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BMW F22/F23/M2 Headlight Upgrade Guide: IKON (Icon-Style), Snake-Eye, DRLs & Taillights
Upgrade your BMW F22, F23 or F87 M2 headlights with ELERON IKON (Icon-Style) or Snake-Eye full-LED assemblies. Compare options for factory halogen, xenon and standard LCI LED cars, including switchable white/yellow DRLs, optional amber DRLs, OEM-look and Laser-look trims, and matching taillights. Learn when to choose complete headlights or factory LED DRL modules, what happens to adaptive functions, and how to select the correct version.
Related Products
SKU: BMW-F22-05817
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SKU: BMW-F22-05814
ELERON lighting guide · F22 Coupé / F23 Convertible / F87 M2
From the original halogen or xenon headlights to BMW's factory LCI LEDs — and from there to ELERON IKON (Icon-Style) or Snake-Eye full-LED signatures. Here's how to choose the right upgrade without ordering the wrong wiring version.
For 2014–2021 cars. We compare complete LED replacements, OEM headlight DRL modules, colour options, the adaptive-light trade-offs and three rear-light designs.
Visual comparison with image-edited vehicle views; not a documented conversion or measured beam-performance test.
The short answer
- Halogen or xenon? Choose complete headlights configured for your original harness.
- Standard LCI LED? Choose a full IKON (Icon-Style) or Snake-Eye replacement, or keep the factory units and change only the DRL modules.
- LCI Adaptive LED (552)? The factory-headlight DRL modules are the straightforward colour upgrade; ask for a VIN check before any complete replacement.
1 What actually changed — and what is worth upgrading
BMW refreshed the F22/F23 in 2017, bringing standard LED headlights with a different light signature. That still leaves very different starting points on the road today.
Pre-LCI halogen
Reflector optics and a conventional halogen beam make the early base headlights easy to identify. A correctly specified full-LED assembly changes both the appearance and the underlying light source. Proper alignment still matters more than marketing claims about brightness.
Pre-LCI xenon
Projector optics and corona rings still look good when healthy. Uneven ring colour, moisture or ageing components may justify a repair before a complete replacement. If the goal is a new signature, the LED conversions are a separate choice.
One practical rule
Repair a fault; replace a look.
If only one ring has gone dim or yellow, diagnose it first. If you're also facing worn lenses, failing electronics, or simply want the angular LCI-inspired or newer arrow design, compare the cost of repairs with a complete pair.
ELERON's F22-specific replacements are offered for the relevant factory wiring variants, so the original headlight system is the first thing to establish.
From factory halogen to Icon-Style
The same F22-style composition makes the change easier to see: warm factory halogen lighting on the left, then the cleaner white Icon-Style signature on the right. These image-edited views compare the lighting styles; they do not document a customer retrofit.
2 Identify the factory headlight on your F22
Four starting points. The front-end shape can look similar, but the internals and wiring are not interchangeable. Confirm the factory option by VIN if you are uncertain.
The F22 Coupé, F23 Convertible and F87 M2 family share the headlight family, but not every car has the same factory equipment. Verify the build code (522, 524, 5A2, 552), especially on imported or modified vehicles. BMW headlight option-code guide · Check by VIN.
3 IKON (Icon-Style) vs Snake-Eye: two complete LED headlight styles
Both replace the whole headlight assembly. Neither is a standalone DRL module, and neither requires converting the front bumper just to achieve the new signature.
Option A · The LCI-inspired look
IKON / Icon-Style LED
Also searched for as BMW F22 IKON headlights, ELERON's IKON / Icon-Style range gives owners the angular, ring-inspired BMW Icon look with full-LED projector internals. IKON and Icon-Style describe the same ELERON headlight option, not separate products. Choose understated OEM-look trim or Laser-look blue inlays. Depending on the configured version, white, switchable white/yellow and an optional amber mode may be offered.
Fitment: dedicated halogen, xenon (including adaptive xenon) and standard LCI LED versions. Factory Adaptive LED (552) is not a standard listed full replacement.
Option B · The newer BMW arrow
Snake-Eye LED
The sharper, arrow-shaped daytime-running light creates a distinctly newer appearance. The product is a complete LED headlight pair, available with white DRLs or switchable white/yellow styling.
