:wow:
we got a guy local here that installs led rings(blue or red)/custom headlights/retrofitting/hid kits/painting housings for under that

he quoted me about 260 for to open up..install led rings(only 1 in each though, so over 300 for 2 rings in a headlight) and re-seal

Your headlights are pre-03 non-permasealed headlights goodie.

Locally our installer charges 190 a pair to open/reseal, then any modifications while open are extra.

Theres a ton more labor involved in opening permasealed housings.

Thanks Mike and Ricky for answering my questions. My biggest goal is to swap out the projectors, the lights suck when I compare them to my M5 with the evox-r projectors. I might just get an led bulb for the factory angel eyes and call it a day. Not sure yet. My biggest concern is getting the corners out now without damaging them because I really want to replace my stock lens with new ones. (Wish I could find some clear euro ones.)

Yes actually in concerns of light output the pre-facelift E39 low beam projectors are actually superior output on low beam than the facelifted E55 bi-xenon projectors, reason because the low beam E39 projectors have a more reflective chrome bowl surface.

Obviously EvoXR is greater than all though. If you are going all out to get these open though, definitely upgrade to EvoXR while you have it out. There was a member who also had his facelift lights open who wrapped the amber with a brushed aluminum vinyl, it looked pretty damn good, you won't find the euro clear corners unless you spend some serious coin or buy wrecked facelift lights from europe (sucks).

All D's upgrade about the headlight makes me want to upgrade mine to Evo XR

His lights were permasealed off a 05 4.8

I need to do this to mine... anyone know the diameter of the v2's? I would like to buy a universal off ebay from the guy I've been buying from for years... but need to know the diameter.

Go with umnitza

Umnitza WILL NOT tell you the diameter of their rings, trust me I've asked. When I get my set of V2's I will note down and post the sizes because honestly I don't know what the big secret is. There are tons of copies and lesser quality rings available in various sizes, giving out the diameter of the rings for their application does nothing to impact the technology.

Pre-facelift E53's take the 158/128mm rings readily available on ebay in $55 kits for example.

For what its worth, the E53 facelift should have something along the lines of a 120/140 mm application, X5SND used 120/140 XBA Rings from Morimoto on his facelift, and snugged them behind the stock rings. I'm guessing the Umnitza V2 are somewhat similar sizing, they told me that the E53's take 11X and 12X rings.

I appreciate the feedback, but I've been using these other brands for about a decade. Never had a ring failure and at $60-$80 a set... I intend to keep using them. ;)

RB I'd really appreciate that. I did some research and from I gathered... the appropriate ring sizes are: 120mm and 140mm... but wanted to verify. I think that info was from one of the members here during a retrofit and he posted pics with a tape measure.