Euro headlights

[16g-95gsx]

Having not pulled the headlights from my 4.8is, can you separate the lens from the body of the headlights? What options do we have for euro headlights outside of purchasing incredibly priced OEM BMW housings, or cheap chinese headlights? If the headlights can separate does anyone make Euro lenses that could be installed in place of the fog prone OEM orange lenses?

[gatojurko]

Where you can get oem headlights if your car is older than 10 years? Cheaper chinese are ok with E label for Europe

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[bcredliner]

Your headlights are considered permanently sealed. They can be opened but having done one, I would never ever do another or even imply you should give it a whirl.

Many owners have gone to Depo headlights with good success.

[gatojurko]

I have Depo...very satisfied!

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[16g-95gsx]

Originally Posted by bcredliner

Your headlights are considered permanently sealed. They can be opened but having done one, I would never ever do another or even imply you should give it a whirl.

Many owners have gone to Depo headlights with good success.

Instead of butyl rubber they used an adhesive?

[bcredliner]

I don't know what is used but heat does not release the adhesive. I scraped the gap with Xacto type knife until I got through the seal and then worked my way around the lens. Once I had enough gap to hold it open some it was only very marginally easier but you can't hold it open much unless you want to risk cracking the lens.

As I said I would never tackle it again.

[Zulu95]

Another board member used a Dremel tool. I did an early halogen, by way of experiment, with a buddy who is always in a rush. He missed a screw inside as we took it apart and messed up the internals. That's when I gave up baking BMW headlights.
I did do a set of 4Runner lights with great success. Much easier to work with than the X5 but harder to install than pre-facelift models.

[bcredliner]

I tried the Dremel tool. I felt there was too much risk of making a cut into the lens material that could compromise the re-seal. I found it easy to melt the plastic even at low RPMS, break discs and there were several areas that are not straight enough to use the cut length of a disc that was effective.

I wouldn't say not to use the tool since I seldom use the Dremel putting me in the category of at best a clumsy rookie.

[crystalworks]

I am a dremel pro/expert at this point... been through 3 units in the last 10 years I use it so often for automotive, housework, and everything in between. I would NOT recommend a dremel for this either. It will work, but will make putting everything back together much harder... and much more obvious that something has been done.

The absolute best method for this is a heat gun on the black plastic (be careful not to heat too much or you risk damaging the lens) and then use a NEW SHARP razor blade to slice around the black outer plastic but not into the clear lens. I have a DIY that is incomplete that I may review to see if it is worth posting now... other priorities, work, and life keep getting in the way of finishing it.

As bcredliner intimated, it is not fun, nor is it for the faint of heart. Do NOT be in a rush. If you are easily frustrated or lack patience... it is not a job for you.