Shantybeater's S54 - BMWCar Mag+Xenon\Cruise Retrofit

[shantybeater]

Re: Shantybeater's Titanium S54 - BMWCar Mag+Xenon Retrofit

Spent the majority of friday afternoon on the retrofit. Here is where I am now:

I marked up the reflector and cut off the high beam at the middle joint. I then matched up the brackets, mounted up the projectors and fitted in place on the existing ball joints. In between these steps involves a lot of lining up of the projectors and sanding down to keep the high beam in check. I chose to complicate things slightly by retaining the inner high beam halogen lamps. The setup is bi-xenon so its essentially not required but I want to keep the originals for a more OEM finish, this setup seems quite common on newer cars as the bi-xenon flash isn't instantaneous. It would also seem a shame for the inner light to be doing nothing!

 

[GazHyde]

Re: Shantybeater's Titanium S54 - BMWCar Mag+Xenon Retrofit

I'm looking forward to adding this to the wiki when you have successfully completed it!

 

[shantybeater]

Re: Shantybeater's Titanium S54 - BMWCar Mag+Xenon Retrofit

Good thinking

 

[shantybeater]

Re: Shantybeater's Titanium S54 - BMWCar Mag+Xenon Retrofit

The end is sort of in sight but I'm dreading the crucial lense cutting.

Baked back together so I can fit to the car and adjust/dismantle where necessary:

 

[shantybeater]

Re: Shantybeater's Titanium S54 - BMWCar Mag+Xenon Retrofit

Managed to get the wiring all sorted, i'm overjoyed by the OEM fit and appearance. Everything slotted in place with OEM style connectors etc. so I can switch back to standard lights with ease. I'll take a pic of the engine bay when its all finished.

Trial fit of one headlight:

Both headlights fitted

Beam pattern

Tomorrow i'll be taking the lights back off, dismantling and readjusting...

 

[shantybeater]

Re: Shantybeater's Titanium S54 - BMWCar Mag+Xenon Retrofit

Ok another whole afternoon spent on the lights and we are getting close to the end!! :dunce:

Finished lining up the lights on the car, had to take them off, rebake, disassemble, adjust main reflectors (they were out of line and too high). After all this I refitted and tested, removed and got going with the dreaded hole saw. Ended up being alot easier than I thought. 68mm was perfect, it gave me room to sand down to the exact right size (about 45mins a headlight!) and slot in to place. First one reassembled:

Current state of the front room! :shock:

2 assembled

 

[shantybeater]

Re: Shantybeater's Titanium S54 - BMWCar Mag+Xenon Retrofit

Ended up painting the rings in titanium silver, the finish isn't perfect but it will do. I can always resplit if it irritates me

 

[shantybeater]

Re: Shantybeater's Titanium S54 - BMWCar Mag+Xenon Retrofit

Ok well i'm all finished!

A quick pic of the wiring to give you an idea of the connections etc..

Fitted, lined up etc..

Normal beam

High Beam (with Bi-xenon high)

Engine bay with a small advertisement for TRS -It all looks very OEM don't you think? no obvious out of place cables! (edit: ignore the silver ballast cable on the right - its been tucked in!)

Ballasts in place

Comments welcome, good or bad!!

 

[r37]

Re: Shantybeater's S54 - BMWCar Mag+Xenon Retrofit finished!

i really like them, i think the OEM lights really suit the car and the ones you have are the best of both worlds.

 

[si-forks]

Re: Shantybeater's S54 - BMWCar Mag+Xenon Retrofit finished!

Fantastic job and what a lot of work you've put into it, they look great hats off to you !

Si-forks on tapatalk

 

[shantybeater]

Re: Shantybeater's S54 - BMWCar Mag+Xenon Retrofit finished!

Thanks guys, will be taking her for a test run tonight

 

[shantybeater]

Re: Shantybeater's S54 - BMWCar Mag+Xenon Retrofit finished!

A little update, managed to get hold of a strongstrut rear strut brace which was fitted tonight:

Not had a chance to take it for a drive yet, I have to say ground clearance has reduced slightly so fingers crossed it doesn't cause me any grief on speed humps etc..

I also popped into the MOT center to check my lights, good news is the beam pattern/position is absolutely perfect on the drivers side, unfortunately the passenger side needs to come off as its a few mil out. I am thinking about taking them both off and trying foil or similar to put behind the lenses anyway. I also asked about self levelling systems and he showed me the updated changes. It states 'self levelling systems may be present on HID equipped vehicles, where present it must not be defective/malfunctioning'. It also stated 'self-levelling systems might be not be possible to check, in this case the benefit of the doubt will be given.' He said as it stands the car will pass an MOT and at most an advisory issued.

 

[('_')Z3]

Re: Shantybeater's S54 - BMWCar Mag+Xenon Retrofit finished!

Looking good as always. Love your lights.

 

[board]

Shantybeater's S54 - BMWCar Mag+Xenon Retrofit finished!!

Not tempted to add angel eyes when you crack them open again? Super job and looks great

 

[shantybeater]

Re: Shantybeater's S54 - BMWCar Mag+Xenon Retrofit finished!

Thanks for the replies James you were the final push I needed, I've ordered angels so will fit them at the same time, I can always disconnect them if they are not for me

 

[board]

Re: Shantybeater's S54 - BMWCar Mag+Xenon Retrofit finished!

haha cool I think they will look really good especially around the projector lens

 

[z3cade]

Re: Shantybeater's S54 - BMWCar Mag+Xenon Retrofit finished!

Looks great shanty

Looking forward to seeing your beast at zed fest!!

 

[swamper]

Re: Shantybeater's S54 - BMWCar Mag+Xenon Retrofit finished!

is there much difference with the rear brace on shanty?
cracking mods by the way

 

[shantybeater]

Re: Shantybeater's S54 - BMWCar Mag+Xenon Retrofit finished!

Cheers guys,

Swamper - The rear feels a bit tighter but I rarely get a chance to stretch the cars legs so no real testing has been done..

z3cade - That reminds me i still need to get a ticket!!

 

[shantybeater]

Re: Shantybeater's S54 - BMWCar Mag+Xenon Retrofit finished!

A quick pic in the wild from last weekend:

The strut brace has caused no problems for me at all, I'm quite a careful driver over speed bumps etc.. but its not grounded out once so very happy. I also drove back from Sussex late the weekend before last and can report back that the bi-xenons are working a treat, the improved visibility is astounding. The little projectors popping out refreshes the frontend as well (imo!)