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Replacement headlight lenses
- CHIMV8
- Member
- Posts: 394
- Joined: Sun Jun 10, 2018 5:47 pm
Replacement headlight lenses
Gents
Have any of you changed the lenses on your headlights for something similar to these
Was going to buy to old replacement fittings at a cost of a few hundred but these would do me if it can be done
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/For-BMW-Z4-2 ... %7Ciid%3A1
Have any of you changed the lenses on your headlights for something similar to these
Was going to buy to old replacement fittings at a cost of a few hundred but these would do me if it can be done
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/For-BMW-Z4-2 ... %7Ciid%3A1
Sterling Grey 3.0
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Replacement headlight lenses
I've been on the look out for something like these for a while - didn't know they were available!
- Sidewaze Samm
- Senior Member
- Posts: 1209
- Joined: Wed Feb 07, 2018 1:11 pm
- Location: Sth. Manchester/Cheshire border
Replacement headlight lenses
At that price I'd want to know what they were like and how they fitted before buying... so please buy them and report back!
Also, noticed that the ad says measurements may be 3mm out. That amount of tolerance sounds like it could be problematic.
Also, noticed that the ad says measurements may be 3mm out. That amount of tolerance sounds like it could be problematic.
2008 E85 3.0si
Space Grey, Dream Red New England heated Msports.
Xenons, MFSW, cruise, PDC, wind deflector.
ZHP, stubby, gloss black grilles, DLV box, gaptech, no CDV.
Space Grey, Dream Red New England heated Msports.
Xenons, MFSW, cruise, PDC, wind deflector.
ZHP, stubby, gloss black grilles, DLV box, gaptech, no CDV.
- CHIMV8
- Member
- Posts: 394
- Joined: Sun Jun 10, 2018 5:47 pm
- Big Andra
- Member
- Posts: 858
- Joined: Tue Jul 17, 2018 1:45 pm
- Location: Scotland
Replacement headlight lenses
Sure I read somewhere that they need to be cut away, so not the usual stick it in the oven method to soften the glue.
2003 E85 3.0i titanium silver
Bilstein B4's & Eibach pro's
Poly bushes
Cruise control
Cup holders
Gaptech
Stubby
Bilstein B4's & Eibach pro's
Poly bushes
Cruise control
Cup holders
Gaptech
Stubby
- CHIMV8
- Member
- Posts: 394
- Joined: Sun Jun 10, 2018 5:47 pm
Replacement headlight lenses
Thanks,think i wont take the chance for £141,another 60 and i can get full lamps
Sterling Grey 3.0
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- Posts: 474
- Joined: Mon May 28, 2018 8:24 pm
Replacement headlight lenses
Yes; bake them in an oven on a low heat to soften the sealant then they prise apart. You would need butyl or sealant to seal up the new lenses to the cases. Unfortunately it's not as straight forward as other BMW models where the lenses just clip on/off, but swapping them out is possible - pretty sure someone has a thread on here who has done it - whoever it is that's always modifying their headlights.
- Big Andra
- Member
- Posts: 858
- Joined: Tue Jul 17, 2018 1:45 pm
- Location: Scotland
Replacement headlight lenses
Says they can't be heated to remove in this link.
viewtopic.php?f=2&t=2953&hilit=Remove+headlight+lense
viewtopic.php?f=2&t=2953&hilit=Remove+headlight+lense
2003 E85 3.0i titanium silver
Bilstein B4's & Eibach pro's
Poly bushes
Cruise control
Cup holders
Gaptech
Stubby
Bilstein B4's & Eibach pro's
Poly bushes
Cruise control
Cup holders
Gaptech
Stubby
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- Posts: 474
- Joined: Mon May 28, 2018 8:24 pm
Replacement headlight lenses
I stand corrected; could have sworn it was the opposite. So looks more risky, but my lenses are so deteriorated on the inside I’ll probably end up giving this a shot later this year.
- maxman
- Senior Member
- Posts: 2821
- Joined: Mon Jun 07, 2010 11:34 pm
- Location: Wrexham
Replacement headlight lenses
Your thinking of the z3 headlights.parabolica wrote: ↑Wed Jan 13, 2021 8:40 pm I stand corrected; could have sworn it was the opposite. So looks more risky, but my lenses are so deteriorated on the inside I’ll probably end up giving this a shot later this year.
- Chris_D
- Lifer
- Posts: 6615
- Joined: Thu Apr 21, 2016 11:41 pm
- Location: Mostly Holland. Sometimes UK.
Replacement headlight lenses
How can you possibly tell the deterioration has occurred on the inside???parabolica wrote: ↑Wed Jan 13, 2021 8:40 pm I stand corrected; could have sworn it was the opposite. So looks more risky, but my lenses are so deteriorated on the inside I’ll probably end up giving this a shot later this year.
