E39 M5 Headlights

[JayP1]

Hi guys,

just failed MOT because beam too low and can't be adjusted because the clips are broken inside.

Anyone else had this problem and know if you can buy the back casing rather than the complete headlight unit which costs a bomb. It's the xenon non-angel eye light off early M5.

[E30M3SE]

Looks like you can.

[JayP1]

Thanks for the reply - doesnt seem to be available for the xenon version

am I best off just upgrading to angel eyes?

Replacing just one headlight is £520!!

[E30M3SE]

What about these?


http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-5-SERIES-E39-PAIR-OF...

[Quinten]

You do not need to replace anything other than the plastic adjusters inside. Should cost no more than £12 (see http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/220982010047 ) and a couple of hours of your time. There are two adjusters inside each unit (so you need 2 pairs), and there are pre- and post-facelift adjusters (most ebay ads will say).

This is a very extensive writeup on how to proceed: http://blog.bavauto.com/1835/bmw-e39-5-series-flop...

Disclaimer: I have neither used the above guide, or the above ebay seller, but I have replaced the adjusters in 4 units before I got fed up with them fogging up and replaced them with a facelift xenon setup

[JayP1]

Quinten said:

You do not need to replace anything other than the plastic adjusters inside. Should cost no more than £12 (see http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/220982010047 ) and a couple of hours of your time. There are two adjusters inside each unit (so you need 2 pairs), and there are pre- and post-facelift adjusters (most ebay ads will say).

This is a very extensive writeup on how to proceed: http://blog.bavauto.com/1835/bmw-e39-5-series-flop...

Disclaimer: I have neither used the above guide, or the above ebay seller, but I have replaced the adjusters in 4 units before I got fed up with them fogging up and replaced them with a facelift xenon setup

How much does the angel eye conversion cost?

[Quinten]

See my profile

http://pistonheads.com/members/showServiceHistory....

A couple of months back there were loads of (brand new) Japanese OEM facelift xenons on ebay, which were cheaper than what I paid, but they had to come from Germany...

[DVandrews]

There is one chap who sells aluminium adjusters which will outlive the lights, I've fitted these to my M5 headlights, they are as easy to fit as the plastic replacements. Pre facelift lights have different adjusters so make sure you get the right ones.

Dave

[broster]

I bought Alu adjusters for mine when they broke, but as luck would have the lights I had were unable to be stripped, some can some cant!
I brought a set of second hand lights and had the same problem on the next mot so finally shelled out for a set of new ones from euro car parts.
Still have Alu adjusters in the garage unused!

[Cemesis]

Ive done this repair twice, once on a set of oem lights and the other on facelift. They call all be taken apart, its just some require the applicaiton of a heat gun.

There are some 'how-to's' on you tube which should help you. Its not as difficult as you might think. If you need a hand shoot me a message as I'm on the Surrey/Hampshire border and having owned a few M5's, can probably help

[JayP1]

Cemesis said:

Ive done this repair twice, once on a set of oem lights and the other on facelift. They call all be taken apart, its just some require the applicaiton of a heat gun.

There are some 'how-to's' on you tube which should help you. Its not as difficult as you might think. If you need a hand shoot me a message as I'm on the Surrey/Hampshire border and having owned a few M5's, can probably help

Thank you! I've just posted my headlight to the chap who repairs them on ebay. I don't trust my fat fingers to take it apart without breaking it!

[Cemesis]

JayP1 said:

Thank you! I've just posted my headlight to the chap who repairs them on ebay. I don't trust my fat fingers to take it apart without breaking it!

No problem. £55 is better than a new headlight and it does take about an hour, even if you know what you are doing.

[broster]

i tried with a heat gun and even left them in the oven and the glue didnt soften one bit!!

i have a set of lights here in bits somewhere ill dig them out and get them to you, see if you can sort them if you fancy it?

i have read that the later facelift lights can't be stripped!