X5 lci VS pre lci fenders/bumpers

[Serf27]

I’ve searched and looked at photos of both fenders and cannot find a difference.

What makes the 2 fenders different from lci vs pre lci?

The headlights are also labeled lci vs pre lci but they have the same shape.
Is the difference between headlights just the pins on the connector?

I find info on the bumper being different, but if I’m going Aftermarket X5m bumper, does pre lci/lci still matter for an aftermarket bumper?

Thanks.

[RL18]

Originally Posted by Serf27

I've searched and looked at photos of both fenders and cannot find a difference.

What makes the 2 fenders different from lci vs pre lci?

The headlights are also labeled lci vs pre lci but they have the same shape.
Is the difference between headlights just the pins on the connector?

I find info on the bumper being different, but if I'm going Aftermarket X5m bumper, does pre lci/lci still matter for an aftermarket bumper?

Thanks.

Some slight appearance differences and this:


https://www.newtis.info/tisv2/a/en/e...umper/DtiEOPTN

https://www.newtis.info/tisv2/a/en/e...bumper/Fp8GbW3

[avocet]

Pre lci the painted portion of the bumper is one piece with the fender. Lci the bumper is one piece and the fenders are one piece each.

[Serf27]

Ahh I finally see it.
The pre lci fender drops down much further.
These new auto parts websites use the lci fender photo for the pre lci too so I was getting confused! I need 1 fender and ordering the lci X5m bumper.
Thanks to the both of you.

Another question regarding the headlights,

I’m looking into some aftermarket ones with bright f series style angel eyes.
They are listed as pre lci non xenon/afs

But the shape and fitment is the same right? Just different wiring/coding I’m guessing?

[RL18]

Originally Posted by Serf27

Ahh I finally see it.
The pre lci fender drops down much further.
These new auto parts websites use the lci fender photo for the pre lci too so I was getting confused! I need 1 fender and ordering the lci X5m bumper.
Thanks to the both of you.

Another question regarding the headlights,

I'm looking into some aftermarket ones with bright f series style angel eyes.
They are listed as pre lci non xenon/afs

But the shape and fitment is the same right? Just different wiring/coding I'm guessing?

Yes they are the same. Only headlight shape and fitment difference is x5m vs standard x5. I think they mount in the same place too, but they have different shapes

If you have adaptive headlights you will have to do some coding so the car doesn't freak out when the adaptive part isn't hooked up

[Serf27]

Originally Posted by RL18

Yes they are the same. Only headlight shape and fitment difference is x5m vs standard x5. I think they mount in the same place too, but they have different shapes

If you have adaptive headlights you will have to do some coding so the car doesn't freak out when the adaptive part isn't hooked up

Ok thank you for the confirmation!
Was looking at these sets.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/133106468804

https://www.ebay.com/itm/283516208397

https://www.ebay.com/itm/173916581250
Also AFS/Xenon but angel eye shape is better on the base ones.

Pre lci AFS/xenon with a little bit more of a better angel eye shape, but I’m not sure if the eyebrow lights up or if the afs/xenon will even work since they’re for pre lci and I have 2011
https://www.ebay.com/itm/383478830658

[RL18]

No problem. I think if you check out the e90 forums some guys there have swapped their adaptive headlights for headlights with those style halos. They might have more info there about wiring and coding. I would assume the e90 and e70 share similar wiring for the adaptive headlights.

I was looking at those headlights too for my x5d but I'd just like to keep my adaptive lights because its a nice feature, but post up if you go through with it. Would be interesting to see if the light output is better

[Serf27]

Yea I’ve done the e90 xenon/adaptive routine halogen. You just code out 2 adaptive headlight errors and code out the bi-xenon option so your high beams work, then they work as oem with no warning lights.

If the e70 pre lci/lci plug and shape is the same, they should work by just coding out those 3 things.

I have Adaptive lights on my e90 and the only time I can notice they’re adaptive, is the up/down movement.

Do you notice them on the X5 when steering?


