E39 Depo Headlights Installed [Archive]

mistertripps

12-25-2007, 05:02 AM

Catmint's Christmas present was waiting on us when we got home this afternoon. Umnitza is awesome!! I ordered these on Thursday and they must have arrived today.

Anyway, we got Depo Predator Angel Eyes for the E39 528it wagon. The install was pretty simple even though they don't include any wiring diagrams or anything with the lights. There was a DIY install PDF on their web site for someone with Xenon's, so I just followed that and ignored the Xenon stuff. My only issue is how to hook up the angel eyes. I've got a purple and a red wire coming out of the lights, but I'm not sure what to hook them into. I assume the wires for the parking lights/turn signals, but does it matter which wires match up? I know Hoss had these lights on his E39 at one time, so I'm hoping he can shed some light (HA HA) if no one else knows.

From a purely cosmetic angle, the lights are a MAJOR improvement for the wagon. It totally looks like a different car. Once we get the M5 front bumper it is really gonna pop.

Cindy won't let me post any pictures until the AEs are working, but I'll get some up to show the difference as soon as we get that issue resolved.

88e28

12-25-2007, 05:53 AM

I have Depo lights on my e36 the angel eyes hook up the running lights what I understand.Hope this may help.

Catmint

12-25-2007, 02:41 PM

I have Depo lights on my e36 the angel eyes hook up the running lights what I understand.Hope this may help.

I assume by running lights you mean the parking lights? We don't have daytime runners on the E39.

BMRSEB

12-25-2007, 03:06 PM

Catmint

12-25-2007, 03:22 PM

Uh.. Catmint, I'll take the thank-you's now for that suggestion..:wave: Just kidding, Merry Xmas to you!!

Tim/Catmint, contact Hoss, I believe he hooked up his DEPO Angel Eyes. I'm sure it's not that difficult, but I haven't done mine since I had a set OEM Euro Halogen Angel Eyes on my '97 528i/5.

Alternatively, check out the BMWTIPS.com (http://www.bmwtips.com/) site, click on the Tips & Tricks on the left hand-side, scroll down to the Lights section and look at some of the links under #10.. :)

Hey Sebastian! :wave: I didn't make that last post, Tim was using my computer. But yes, thanks for the suggestion! First the wheels, now the lights... I'm going to have to put a disclaimer on my car by the time I'm all finished. "Custom design by Sebastian." Next is an M-tech bumper.... start looking please!

Merry Xmas to you and yours, as well!

mistertripps

12-25-2007, 03:48 PM

Everything I read says there should be three wires running to my turn signals, but I've only got two. A blue one with a stripe and a brown one. Since all the other brown wires are running to a ground bolt, it is pretty easy to figure out the brown is the ground and the blue is hot. So, I hooked up the red wire from the AEs to the blue and the brown to the brown. Still nothing....

Another source said you could wire the AEs to the fogs and have them come on anytime the fogs are on. Anyone else done this? Maybe I need to change a fuse? Not enough power to the turns to run the AEs?

p.s. - thanks Sebastian!

BMRSEB

12-25-2007, 04:03 PM

Hey Sebastian! :wave: I didn't make that last post, Tim was using my computer. But yes, thanks for the suggestion! First the wheels, now the lights... I'm going to have to put a disclaimer on my car by the time I'm all finished. "Custom design by Sebastian." Next is an M-tech bumper.... start looking please!

Merry Xmas to you and yours, as well!

Everything I read says there should be three wires running to my turn signals, but I've only got two. A blue one with a stripe and a brown one. Since all the other brown wires are running to a ground bolt, it is pretty easy to figure out the brown is the ground and the blue is hot. So, I hooked up the red wire from the AEs to the blue and the brown to the brown. Still nothing....

Another source said you could wire the AEs to the fogs and have them come on anytime the fogs are on. Anyone else done this? Maybe I need to change a fuse? Not enough power to the turns to run the AEs?

p.s. - thanks Sebastian!

