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  #1  
Old 07-01-2011, 10:01 PM
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Headlight mod, my turn

I picked up a cheap set of HID units from '00 complete with ballasts but they were completely yellow. After wet sanding them about 4 times they look pretty good and I split the lenses from the housings this afternoon.

Interestingly, after reading Mrbmw's thread, I decided not to cook them. I left them in the sun for a while and pried them open with a paint scraper, they open up quite easily.

Here is my question, I want to cut the amber covers for the indicators with roughly the shape the amber piece has on the post facelift light. I like that look and it will keep it legal as one needs the reflector part. How do I separate the amber piece from the front of the lense, there is a narrow silver piece that holds the amber piece in and I cant figure out how to separate them?

Can anyone who has done this give me a tip?
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2003 4.4i black ext./black int./black headliner (kid's runabout)
2014 535d X-drive, M package, silver/black interior

Sold but not forgotten:
2009 E70 35d, black ext./black int./black headliner (sold 2021)
2006 4.8iS Le Mans blue/cream int./black headliner, SOLD in 2012 sadly...

Other hardware:
2015 Cayenne S (wife's new DD and definitely wroooommmmm)
2016 Tundra 1794 edition crew cab, luxo hauler
2005 Tundra crew cab, weekend hauler. Sold after 150k very happy miles.
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  #2  
Old 07-02-2011, 01:23 AM
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Oh you suck..... They just fell apart.... Aye..... I had to dremel....

http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-foru...ngel-eyes.html

The angel eyes wiring should be put in there away from the projector base to avoid melting, just a tip as it will be laying in there rattling around.

The amber reflectors are molded in so use a dremel to trim the tab off and release them. Post pics too!
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  #3  
Old 07-02-2011, 07:47 AM
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o.l.t. - many thanks! I guess that after cutting the tab the silver pieces are no longer usable?

My 4.4i is an 06/03 build and chances of opening the original units equal zero unless going dremel route. I like to keep the possibility to return to OEM if needed so dremel was not an option.

The MY2000 units are held together by something only slightly more consistent than chewing gum.... :-) But look on the brightside, I just gave myself a tennis-elbow wet sanding them 4 times...... LOL

My Bi-xenon projectors are on the way but still need to buy the corona rings. Where did you buy the AE rings?
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2003 4.4i black ext./black int./black headliner (kid's runabout)
2014 535d X-drive, M package, silver/black interior

Sold but not forgotten:
2009 E70 35d, black ext./black int./black headliner (sold 2021)
2006 4.8iS Le Mans blue/cream int./black headliner, SOLD in 2012 sadly...

Other hardware:
2015 Cayenne S (wife's new DD and definitely wroooommmmm)
2016 Tundra 1794 edition crew cab, luxo hauler
2005 Tundra crew cab, weekend hauler. Sold after 150k very happy miles.
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  #4  
Old 07-02-2011, 08:10 AM
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I did that, came out pretty good. I just carefully separated the melted together contact points, carefully taped off the desired cut line on the lens and used a carbide cutting bit for a dremel tool on my drill press (set to it's fastest speed) to trim back the lens then epoxied/glued it back together. Of course I tinted the lenses, but you can still get the idea.

http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-foru...ts-modded.html
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"When you do things right, people won't be sure you've done anything at all" (Bender, futurama)

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  #5  
Old 07-02-2011, 09:49 PM
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Pics

Got the Amber sections off by drilling the tabs and connecting the holes. Once drilled this way they pop off with a screwdriver.

The lenses are a bit hazy from the sanding as I did not yet polish them.

To get molding off that holds the waffles is a bit off a pain as the glue keep wrapping around the torx bit and the screw but eventually it came off...... Still have to get the other one off though.

The projectors came in this afternoon and it is time to choose the corona rings.

Here are some pics.
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__________________
2003 4.4i black ext./black int./black headliner (kid's runabout)
2014 535d X-drive, M package, silver/black interior

Sold but not forgotten:
2009 E70 35d, black ext./black int./black headliner (sold 2021)
2006 4.8iS Le Mans blue/cream int./black headliner, SOLD in 2012 sadly...

