Labour cost for swaping out Bi-Xenon Headlights from E90 to E90, how much?

[henry2703]

Re: Labour cost for swaping out Bi-Xenon Headlights from E90 to E90, how much?

PS: after retro-fitting Bi-Xenon +headlight washer, then can go LTA for inspection to get proper approval certification with a fee of $80.00. without headlight washer LTA will failed inspection. this is according to PML when I acquired about the retro-fitting quotes.
ACU

I think this is what PML try to do to get you to buy a whoel assembly from them. If you look at all the Japanese PI cars, they all do not come with washer. And yet they are legal?

I know for a fact in Europe, the washer is mandatory, but that probably coz during winter the cars there have a tendency to have ice formation on the headlights, that the ice will diffuse the light beam, blinding others.

Also, i am not sure if LTA certification is needed. Many of my friends, from BMs to Madza, have after market HID installed. none of them (AFAIK) has been through certification. And none of them got caught by LTA during inspections before.

My 2 cents worth

 

[henry2703]

Re: Labour cost for swaping out Bi-Xenon Headlights from E90 to E90, how much?

PS: after retro-fitting Bi-Xenon +headlight washer, then can go LTA for inspection to get proper approval certification with a fee of $80.00. without headlight washer LTA will failed inspection. this is according to PML when I acquired about the retro-fitting quotes.
ACU

I think this is what PML try to do to get you to buy a whoel assembly from them. If you look at all the Japanese PI cars, they all do not come with washer. And yet they are legal?

I know for a fact in Europe, the washer is mandatory, but that probably coz during winter the cars there have a tendency to have ice formation on the headlights, that the ice will diffuse the light beam, blinding others.

Also, i am not sure if LTA certification is needed. Many of my friends, from BMs to Madza, have after market HID installed. none of them (AFAIK) has been through certification. And none of them got caught by LTA during inspections before.

My 2 cents worth

 

[acupunch]

Re: Labour cost for swaping out Bi-Xenon Headlights from E90 to E90, how much?

I think this is what PML try to do to get you to buy a whoel assembly from them. If you look at all the Japanese PI cars, they all do not come with washer. And yet they are legal?

I know for a fact in Europe, the washer is mandatory, but that probably coz during winter the cars there have a tendency to have ice formation on the headlights, that the ice will diffuse the light beam, blinding others.

Also, i am not sure if LTA certification is needed. Many of my friends, from BMs to Madza, have after market HID installed. none of them (AFAIK) has been through certification. And none of them got caught by LTA during inspections before.

My 2 cents worth

I see and understand your point. I posted that is by right retro-fitted upgrade process recommended by PML, cos all cars that come with factory fitted BMW Bi-Xenon had headlight washer. From an agent stand point you have to understand that they have recommend proper service and upgrade procedure that is approved and legal with local rules and regulation.

by left (whatever your methods that the owner wish to) is always different stories. whether LTA will fine you or your MB-Mazda friend with HID conversion without headlight washer is totally up to LTA. but if you had the proper certification required, even they wanted to you can still 'yaya papaya' fight against your fines.

I agreed with you headlight washer is secondary stuff to the Bi-Xenon headlight set to save up the finaly cost.

FYI, here is an extract from onemotoring.com. take note the highlighted text in RED

Qn: Can I retrofit my halogen headlamps with an after-market HID headlamp system?

Ans: In general, we do not allow the retrofitting of HID lamp systems on existing vehicles, unless it is duly certified by the vehicle manufacturers.

This is because converting the existing headlamps to HID headlamps would require the entire headlamp assembly, including the electrical system, to be replaced as the reflectors and lenses are different from those in a conventional halogen headlamp.

In addition, the wiring of the existing headlamp system would not be able to handle the much higher starting current required for a HID headlamp system. This could cause extensive damage to the headlamp assembly and electrical system and therefore could pose a fire hazard to road users.

source copied from onemotoring.com

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Again, I will like to highlight my intention of this thread is to find out the labour cost on swapping a Halogen with Bi-Xenon.

thanks for reading, keep the comments coming.

ACU

 

[kenntona]

Re: Labour cost for swaping out Bi-Xenon Headlights from E90 to E90, how much?

IAgain, I will like to highlight my intention of this thread is to find out the labour cost on swapping a Halogen with Bi-Xenon.

That being the case, only Mike, Ah Wee or Seetoh will know. I doubt anyone else would be able to quote you the labour cost.

 

[acupunch]

Re: Labour cost for swaping out Bi-Xenon Headlights from E90 to E90, how much?

That being the case, only Mike, Ah Wee or Seetoh will know. I doubt anyone else would be able to quote you the labour cost.

I was hoping some bro/sis that had done swapping to share with me their experience and labour cost involved. not quotes la. my dear KENNTONA.

