[mb67]

To start this thread off let me first provide a little background information:
I purchased my '15 228i Convertible as a CPO back in August '18. The one thing that irked me about the car was that whomever originally purchased it didn't add the upgraded lighting package, instead opting for the standard halogen headlights. My goal then was to find headlights that were fairly close to the upgraded lighting package, and that's when I discovered that the options were limited.

I came across a YT video from 2017 showing a 228i with retrofit headlights from a company that makes retrofit headlights for a number of vehicles. I then contacted them to get a quote, which I knew was going to be expensive, and sure enough it was expensive. It was at that point that I decided to go for it, and here are the before and after results:

[Raadness]

WOW! looks great!

[M235SDCA]

Well done - much improved look. Are those Apex wheels? Car looks great.

[mb67]

Originally Posted by Raadness

WOW! looks great!

Thank you!

[mb67]

Originally Posted by M235SDCA

Well done - much improved look. Are those Apex wheels? Car looks great.

Thank you!

The wheels are VMR V710's

[SailorGerry]

Love the lighting upgrade, especially the LED halos! Would like to do same to my recent acquisition.
Who did you purchase the upgrade from, and was this a DIY component build or a remove & replace kit?

[mb67]

Originally Posted by SailorGerry

Love the lighting upgrade, especially the LED halos! Would like to do same to my recent acquisition.
Who did you purchase the upgrade from, and was this a DIY component build or a remove & replace kit?

Thank you!

I got them done from Lightwerkz, which is based in NJ. You can order the parts and do it yourself, but I don't trust myself with what they had to do to get them to fit in the stock halogen headlight assembly.

Here's the video they did on my headlights:

[acardoza83]

Did you have to ship them your lights since you live in CA?
This is exactly what I want to do as I am in the same boat

[mb67]

Originally Posted by acardoza83

Did you have to ship them your lights since you live in CA?
This is exactly what I want to do as I am in the same boat

Yes, but since my car is my daily driver, I decided to use my Christmas coupon code at getbmwparts to order a pair of halogen headlights to have shipped off to the retrofit company. Yes, it's an added expense, and I recommend that if you can live without the headlights in your car, remove your headlights and ship them off to save the added cost.

[acardoza83]

Noob question, but why can I not order the non-adaptive Xenon assemblies from getbmwparts and install them?

[mb67]

Originally Posted by acardoza83

Noob question, but why can I not order the non-adaptive Xenon assemblies from getbmwparts and install them?

Put simply the wiring harnesses and the voltages are different, hence the need to fit the headlights with parts that don't mess with the canbus.

[acardoza83]

Originally Posted by mb67

Put simply the wiring harnesses and the voltages are different, hence the need to fit the headlights with parts that don't mess with the canbus.

Thank for the explanation! Looks like lightwerkz will be getting a new customer soon!

[chadrandom]

I have an F25 ID be interested in doing this for. Do you mind sharing what expensive meant more specifically? To do an OEM retrofit is thousands. Is this in the same ballpark, or are we measuring in hundreds for this?

[chadrandom]

I have an F25 ID be interested in doing this for. Do you mind sharing what expensive meant more specifically? To do an OEM retrofit is thousands. Is this in the same ballpark, or are we measuring in hundreds for this?

[mb67]

Originally Posted by chadrandom

I have an F25 ID be interested in doing this for. Do you mind sharing what expensive meant more specifically? To do an OEM retrofit is thousands. Is this in the same ballpark, or are we measuring in hundreds for this?

I wasn't going to come out and say how much it cost, but I also realize that people are really interested in having this done. (Those halogens need to go away )

Price will vary depending upon what you want to have: I obviously went with the factory upgrade look and it was quoted at $2,100 USD. So yes, it's expensive; Hehehe, in fact it cost more than my VMR wheels and tires combined.

[acardoza83]

Originally Posted by mb67

I wasn't going to come out and say how much it cost, but I also realize that people are really interested in having this done. (Those halogens need to go away )

Price will vary depending upon what you want to have: I obviously went with the factory upgrade look and it was quoted at $2,100 USD. So yes, it's expensive; Hehehe, in fact it cost more than my VMR wheels and tires combined.

I can +1 this. That is exactly the amount they quoted me the other day as well!

[no_hands]

Does anybody know if the OEM Xenon headlights will work on a non-lighting package 228i? I have halogens and I know the adaptive portion of it won't work and I need all those sensors but will I be able to at least get light out of them & DRLs?

[mb67]

Originally Posted by no_hands

Does anybody know if the OEM Xenon headlights will work on a non-lighting package 228i? I have halogens and I know the adaptive portion of it won't work and I need all those sensors but will I be able to at least get light out of them & DRLs?

No, they won't work because the wiring is different. Mine had to get special ballast/ control units in order to be plug and play.

[no_hands]

Originally Posted by mb67

No, they won't work because the wiring is different. Mine had to get special ballast/ control units in order to be plug and play.

Where can I find the parts I would need and how much would it cost?

[mb67]

Originally Posted by no_hands

Where can I find the parts I would need and how much would it cost?

I went through Lightwerkz, so I suggest contacting them through their website. They'll be able to piece together the things you need to order.

https://www.lightwerkz.net/

[no_hands]

Originally Posted by mb67

I went through Lightwerkz, so I suggest contacting them through their website. They'll be able to piece together the things you need to order.

https://www.lightwerkz.net/

Sweet thank you!!

[Maynard]

Originally Posted by mb67

......I knew was going to be expensive, and sure enough it was expensive. It was at that point that I decided to go for it, and here are the before and after results:

I think this is just about the most perfect way to sum up the entire modding experience. You, sir, have the heart of a poet.