Other hardware:
2015 Cayenne S (wife's new DD and definitely wroooommmmm)
2016 Tundra 1794 edition crew cab, luxo hauler
2005 Tundra crew cab, weekend hauler. Sold after 150k very happy miles.
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  #6  
Old 07-03-2011, 10:51 PM
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Ok, I didn't have a lot of time today to look at it but I am not seeing how the giant shroud/highbeam reflector comes of the three posts? Can I simply pull and they pop off or what is the method here? I am in need of a little help here.

Also, putting my M3 shrouds on there is going to be a bit harder than I thought given that the original shroud also has that HB reflector attached....
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2003 4.4i black ext./black int./black headliner (kid's runabout)
2014 535d X-drive, M package, silver/black interior

Sold but not forgotten:
2009 E70 35d, black ext./black int./black headliner (sold 2021)
2006 4.8iS Le Mans blue/cream int./black headliner, SOLD in 2012 sadly...

Other hardware:
2015 Cayenne S (wife's new DD and definitely wroooommmmm)
2016 Tundra 1794 edition crew cab, luxo hauler
2005 Tundra crew cab, weekend hauler. Sold after 150k very happy miles.
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  #7  
Old 07-04-2011, 07:40 AM
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Unscrew the adjustment screw all the way then carefully unclip it from the adjustment post/self leveling motor. Look in there first with a flashlight to see the attachment points so you can see how they'd clip apart.
__________________
"When you do things right, people won't be sure you've done anything at all" (Bender, futurama)

You make something idiotproof, they'll make a better idiot


You think professional is expensive, just wait until you pay for amateur.

Never let your sense of morals prevent you from doing what is right.

Examine what is said, not who speaks.

X5 pics

RIP 4.6is.....

2003 4.6is
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  #8  
Old 07-05-2011, 10:31 PM
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Got one unit apart now

The leveling motor has a ball at the end that sits in a slot. Once the torx screws that hold the motors in are removed, the ball can be pushed out of the slot.

Turning the adjustment hexes clockwise pushed the plastic connectors behind the top of the reflectors out and then the reflectors can be removed with the HID projector attached.

In the picture I have the Bi-Xenon that will replace the OE item. There is very little difference really other then a little electro-magnet that pulls the baffle aside when it is activated for high beam.

Next stop is modifying the bi-xenon by removing the black box from it, I have to find a thread on here that shows how to do it.

Also, can't decide on the halos, I don't need superbrights and I want the color to be about 6000K.
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__________________
2003 4.4i black ext./black int./black headliner (kid's runabout)
2014 535d X-drive, M package, silver/black interior

Sold but not forgotten:
2009 E70 35d, black ext./black int./black headliner (sold 2021)
2006 4.8iS Le Mans blue/cream int./black headliner, SOLD in 2012 sadly...

Other hardware:
2015 Cayenne S (wife's new DD and definitely wroooommmmm)
2016 Tundra 1794 edition crew cab, luxo hauler
2005 Tundra crew cab, weekend hauler. Sold after 150k very happy miles.
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  #9  
Old 07-06-2011, 10:04 PM
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Making AE Halos yourself....

Hi All, I was searching for a solution to the Halo problem and came across this page (http://www.freecarkits.com/angeleyes.htm) and also a video ( http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=980547339061120203# )that seems to be from the same guy.

It seems quite clever and avoids having to deal with CCFLs and is cheaper than forking out $300 for LED Halos. I am considering trying this.

Did anyone here try this?
__________________
2003 4.4i black ext./black int./black headliner (kid's runabout)
2014 535d X-drive, M package, silver/black interior

Sold but not forgotten:
2009 E70 35d, black ext./black int./black headliner (sold 2021)
2006 4.8iS Le Mans blue/cream int./black headliner, SOLD in 2012 sadly...

Other hardware:
2015 Cayenne S (wife's new DD and definitely wroooommmmm)
2016 Tundra 1794 edition crew cab, luxo hauler
2005 Tundra crew cab, weekend hauler. Sold after 150k very happy miles.
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 07-07-2011, 07:57 AM
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I've never seen them come out right really, not bright enough either. Can't expect 2 LED's to do the job of 60 I guess. But since it doesn't cost anything but time really it is worth a try.
__________________
"When you do things right, people won't be sure you've done anything at all" (Bender, futurama)

You make something idiotproof, they'll make a better idiot


You think professional is expensive, just wait until you pay for amateur.

Never let your sense of morals prevent you from doing what is right.

Examine what is said, not who speaks.

X5 pics

RIP 4.6is.....

2003 4.6is
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