Hey glad to be of help.. Just living/modding vicariously through you!! :1eye:

And I do like the "Custom design by Sebastian".:tongue_smilie:

Mitch

12-25-2007, 05:18 PM

SWEET!! Got any pics? I am considering these lights for my M5!

Catmint

12-25-2007, 07:12 PM

SWEET!! Got any pics? I am considering these lights for my M5!

We've got them, but didn't want them posted until the AEs are working. You should definitely get them for the M5. They are sharp!

mistertripps

12-25-2007, 10:49 PM

I got an email back from the guy at umnitza. He says the wiring on the E39 wagon's is different and I only have two options. Either wire the AEs to the REAR parking lights or to the fog lights. Either option is going to require me splicing additional wire to the hot lead. Grounding is easy, as I assume I can ground to any existing ground wire. Now, the question is, would it be better to find the rear parking light lead in the ECU or just wire to the fog lights below? I'm going to be replacing the bumper at some point soon, so will have to re-wire if I go to the fogs, but that isn't a big deal. Opinions?

BMRSEB

12-25-2007, 11:23 PM

Here are some instructions from Umnitza (http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showpost.php?p=8139947&postcount=31), you probably already have them.. :)

As far as wiring, I would go with wiring them up with the parking lights instead of the fogs.. This way you have the option of having them on WITHOUT having to turn on your fogs.. Plus, as you mentioned, when/if you get the M5 bumper you'll have to rewire them again..unless you don't mind? :icon18:

BTW, love the sig, Tim.. :luxhello:

mistertripps

12-26-2007, 12:02 AM

BTW, love the sig, Tim.. :luxhello:

Thought you'd get a kick out of that....:1eye:

mistertripps

12-26-2007, 09:58 PM

Okay, Cindy bought some 16-gauge automotive wire today and I'm gonna try to tap into the fog lights for the AEs tonight. Once we replace the front bumper I may have it changed over to the parking circuit, but for now I don't want to mess with breaking into the ECU. I don't even know where the heck it is on the wagon....

Anyway, wish me luck! I'll post photos once it is done.

WOO-HOO - Post #500!!!

Philip

12-26-2007, 11:00 PM

This thread is worthless without pics!

88e28

12-26-2007, 11:04 PM

Tim, Question, Do you want your AES on as daylight running lights or on when the headlights are on?

Philip

12-26-2007, 11:09 PM

I love the halo running lights! Tim, do the depo's have city lights?

mistertripps

12-26-2007, 11:45 PM

Tim, Question, Do you want your AES on as daylight running lights or on when the headlights are on?

Well, the wagon doesn't have daytime running lights, so I didn't know that was an option. Cindy can't stand DRLs. She runs with her fogs on all the time, so hooking them to the fogs make the best sense.

mistertripps

12-26-2007, 11:45 PM

I love the halo running lights! Tim, do the depo's have city lights?

Not sure what you mean by city lights....:(

BMRSEB

12-26-2007, 11:50 PM

Not sure what you mean by city lights....:(
They are the very dim lights in the "top" corner of the low beam lights on E30/E34's.. City lights were a European option I believe. I suppose Angel Eyes are the natural progression of them? :icon18:

Here's a link (not the greatest) but, look at the little dark spot on the top of the headlight by the vertical lines in the headlight..
http://www.turnermotorsport.com/image/lighting/e30_ellips_sm.jpg

88e28

12-26-2007, 11:53 PM

You can hook the AES to a hot lead when the key is on and also on with the headlights. When I bought my e28 the driving lights were wired hot to the headlights I told him to remove it. I don't use them much because I hate when people are behind with them on. Thats why I had him remove the hot lead. I only use when no other cars are around.

mistertripps

12-27-2007, 12:06 AM

mistertripps

12-27-2007, 12:07 AM

They are the very dim lights in the "top" corner of the low beam lights on E30/E34's.. City lights were a European option I believe. I suppose Angel Eyes are the natural progression of them? :icon18:

Here's a link (not the greatest) but, look at the little dark spot on the top of the headlight by the vertical lines in the headlight..
http://www.turnermotorsport.com/image/lighting/e30_ellips_sm.jpg

I don't think the DEPOs have city lights then....

