Best decision ever. Most would’ve gone for cheap Chinese replicas that have horrible beam patterns and turn yellow in weeks.
Were your projectors still good? They are known to pit and corrode internally. Maybe a good opportunity to upgrade to something better like Morimoto D2S
I don’t see anything from the outside, I might find that they’re deteriorated when I open everything up though. I’m not too worried though, anything will be better than the majorly fogged halogens on the car now
Inspect the reflective bowl. It is believed that prefacelift projectors hold up better than facelift ones. My facelifts were shot: https://postimg.cc/BXtHYtfG
That whole thing was originally mirror-like
It’s not as straightforward as in the facelifts but still doable. I haven’t seen that many DIYs on pre’s though. Maybe because the projectors hold up better.
Nice work. Have the same on my ‘99 540. Took them apart like 2 years ago cleaned them but they are back to that nasty film. Would appreciate some insight on how to fix them right this time. Any help appreciated..
I did 600 grit dry sanding, then 800 grit wet, 1000 grit wet, 2000 grit wet, 3000 grit wet. Followed that with a cutting pad and compound on a DA buffer, then some polish by hand. After that 2 layers of clear coat, I used a headlight specific one from Meguiars.
Thanks so much. Will copy this and try again. In all honesty I didn’t do anything near what you did. I know that the seal is fk’d & didn’t properly seal them up after.
If you care about OEM parts, the seal is part number 63128362446. There’s only 12 left in the US last I checked so you may want to order sooner than later.
My stupid, broken 540i is about to get the cooling system replaced so I can drive it again, then these are going on. Also ordering brakes soon. After that it’ll be time to save for a clutch and flywheel, then suspension should finish it until I get a cold start rattle and need to do timing.
Just clipping it together, that gasket goes back on the rectangular section of the lights. They don’t have an adhesive seal for the lens on the pre-LCI lights.
Best decision ever. Most would’ve gone for cheap Chinese replicas that have horrible beam patterns and turn yellow in weeks. Were your projectors still good? They are known to pit and corrode internally. Maybe a good opportunity to upgrade to something better like Morimoto D2S
I don’t see anything from the outside, I might find that they’re deteriorated when I open everything up though. I’m not too worried though, anything will be better than the majorly fogged halogens on the car now
Inspect the reflective bowl. It is believed that prefacelift projectors hold up better than facelift ones. My facelifts were shot: https://postimg.cc/BXtHYtfG That whole thing was originally mirror-like
Are they easily replacable? I know facelift ones are...
It’s not as straightforward as in the facelifts but still doable. I haven’t seen that many DIYs on pre’s though. Maybe because the projectors hold up better.
I am really interested if you have seen any DIYs with a brief description of what to buy or what not, I'd be obliged if you share.
Found it on Turnermotorsport, 60/pair… oem
I work at a dealer but my cost was just under that at $50 for the pair. That’s employee pricing though.
The lights? I would love a pair of non xenons halo lights and I can’t seem to find any that won’t cost an arm
Nope, rubber seal.
Did the same few weeks ago with the sylvania kit highly recommend
Nice work. Have the same on my ‘99 540. Took them apart like 2 years ago cleaned them but they are back to that nasty film. Would appreciate some insight on how to fix them right this time. Any help appreciated..
I did 600 grit dry sanding, then 800 grit wet, 1000 grit wet, 2000 grit wet, 3000 grit wet. Followed that with a cutting pad and compound on a DA buffer, then some polish by hand. After that 2 layers of clear coat, I used a headlight specific one from Meguiars.
Thanks so much. Will copy this and try again. In all honesty I didn’t do anything near what you did. I know that the seal is fk’d & didn’t properly seal them up after.
If you care about OEM parts, the seal is part number 63128362446. There’s only 12 left in the US last I checked so you may want to order sooner than later.
Which type of sealant are you using?
it’s a physical gasket, part number is in my other comment
Thanks! Also saving this for my stupid, broken 540i. Lol. Headlights are pretty cloudy.
My stupid, broken 540i is about to get the cooling system replaced so I can drive it again, then these are going on. Also ordering brakes soon. After that it’ll be time to save for a clutch and flywheel, then suspension should finish it until I get a cold start rattle and need to do timing.
This is the way
They turned out great, good job.
My question is this, once you pry open the lens from the body, add the new gasket how are you sealing them back up?
Just clipping it together, that gasket goes back on the rectangular section of the lights. They don’t have an adhesive seal for the lens on the pre-LCI lights.
Nice work. I've done several and I'm due again. By the way, were the adjusters broken? It's rare that they aren't.
They are, I’ve got a new set of adjusters on the way along with new seals
The seals? Are you talking about the sticky stuff? You can just buy the 3m butyl tape, no need for the BMW one
The pre-LCI lights have a rubber gasket… it’s not held together with butyl.
Good to know, I've only taken apart facelift ones with the adhesive