Reason being to find out the labour cost of swapping is that I might find an ex-3er owner whom had Bi-Xenon on his car to swap with my halogen. but before I could make any sensible offers for swap/trade/exchange to the owner i need to be aware of the labour cost might involved. out of my head I should looking at these cost,

1) taking out Bi-Xenon put it into another 3er
2) taking out Halogen put it into Bi-Xenon 3er.
3) system recode need for both cars.

ACU

 

[kenntona]

Re: Labour cost for swaping out Bi-Xenon Headlights from E90 to E90, how much?

I was hoping some bro/sis that had done swapping to share with me their experience and labour cost involved. not quotes la. my dear KENNTONA.

I did, on the experience part. Labour cost is always tacky, given different mods and different model......

What Henry said is true, if you check with PML on any mods, they will err on the safe side. So, it looks like you have to stick to PML's high cost of retrofitting, or flout the "warning" from PML and go after market.

We were just trying to help........

 

[acupunch]

Re: Labour cost for swaping out Bi-Xenon Headlights from E90 to E90, how much?

I did, on the experience part. Labour cost is always tacky, given different mods and different model......

What Henry said is true, if you check with PML on any mods, they will err on the safe side. So, it looks like you have to stick to PML's high cost of retrofitting, or flout the "warning" from PML and go after market.

We were just trying to help........

I'm not against anyone's comments. If any words used by me shows that, my appologies. please bare with my writting style and choice of words.

I felt sharing of info must be from both side. in the case here is labour charged by BMW Agent (PML) and outside recommended workshops (e.g. BVO J4C, SWE). I knew the PML charges so I shared, you had experience from outside workshop you shared yours. I'm not siding any of them, be it PML or workshop outside. as which one you would choose to go to is totally up to individual to decide and comfortable with based on the info provided. cos these are just infos and tips I think is good to be shared in general.

From my few previous conversation with Mike (SWE) he can assure me installation of Bi-Xenon+system re-code, all done under PML recommend procedure. no wire bypassed or error warning. clean job as you installed at PML. so this are the labour quality I'm after, but with a more reasonable workmanship price tag. PML is currently charging 1.2K for labour charges for this retro-fitting Bi-Xenon upgrades. That's just way too much to be consider.

 

[henry2703]

Re: Labour cost for swaping out Bi-Xenon Headlights from E90 to E90, how much?

1.2k is too much..

I know someone who did it...and completely disabled the warning system. (don't ask me how) labour excluding parts was about $300 only. One way, installation, no dismantling from another car.. Apparently the coding cost quite a bit, but 900 sounds way too much.

BTW that guy i met had his done in Pin Liang. And pin Liang sourced for a second hand set for him, at a separate cost. I didn't ask how much. They are not able to do the re-coding. Perhaps you can speak to Vincent if you go there... he was the one testing out the lights.

 

[kenntona]

Re: Labour cost for swaping out Bi-Xenon Headlights from E90 to E90, how much?

That's a known fact. PML charges the highest.

The issue for you, is not about the cost. It is a no brainer getting Mike to do it. And the retrofitting will not cost you an arm and a leg. What you need is to source for a brand new cluster and ballast at low cost, since I doubt anyone would wanna demod from Xenons to Halogens and swap with you.

So you should really be asking - where to find the cheapest OEM or aftermarket Xenon cluster?

 

[acupunch]

Re: Labour cost for swaping out Bi-Xenon Headlights from E90 to E90, how much?

1.2k is too much..

I know someone who did it...and completely disabled the warning system. (don't ask me how) labour excluding parts was about $300 only. One way, installation, no dismantling from another car.. Apparently the coding cost quite a bit, but 900 sounds way too much.

BTW that guy i met had his done in Pin Liang. And pin Liang sourced for a second hand set for him, at a separate cost. I didn't ask how much. They are not able to do the re-coding. Perhaps you can speak to Vincent if you go there... he was the one testing out the lights.

Henry, there you're speaking the words I was hoping to hear since I started this thread. is ok even the installation were done one way. great info. do you mind post the contact of 'Pin Liang' or PM me which ever is convenience. BTW is 'Pin Liang' a workshop? where is it located? sorry I've not heard of it before.

I knew the warning 'chime' can be disable, but sure it will affect other warning 'chime'. i knew a guy from E90post.com forum, he DIY the Bi-Xenon headlight where he bought from germany from some parts garage (like AutoPropel) then leaving all errors warning and disable the warning 'chime' so he is not annoy by it. I can do that but that's not what I want. I would rather live with Halogen.

thanks for the valuable info.

 

[acupunch]

Re: Labour cost for swaping out Bi-Xenon Headlights from E90 to E90, how much?

That's a known fact. PML charges the highest.

The issue for you, is not about the cost. It is a no brainer getting Mike to do it. And the retrofitting will not cost you an arm and a leg. What you need is to source for a brand new cluster and ballast at low cost, since I doubt anyone would wanna demod from Xenons to Halogens and swap with you.

So you should really be asking - where to find the cheapest OEM or aftermarket Xenon cluster?

