vyking56 0 Report post Posted September 11, 2009 Hi everyone, Anyone had any overly positive experiences replacing their OEM headlights with aftermarket ones? Nothing overly wrong with my current factory ones other than they're cloudy and want the later model projector style units with angel eyes. I've tried a few different polishes and even a cut & polish cream on them, but can't get them to a state I'm happy with so am keen to change them. These really do it for me (umnitza.com) but I guess the light throw wouldn't be suitable for a RHD and shipping from the US would be a killer. Does anyone know or can recommend anything similar - but closer to home? Trademe have a few "angel-eye/projector" replacment units which come from Australia. About $800 landed, which is an expensive gamble if they turn out to be plasticy rubbish! Thanks Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
1rotty 40 Report post Posted September 11, 2009 What years your car.I understand the OEM 01 is a good upgrade.Someone here did it recently-there is a thread somewhere. IIRC Cost around $1200. The Umnitza ones are apparently high quality according to Bimmerfest ops. The Aussie Eurolights ones are chinese I think. BY the way did you know you can switch the lights aspect from LHD to RHD-look on top centre of your lights & you'll see an adjuster-just a bit of useless info LOL You can restore your cloudy lights-just doing mine as we speak -would love an upgrade but cant justify the cost ATM. Wet & dry 400 grit,then 800,then,1500,then 2000 Then polish with at least 2 stages of cutting compound & finish off with Plastix. I do it while I'm watching TV(its more interesting) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
vyking56 0 Report post Posted September 11, 2009 Interesting about them being adjustable, I never noticed! Mine is a 99, so will probably have the same lights as yours does. I was thinking about a more abrasive paste but never thought of using a few stages of wet & dry... might give that a shot tonight. What makes them cloud up like they do? A combination of the washer jets and sun? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
elmarco 56 Report post Posted September 12, 2009 Hella sell them. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
1rotty 40 Report post Posted September 12, 2009 Interesting about them being adjustable, I never noticed! Mine is a 99, so will probably have the same lights as yours does. I was thinking about a more abrasive paste but never thought of using a few stages of wet & dry... might give that a shot tonight. What makes them cloud up like they do? A combination of the washer jets and sun? Yep + crap plastic.About 20 gentle mins with each grade of w&d-use a straight back & forward motion-not circular. Preferably use a rubber backed sanding block. W&d makes sense when you think about it-after all you do it when painting your car & look how that comes up. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
vyking56 0 Report post Posted September 14, 2009 Hella sell them. Good call I've been onto Hella this afternoon and although I can't buy direct I can get them overnight from BNT! About $950 ex GST which isn't too bad I suppose for quality replacements and the conversion looms. So just have to do some saving up now I suppose for these and the M5 bumper! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jjs 60 Report post Posted September 14, 2009 Hi everyone, Anyone had any overly positive experiences replacing their OEM headlights with aftermarket ones? Nothing overly wrong with my current factory ones other than they're cloudy and want the later model projector style units with angel eyes. I've tried a few different polishes and even a cut & polish cream on them, but can't get them to a state I'm happy with so am keen to change them. It sounds harsh, but try using Jif and a bit of elbow grease to get rid of yellowing/cloudiness. Has worked for me in the past. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
elmarco 56 Report post Posted September 14, 2009 Good call I've been onto Hella this afternoon and although I can't buy direct I can get them overnight from BNT! About $950 ex GST which isn't too bad I suppose for quality replacements and the conversion looms. So just have to do some saving up now I suppose for these and the M5 bumper! Quality, service, and lead time.... Wasn't sure about the pricing, but the lamps will be OEM quality (and quite possibly out of the OEM tools/production cell). Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
vyking56 0 Report post Posted September 14, 2009 It sounds harsh, but try using Jif and a bit of elbow grease to get rid of yellowing/cloudiness. Has worked for me in the past. You wouldnt believe some of the chemicals and abrasives I've tried! They don't have the usual yellowness to them, the front right is so badly crazed and clouded I'd have to literally shave off the top 1/10 mm off to restore them... which is a pretty hard ask using the usual polishes and cleaners! I considered spending a few hundred less by replacing their covers (which is probably going to end up letting in moisture) but they'll still make the car look "dated". Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
vyking56 0 Report post Posted September 14, 2009 Quality, service, and lead time.... Wasn't sure about the pricing, but the lamps will be OEM quality (and quite possibly out of the OEM tools/production cell). Indeed. $200-$300 more than the chinese replica's from Trademe is a small price to pay for such a quality product. Just for a giggle I'm tempted to price up the same items direct from BMW parts! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