Fitment: appropriate halogen, xenon and standard LCI LED harness variants. The separate factory Adaptive LED (552) system requires a VIN enquiry.
| What matters | Icon-Style | Snake-Eye |
|---|---|---|
| Visual signature | Angular Icon-inspired rings | Sharp arrows |
| Complete headlight versions | Halogen, xenon / AFS xenon, standard LCI LED | Halogen, xenon / AFS xenon, standard LCI LED |
| DRL styling | White; switchable white/yellow; optional tri-colour configuration where available | White or switchable white/yellow |
| Projector trim | OEM-look dark or Laser-look blue accents | Single product style |
| Factory Adaptive LED (552) | No standard listed full replacement; confirm by VIN before ordering | |
4 IKON / Icon-Style DRL colours and projector trim
Compare OEM-look and Laser-look trim, then see white, CSL yellow and amber on the same IKON (Icon-Style) headlight.
Important: blue-coloured trim visible through a headlight lens is not the same as a blue light source. Check the exact wiring and permitted road-lighting functions before enabling optional blue illumination.
Icon-Style DRL colour options — same headlight, three finishes
White is the normal appearance; yellow is a switchable option, while amber requires the optional tri-colour configuration. Snake-Eye has its own white/yellow options.
How the switching works
| Headlight version | High-beam stalk input |
|---|---|
| Icon-Style, white only | No switching; fixed white |
| Icon-Style, white / yellow | 5 quick flashes toggle the selected DRL colour |
| Icon-Style, white / yellow / amber | Controller-specific 5 / 6 / 7-flash colour cycle; follow the instruction sheet supplied with that version |
| Snake-Eye, white / yellow | 6 flashes select yellow; 5 flashes return to white |
Flash counts refer to the appropriate configured aftermarket assemblies; the separate OEM-headlight DRL module kit has its own instructions.
Road-use note: In jurisdictions applying UNECE DRL approval rules, daytime-running lamps are approved to emit white light. Coloured DRLs, additional blue lighting and animations may be restricted. Use the approved configuration on public roads; see the E-mark/ECE explanation.
5 Already have factory LCI LED? Choose how much to change
If your F22 already has standard or Adaptive LED headlights, you may not need complete new lamps to get yellow DRLs. Here are the three sensible routes.
Route 1 · Keep the OEM lamps
Change only the DRL modules
Compatible switchable white/yellow modules replace the DRL electronics while the original BMW headlight assembly remains in place. This is the most direct option if you like the factory look and want the colour change.
ELERON lists modules for both standard LED (5A2) and Adaptive LED (552) LCI headlights. Check your OE module number before ordering.
Route 2 · New signature
Replace the complete headlights
On a car with standard LCI LED (5A2), the IKON / Icon-Style or Snake-Eye LED version provides a different assembly and appearance. This is the route to take when you want changed optics and styling, not just a DRL colour.
If your car has Adaptive LED (552), ask us about compatibility rather than assuming that the standard-LED replacement is interchangeable.
Factory adaptive lights are worth preserving if you use their beam functions. A fixed aftermarket projector does not reproduce the original headlight swivel system. A DRL-module upgrade preserves the original lamp and is often the more appropriate choice for an Adaptive LED car.
6 What changes in the beam — and what does not
A headlight can look brighter in a photo without producing a better, safer beam on the road. Focus on fitment, retained functions and correct aiming.
From halogen to LED
The new assemblies use LED projector optics for low and high beam rather than halogen reflector bowls. That changes the colour and optical system. It does not automatically add the car's factory self-levelling system to a halogen-equipped vehicle.
From xenon or adaptive xenon
You no longer rely on the original xenon burners and ballasts inside the old headlight. However, if your car has Adaptive Xenon (524), the fixed replacement projector does not retain the original swivel function. An AFS warning or vehicle-specific coding step may be possible.
What colour and spread can look like on the road
These image-edited road comparisons show the visual difference between warm halogen-coloured lighting and cooler LED-coloured lighting. They are not controlled beam tests: exposure, aim and light output were not measured, so do not use them to judge range, glare, safety or compliance.
These are product close-ups, not controlled beam measurements. Real performance requires correct beam pattern, levelling where applicable, a proper aim, and a suitable road approval. Any claim of superior throw or glare control should be established by controlled testing, not image comparisons.
7 Finish the rear with a matching taillight design
Three different aesthetics, all aimed at the F22/F23/F87 family. Choose the design first, then confirm EU/US market wiring and pre-LCI/LCI fitment.