This set uses the factory xenon for the same light output but is non AFS. The halo rings looks like the light output would also be choppy instead of a solid light.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/133230031837

https://www.ebay.com/itm/124091035030

I really like the halos and eyebrow light from these! But halogen and non afs.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/283516208397

These have both AFS and xenon but $1000!

https://www.ebay.com/itm/113568115849

https://www.ebay.com/itm/184284461971


Not sure what option to go with.
Might get the cheaper ones with bright halos and just use and HID kit on it.

[RL18]

Originally Posted by Serf27

Yea I've done the e90 xenon/adaptive routine halogen. You just code out 2 adaptive headlight errors and code out the bi-xenon option so your high beams work, then they work as oem with no warning lights.

If the e70 pre lci/lci plug and shape is the same, they should work by just coding out those 3 things.

I have Adaptive lights on my e90 and the only time I can notice they're adaptive, is the up/down movement.

Do you notice them on the X5 when steering?


This set uses the factory xenon for the same light output but is non AFS. The halo rings looks like the light output would also be choppy instead of a solid light.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/133230031837

https://www.ebay.com/itm/124091035030

I really like the halos and eyebrow light from these! But halogen and non afs.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/283516208397

These have both AFS and xenon but $1000!

https://www.ebay.com/itm/113568115849

https://www.ebay.com/itm/184284461971


Not sure what option to go with.
Might get the cheaper ones with bright halos and just use and HID kit on it.

I think this one looks the best too: https://www.ebay.com/itm/283516208397

Is the afs the eyebrow?

And I do notice the adaptive when I turn in both my x5d and 335d . Especially with the high beams on. But I live in the boonies in Maine lol, so backroads are dark and twisty. A big contributor to my light output though is my led fog lights they are amazing.

My dad has the morimoto headlights on his 2016 super duty and those are amazing. I'd love to have an option like that... the output is insane. I just feel that these ebay headlights have horrible projectors.

[Serf27]

The AFS is the name for the adaptive feature. Some eBay sellers refer to it as AFS and I revere to it as adaptive. But they’re the same.

Yea the one you listed is my favorite in terms of halo light output and the eyebrow lights up too!
It’d be nice if the angel eyes were clear.

Hmm not much backroads here in CA where I’m at haha, I’ll have to go take a drive at night and see if I can notice the adaptive lights moving in the e90 or e91. All I notice them do is dance at start up then I can never tell if they’re moving, or at least I don’t pay attention to it.

If I could get an hid kit to increase the output from those lights, it would be fine.

I need one headlight and they’re pricey and I still won’t be happy with the stock halo light output, so I might as well buy a different set.

That light output on the truck is crazy good!
The stock e90 xenon is good but I don’t think that good.

[RL18]

Originally Posted by Serf27

The AFS is the name for the adaptive feature. Some eBay sellers refer to it as AFS and I revere to it as adaptive. But they're the same.

Yea the one you listed is my favorite in terms of halo light output and the eyebrow lights up too!
It'd be nice if the angel eyes were clear.

Hmm not much backroads here in CA where I'm at haha, I'll have to go take a drive at night and see if I can notice the adaptive lights moving in the e90 or e91. All I notice them do is dance at start up then I can never tell if they're moving, or at least I don't pay attention to it.

If I could get an hid kit to increase the output from those lights, it would be fine.

I need one headlight and they're pricey and I still won't be happy with the stock halo light output, so I might as well buy a different set.

That light output on the truck is crazy good!
The stock e90 xenon is good but I don't think that good.

Ahh I get you.

The others are nice but the light spread on the afs with brow looks uneven. Then ones without the afs look weird with the brow not light up. That middle one looks bright and even though.

E90 projectors definitely isn't that bright, the x5 has considerably better headlights though

[Serf27]

Originally Posted by RL18

Ahh I get you.

The others are nice but the light spread on the afs with brow looks uneven. Then ones without the afs look weird with the brow not light up. That middle one looks bright and even though.

E90 projectors definitely isn't that bright, the x5 has considerably better headlights though

Yea it does look odd with the eyebrow and no light coming from it!
The middle one does look the best. I would need a good HID kit to go along with it.

