Couldn't Wait.......new lights.

R

RichardG

Senior member
 An Englishman Abroad.
Took a chance on some clear headlights off Ebay last week, they turned up yesterday.
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So today shiney thing syndrome hit and.........
After a quick read of MrRogers front bumper removal How To, thankyou.
Halfway through it's easier than you think
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A quick glimpse of the future?
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And all back together, the gaps are not as good as I would haved liked the front and rear edges were the same light to bumper which just highlighted a difference in the middle.
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Alignment of lights roughly checked on the garage door making sure they hit the bits of tape previously stuck to it, only downside noticed the inside edge of the offside tyre worn so need to get the tracking checked and the 19's have rubbed the wheel arch liners and few other bits and pieces that need some TLC in the future (when it's a bit warmer).

All done it took around 3 hours start to finish.
 
nice one. :thumbsup: This is the one thing I spent ages researching before I bought my Z4 as I really didn't want orange indicators. I have been driving around in a 1994 E36 325 for the last 9 years, but as it was white and had clear lenses still managed to look quite modern(ish). As with everything it's all down to personal choice but I really don't like orange indicators! I didn't realise you coud do the straight swap, I was under the impression you needed to hack the 2 sets of lights apart and cannibalise the old with the new!

That seemed like a lot of trouble so I went down the expensive route and bought a facelift model :oops:

Plus clear lights seemed to be as rare as rocking horse doo doo to get 2nd hand.

So well done, it looks great. I'm slightly jealous that I could have gone down that route and actually had some money left in the bank!!! :D
 
OdysseyHal9000 said:
I didn't realise you coud do the straight swap, I was under the impression you needed to hack the 2 sets of lights apart and cannibalise the old with the new!
Click to expand...
After a few other people did the research it turns out Halogens are a straight swap, which luckily mine are. Xenons are a whole different ball game.
 
Luck bugger! Looks great :thumbsup:

No idea how I missed these on ebay otherwise you'd have had more competition...
 
a11y said:
Luck bugger! Looks great :thumbsup:

No idea how I missed these on ebay otherwise you'd have had more competition...
Click to expand...
You didn't miss them, from the retrofit clear lights thread.
a11y said:
Guys, might be wise to post a link to the seller just to avoid someone potentially getting done over?

And no, I've got no interest in buying them so you're safe :wink:
Click to expand...
 
Thats looks very nice.. totally transforms the front.

Where did you get that M front bumper from?
 
good work chap! I love the looks of cars without panels on :D :evil:

newbie question (so REALLY sorry if it has been answered a zillion times before) but how do i tell if I have xenons or halogens?? :oops:
 
lob808 said:
good work chap! I love the looks of cars without panels on :D :evil:

newbie question (so REALLY sorry if it has been answered a zillion times before) but how do i tell if I have xenons or halogens?? :oops:
Click to expand...

If you have a dial to raise/lower the lights you have halogens. No dial = Xenons.
 
Boogle said:
lob808 said:
good work chap! I love the looks of cars without panels on :D :evil:

newbie question (so REALLY sorry if it has been answered a zillion times before) but how do i tell if I have xenons or halogens?? :oops:
Click to expand...

If you have a dial to raise/lower the lights you have halogens. No dial = Xenons.
Click to expand...

ummmm ok - I'll have a look for a 'dial' :wink:

Do the xenons do the auto 'up and down' thing when you start the car or is that still true for halogens too?
 
RichardG said:
OdysseyHal9000 said:
I didn't realise you coud do the straight swap, I was under the impression you needed to hack the 2 sets of lights apart and cannibalise the old with the new!
Click to expand...
After a few other people did the research it turns out Halogens are a straight swap, which luckily mine are. Xenons are a whole different ball game.
Click to expand...


Ah yes that's right I remember now the article I read was swapping to true HID as well as clear lenses.

I went in to my local BMW dealer to ask about going HID but I want to do it properly as I believe just fitting an HID kit to a halogen headlight is a big no no as the reflector set up is completely different (and I certainly don't want the double wattage, painted blue halogen option! :thumbsdown: ). So I enquired about retro fitting as they were presumably an optional upgrade when the car was new. Sure no problem, £3000.

:tumbleweed:

Honestly, that's what I was quoted. :o
 
lob808 said:
Boogle said:
lob808 said:
good work chap! I love the looks of cars without panels on :D :evil:

newbie question (so REALLY sorry if it has been answered a zillion times before) but how do i tell if I have xenons or halogens?? :oops:
Click to expand...

If you have a dial to raise/lower the lights you have halogens. No dial = Xenons.
Click to expand...

ummmm ok - I'll have a look for a 'dial' :wink:

Do the xenons do the auto 'up and down' thing when you start the car or is that still true for halogens too?
Click to expand...

Both lights level up when starting, the xenons will then self level on the move. The halogens are levelled using a roller switch, as mentioned...

The roller switch on the left adjusts the switch and dial back lighting, the one on the right is the height adjuster for halogens...
IMG00053-20110301-1559.jpg

RichardG, looking nice. Good buy on the M bumper :thumbsup:
Did you get the one for the back as well :poke:
 
Nicely Done Mr G, Looks sweet, :thumbsup:

and no I am not at all jealous :headbang:
 
PawnSacrifice said:
Both lights level up when starting, the xenons will then self level on the move. The halogens are levelled using a roller switch, as mentioned...

The roller switch on the left adjusts the switch and dial back lighting, the one on the right is the height adjuster for halogens...
Click to expand...

thanks for the pic matey :D

this is what I have ....
lightdialforforum.jpg


xenons then?
 
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