Anyone replace headlight lens?

zcozee · 08-27-2022, 09:08 PM

Looking to replace my lenses. Just curious how difficult it is, and if there is a recommended part to do it. Have seen everything from eBay lens only to ECS kit with OEM components.

Battle · 08-28-2022, 04:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zcozee

Looking to replace my lenses. Just curious how difficult it is, and if there is a recommended part to do it. Have seen everything from eBay lens only to ECS kit with OEM components.

You need to remove the lights from the car which requires to removal of the front bumper. To remove the lens requires patience and a heat gun to loosen the adhesive. Not terribly difficult. 2 person job imo.

zcozee · 08-29-2022, 01:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Battle

You need to remove the lights from the car which requires to removal of the front bumper. To remove the lens requires patience and a heat gun to loosen the adhesive. Not terribly difficult. 2 person job imo.

Thanks Battle. At some point someone put a RFID tag on the headlight and it just looks like crap so I want to replace it.

Vuu · 08-29-2022, 08:18 AM

You can also toss them into the oven to heat up the adhesive. I haven't don't it on the M3 yet but will eventually since my lenses are scuffed.

I've done it on plenty of other cars though.

Like Battle stated, it just takes some patience.

jiggz · 08-29-2022, 04:00 PM

Do you have any interest in a headlight retrofit? If yes, you could have the lenses replaced then, that's what I did and many others I'm sure.

zcozee · 08-29-2022, 06:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jiggz

Do you have any interest in a headlight retrofit? If yes, you could have the lenses replaced then, that's what I did and many others I'm sure.

What's a retrofit? My car has the adaptive xenons (I think that's what they are called). I have seen some angel eye upgrades and stuff but don't really have a desire to go that in depth.

nyc_dude · 09-16-2023, 06:28 PM

Send your headlights to BayOptics for a custom LED look.

The clear lenses are aftermarket and a huge hassle to remove and install.

Cheers

Redd · 09-16-2023, 06:45 PM

Can someone point me to a shop/link where I can buy replacement lenses? I once ordered a set from China which claimed to be for E9x M3 but turned out to be for non-M 3-series. So I'm hesitant to buy blind again.

nyc_dude · 09-17-2023, 02:11 PM

Best bet in Malaysia is to get a set of used M3 headlights and install them. You have to remove the front bumper. Add Angel Eye bulbs.

The other option is to get refurbished custom headlights from BayOptics.

New BMW OEM headlights are $1200 each. The new OE parts fro Magneti Marelli and Automotive Lighting are much less (~ $900 each).

Cheers

Redd · 09-18-2023, 06:50 PM

Unfortunately used headlights here are also not cheap and no guarantee the lenses are in good condition. Not worth paying the money to cannibalize full headlights just for the lenses which I will still need to refurbish.

Scrippy · 09-18-2023, 09:42 PM

Learn to use realOEM.com. It will be invaluable for sourcing the proper parts. Put the last 7 of your VIN in and you will not be misled. Then run the part number with any vendor.

rockitman07 · 09-26-2023, 03:22 PM

I've been looking into the same thing and just found the lenses from "1 Vision Performance" Has anyone fitted these that can attest to their quality/fitment?

I've had mine from new from '08 but a few years that it wasn't in a garage (with a non-custom car cover) scuffed up the upper sections like worn out eyebrows.

Saw this video of someone resealing the lens and it does look like a PITA but much more affordable than full headlight assemblies and realoem/dealers don't have an official part number for them.

08-27-2022, 09:08 PM	#1
zcozee Enlisted Member 40 Rep 48 Posts Drives: 2011 M3 E93 Join Date: Aug 2022 Location: AZ iTrader: (0)	Anyone replace headlight lens? Looking to replace my lenses. Just curious how difficult it is, and if there is a recommended part to do it. Have seen everything from eBay lens only to ECS kit with OEM components.
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08-29-2022, 08:18 AM	#4
Vuu Astronaut 514 Rep 732 Posts Drives: E92 M3 Join Date: Nov 2018 Location: Orange County, CA iTrader: (7)	You can also toss them into the oven to heat up the adhesive. I haven't don't it on the M3 yet but will eventually since my lenses are scuffed. I've done it on plenty of other cars though. Like Battle stated, it just takes some patience. __________________ Instagram \| @undisclosedm3 "Never think that you are above taking out the trash."
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08-29-2022, 04:00 PM	#5
jiggz Brigadier General 2141 Rep 3,647 Posts Drives: E90 M3\|F15 X5 50i Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Seattle iTrader: (2)	Do you have any interest in a headlight retrofit? If yes, you could have the lenses replaced then, that's what I did and many others I'm sure.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

09-16-2023, 06:28 PM	#7
nyc_dude Captain 403 Rep 754 Posts Drives: 09 //M3 e90 Interlagos Blue Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (0) Garage List 2015 BMW F30 335i M ... [0.00] 2009 BMW //M3 [0.00]	Send your headlights to BayOptics for a custom LED look. The clear lenses are aftermarket and a huge hassle to remove and install. Cheers
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09-16-2023, 06:45 PM	#8
Redd Brigadier General 3900 Rep 4,165 Posts Drives: 2010 BMW E92 M3 Dakar Edition Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Malaysia iTrader: (0)	Can someone point me to a shop/link where I can buy replacement lenses? I once ordered a set from China which claimed to be for E9x M3 but turned out to be for non-M 3-series. So I'm hesitant to buy blind again.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

09-17-2023, 02:11 PM	#9
nyc_dude Captain 403 Rep 754 Posts Drives: 09 //M3 e90 Interlagos Blue Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (0) Garage List 2015 BMW F30 335i M ... [0.00] 2009 BMW //M3 [0.00]	Best bet in Malaysia is to get a set of used M3 headlights and install them. You have to remove the front bumper. Add Angel Eye bulbs. The other option is to get refurbished custom headlights from BayOptics. New BMW OEM headlights are $1200 each. The new OE parts fro Magneti Marelli and Automotive Lighting are much less (~ $900 each). Cheers
	Appreciate 0 Quote

09-18-2023, 06:50 PM	#10
Redd Brigadier General 3900 Rep 4,165 Posts Drives: 2010 BMW E92 M3 Dakar Edition Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Malaysia iTrader: (0)	Unfortunately used headlights here are also not cheap and no guarantee the lenses are in good condition. Not worth paying the money to cannibalize full headlights just for the lenses which I will still need to refurbish.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

09-18-2023, 09:42 PM	#11
Scrippy Lord Scrip 1813 Rep 3,013 Posts Drives: 2011 M3 Coupe Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: LA,Ca iTrader: (0) Garage List [0.00] 2007 BMW 335i [0.00]	Learn to use realOEM.com. It will be invaluable for sourcing the proper parts. Put the last 7 of your VIN in and you will not be misled. Then run the part number with any vendor. __________________
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09-26-2023, 03:22 PM	#12
rockitman07 Frequent reader, seldom poster 62 Rep 38 Posts Drives: 2008 E92 M3, 2021 G05 X5 45e Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Bay Area, CA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2021 BMW X5 45e [0.00] 2008 BMW M3 [0.00]	I've been looking into the same thing and just found the lenses from "1 Vision Performance" Has anyone fitted these that can attest to their quality/fitment? I've had mine from new from '08 but a few years that it wasn't in a garage (with a non-custom car cover) scuffed up the upper sections like worn out eyebrows. Saw this video of someone resealing the lens and it does look like a PITA but much more affordable than full headlight assemblies and realoem/dealers don't have an official part number for them.
	Appreciate 0 Quote