[RL18]

Originally Posted by Serf27

Yea it does look odd with the eyebrow and no light coming from it!
The middle one does look the best. I would need a good HID kit to go along with it.

Are they a halogen projector or Hid projector?

[Serf27]

Originally Posted by RL18

Are they a halogen projector or Hid projector?

This is straight from the listing. Looks like Halogen projector.

Headlight Style:Halo Projector
Other Part Number:Low H7 type / High H1 type
Bulb Type:Halogen
NOTE:NOT Compatible Factory HID W/AFS Headlight Models
Warranty:

[RL18]

Originally Posted by Serf27

This is straight from the listing. Looks like Halogen projector.

Headlight Style:Halo Projector
Other Part Number:Low H7 type / High H1 type
Bulb Type:Halogen
NOTE:NOT Compatible Factory HID W/AFS Headlight Models
Warranty:

I see. I don't recommend using HIDs in a halogen projector housing. The output is good but there will also be a lot of light scattered above the cut off which isn't great for oncoming drivers. Leds bulbs are a better option for a halogen housing.

Either way I'd be interested to see how these compare to our adaptive headlights. Maybe I can buy a set of those headlights anyways and retrofit an led projector or two in there

[Serf27]

Originally Posted by RL18

I see. I don't recommend using HIDs in a halogen projector housing. The output is good but there will also be a lot of light scattered above the cut off which isn't great for oncoming drivers. Leds bulbs are a better option for a halogen housing.

Either way I'd be interested to see how these compare to our adaptive headlights. Maybe I can buy a set of those headlights anyways and retrofit an led projector or two in there

I drove the e91 last night and I paid close attention to the lights and I can see them moving side to side while driving, very little. I never really noticed a difference between the bmw adaptive or our Toyota non adaptive. So I don’t think I need that feature, would be nice to have to keep it close to original.

You seem to know more about light output than me.
If I get that set, a strong led bulb would be the best to use right?
Would you be able to fit the led projector in them for me?

The stock xenon also uses the low beam and the high beam too. I don’t think these aftermarket lights would work like that right.

I found these and messaged the buyer of the eyebrow lit up and they just replied yes.
Good price, Xenon and adaptive, but out of stock.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/383478830658

[RL18]

Originally Posted by Serf27

I drove the e91 last night and I paid close attention to the lights and I can see them moving side to side while driving, very little. I never really noticed a difference between the bmw adaptive or our Toyota non adaptive. So I don't think I need that feature, would be nice to have to keep it close to original.

You seem to know more about light output than me.
If I get that set, a strong led bulb would be the best to use right?
Would you be able to fit the led projector in them for me?

The stock xenon also uses the low beam and the high beam too. I don't think these aftermarket lights would work like that right.

I found these and messaged the buyer of the eyebrow lit up and they just replied yes.
Good price, Xenon and adaptive, but out of stock.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/383478830658

Like I say I only notice it on back roads. And more on the x5 because its seems to be brighter than my e90.

Well I just know from experience. When I tried HIDs in a halogen projector the HIDs did more blinding than fill the hot spot and light under the cutoff. The leds I used which were opt-7 fluxbeam x did a way better job, I don't see their leds up on their site though so I'm wondering if they just ran out of stock or if they're discontinued but I've used them in atleast 10 different vehicles not all mine.

And I'd have to try a projector retrofit on my headlight first before doing anyone else's lol

Those headlights look good too! I'd want blacked out bezel though

[Serf27]

Originally Posted by RL18

Like I say I only notice it on back roads. And more on the x5 because its seems to be brighter than my e90.

Well I just know from experience. When I tried HIDs in a halogen projector the HIDs did more blinding than fill the hot spot and light under the cutoff. The leds I used which were opt-7 fluxbeam x did a way better job, I don't see their leds up on their site though so I'm wondering if they just ran out of stock or if they're discontinued but I've used them in atleast 10 different vehicles not all mine.

And I'd have to try a projector retrofit on my headlight first before doing anyone else's lol

Those headlights look good too! I'd want blacked out bezel though

What’s the price on those opt7 bulbs normally?
I just searched some and they’re about $100-$200.
I ask because I have to weight out the price of the new lights+the bulbs.
If it gets to be around the same price as the $1000 ones I’m Germany, it may be better to just buy those.

