BMW F10 & F11 LED Headlight Upgrade: Which Version Fits Your 5 Series

October 30, 2026

FITMENT &
INSTALLATION

F10 and F11 5 Series: pre-LCI halogen, pre-LCI xenon and LCI xenon.

The F10 and F11 5 Series has aged brilliantly, apart from its headlights. Misting, hazy lenses, one side failing and dim halogens are the usual reasons owners come to us. A complete new set fixes all of it in one swap, and gives the car a modern LED face with white and yellow switchable daytime lights.

The quick answer

To order, you only need to know two things: whether your car has halogen or xenon headlights, and whether they're adaptive (AFS) or not. The year tells you pre-LCI (2010–2013) or LCI (2014–2017). Then pick the matching version at checkout. Not sure? Send us your reg and we'll confirm it.

Why F10 owners upgrade

The three classic signs of tired headlights: misting, trapped water and a hazy lens.

Misting and water inside: ageing seals let moisture in, and once it reaches the electronics, faults follow.
Hazy or yellow lenses: they scatter the beam and age the whole car. Polishing helps, but the haze comes back.
One side failing: an angel eye, indicator or dipped beam goes out on one side, often with a headlight warning on the dash.
Dim halogen light: the original halogens were modest when new. After ten years or more, night driving can feel like hard work.

You can repair one part at a time, but on an old headlight the next fault is rarely far behind. A new set gives you fresh seals, new electronics and a 12-month warranty in a single job.

Step 1: Identify your headlights

Your headlights	How to spot them
Halogen (2010–2013)	Visible bulbs in reflector bowls and a beam-height wheel on the dashboard
Xenon, pre-LCI (2010–2013)	Round projector lenses with angel eye rings, no beam-height wheel
Xenon, LCI (2014–2017)	Projectors with the updated LED "eyebrow" running across the top
Adaptive xenon (AFS)	Looks like normal xenon, but the beams turn with the steering
Adaptive LED (2014–2017)	No bulbs or round projectors, full LED inside from the factory

The AFS test (two minutes)

Turn the light switch to AUTO.
Wait until it's dark enough for the dipped beams to come on, or park somewhere dark.
With the engine running, turn the steering wheel left and right.
Beams move with the wheel: you have AFS. Beams stay still: you don't.

Want to be certain? Our headlight identification guide shows you how to check your VIN codes in two minutes.

Step 2: Choose your VMSS set

Every VMSS F10 set is a complete pair, left and right, with LED dipped and main beam, LED daytime lights and indicators built in. Pick the style you like, then the version that matches your car.

Your headlights	Sets that fit
Halogen (2010–2013)	G Series Style Laser, Laser Arrow, Laser Style
Xenon without AFS, pre-LCI	Angel Halo, G Series Style Laser, Laser Arrow, Laser Style
Xenon without AFS, LCI	Angel Halo, G Series Style Laser, Laser Arrow, Laser Style
Xenon with AFS (either age)	Laser Arrow, Laser Style
Adaptive LED (2014–2017)	Laser Arrow, Laser Style

Angel Halo

The classic BMW look, modernised. Bright LED halo rings with a sharper, cleaner LCI-inspired design, and yellow and white switchable angel eyes. Perfect if you love the F10's original character and want it to look its best.

G Series Style Laser

Gives your F10 the newer G Series face, with blue laser-style eyebrows. Switch the daytime lights between white and yellow on the fly by flashing your high beam. No app, no coding.

Laser Arrow

The boldest option. Large white arrow-shaped daytime lights that turn amber when you indicate, twin LED projectors and blue laser-style accents. Check the listing for the versions offered for your car, or send us your reg and we'll confirm.

Laser Style

Blue laser-style eyebrows, angular white daytime lights that switch to amber as indicators, and a black inner housing for a stealthy look. Check the listing for the versions offered for your car, or send us your reg and we'll confirm.

Have AFS? Tell us when you check fitment. We'll confirm exactly how your chosen set works with your car before you order, so there are no surprises.

Why a new set beats repairing the old ones

Option	What you get
Repair the originals	Fixes one fault, but the rest of the headlight keeps ageing and moisture often returns
Used factory headlights	Expensive, the same age as your car, and usually no warranty
New VMSS set	New seals, new electronics, full LED, plug and play, 12-month warranty and a 30-day money-back guarantee

What fitting involves

Disconnect the battery.
Remove the front bumper to reach the headlight bolts.
Unbolt the old headlights and unplug them.
Plug the new ones into the factory connector. No cutting, no adapters.
Test everything before the bumper goes back on: dipped beam, main beam, daytime lights, indicators and the colour switch.
Refit the bumper, then aim the beams on a wall in the dark.

If you're comfortable taking a bumper off, it's an afternoon's DIY job with basic hand tools. Our install guide walks you through it on video. Rather not? Book a VMSS Verified Installer at a customer-only discounted rate.

How to order the right set

Identify your current headlights using the steps above.
Open the listing for the style you like and choose your version at checkout.
Not 100% sure? Use our Fitment Check or message us on live chat. We confirm before you order.
Pick your shipping: free worldwide, or Express for £9.99.
Photograph the batch label on your new headlights before fitting. You'll need it for any warranty claim.

Buy with confidence

12-month warrantyCovers the main lighting functions and the electronics supplied with your headlights.

30-day money-back guaranteeNot happy? Contact us within 30 days of delivery to arrange a return.

Free coding, alwaysAny coding needed to make the main functions work is free, during and after the warranty.

Free worldwide shippingOr choose Express for £9.99 at checkout.

Fitment checked for youSend your reg, VIN or a photo and we confirm the right version before you pay.

24/7 supportLive chat, email and socials, plus VMSS Verified Installers if you'd rather not fit them yourself.

Questions customers ask

Do I need coding?

No coding is needed for the main lighting functions. If your car ever needs any to make them work, we do it for free. Most cars show no dashboard warnings at all. If yours does and you'd like it gone, we can remove it remotely for £30.

Does it fit the F11 Touring?

The Angel Halo, G Series Style Laser and Laser Style sets fit the F11 Touring as well as the F10 saloon. The Laser Arrow is listed for the saloon and F18. Tell us your model and we'll confirm.

How do I switch the daytime light colour?

From the driver's seat. On the G Series Style Laser set, you simply flash your high beam. Full instructions for your set come in the box.

Will they be brighter than my old headlights?

Coming from halogen, the difference is night and day: a whiter, wider beam with a sharp cut-off. Coming from tired xenons, you also lose the warm-up time and the ageing ballasts. Aim them properly after fitting to get the full benefit.

What if they don't fit?

Ask us to check before ordering and we'll confirm your version. If something's wrong on our side, or the set arrives damaged, you pay nothing and can have a full refund.