elmarco 56 Report post Posted September 14, 2009 You wouldnt believe some of the chemicals and abrasives I've tried! They don't have the usual yellowness to them, the front right is so badly crazed and clouded I'd have to literally shave off the top 1/10 mm off to restore them... which is a pretty hard ask using the usual polishes and cleaners! I considered spending a few hundred less by replacing their covers (which is probably going to end up letting in moisture) but they'll still make the car look "dated". You should never use chemicals or abrasives on polycarbonate lenses. PC scratches very easily (it is actually reasonably soft compared to arcylic, but is also very tough), and can literally dissolve in front of you if it comes in contact with the wrong solvent (seen this happen with common truck wash believe it or not). This is the reason they are normally coated with a special lacquer (lensguard or diamond coat) - sanding them only destroys the coating, or the lens itself. Typically the yellow you see in PC headlamp lenses is due to the plastic material degrading from UV (which could be from sunlight, or from using cheap headlamp bulbs which are not low UV). Once it starts, the only real solution is replacement Well worth the extra $ if you ask me (you need them to see after all - and all headlamps are not equal even though they may fit in the same hole)! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Yuen 16 Report post Posted September 15, 2009 Good call I've been onto Hella this afternoon and although I can't buy direct I can get them overnight from BNT! About $950 ex GST which isn't too bad I suppose for quality replacements and the conversion looms. So just have to do some saving up now I suppose for these and the M5 bumper! Is that price for a pair? If so that's actually pretty decent. Considered going for a HID set instead? Would be interesting to see how much they cost. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Driftit 1953 Report post Posted September 15, 2009 Just to let you know. I have the new Hella front and rears on my 540. They are great. Were on the car when I purchased them though. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
vyking56 0 Report post Posted September 17, 2009 Is that price for a pair? If so that's actually pretty decent. Considered going for a HID set instead? Would be interesting to see how much they cost. Yes that was a price I got for the pair. There is a HUGE difference in prices from the various Hella stockists - so it DEFINATELY pays to shop around. I emailed 8 different places in the Wellington region asking for prices on the part numbers... and one of them wanted $1900 +GST Yes and LOTS! Would probably work out cheaper to sell the car and buy a 2001+ factory facelifted one! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
vyking56 0 Report post Posted September 17, 2009 Just to let you know. I have the new Hella front and rears on my 540. They are great. Good to know Do they have in-built "angel eyes" just out of interest? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
E30BMA 0 Report post Posted September 18, 2009 ... and one of them wanted $1900 +GST That price difference is insane! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jochen 4 Report post Posted September 18, 2009 (edited) I got replacement brand new original BMW headlights for $65 for a pair for my E39 I found a pair of brand new lenses advertised on TradeMe, never installed, original BMW, for my E39. Still in the box, never fitted to a car. No dust or dirt on them! So I removed the old headlights and changed lenses. Made a world of difference, and made the car look like new Total cost 2nd hand: $65 Cost at BMW for new parts: $600 (lenses only!) I was a very happy man :-) Edited September 18, 2009 by jochen Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
allan 295 Report post Posted September 18, 2009 Hi I may be able to help you out. Have upgraded my e39 530 lights to Xeon low beam and clear's The lights that came out were the facelift type, angel eyes, leveling motors hella brand etc. One of the housings is shot but the rest of the components are in reasonable condition. Is this of any help Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
vyking56 0 Report post Posted September 18, 2009 PM Sent This is what I've got currently. Don't know why I didn't add these sooner! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
twisted 45 Report post Posted September 21, 2009 Brasso cleans the polycarb up brilliantly. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Yuen 16 Report post Posted September 21, 2009 I'm sure you can easily make a huge improvement polishing those lenses Gareth, especially the driver's side lamp. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
vyking56 0 Report post Posted October 2, 2009 Thought I'd update this thread. I settled on a pair of "Depo" lights - which was kind of a compromise between price, function and quality. I'm pretty happy with them - even though I had to go out and buy two pairs of H7 bulbs. They dont have the in-built height adjustment motors, but as it turns out the gearing in one of my original lights was broken so wasn't actually working anyway. www.depoautolights.com Total price (excluding the bulbs) was $400 US delivered to my door - 7 days after placing the order. If anyone is interested in buying something from this crowd, PM me - I've got a $5 credit which is transferrable. Here's a before and after. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jjs 60 Report post Posted October 4, 2009 Looks nice. You will easily get your money back when you go to sell the car - looks a lot newer and tidier now. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
