Headlights Replacement

[Little Nicky]

As the title suggests, I need to replace both of my headlights shortly (before my MOT next month) as they are full of condensation and not too bright...

I've seen a miriad of replacements on eBay, but would like to make sure that what I buy can be fitted easily (by a pro) without any issues and additional costs.

I have a 1999 BMW 540i (which I love and want to keep maintainted to a quality standard) so want to ensure compatibility...

If you have any links to show me the way, that would be great.

Thanks for your time in advance guys (and girls).

Nick

[sparks_E39]

Genuine Hella Halogen Angel Eyes are £300ish if you're happy to pay that, if you, like me have the standard orange indicators, it makes the car look somewhat more modern, depends how much you want to spend, e-bay is best I guess. And apparently they are easy to fit.

http://www.motormec.co.uk/e39wl.html

Edited by sparks_E39 on Friday 26th December 17:31

[Little Nicky]

I know this may sound really sad, but how do I know whether I have Hologen or Xenon headlights on the car at the moment?

Obviously this will affect what I untimately replace them with...

Cheers guys and sorry for being dull.!!

[sparks_E39]

Halogen are a yellowish colour and are the same as what most cars use , if your car is a standard pre facelift, they will be halogen. Xenon will be a blue/white colour. The standard Angel Eyes conversion look brilliant in either halogen or xenon, but xenon are around £500, compared to £300 for the halogen.

Edited by sparks_E39 on Monday 29th December 17:29

[Little Nicky]

Cheers fella.

I definitely have halogen - very yellowy - not at all a bright 'blue' light.

Thanks again,

Nick

Edited by Little Nicky on Monday 29th December 18:09

[sparks_E39]

No problem

[sparks_E39]

This might interest you...

http://forum.bmw5.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=3...

[HRG]

Is the problem condensation? Just take them apart, dry them out then pop them back together with new gaskets.

[Little Nicky]

Major cause for me to think about upgrading is in fact some major condensation.

Also, the strength of the beam (albeit through said condensation) is REALLY poor.

I also secretly quite like the angel eyes, so I pretty much get 2 for 1...

...better lights and a headlight set that I secretly like

[Little Nicky]

sparks_E39 said:

This might interest you...

http://forum.bmw5.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=3...

It does - thanks...

[Digger.]

I facelifted mine on a 2000 540i Sport. Purchased from CA Automotive. It all looked nice and bright white when i sold her last week. . I also facelifted the rears too. Not cheap but they are allegedly oem parts.

http://ca-at.co.uk/variants-Y2FyX21ha2U9Ym13JmNhcl...

http://ca-at.co.uk/single_prod-cHJvZF9pZD0xNTM4JmN...

Edited by Digger. on Monday 29th December 19:25

[sparks_E39]

Little Nicky said:

sparks_E39 said:

This might interest you...

http://forum.bmw5.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=3...

It does - thanks...

Ok so those mods are probably £1000+ but it does show how a standard E39 can be turned into something much more modern and attractive, not that the standard car isn't a looker, but it only takes a little to get it looking great.

[sparkythecat]

Digger. said:

I facelifted mine on a 2000 540i Sport. Purchased from CA Automotive. It all looked nice and bright white when i sold her last week. . I also facelifted the rears too. Not cheap but they are allegedly oem parts.

No no no.. You can't facelift the rear. If it's at the back, then it's not the face now is it?.

I think what you meant to say was that you're a 'bumlifter'

[stone-islandV8]

You can also tell if yours are Xenon by whether you have self-levelling on the headlights (ie no knurled wheel on dash to alter headlight level) and whether theres grey metal ballast boxes on the back of your headlights or not....or ring BMW with your VIN number and get a list of the options ticked at point of ordering.

I've just changed to genuine Hella AEs and cost bout £300 for the lights, 30 mins or so to fit and ordered some uprated Phillips bulbs for dip beam and LED markers for AE rings.

Try www.kudosbmw.co.uk

Edited by stone-islandV8 on Tuesday 30th December 11:12

[Little Nicky]

stone-islandV8 said:

You can also tell if yours are Xenon by whether you have self-levelling on the headlights (ie no knurled wheel on dash to alter headlight level) and whether theres grey metal ballast boxes on the back of your headlights or not....or ring BMW with your VIN number and get a list of the options ticked at point of ordering.

I've just changed to genuine Hella AEs and cost bout £300 for the lights, 30 mins or so to fit and ordered some uprated Phillips bulbs for dip beam and LED markers for AE rings.

Try www.kudosbmw.co.uk

Edited by stone-islandV8 on Tuesday 30th December 11:12

Hi there.

Based on this recommendation, I purchased said headlights from KudosBMW on the 31st Dec 08.

Unfortunately, I've heard nothing from them since and have not received a reply to three emails I've sent them over the last few days asking for an update.

I'll give them a call tomorrow, but in the mean time, does anyone here know if they are still trading or if they are having any stock / finance worries?

I would have expected some contect from them by now, but maybe they're busy.

Cheers guys.

Nick

[stone-islandV8]

I feel bad now, they've always been fine with me in the past but I do know they were moving offices between Christmas and New Year and I heard they had all been off with some man-flu.


Try these contact routes;
01788 567567
[e-mail]
[e-mail]
[e-mail]

I have another number if they don't work.

[Little Nicky]

stone-islandV8 said:

I feel bad now, they've always been fine with me in the past but I do know they were moving offices between Christmas and New Year and I heard they had all been off with some man-flu.


Try these contact routes;
01788 567567
[e-mail]
[e-mail]
[e-mail]

I have another number if they don't work.

Thanks for that, but I'm still not getting any joy.!!

The number goes to answerphone and I'm not getting any replies back from the email addresses.

If anyone is passing their business unit:

Kudos Automotive Ltd
Unit 2
Hunters Lane Industrial Estate
Rugby
CV21 1EA
Telephone [phone]

Can you have a look and report back if they look like they're still trding or have closed up?

I may have to go down the CCJ route / get police involved, etc.

Luckilly I used my credit card so should be insured and get my money back, but that's not the point.

I don't like getting ripped off.

There could be a perfectly reasonable explanation of course, but I'm starting to lose hope.

Cheers guys...

[Fox-]

I'd have done a search on the BMW forums for them first

[Little Nicky]

Fox- said:

I'd have done a search on the BMW forums for them first

Please see above - I did ask for advice.

Do you know of them?

[Fox-]

Little Nicky said:

Fox- said:

I'd have done a search on the BMW forums for them first

Please see above - I did ask for advice.

Do you know of them?

Only what I've read on other forums. I'm pretty sure I've read the same as you've experienced

http://forum.bmw5.co.uk
http://www.bmwland.co.uk/talker

Have a search