Replacement headlight lenses

C

CHIMV8

Member
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-Z4-2003-2008-Pair-LEFT-RIGHT-Headlight-Headlamp-Lens-Replacement-Cover/254761507217?_trkparms=aid%3D111001%26algo%3DREC.SEED%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20160908105057%26meid%3D597dc1ba0ed9481e95af9ad0c182a6ba%26pid%3D100675%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D15%26mehot%3Dnone%26sd%3D254761507217%26itm%3D254761507217%26pmt%3D1%26noa%3D1%26pg%3D2380057%26brand%3DUnbranded&_trksid=p2380057.c100675.m4236&_trkparms=pageci%3A54615dfa-55b9-11eb-a0ba-e667358adc01%7Cparentrq%3Afc7fd1281760a77dc9f8ea8cffc2c49e%7Ciid%3A1
 
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! :rofl:
Also, noticed that the ad says measurements may be 3mm out. That amount of tolerance sounds like it could be problematic.
 
CHIMV8 said:
Firstly
Can the lenses actually be removed/replaced
Click to expand...

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.
 
CHIMV8 said:
Firstly
Can the lenses actually be removed/replaced
Click to expand...

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.
 
Says they can't be heated to remove in this link.

https://z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=2953&hilit=Remove+headlight+lense
 
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.
 
parabolica said:
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.
Click to expand...
Your thinking of the z3 headlights.
 
parabolica said:
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.
Click to expand...

How can you possibly tell the deterioration has occurred on the inside???
Why not try refurbing them at minimal cost first before you take any drastic/mis-informed decisions?

https://z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=125218&hilit=headlight
 
Chris_D said:
parabolica said:
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.
Click to expand...

How can you possibly tell the deterioration has occurred on the inside???
Why not try refurbing them at minimal cost first before you take any drastic/mis-informed decisions?

https://z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=125218&hilit=headlight
Click to expand...

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.

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.
 
parabolica said:
Chris_D said:
parabolica said:
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.
Click to expand...

How can you possibly tell the deterioration has occurred on the inside???
Why not try refurbing them at minimal cost first before you take any drastic/mis-informed decisions?

https://z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=125218&hilit=headlight
Click to expand...

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.

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.
Click to expand...
Ok, I getcha.
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...?
 
I used this to split a headlight I have. https://z4-forum.com/forum/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).
 
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.
 
From personal experience don't bother. When i bought my car the headlight lenses had been removed so as halo's could be installed. After the car had sat out in some cold wet weather condensation made its way into the lenses and got to a stage where there was so much water in there the OEM ballasts got corrosion due to water ingress and lead to my headlights not working which was a massive ball ache.

I managed to remove both units and change components which didn't solve the issue therefore it was a wiring issue within the headlight and ended up buying new headlights.

This is the hack job that i had to deal with when i took it upon myself to try fix the issue and dry the units out.

helight1.jpg

headlight.jpg

Although i resealed both lenses to the headlights with BUTYL as mentioned above this just didn't give it that OEM factory seal as before mainly due to how these headlights built and how they seal so then water still made its way back into the headlights causing even more damage.

I would strongly recommend ditching the replacement lenses as i to looked at purchasing these and just buy new units. I understand they are expensive however its the right thing to do to ensure all components are dry and sealed off away from the elements.
 
But that’s because you’re dealing with someone else’s work? Or do you think once they’ve been split that’s it. They’re compromised?

I know a few people who have issues with non-split lights. Not sure but it’s probably to do with the rear covers? And them not sealing again as the rubber ages? There isn’t any other way water can get in... the OEM bond between the headlight plastic and the lense is pretty strong!
 
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