Headlight lenses
 

I developed a small crack on my right headlight lens, I contemplated getting one of the non original lenses to replace them and perhaps put in the LED rings. Has anyone had any experience with the non oem lenses that are available, I have seen them for various prices. Are OEM lenses available anywhere? My only other option was to buy a used halogen unit and take the lens from that but I am not sure if the lens is the same as the xenon unit. Any advice or ideas would be greatly appreciated. Thank You.

Greg

Headlight lenses
 

How bad is the crack? Do you want to fix for cosmetic reason or water ingress ? If the second I'm betting the material is acetone soluble and one toothpick drop of acetone in the center of the crack will wick right through tge entire crack and weld it shut. I would do that either way just to keep rain out into you replace.

Wife wants to upgrade her headlighs which will make some OE assemblies available but her car is too old to help you out.

Its not terrible but it bothers me. I did not know about using acetone to seal a crack but I am sure it would not be any less obvious. I was going to put paint protection on the headlights after I refinished them.

Headlight lenses
 

Acetone would likely make more obvious. The point would be for structural integrity. In the past when I needed to fix a situation like yours I would add a detail like a stripe that would camouflage the original offence. (such as score a line across the whole bottom 1/8" wide). Off course the normal MO with a radical operation like that is buy the replacement lens from a return friendly place before you start in case that plan goes to hell.

I recently replaced my crazed, faded lenses with aftermarket. The lenses are cheap but it is a very big job replacing them. The how-to videos don’t reveal just how difficult it is to remove the old lenses! It it’s doable. Just know it’s a full day per side.
Replacing the OEM halos is a great upgrade.
Also be aware BMW uses poor quality wire inside the headlight housing, it will crumble if you’re not gentle with it.
Would I do it again? NO. Would I pay somebody good $ to do it? Absolutely!

Yep. Very difficult. I posted a diy on it. Not fun at all. But the halo/angel eye upgrade is amazing. You have pics of yours completed?

I took a few pics. I’ll post them soon

I’m also in the process of restoring my headlight. Looking at new lenses to buy. Realoem doesn’t give a part number. Don’t want to buy cheap replacement.

I found this, at $558 are these OEM?

https://www.bimmerjakes.com/en/headl...tic-cover.html

I have some condensation inside, after replacing the lense will this take care of the condensation problem as well?

When you guys talk about replacing angel eyes halos into LED’s, are you talking about the bulb you install through the back or the actual halos themselves?

Also after replacing the lens and all is done, what would you use to protect the new lenses for the future?

There is not such thing as true OEM replacement lenses. Only various aftermarket.
Condensation; it depends on why you have condensation in the first place. The original lenses are VERY well sealed to the housings. Removing the original covers are by far the most difficult step of replacement. There are several openings in the housing that moisture can enter; the 2 covers for access to the bulbs, the gasket on the ballast, etc. in addition, there is a vent. The housing isn’t airtight!
When I did mine, I removed the ‘light pipes’ and replaced them with LED rings; a great improvement! I wired them into the existing DRL wires and removed the DRL lamps. I don’t have an issue with them getting dim and bright, they’re bright all the time.
The new covers will come with a protective UV coating. Just keep a later of good wax on them and they’ll last years.