Why not try refurbing them at minimal cost first before you take any drastic/mis-informed decisions?
viewtopic.php?f=2&t=125218&hilit=headlight
E85 3.0i roadie (03) 'Benny'. E93 320d M-Sport Cabrio (11) 'Bob'.
'Always different, always the same.' John Peel on The Fall.
'Always different, always the same.' John Peel on The Fall.
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Replacement headlight lenses
Because I have already refurbished them, both by myself and a professional detailer. The outer lens polished up fine but there seems to be permanent yellowing and spotting on the inside.Chris_D wrote: ↑Wed Jan 13, 2021 9:15 pmHow can you possibly tell the deterioration has occurred on the inside???parabolica wrote: ↑Wed Jan 13, 2021 8:40 pm I stand corrected; could have sworn it was the opposite. So looks more risky, but my lenses are so deteriorated on the inside I’ll probably end up giving this a shot later this year.
Why not try refurbing them at minimal cost first before you take any drastic/mis-informed decisions?
viewtopic.php?f=2&t=125218&hilit=headlight
I had the lights off a year ago to fix a moisture issue and I was able to get the rubber end of a pencil in there and was able to rub the spotting a little bit. I’d probably be able to clean them up good if I could get the lenses off but if you go that far you might as well replace the lenses if you can.
- Chris_D
- Lifer
- Posts: 6615
- Joined: Thu Apr 21, 2016 11:41 pm
- Location: Mostly Holland. Sometimes UK.
Replacement headlight lenses
Ok, I getcha.parabolica wrote: ↑Wed Jan 13, 2021 9:24 pmBecause I have already refurbished them, both by myself and a professional detailer. The outer lens polished up fine but there seems to be permanent yellowing and spotting on the inside.Chris_D wrote: ↑Wed Jan 13, 2021 9:15 pmHow can you possibly tell the deterioration has occurred on the inside???parabolica wrote: ↑Wed Jan 13, 2021 8:40 pm I stand corrected; could have sworn it was the opposite. So looks more risky, but my lenses are so deteriorated on the inside I’ll probably end up giving this a shot later this year.
Why not try refurbing them at minimal cost first before you take any drastic/mis-informed decisions?
viewtopic.php?f=2&t=125218&hilit=headlight
I had the lights off a year ago to fix a moisture issue and I was able to get the rubber end of a pencil in there and was able to rub the spotting a little bit. I’d probably be able to clean them up good if I could get the lenses off but if you go that far you might as well replace the lenses if you can.
Well, tough choice.
Expensive replacement or a faff to try and seperate and refurb.
You'll have to separate the lenses anyway so why not try refurbing the inside and outside surfaces before buying whole new replacement lenses that may even be made of thinner/inferior plastic...?
E85 3.0i roadie (03) 'Benny'. E93 320d M-Sport Cabrio (11) 'Bob'.
'Always different, always the same.' John Peel on The Fall.
'Always different, always the same.' John Peel on The Fall.
- kis
- Lifer
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- Location: Surrey / West Sussex Boarder
Replacement headlight lenses
I used this to split a headlight I have. viewtopic.php?f=2&t=100058
You can use a multi tool with a thin flat bade, this is a good option IMO. All details in the link.
In my personal opinion the lenses can be sanded and polished up. You should be able do rectify it 99% of the time without cutting open. You also don’t know the quality of the replacement lenses. OEM... Almost 20 years and they still have good quality (yes superficially they might be fading and cloudy).
You can use a multi tool with a thin flat bade, this is a good option IMO. All details in the link.
In my personal opinion the lenses can be sanded and polished up. You should be able do rectify it 99% of the time without cutting open. You also don’t know the quality of the replacement lenses. OEM... Almost 20 years and they still have good quality (yes superficially they might be fading and cloudy).
My E85 Z4 3.0i SMG
BMW Family History (past and present):
1 Series - E87
3 Series - E46 Coupe, E46 M3, E90 (x3)
4 Series - F36, F82 M4
5 Series - E34 (x2), E39
7 Series - E32
X5 - E53, E70
X6 - E71
BMW Family History (past and present):
1 Series - E87
3 Series - E46 Coupe, E46 M3, E90 (x3)
4 Series - F36, F82 M4
5 Series - E34 (x2), E39
7 Series - E32
X5 - E53, E70
X6 - E71
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- Joined: Sat Feb 22, 2020 7:52 am
- Location: Adelaide South Australia
Replacement headlight lenses
Like most things these days....made in China. Sometimes quality is good....many times it is not, and you may not find out for a couple of years which one it is. Buyer beware, especially when they state "top quality guaranteed". Good luck getting your money back if it doesn't turn out well Personally I would try to resurrect the originals first and failing that (if the price difference isn't too great) I would buy new or s/h original parts over parts of undetermined quality.
Sterling Grey 2004 e85 3.0i manual.