Replacing headlight assembly Z4

[Dale]

Hey, I'm new to the site glad one exists for sure. I have a 2008 Z4 and my wife recently bumped into it with our Nissan Armada breaking the clear shield over the headlight assembly. The Z has the xenon headlights and I have been unable to find anyone who makes and sells the clear shield only. Xenon headlight assembly to say the least isn't cheap. So expensive in fact I am considering replacing both with halogen fixtures. I can replace both assemblies with halogen type for half the price of a new xenon type. I need to know for sure if the lens can't be bought as a separate item; if not and I replace with halogen do I have to change any part of the wiring harness? Some good advice will be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

 

[ranski]

Hi

How about you buy a single second hand headlight, cut off the screen and replace with yours?

The markings on the lens may not be identical but a cheap option to go for?


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[aquazi]

Ouch....

Sadly the lens cannot be bought separately... However its fairly common here for people to cut and shut their headlights so someone is bound to have a spare one.

You will then need to cut the old one off and bond the new one (with some silicone sealant)

Dont think you'll be able to simply swap with halogens... The wiring is different, and no doubt will require coding... and the halogens will have a different lcm to allow manual height adjustments.

If you have full ncd i'd go through the insurance.


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[Dale]

I have been searching for weeks for a used assembly but haven't had any luck at all. Here the new assembly costs $1100 plus install fees from body and fender shop. I can purchase two assemblies for under $600 (halogen Spyder brand) and would go that way but don't want to get into wiring harness change out which is additional expense. As far as turning it over to insurance that creates higher rates potentially (cost threshold limit varies with insurance providers) so, trying to avoid that but may have to. It is disappointing that BMW would make such flimsy part that cannot be replaced separately. The lens itself if available should cost no more than $20 but instead I'm faced with over $1500 in expense to someone, me or insurance, over a clear piece of plastic. Oh well, its the way of the world today I guess. Thanks to all respondents.

 

[ranski]

Hi Dale,

Not sure if you read our posts correctly?

buy something like this

http://www.ebay.com/itm/2004-BMW-Z4-Right-Headlight-FOR-PARTS-03-04-05-Passenger-side-HID-OEM-Ballast-/190833491790?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&fits=Model%3AZ4&hash=item2c6e8fff4e&vxp=mtr

Then cut open the headlight following this guide

http://www.z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=2953

Do the same on your broken headlight, just swapping over the lens cover for the headlight you sourced, nothing else needed to do

 

[Dale]

OK ranski, a bit slow but now I get it. BUY any second hand light assembly and remove the lens cover. Thanks for the link and the advice as well. I'll see what I can find. I am what we call here a bit of a "shade tree mechanic" and I could do this I believe. Thanks again.