ELERON lists pre-LCI and LCI configurations with sequential amber indicator options. Pre-LCI cars may require the supplied adapter; EU/US variants must match the original build market. Confirm the installed lamp's approval and indicator behaviour for your jurisdiction.
8 Fitment checklist — before you order
Identify the original headlight system, not just the model year. The F23 Convertible and F87 M2 are included, but the factory wiring variant decides what you order.
| Factory headlight | Icon-Style / Snake-Eye | Keep factory lamp + DRL modules |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-LCI Halogen 2014–2017 |
Halogen-harness version | Not the LCI LED module kit |
| Pre-LCI Xenon 522, or 522 + Adaptive 524 |
Xenon-harness version; AFS caveat | Not the LCI LED module kit |
| LCI Standard LED 5A2, 2017–2021 |
Standard LCI LED version | Compatible white/yellow DRL modules |
| LCI Adaptive LED 552, 2017–2021 |
Fitment enquiry by VIN first | Compatible white/yellow DRL modules |
Check before ordering
- F22, F23 or F87; production year and original build market
- Factory headlight: halogen, xenon, standard LED or Adaptive LED
- Left- or right-hand-drive beam pattern
- Preferred DRL colour mode and Icon-Style projector trim
- Correct taillight adapter for EU/US and pre-LCI/LCI
What about no-coding claims?
Both product listings describe plug-in versions for their listed headlight systems. That does not guarantee every modified or adaptive-equipped car will behave identically.
For AFS xenon cars, confirm retained levelling and potential warning coding before purchase. For LCI Adaptive LED (552), verify complete-headlight fitment by VIN rather than assuming standard LED compatibility.
Common factory headlight OE reference numbers
Reference numbers are for identification only; parts can vary with market, model-year revisions and supersessions. Confirm against the BMW parts catalogue or your VIN.
| Original type | Left | Right |
|---|---|---|
| EU pre-LCI halogen | 63117304461 / 63117304467 | 63117304462 / 63117304468 |
| US pre-LCI halogen | 63117304473 | 63117304474 |
| EU pre-LCI xenon (522) | 63117388927 / 63117388929 | 63117388928 / 63117388930 |
| US pre-LCI xenon (522) | 63117388931 | 63117388932 |
| EU pre-LCI adaptive xenon (524) | 63117388933 / 63117388935 | 63117388934 / 63117388936 |
| EU LCI standard LED (5A2) | 63117469777 / 63117469779 | 63117469778 / 63117469780 |
| US LCI standard LED (5A2) | 63117469781 | 63117469782 |
| EU LCI Adaptive LED (552) | 63117469783 / 63117469785 | 63117469784 / 63117469786 |
| LCI DRL module (standard / adaptive) | 63117494851 | 63117494852 |
9 Installation and aiming — the essentials
A replacement assembly and a DRL-module swap are different jobs. Test all functions before the car is reassembled.
Complete headlight replacement
- Protect paintwork and remove the bumper using the vehicle repair procedure.
- Disconnect and unbolt the original lamp; handle xenon components according to electrical safety instructions.
- Install the configured left and right units; check DRL, low/high beam, indicators and any permitted colour modes.
- Reassemble, verify warning messages and have the beam aim checked professionally.
Factory LCI DRL modules
- Confirm Standard or Adaptive LCI LED compatibility and the factory module reference.
- Access the rear of the headlight following vehicle-specific instructions.
- Swap the compatible modules without replacing the factory headlights.
- Test both DRL colours and refit covers and liners securely.
LED appearance is not a substitute for beam aiming. Follow BMW's service guidance and have the low-beam cut-off checked using suitable equipment. Aiming guide · Common lamp-error checks.
10 Frequently asked questions
Can I convert halogen headlights directly to full LED without an LCI bumper?
Will an Icon-Style or Snake-Eye conversion retain Adaptive Xenon swivelling?
I have LCI Adaptive LED (552). Can I replace the whole headlight?
Do the DRL modules work with both Standard and Adaptive LCI LED?
Can I drive with yellow or amber DRLs?
Will the F22 headlights fit the F23 Convertible or F87 M2?
Are IKON and Icon-Style BMW F22 headlights the same thing?
What is the most sensible upgrade for healthy factory LCI LEDs?
Choose by factory headlight type
Find the right lighting setup for your F22
Choose your existing halogen, xenon or LCI LED system first. Then decide between IKON (Icon-Style) headlights, Snake-Eye arrows, or a DRL-only update that preserves your factory LED headlights.
