Are Headlights easy to take apart?

Z3cade · Post by **Z3cade** » Wed 11 Aug, 2010 22:19

Was just wondering if anyone had taken the standard headlights apart to remove the amber indicator lense and was it an easy job?

indizee · Post by **indizee** » Wed 11 Aug, 2010 22:25

Yes, at 100 Celsius after youve had them in the oven. Search for detangoed.

marcusplowman · Post by **marcusplowman** » Thu 12 Aug, 2010 09:32

http://users.belgacom.net/bmw_z3/Pdf/Cl ... Lights.pdf

kayone · Post by **kayone** » Thu 12 Aug, 2010 09:42

marcusplowman wrote:http://users.belgacom.net/bmw_z3/Pdf/Cl ... Lights.pdf

What's this mod like without adding the clear blinkers - any pics?

g8jka · Post by **g8jka** » Thu 12 Aug, 2010 11:31

Hopefully this will work as I'm posting from my phone!

I took out the amber lenses to give the detangoed look, I think it looks more modern and freshens up the front end, although ideally I would like to put the clear lenses in eventually but they are so hard to get hold of.

I think it's a mod that's worth doing unless you want to fork out a fortune for a new set of headlights with clear markers.

swamper · Post by **swamper** » Thu 12 Aug, 2010 12:01

it does look nice.....but i might be naive here but would that mod not affect your MOT..?

Post by **Robert T** » Thu 12 Aug, 2010 12:22

swamper wrote:it does look nice.....but i might be naive here but would that mod not affect your MOT..?

You'll need to fit silvered orange bulbs - the silvering hides the colour but when lit they are orange.

Cheers R.

g8jka · Post by **g8jka** » Thu 12 Aug, 2010 12:31

swamper wrote:it does look nice.....but i might be naive here but would that mod not affect your MOT..?

Yes sorry, exactly as Robert T says you will need to fit the bulbs that are chrome but still flash orange and then it is fine

kayone · Post by **kayone** » Thu 12 Aug, 2010 13:54

Could be a weekend project - thanks

swamper · Post by **swamper** » Thu 12 Aug, 2010 15:13

g8jkaz wrote:
swamper wrote:it does look nice.....but i might be naive here but would that mod not affect your MOT..?
Yes sorry, exactly as Robert T says you will need to fit the bulbs that are chrome but still flash orange and then it is fine

thanks both.............are the bulbs easy to get hold of...?

marcusplowman · Post by **marcusplowman** » Thu 12 Aug, 2010 15:13

Did anyone reseal their lights with new sealant or just stick them back together by reheating the existing stuff? What sealant did you use?

Z3cade · Post by **Z3cade** » Thu 12 Aug, 2010 15:41

Right i am doing this mod right now! first one is in the oven!! It only just fitted in there...... Hope this works......

Z3cade · Post by **Z3cade** » Thu 12 Aug, 2010 15:44

I hope it doesnt end up like a shriviled up crisp packet!!

kayone · Post by **kayone** » Thu 12 Aug, 2010 15:58

Z3cade wrote:I hope it doesnt end up like a shriviled up crisp packet!!

Good luck - let us know an tips etc

Z3cade · Post by **Z3cade** » Thu 12 Aug, 2010 16:06

wow all done! They look much better... if you do it quick enougth you can take them apart, whip out the lenses and put them straight back together! Will post a pic when there back on.
Thanks for your help guys!!!

kayone · Post by **kayone** » Thu 12 Aug, 2010 16:08

Z3cade wrote:wow all done! They look much better... if you do it quick enougth you can take them apart, whip out the lenses and put them straight back together! Will post a pic when there back on.
Thanks for your help guys!!!

is the Amber lense easily detatched?

Brian H · Post by **Brian H** » Thu 12 Aug, 2010 16:42

kayone wrote:is the Amber lense easily detatched?

Yes, just a couple of screws IIRC.

I did not put any other sealer in mine, I just reheated and then reassembled. No leaks in 18 months

g8jka · Post by **g8jka** » Thu 12 Aug, 2010 17:35

Amber lenses just are removed by pulling them out of the clips, which is very easy.

Similarly I didn't reseal them afterwards, popped them back in the oven to soften the sealant and then put them back together.

