Looking for EURO clear headlights (4.8is) -- over 2 Grand??

[BMW-x5-48is]

Hey Guys,

I have the adaptive xeons on my car (2006 4.8is) with the dull yellow side markings on the headlights as found on the North american versions of the car... The Euro ones look sooo much better with the clear sides.. Now I noticed new clear (euro) headlights range in the FREKEN 3 thousand range! with tax almost 4 grand!! ... that's a little crazy as for that amount I can buy another car.. not a great car.. but a car nerveless with its own headlights and all.. Now my question is - is there anyway to get the EURO looks without paying for whole brand new CLEAR EURO headlights? maybe some kind of insert or something???

If there is no other way other then to buy the CLEAR EURO Headlights (both sides) then where can I find these cheap? Or used?? ECS Tuning has them... but for over two and a half grand.... thats a little steep for me... any other ways to get the EURO clear headlights for my car? without spending a million dollars? Please any help would be appreciated... if any of you work at a scrap yard and ever came across a set I would buy for atlleast a grand... but two a half is way too much i think..

[SMOKEY53]

I would jump on German ebay...... Elektronik, Autos, Mode, Sammlerstücke, Gutscheine und mehr Online-Shopping | eBay

See if you can pick up a used set as they're LHD over there. Just make sure you get the adaptive xenon version if that's what your car has. You have to match like for like.

Other option is to pay someone, like a professional retrofitter, to open up your lights - delete the orange marker and install some LED angel eyes at the same time - WIN/WIN - and probably a lot cheaper.

[BMW-x5-48is]

Thank you Smokey... That is actually a good idea to check the German ebay.. It didnt come to mind.. thanks a lot.. I live in NYC its hard to find a good retro-fitter who would be skilled and able to do this.. none that i know of.. .. but i will def try the German version of ebay... my friend told me best luck is a scrapyard in Europe - he said to search net for them/best price.. Last year he was able to get a set for $1000 straight with the bulbs and everything from some place in Lativa -- all he did was swipe plug and play.. lucky bastard! hehehe .. again thanks Smokey your input is greatly appreciated

[Ricky Bobby]

Originally Posted by BMW-x5-48is

Thank you Smokey... That is actually a good idea to check the German ebay.. It didnt come to mind.. thanks a lot.. I live in NYC its hard to find a good retro-fitter who would be skilled and able to do this.. none that i know of.. .. but i will def try the German version of ebay... my friend told me best luck is a scrapyard in Europe - he said to search net for them/best price.. Last year he was able to get a set for $1000 straight with the bulbs and everything from some place in Lativa -- all he did was swipe plug and play.. lucky bastard! hehehe .. again thanks Smokey your input is greatly appreciated

If you go just shortly outside of NYC I know a retrofitter who will take on the task for you.

Caesar Rowinski - Owner - Lightwerkz
www.lightwerkz.net

[email protected]

Smokey had it right above, if you just want to swap housings, you better look on German Ebay. "e53 scheinwerfer". However, just browsing, you're not getting them much cheaper than $2k, even on there.

[Clockwork]

Originally Posted by SMOKEY53

I would jump on German ebay...... Elektronik, Autos, Mode, Sammlerstücke, Gutscheine und mehr Online-Shopping | eBay

See if you can pick up a used set as they're LHD over there. Just make sure you get the adaptive xenon version if that's what your car has. You have to match like for like.

Other option is to pay someone, like a professional retrofitter, to open up your lights - delete the orange marker and install some LED angel eyes at the same time - WIN/WIN - and probably a lot cheaper.

Smokey, I have to ask, since I see English speaking guys recommending this all the time to use the German E-Bay site, how do you manage to track anything down there since its in german language. I WANT to start learning german language this year so I can speak it with my future family but as of now I know maybe 5 words, and none of which are related to car parts :p

[Ricky Bobby]

Originally Posted by Clockwork

Smokey, I have to ask, since I see English speaking guys recommending this all the time to use the German E-Bay site, how do you manage to track anything down there since its in german language. I WANT to start learning german language this year so I can speak it with my future family but as of now I know maybe 5 words, and none of which are related to car parts :p

Mike, I've bought 3 things for my X5 from German Ebay

-Titan Silver Trim set
-Fully reupholstered sport steering wheel
-European light switch (so I could have factory rear fogs)

I've noticed if i have questions about the item I usually just type a message to the seller (asking about shipping cost to USA mostly), and then copy/paste the same message into Google Translate and copy/paste the German translation below my English typed question. Figure that most of them do speak some English but it is just courteous to try to translate into their own language, even if its not the best translation.

I use keyword "e53" on anything x5 related, and then translate the keyword on google translate.

For example when I wanted the euro light switch i found out that a light switch was "lichtshalter" so I searched "E53 Lichtshalter" and I found several results.

Hope that helps.

[Clockwork]

Jay, yeah when I search on e-bay period I only trust any listing that shows up under E53 searches. I would prefer to speak with them in their native tongue, to be respectful, so yeah I could do the google translate like you have. its just a painfully slow process
I was just on there for about 30 mins (don't tell my boss, good god) and WOW the pricing of items there and availability is SOOOOOOO mcuh better than e-bay.ca/com has for selection. But its like their "Chevy/Ford/Dodge" tho, so makes sense.
Cheers for the response RB.

[TiAgX5]

I guess I'm officially old!

I read over 2 grand for headlights and thought, I spent 2 grand on my first car (1978, didn't even have a license).

It was a one owner (neighbors) triple black '69 SS 396 4 speed Chevelle, L89 alum heads (a few hundred were sold, 375hp), 40k miles, garage kept, never hit/saw snow vehicle. PO bought it new in the spring of 1970 (showroom leftover) when he turned 40 and became a grandfather.

I guess my initial response being "2 grand don't buy what it used to" makes me an old fart!

[Ricky Bobby]

^^^Lol @ Tiag ya old fart! haha

No problem Mike and yes the selection is much better there, got my whole Titan trim kit for $200 delivered, and my steering wheel was $225 delivered.

Dallas Custom Steering Wheels quoted me $550 for the same type of steering wheel job and all the Titan silver trim sets I was finding in the USA were 400 bucks.

[Clockwork]

Jay, if I could have found a Ti trim set for $200, I'd never have bothered to 3M wrapped mine!!! BUT I do like the feel of the Brushed ridges I get with this vinyl. literally feels/looks like brushed titanium. I've never seen such beautiful vinyl before. and when you stretch the vinyl it does NOT distort the brushed lines either. its magical.