BMRSEB

12-27-2007, 12:23 AM

I don't think the DEPOs have city lights then....
Nah.. City Lights were 'ol school stuff.. They look cool on E30/E34's though..

88e28

12-27-2007, 01:47 AM

Any reason not to wire them to the fogs?

They will only work whith the fogs are on. But they do look cool as daylight running lights also at dusk using your parking lights. Don't know about Georgia but when i was in Chicago driving lights are Illegal to drive with them on in heavy traffic. I know this because my good friend was a cop and loved giving people a ticket. So check the law this way you can turn off the fogs and the AES will stilll work.

mistertripps

12-27-2007, 02:03 AM

Well, I can wire a house, but I can't figure out how to wire a stupid car.... I give up for now. I'll probably let Alan take a look when he does the next service on the car. Of course, Cindy does have a couple of gift certificates that would probably cover the wiring....

88e28

12-27-2007, 02:47 AM

If you have gift Cer ok but to pay someone to do it come by I'll do it for you free.

mistertripps

12-27-2007, 03:06 AM

If you have gift Cer ok but to pay someone to do it come by I'll dofor you free.

Thanks for the offer. I'll let you know.

Catmint

12-27-2007, 03:34 AM

Okay, here are a couple pics. I did end up getting amber bulbs for the turn signal today, these pics don't show that.

http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd103/dappledox2/HPIM0842.jpg

http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd103/dappledox2/HPIM0843.jpg

http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p310/mistertripps/BMW%20Photos/E39%20528it/DSCN8841.jpg

Tim's apprentice:
http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p310/mistertripps/BMW%20Photos/E39%20528it/DSCN8830.jpg

Philip

12-27-2007, 04:38 AM

The Depo's look fantabulous.

88e28

12-27-2007, 01:57 PM

Get Stelth Blubs they look chrome so in the daytime you look at them and no amber color. But at night when on they light up amber. I have them on my e36, Love them.

mistertripps

12-27-2007, 02:28 PM

Get Stelth Blubs they look chrome so in the daytime you look at them and no amber color. But at night when on they light up amber. I have them on my e36, Love them.

Honestly, with the shields on the Depos, you can hardly see the bulb anyway.

BMRSEB

12-27-2007, 03:09 PM

Looks good, Tim. Halogens right? And as Wayne mentioned, Stealth bulbs (http://www.stealthauto.com/Departments/Stealth-Bulbs.aspx).. :)

mistertripps

12-27-2007, 03:47 PM

Looks good, Tim. Halogens right? And as Wayne mentioned, Stealth bulbs (http://www.stealthauto.com/Departments/Stealth-Bulbs.aspx).. :)

Yep, halogens. We'll see about the stealths. Cindy doesn't seem to mind the way it looks now.

BMRSEB

12-27-2007, 04:14 PM

Yep, halogens. We'll see about the stealths. Cindy doesn't seem to mind the way it looks now.
You don't have an option Tim, it's "Custom Design by Sebastian" dammitt!!!!:nono::nono: :1eye:

mistertripps

12-27-2007, 06:03 PM

You don't have an option Tim, it's "Custom Design by Sebastian" dammitt!!!!:nono::nono: :1eye:

Of course! How could I forget??

Catmint

01-01-2008, 06:18 AM

Hey everybody, I'm so proud that I did my VERY FIRST MOD EVER! By myself, that is. It will look like no big deal to you, but since I have zero experience working on cars and I'm terrified of doing something wrong, I'm very proud of myself!

I had to order clear sidelights to go with my new headlights, and I was leaving them for Tim to install when he got home tonight. Then I looked closer and thought "I could maybe do this" and I did! Check it out!

http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p310/mistertripps/BMW%20Photos/E39%20528it/DSCN8879.jpg

Woo-hoo! Alan, if you're out there reading this, I won't be needing your help with the AC compressor thing anymore...... okay, maybe just a little help. ;)