Aside from troubleshooting cluster bifecta lights and now my brake lights not going off, I restored the headlights yesterday. They weren't horrible, but they were getting ugly. I'm pleased with the results for now. Also added higher temp bulbs and stealth chrome turn signals thanks to y'all's recommendations.

Also updated the nav software - it was pretty old. As far as the brakes, it has new pads, rotors, and booster. And still haven't gotten them working right yet. Yay.


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2005 X5 4.8iS :: Imola Red w/LeMans interior

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Looking good! Did you get fresh D2S xenon bulbs? That will make a huge difference if yours are original!

Finished bringing my X to a swirl free result at 11 years old:

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I would take full pics later but I figured the close up would show the correction better!

Thrillcat - how cloudy were your lights before you began? The reason I ask is that mine look a little cloudy, but am not sure what process I should use as it's not horrid.

Ricky Bobby, I didn't update the Xenons this go-round. I just did the high beams, turn signals and fog lamps. I went with Phillips CrystalVision, which are 4K lights (went with these because I could replace all with the same temp/brand - the source you suggested didn't have all the fitments). They are an improvement, but I do think I would like to go whiter, so I may go to the Phillips Diamond Vision, which are at 5K.

ants_oz, see these pics for what they looked like before. I used the Mother's NuLens kit and was pretty pleased, for $22 and about 90 minutes of my time.

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I ordered a head gasket, of which there were only two in Costa Rica, to replace the one that is cracked which lead to water in cylinder number 4. It has NOT been a good week.

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Thanks Thrillcat, that's awesome. Yours were worse to start with than mine, but the result you got was great. Will def look into it. Cheers mate

Much better result on your lens restoration!

Keep in mind if you want to upgrade your xenon bulbs to new ones and want to "match" if you switched to 5k halogen bulbs you will need 5k xenon bulbs, of which the only OEM set will run you 180 a pair. (Osram CBI)

However if you kept the Philips crystal vision and wanted to put fresh Philips xenons in it would be 74 a pair.

Why so concerned with the color temp of a bulb that is not on so often anyway I wonder? Or did you not code off the DRL? Any higher color temp coated bulb will have SIGNIFICANTLY shorter lifespan if used as drl. If that is the case expect to be replacing the halogen bulbs yearly.

Something to keep in mind, the way I understand it, by doing what I did to the lenses, I've stripped off the UV coating, so they will now worsen faster. I'm looking at methods of recoating them now to avoid having to do this 2/3 times a year.

The Crystal Visions still don't look as white as the Xenons, was hoping perhaps the Diamonds would...maybe not.

I didn't code off the DRLs. I don't have the capability at this point. I'm still new to this vehicle. Teaching myself whatever I can. Learning as much as I can. Trying to get the $*(&% brakes to actually work right so I can have FUN driving it instead of worrying that the brakes are going to cause problems...

If you wanted to make rec's on scanners and software for a noob, I'd totally be listening. Though I'm also a Mac guy, which with things like this usually mean I'd also be looking at buying a PC to run it...right?