Clear headlights or not ...a comparison
 

Shoot! Meant to post here, not on BF.

Just trying to decide if I should go for the clear look or not! The glass in front of the bulb is obviously there for a reason...to disperse the light; but how often does one use the high beams anyway? With the daytime running lights on, you can clearly see the lit bulb like a candle. With the regular lights you see the whole headlamp lit up. With the xenons on, no difference in light, only looks! Any suggestions or comments on which looks/functions better? Looks aren't always everything!

Sport xenon headlight with clear coner...
http://www.members.shaw.ca/arvi.sing...s/Img_0830.jpg

All clear look...
http://www.members.shaw.ca/arvi.sing...s/Img_0831.jpg

A comparison of the two...
http://www.members.shaw.ca/arvi.sing...s/Img_0836.jpg

A close up view...
http://www.members.shaw.ca/arvi.sing...s/Img_0839.jpg

Same as my answer on BF: I like the clears much better. They give your X a more refreshed look.


BTW, where did you get them?

I would normally be all for the clear look. However, when you took out the reflectors and left the bulbs showing like that, it gives me a feeling of an unfinished product. It just doesn't seem to look right when compared to the rest of your xenon housing which is more or less flat; while your blinker bulbs are round. Sooo...I would have to say that you should either spend money buying the euro spec housing or leave it completely stock.

Actually, the "clear look" looks like the stock E46 3-series Xenon headlights.

Go for the Euro-look, if you don't like it after some months change :)

Take a look at kirkX5m silver X5

Have done it my self, very important to clean the housing and then seal with silicon, you don't want to get water inside the headlight.

Get some SilverVision Bulb's and it's done!
http://superlumination.com/
Front Turn Signal: 3457 (3157)
Side Turn Signal: 194
Rear Turn Signal: 7506 or 7507

Red wire is for xenon foglights
http://xoutpost.com/gallery/files/1/3/7/PICT0024.jpg
http://xoutpost.com/gallery/files/1/3/7/PICT0026.jpg

If you are not changing your X5 to 04 looks than clears is the way to go.

I like it. I like it a lot! Where did you get the lights and what are the part numbers?

How did you guys take the housing apart? Did you used a hot air gun of some sort? I tried to pry it open but it is sealed tight with silicon or glue and is real sticky. Just dont want to mess it up. BTW I have '01 xenons. Thanks

Get a cheap heater gun and point it to the weather strip / glue (black) 8-10cm from the surface. The weather strip will get soft quite fast. Soften the weather strip on one side of the headlight and the start to bend in the edge using 2 flat screwdrivers. When the front-glass has come loose (1-2 cm out from the heatlight) start on the other side. Final heat the side where you fint the turn signal and it should be loosen.
The best way is to use some glowes and your friend uses the heather gun to heat the weather strip while you try to loosen the front glass. Using screwdrivers will damage the edge when the pressure gets quite hard on a small surface (will not be visible).
When you are going to install the front-glass heat the weather strip around the headlight (the weather strip should shine) and mount the glass back, hold the glass when the weather strip dry.
Also get some marin sealing (black) or silicon to seal the headlight in the edge when you'ar done.

Can the same be done for 2005 X5?

The 04 and 05's already have the clear look with the xenon lights and angel eyes. They look awesome! The newer assemblies are a PITA to take apart. I wouldn't even mess with it. They look great just the way they are! :thumbup:

Clear looks awesome...I wish I could muster up the guts to do this...kinda terrified of taking apart my headlights...

:withstupi
Except for the amber corner lens.

http://www.bimmian.com/elements/vehicle.htm/main/X5.jpg


has anybody else seen this?
how was this done? I took it from bimmian.com . It doesn't look like the Euro Clears like breytonx5 has just because those are completely clear in color. It looks like these are the US versions but somebody has replaced the amber section with this blue. I would love to be able to do this :smokin: .... anybody know how?

or is just a photoshop, cause that wouldn't be hard to do then. :dunno:

Clears Look Hot.

Just wondering if you have to take the front bumper off in order to remove the headlight off car?

If you have the headlamp washers then I found it much easier to take the bumper loose and slide it slightly forward in order to clear the washer units. TommyX swears that that's not necessary, but I didn't want to take the chance of breaking one of those things.

If you don't have the headlamp washers then you definately do not need to do anything with the bumper.

In either case, you don't have to take it completely off.

Wait so are guys saying that If I just buy a set of xenons i can make them look just like the clear one in these pictures by basically removing the interior plastic pieces surrounding the xenon part and covering the other headlight? That is awesome, has anyone trired to do this to non xenon headlights? what would those look like? and If you can take apart the headlight has anyone thought of painting the cover that houses the light(black plastic piece inside the headlight) a color like silver, or a color to match your car?> I think that would look hot

I did mine today. And I like the results. Here are a few of my thoughts.

Got a heat gun from Harbor Freight for 9.99 (schwing!)

Use a 1.5 inch putty blade to help seperate the sections if you have no helper.

Paint the parking light plug BLACK. It looks MUCH better after the install of silver bulbs.

Re-aim your lights BEFORE driving at night (Got flashed way to much tonight and saw ZERO Boobies)

Beer is your friend

Remember to clean the INSIDE of the lens before re-installing

You do NOT need to remove the bumper if you pop the lower headlight trim loose as you move the headlamp forward.

Beer still is your friend (Dr. Pepper for you non Beer guys)

Take it slow and it will provide a great result.

Later