Ok got it lol, let me know if you do try it. I’ve taken apart 1 e90 headlight and didn’t go well. Main reason I’m looking for lights for the e70 with the newest style halo.

By bezel, are you referring to the surrounding parts of the projector?
They’re black housing I believe. I also messaged the buyer that I was ready to buy some in hopes that they had some still in stock, no reply yet.

[RL18]

Originally Posted by Serf27

What's the price on those opt7 bulbs normally?
I just searched some and they're about $100-$200.
I ask because I have to weight out the price of the new lights+the bulbs.
If it gets to be around the same price as the $1000 ones I'm Germany, it may be better to just buy those.

Ok got it lol, let me know if you do try it. I've taken apart 1 e90 headlight and didn't go well. Main reason I'm looking for lights for the e70 with the newest style halo.

By bezel, are you referring to the surrounding parts of the projector?
They're black housing I believe. I also messaged the buyer that I was ready to buy some in hopes that they had some still in stock, no reply yet.

About $130. I think corona has them low on stock and they ran out though lol

I might try it. I have my hands tied up with a project on my x5 currently though

And yes the surrounding part of the projector. I prefer blacked out, but my x5d is black so it follows the theme I'm going for. Those ones are nice though that you linked.

[Serf27]

Originally Posted by RL18

About $130. I think corona has them low on stock and they ran out though lol

I might try it. I have my hands tied up with a project on my x5 currently though

And yes the surrounding part of the projector. I prefer blacked out, but my x5d is black so it follows the theme I'm going for. Those ones are nice though that you linked.

Seems reasonable for the set. Would you say that their light output is similar to the e90?

Ahh gotcha. I don’t mind the chrome around the projector. I would like black housing at the very least.
There is a Xenon/adaptive set with new style angled halos for about $800 overseas, only thing is they have chrome housing so I didn’t even mention them.

Unless this buyer with the xenon/adaptive lights for ~$650 replies back saying they have a few in stock, I’m going to end up going with the ones we have been mainly discussing.

[RL18]

It's not really apples to apples. In a good halogen projector housing the leds should be much brighter, but I have no idea what kind of projector they use... hopefully not a cheap chinese one. Also I think the e90 is plenty bright and better than most headlights, especially reflector housings, it just so close to the ground that less light is projected on the road.

I've installed those bulbs in a 2018 chevy 2500 with halogen projectors in the headlights and fog lights and a 2016 honda accord with halogen projectors, a 2012 ford fusion with halogen projectors, and a pair of mini projectors I retrofitted in my old trailblazer foglights. They all had way more output than my e90, well not the fog lights. Like I say, the only reason my e90 is bearable to drive with is how much the led fog light contribute.

I strongly dislike chrome lol. I think the ones we've been talking about are the move. They look good and seem to have decent quality. I'd be cautious to buy any headlight online with the adaptive feature, just because you don't know the quality of the work. Plus if it's not a feature you notice I'm sure you won't miss not having it.

[Serf27]

Ohh got it. I never tried LED Bulbs and just assumed xenon would be the brightest lol!

I may put LED bulbs in place of my halogen flash to pass (drl) bulbs and use those when I need more light.
Have you thought of doing that? I’m 99% sure it’s an option you code and you have your ds1 high beam on and the inner light on as well.(h7 I believe?)

Same here, I could live with the chrome bezel but chrome housing is out of the question.

Ok I did one last search to see if anything was in the US, because everything we’ve discussed is about a month in shipping.
I found the Adaptive/xenon set used about 2 hours away!
The upper eyebrow looks like part of the LED strip went out. I ordered the set anyways and a set of eyebrow covers. If I can cover the white LED part of the light with the eyebrow cover and cut power from going to the brow, I THINK I’ll like the look of it, lol!
Otherwise I’ll go with the set we are both leaning towards.

Any idea which h7 led bulb is best to run in the drl? There’s about 20 options all over ebay.