I understand at the end I might go for Mike for help. but still I hope to hear from others who might done it before. being swap or install new one the info is valuable. Whether i could find any owner to swap is a 50/50 questions. I would like to try, if I can't find any that's just my luck.

as my ideas were to do swapping. by knowing where to find cheapest OEM Bi-Xenon headlights is gonna to help much. but if you knew a workshop/parts shop and price that is attractive, please share it with me.

 

[louis]

Re: Labour cost for swaping out Bi-Xenon Headlights from E90 to E90, how much?

if you need to recode your LCM to accept bi-xenons, wouldn't you need to recode the other party's LCM to accept the halogens as well? that's gonna send cost through the roof if PML recoding fee is $900.

 

[SILVER]

Re: Labour cost for swaping out Bi-Xenon Headlights from E90 to E90, how much?

Acu ah...Acu...so ex to swap! maybe you should try this liao..not sure if its good idea, but for US$429 I think its cheap...just not sure about quality....Acu ah Acu this time you lead la ON boh? Checked..they have RHD also.

Anyone have any comments?


eBay Motors: BMW 06-08 E90 E91 Euro BLACK Headlight CCFL Angel Eyes (item 290195163550 end time Jan-08-08 02:00:18 PST)

 

[acupunch]

Re: Labour cost for swaping out Bi-Xenon Headlights from E90 to E90, how much?

if you need to recode your LCM to accept bi-xenons, wouldn't you need to recode the other party's LCM to accept the halogens as well? that's gonna send cost through the roof if PML recoding fee is $900.

hi Louis, thanks for the labour cost tipping. bo pian lo, if I do swap must swap nicely la. I mean properly done encode and decode the other. I've spoken with J4C mechanic, he said they will be able to do the all encode and decode with their equipment.

Nevertheless, I'm not proceeding to do any swap yet unless I can find an owner who is willing to do so.

ANYONE exporting and wish to de-MOD their Xenon, am willing to listen to you offers?

 

[acupunch]

Re: Labour cost for swaping out Bi-Xenon Headlights from E90 to E90, how much?

Acu ah...Acu...so ex to swap! maybe you should try this liao..not sure if its good idea, but for US$429 I think its cheap...just not sure about quality....Acu ah Acu this time you lead la ON boh? Checked..they have RHD also.

Anyone have any comments?

Thanks Felix, my main reason why I want to swap Xenon with Halogen is the Bi-Xenon lighting that I always wanted for night driving along trunk roads. I learned to know that Bi-Xenon lighting system is much better visibility on the road without street lights. driving around Singapore roads, Bi-Xenon is to look cool. cos the street is very well led.

 

[Terry]

Re: Labour cost for swaping out Bi-Xenon Headlights from E90 to E90, how much?

mike @ sin wee chuan..not sure about labour...

 

[Jadis]

Re: Labour cost for swaping out Bi-Xenon Headlights from E90 to E90, how much?

I wonder whether anyone has done it ! Costly and too much hassle lah. Lyn, drively slowly ok liao. save the money and wait for the FL.

 

[acupunch]

Re: Labour cost for swaping out Bi-Xenon Headlights from E90 to E90, how much?

mike @ sin wee chuan..not sure about labour...

will try speaks to him when he is in some good mood. you know la. ask him so many bodykit pricing still I haven't fit any. :juggle: sigh!

I wonder whether anyone has done it ! Costly and too much hassle lah. Lyn, drively slowly ok liao. save the money and wait for the FL.

ya loh, my SE told me with the cost (6K, if retrofit it @ PML), why not trade in my car now and change it to the current highline model which had Bi-Xenon & Blackline by default :nehnehhh:

 

[SHAMELESS]

Re: Labour cost for swaping out Bi-Xenon Headlights from E90 to E90, how much?

bro acccupunch....

i swapped my bi-xenons with washer at this workshop in sin ming b 4, from e46 to e46...

cant rem labour, but should be ard 150 thereabts lah...

many pple can do the swap....easy thing, just the re-coding, this can be done at places like pml, j4c, bvo, etc.

LTA inspection no problem at all lah. whether got washer or not, whether 6k or 8k bulbs, all will pass...

hope this helps u....

 

[acupunch]

Re: Labour cost for swaping out Bi-Xenon Headlights from E90 to E90, how much?

bro acccupunch....

i swapped my bi-xenons with washer at this workshop in sin ming b 4, from e46 to e46...

cant rem labour, but should be ard 150 thereabts lah...

many pple can do the swap....easy thing, just the re-coding, this can be done at places like pml, j4c, bvo, etc.

LTA inspection no problem at all lah. whether got washer or not, whether 6k or 8k bulbs, all will pass...

hope this helps u....

thanks bro shameless, I heard was easier to be done on e46 than e90. Nevertheless, thanks for you tips. will speak more with Dr. Wee for more tips. let me find one owner that is willing to trade or a set from scrap yard. :uhhh: