bij ZKW. More info about the headlights here; www.retrofitlab.com/blog/the-great-bmw-3-e46-headlight-page/

[@rickyadh1909]

hi.. if i use this projector, can I still use h7 bulb? or i should use h1 bulb? h1 bulb has 1 pin and h7 bulb has 2 pin, how about that? thanks b4... looking forward for the reply.

[@rickyadh1909]

Is there any socket converter from h7 to h1?

[@rickyadh1909]

if i use h1 bulb on this projector, how to connect the h1 bulb with original h7 socket on my bmw e46? i still dont get it

[@rubio15es]

Are the two cables used for?. Red and black.

[@rubio15es]

+Retrofitlab is this projector compatible with nissan pulsar acenta?

[@robbyakbart2325]

can i use led bulb for this projector? and it still be H7 right?

[@Retrofitlab]

You can use LED in the projector, but it needs to be a H1 version. But output/pattern wise we strongly advise to use xenon in the projector, the light output and pattern with a xenon bulb is quite poor, with a '360' version it is acceptable, with a 2 sides LED it's very bad. www.retrofitlab.com/aharon-360-led-lampen-h1.html. blog.retrofitlab.com/h1-led-versus-xenon-mini-h1-projector/

[@robbyakbart2325]

@@Retrofitlab thank you for the recommendation, it help alot

[@Steffystr8mobbin]

Did you get your led's to fit? Mine are slightly too big and its very frustrating

[@robbyakbart2325]

@@Steffystr8mobbin in the end i didnt use the LED because from the manufacturer recommend me to use xenon H1

[@BartGBx]

do my aftermarket umnitza angles eyes still fit after this?

[@justgoodmediaco]

can i get this shipped to the us

[@210dd2]

Is reflector 3" or 2.5"?

[@rolo9570]

Canadian 2011 323i , do u have these projectors for this car ?

[@rolo9570]

+Retrofitlab my car has factory h7 bulbs and halo rings... i need a link to buy what i need- thanks

[@bihcardinals]

how do u know if the projector is right side up?

[@gabe3327]

I am just interested in how to connect the wire to the car ??

[@gabe3327]

Retrofitlab I busin meil :))

[@maverichful]

ok le scrivo in italiano.ho bmw f20 anno 2012 con fari alogeni vorrei sapere se si trova un kit che sostituisce gli alogeni con bi.xseno.in italia non c'e nessun kit voi sapete qualcosa?grazie mille

[@RallySierra]

I have Depo headlights. Is that the same or must it be original bmw?

[@RallySierra]

:-) very good. Thx!

[@Infinityxx3]

HI do you have anything for e36 compact? tnx

[@Retrofitlab]

Sorry, we don't :(

[@Serëga-iz-espanii]

дааа... смотришь, всё так просто, а как копнёшь, столько подводных камней!!! куда светит линза относительного заводского дальнего? нет ли наклона линзы по горизонтали? всё это проверяйте только по предварительной установке фар на авто, а уж потом собирайте!!!

[@awaken77]

+Retrofitlab how the lens angle is adjusted? is there a horizontal incline (and how to correct that, if yes)? His concern is that lens beam direction can be misaligned with direction of beam from stock hi-beam lamp

[@teonesterov9141]

+sergej247 Там идёт в комлекте фиксатор по горизонтали. There is a piece included for horizontal level alignment.

[@Serëga-iz-espanii]

тааа... у них как правило есть люфт

[@teonesterov9141]

sergej247 Я и без фиксаторов ставлю. Стоит конечно всё проверить, прежде чем привинчивать фару, но мне кажется всё довольно просто, особенно по сравнению со всеми остальными машинами - здесь хоть фары не заклеены.

[@Serëga-iz-espanii]

+Teo Nesterov я кидаю несобранные фары на авто и проверяю на щите. щит стоит на расстоянии 5м. потом уже собранную выгоняю на улицу и на расстоянии 50-100м иногда всё равно бывает чудок наклон, но не так критично, а если без предварительной проверки, то можно вообще пальцем в небо...

[@luca_lp_5434]

Wo bekommt man den das Klebeband her

[@migelprager1097]

good video, but you have to delete the word "explained" from the title ...

[@MrRiKkY495]

On mini cooper r56? is it possible?

[@Retrofitlab]

The reflector part of the headlight is quite small, maybe a Mini H1 (2,5") would fit with a small shroud and maybe some cutting to make it fit. There is an example of someone using a 3" projector, but a lot of DIY ir required to make it fit. So it is possible, but a lot of work :-).

[@MrRiKkY495]

Retrofitlab.com my mini cooper r56 have a h4

[@Retrofitlab]

The bi-xenon Mini H1 projector can be used in a H4, the height/space above and below the bulb hole is more important to fit the projector+shroud

[@wallifernando3222]

whts the buy...???

[@victorolmos5317]

what are the red and black cables for?

[@ilkaybuyuksahin]

So as i understand there is no need to install that on the e46 right? Because the highbeam is not the same light

[@mujjuman]

you can install that for bixenon hi beam function, better than halogen highbeam IMO. you can also set it up so that both halogen and xenon highbeam comes on when u switch over to highbeam

[@userAlexVezos]

Can I install this exact kit on e46 compact?

[@Retrofitlab]

Yes, but; "| E46 compact *The BMW E46 Compact halogen reflector is smaller in diameter. You need to trim the shroud a few millimeter to fit."|

[@userAlexVezos]

@@Retrofitlab has anyone done this because i want to be 100% sure i can do it

[@Retrofitlab]

Our info is based on feedback, so yes it has been done :-)

[@TheProjectDprojectd]

Use 2,5" or 3" ???

[@Retrofitlabcom]

2.5 inch :)

[@Pantimoto]

Forgot the wiring, i have no idea what to do

[@Retrofitlab]

Please see page 12, this should help :-); www.retrofitlab.com/images/upload/2017/11/06/TwinKit-manual_10_online.pdf

[@ssssss1699]

Bi-xenon 2.5 ,,,,3.0 ????

[@maverichful]

speach italia? i m italy