The bulbs can be brought from ebay and don't cost much, something like this would be sufficient.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/2x-Chrome-Indicat ... 1114wt_911

Z3cade · Post by **Z3cade** » Thu 12 Aug, 2010 19:54

Quick pic of them done. Im very happy with the results

For a mod that costs you nothing i think its well worth it if like me you dislike the amber lenses.

swamper · Post by **swamper** » Thu 12 Aug, 2010 19:57

that looks a lot better

will have to get round to this

Z3cade · Post by **Z3cade** » Thu 12 Aug, 2010 20:14

I have also tinted the rear amber lenses as i dont like the amber against the topaz... id love some clear rear light units but i will have to save some pennys..
But for now i think it looks ok

marcusplowman · Post by **marcusplowman** » Thu 12 Aug, 2010 22:37

Good work...Im in the mood to do mine NOW...but its 11.37pm...and Ill be tempted to throw some chips in the oven while Im at it...so better leave it to the weekend instead

kayone · Post by **kayone** » Fri 13 Aug, 2010 08:24

Looks terrific - going to have to have a blast at the weekend! is there any local shops where you can pickup the bulbs?

Z3cade · Post by **Z3cade** » Fri 13 Aug, 2010 08:29

kayone wrote:Looks terrific - going to have to have a blast at the weekend! is there any local shops where you can pickup the bulbs?

I tryed halfords and a local auto shop and couldnt find any `chrome` amber bulbs so ive ordered some off ebay, around £3.99

kayone · Post by **kayone** » Fri 13 Aug, 2010 08:57

Z3cade wrote:
kayone wrote:Looks terrific - going to have to have a blast at the weekend! is there any local shops where you can pickup the bulbs?
I tryed halfords and a local auto shop and couldnt find any `chrome` amber bulbs so ive ordered some off ebay, around £3.99

I presume they're easy enough to swap out after the mod then?

Post by **Robert T** » Fri 13 Aug, 2010 09:13

Z3cade wrote:I tryed halfords and a local auto shop and couldnt find any `chrome` amber bulbs so ive ordered some off ebay, around £3.99

My local Halfrauds had them - they were in with the LED styling bits and not the normal replacement bulbs - I spotted them when I was having a good look through at what they had, but they didn't have what I was after - I want a white/amber LED sidelight and flasher combination bulb - only found one place on the net that does them - and no I'm not turning into a chav.

kayone wrote:I presume they're easy enough to swap out after the mod then?

Yes, they just go in place of the existing bulbs, which can be changed from the rear without having to open the headlight - I think BMW anticipated that people might need to change the bulbs occasionally.

Cheers R.

kayone · Post by **kayone** » Fri 13 Aug, 2010 10:12

Yes, they just go in place of the existing bulbs, which can be changed from the rear without having to open the headlight - I think BMW anticipated that people might need to change the bulbs occasionally.

Cheers R.

I understand that! My old E46 was pain in the arse to change the passenger side bulbs because of obstructions in under the hood

Post by **Robert T** » Fri 13 Aug, 2010 10:21

kayone wrote: I understand that! My old E46 was pain in the arse to change the passenger side bulbs because of obstructions in under the hood

I didn't say it was easy though - on mine I had to partially remove the airbox to change one of the headlamp bulbs - if you have a small child you can borrow, smaller hands might just about do it - I haven't had to change an indicator bulb yet, so not sure how bad they are.

Cheers R.

kayone · Post by **kayone** » Fri 13 Aug, 2010 10:24

Found the bulbs on Halfurds Website £11.99! ouch.

yalden · Post by **yalden** » Fri 13 Aug, 2010 10:24

I have separated mine a few times now... I used a heat-gun and a bit of muscle!

Make sure you re-heat the silicone to provide a nice seal when putting them back together! Also ensure you have a nice stanley blade to hand to cut through the sealant as you start pulling it apart!

kayone · Post by **kayone** » Fri 13 Aug, 2010 20:12

Very pleased with the results

thanks for the tips guys.

Z3cade · Post by **Z3cade** » Sun 15 Aug, 2010 22:22

kayone wrote:Very pleased with the results thanks for the tips guys.

Good job Kayone looks ace

marcusplowman · Post by **marcusplowman** » Mon 16 Aug, 2010 07:59

kayone wrote:Very pleased with the results thanks for the tips guys.

You did that on Friday 13th...you must be mad

Think Ill have a go at mine this evening!