Front light swop- pre to facelight headlights

BMWPAUL1971 · Post by **BMWPAUL1971** » Sun Mar 03, 2024 9:43 am

Hi.
I need a drivers headlight for my E89 pre facelift, but can't find one for reasonable money. However, there are much cheaper 13- onwards facelift lights available which I could buy both sides for less money than the one I need.
Does anyone know if they will fit or has anyone got any previous experience with this and done it themselves?

Thanks

B21 · Post by **B21** » Sun Mar 03, 2024 10:03 am

It has been done but not without issues..it’s not a simple plug n play..

BMWPAUL1971 · Post by **BMWPAUL1971** » Sun Mar 03, 2024 11:19 am

B21 wrote: ↑Sun Mar 03, 2024 10:03 am It has been done but not without issues..it’s not a simple plug n play..

Ah OK. Thanks for getting back.
If its not plug and play it's not worth it then.

simnew · Post by **simnew** » Thu Mar 07, 2024 8:22 am

I replaced my original headlamps with new OEM ones from Hella. Basically because the eyeballs of the Xenon headlamps had developed cataracts! Subsequently, someone recently posted a service where they can replace the reflector of the xenon unit. This would have been cheaper, but the OEM hella ones from LLL parts were around half the price BMW charge if I remember rightly. Certainly made a difference.. driving the car at night before was challenging, now it’s illuminating

BMWPAUL1971 · Post by **BMWPAUL1971** » Thu Mar 07, 2024 12:43 pm

OK buddy thanks for your reply. I was simply asking because second hand drivers pre-facelift headlights are way more expensive than facelift ones and way more expensive than passenger ones. I guess it's supply and demand?

simnew · Post by **simnew** » Thu Mar 07, 2024 11:12 pm

https://www.autodoc.co.uk/hella/930318#reviews

Looks like they are out of stock at the moment….

Deepseaskateboard · Post by **Deepseaskateboard** » Fri Mar 08, 2024 10:14 am

There are a couple on ebay, by no means cheap though for a second hand unit.

Looks like you can get them from 400-700 ish.

It might be worth it to source a wreck from copart and strip it, scrap it.

BMWPAUL1971 · Post by **BMWPAUL1971** » Sun Mar 10, 2024 9:48 am

Deepseaskateboard wrote: ↑Fri Mar 08, 2024 10:14 am There are a couple on ebay, by no means cheap though for a second hand unit.

Looks like you can get them from 400-700 ish.

It might be worth it to source a wreck from copart and strip it, scrap it.

Hi buddy. The £400 ones tend to be from abroad and you would then pay duty. Or they charge £150 just for postage. I really don't have the time or inclination to buy a Copart car and strip it but I appreciate your suggestion. I am going to have to bite the bullet shortly and pay £500 but that is a sting. It's just really annoying that there are passengers side ones cheaper and facelift ones lol. Sods law!

Deepseaskateboard · Post by **Deepseaskateboard** » Sun Mar 10, 2024 12:42 pm

Yeah, it’s a big job to buy a wreck and strip.

It’s something I hope to do in future to add some oem upgrades to my Z, but certainly not in the short term.

I think as parts become more expensive this will make sense.

Good luck, and I hope you fix it soon.

I would replace with the same, you will have a headache getting the more modern ones to work, it likely can be done but not a simple process.

BeardyJon · Post by **BeardyJon** » Sun Mar 10, 2024 3:21 pm

I replaced my pre-LCI headlights with LCI ones towards the end of last year. It was mostly plug and play except for having to code the bulbs to the right wattage to eliminate flicker. They run no problem now.

Incidentally, I have the original headlamp units sitting in boxes so if you're still looking for one, could be persuaded to sell them for the right price. PM me.

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