Installing P46s

I just bought a set of xenon P46s from JLevi and was wondering exactly how to install them. Obviously I'll connect certain wires with other corresponding wires, but where should I mount/place the ballasts? Would it be worth it for me to take it to a local BMW shop (not dealership) and have them install them? Thanks in advance.

I zip-tied mine to the edge of the bumper supports. They are out of sight and haven't moved from there locations yet. If you bought it with Prolumen HID kit, You'll have to mount ignitors as well. I mounted these in the engine compartment out of harms way.

Here is the basic method of installation:

Take out the corners (use a flathead to press down on the tab through the hole in the fender). Slide out the corner and unbolt the 5 bolts that hold in the old headlight (2 on top, 2 on bottom and 1 inside the engine bay). You will also need to remove the lower painted trim to access the bottom bolts. Unplug and slide out the old headlight. Slide in the new headlight and bolt it back up. Plug the stock low beam plug into the HID ballast, HID ballast into the igniters, and igniters into the back of the preinstalled HID bulb. Plug the stock high beam plug into the P46 high beam slot.

Most customers either mount the HID ballasts in the engine bay or better yet in the metal bumper reinforcement bar using double sided tape, velcro or zip ties.

The angel eyes are wired via the supplied instruction guide. Just skip the first few steps about opening the headlight as the halos and ballasts for the angel eyes are preinstalled for your convenience.

Originally Posted by Nick@Jlevi SW

Here is the basic method of installation:

Take out the corners (use a flathead to press down on the tab through the hole in the fender). Slide out the corner and unbolt the 5 bolts that hold in the old headlight (2 on top, 2 on bottom and 1 inside the engine bay). You will also need to remove the lower painted trim to access the bottom bolts. Unplug and slide out the old headlight. Slide in the new headlight and bolt it back up. Plug the stock low beam plug into the HID ballast, HID ballast into the igniters, and igniters into the back of the preinstalled HID bulb. Plug the stock high beam plug into the P46 high beam slot.

Most customers either mount the HID ballasts in the engine bay or better yet in the metal bumper reinforcement bar using double sided tape, velcro or zip ties.

The angel eyes are wired via the supplied instruction guide. Just skip the first few steps about opening the headlight as the halos and ballasts for the angel eyes are preinstalled for your convenience.

How would one know if they needed projecter46's?

you don't need p46's, its just another route to get xenons for a non-xenons car for less than going the oem route.

Originally Posted by sillieidiot

you don't need p46's, its just another route to get xenons for a non-xenons car for less than going the oem route.

Originally Posted by sillieidiot

you don't need p46's, its just another route to get xenons for a non-xenons car for less than going the oem route.

sillieidiot, are you saying p46s are junk, or the oem route is the best option? Please elaborate, as I am looking to upgrade soon.

i'm not saying that p46s are junk at all. i'm just saying that for the price for oems, you can get p46s, ddes, and lifetime warranty on it. p46 are aftermarket and will always lose to the quality of oem parts, but if you want to save money, p46s are the best route to go IMO

Thanks for breaking that down. Can OEM only be puchased through a dealership?

yes they can, but it's going to cost a heck of a lot. maybe you'll find a used one in the classified section. that's what i did, got it for 500 + shipping. or you could try ebay.

I'll post pictures tonight of where I mounted my ballast and ignitors to give you an idea of what to do

Here is what I did for a clean installation:

I pulled the male/female AMP connectors from the headlight through a hole below thats covered with a rubber cover. I went ahead and "X" the rubber cover with a pair of scissors so I could pull male/female AMP connectors through. The reasoning behind this is that the BIG round rubber that covers up behind the low beam will hide the wires for that clean installation.



Once you pull the male/female connectors through, go ahead and put the rubber cover back on. It should look like this:


(Ignore the black angel eyes ballast, I mounted them there for a specific reason I don't want to disclose at the time)


There *should* be a white peice of plastic right next to the bumper underneath the corner light. You can zip-tie the ignitor here (if so equiped) because the surface is flat enough to make it secure.



This is where I mounted my ballast. Its directly underneath the headlight support. Notice how I zip-tied it. It's a flat surface behind, so its secure as well.



Hook everything up and this is how clean the installation could look like:




Notice how there aren't any exposed wiring aside from the factory harnesses? No ballast in sight, no ignitors in sight.

If you have a PROLUMEN BALLST, you can mount your ballast here shown in the arrow:



Just remove the rubber cover (capsule in shape) and shove your ballast in that square space so that the black and red connectors are facing towards you if you stand directly behind the headlight. You don't have to do anything else, its SECURE enough to stay put unless you do offroading. I opt against this because I didn't want any HID parts exposed to a potential risk of getting wet.

Hey thanks A LOT, Loe. I had my ballasts/igniters mounted elsewhere but your idea is much better . So I have finished installing my P46s but still have one question: Is there any way to stil have highbeams? Right now they don't do anything and I was wondering if I need to wire my setup differently or something. If not, not big deal. No highs for xenons is a fair trade in my book any day

highbeams hook up just like how the OEM units do, just plug in the harness to the twist-type bulb holder.

Nevermind, I forgot to put the bulbs in

Rookie mistake.