Replace headlight lenses without removing headlight assembly?

Table3 · 01-21-2013, 01:15 AM

Just double checking before I dive into this. Is there a (reasonable/advisable) way to remove and replace the headlight lenses without taking out the entire headlight assembly?

paraklas · 01-21-2013, 02:50 AM

Pre-facelift yes, piece of cake. Just need to remove the lower headlight cover (a bit trickier if you have headlight washers)

Solidjake · 01-21-2013, 03:15 AM

Yes and it's simple (unless you have headlight washers as stated)

- Pop the hood
- Take out the corner lights
- Take out the rubber trim around the headlights
- Pop out the lower headlight trim from the inside out towards the fender
- (if you have headlight washers you will lose fluid now but don't worry)
- There are 7 tabs around the lenses, pop the bottom out, the side and tops and take out the lenses
- (Put back on the lower trim to stop the fluid from leaking)
- OR put in the new lenses right away
- Reverse order

Table3 · 01-21-2013, 04:36 PM

Awesome, thanks for the help, guys. Just got through doing this. I had a tough time getting that lower trim off, but once I did this was a breeze. I'm really happy with the results.

Thanks again.

Table3 · 01-21-2013, 08:36 PM

Pardon the grime on the car. I live in an urban area and park on the street. The roads were recently salted in my neighborhood.

Before:

After:

thecos · 01-23-2013, 07:20 AM

Nice job. That makes a huge difference in the way your car looks.

aahmed2016 · 01-23-2013, 08:25 AM

^+1 , It looks great man

Solidjake · 01-23-2013, 09:07 AM

Nice!!!!!!!!!! New lenses make all the difference.

Table3 · 01-23-2013, 10:44 AM

^ Thanks, all. Yeah, it's funny how much of a difference such a small change can make.

aahmed2016 · 01-23-2013, 11:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Table3

^ Thanks, all. Yeah, it's funny how much of a difference such a small change can make.

Oh yeah, since Jake's here, check out his sig for the projector retrofit, its gorgeous.

Table3 · 01-23-2013, 10:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aahmed2016

Oh yeah, since Jake's here, check out his sig for the projector retrofit, its gorgeous.

Woah. Tempting. Very tempting.

Solidjake · 01-23-2013, 10:07 PM

^ you will love your car a million times more if you do it.

BMWCaptain · 01-23-2013, 11:03 PM

Hell Yeh. It is easy to lift the tabs and remove the lens.

01-21-2013, 01:15 AM	#1
Table3 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Washington, DC Posts: 146 My Ride: '01 325xi View My Garage	Replace headlight lenses without removing headlight assembly? Just double checking before I dive into this. Is there a (reasonable/advisable) way to remove and replace the headlight lenses without taking out the entire headlight assembly?

01-21-2013, 02:50 AM	#2
paraklas OEM ///Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Cyprus Posts: 5,440 My Ride: ESS TS2 320ci View My Garage	Pre-facelift yes, piece of cake. Just need to remove the lower headlight cover (a bit trickier if you have headlight washers) __________________

01-21-2013, 03:15 AM	#3
Solidjake Mod Join Date: May 2008 Location: NYC Posts: 20,237 My Ride: 2002 330i View My Garage	Yes and it's simple (unless you have headlight washers as stated) - Pop the hood - Take out the corner lights - Take out the rubber trim around the headlights - Pop out the lower headlight trim from the inside out towards the fender - (if you have headlight washers you will lose fluid now but don't worry) - There are 7 tabs around the lenses, pop the bottom out, the side and tops and take out the lenses - (Put back on the lower trim to stop the fluid from leaking) - OR put in the new lenses right away - Reverse order __________________ Youtube - Electric Fan Swap/Aux Fan Removal - Projector Retrofit - E46 Bulb Guide My cross country drive to Bimmerfest West 2013 - NYC to LA. Pics from post 505 on

01-21-2013, 08:36 PM	#5
Table3 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Washington, DC Posts: 146 My Ride: '01 325xi View My Garage	Pardon the grime on the car. I live in an urban area and park on the street. The roads were recently salted in my neighborhood. Before: After: Last edited by Table3; 01-22-2013 at 03:19 PM.

01-23-2013, 09:07 AM	#8
Solidjake Mod Join Date: May 2008 Location: NYC Posts: 20,237 My Ride: 2002 330i View My Garage	Nice!!!!!!!!!! New lenses make all the difference. __________________ Youtube - Electric Fan Swap/Aux Fan Removal - Projector Retrofit - E46 Bulb Guide My cross country drive to Bimmerfest West 2013 - NYC to LA. Pics from post 505 on

01-21-2013, 04:36 PM	#4
Table3 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Washington, DC Posts: 146 My Ride: '01 325xi View My Garage	Awesome, thanks for the help, guys. Just got through doing this. I had a tough time getting that lower trim off, but once I did this was a breeze. I'm really happy with the results. Thanks again.

01-23-2013, 07:20 AM	#6
thecos Registered User Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: NYC Posts: 61 My Ride: 2002 325i Sedan View My Garage	Nice job. That makes a huge difference in the way your car looks.

01-23-2013, 10:44 AM	#9
Table3 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Washington, DC Posts: 146 My Ride: '01 325xi View My Garage	^ Thanks, all. Yeah, it's funny how much of a difference such a small change can make.

01-23-2013, 10:07 PM	#12
Solidjake Mod Join Date: May 2008 Location: NYC Posts: 20,237 My Ride: 2002 330i View My Garage	^ you will love your car a million times more if you do it. __________________ Youtube - Electric Fan Swap/Aux Fan Removal - Projector Retrofit - E46 Bulb Guide My cross country drive to Bimmerfest West 2013 - NYC to LA. Pics from post 505 on

01-23-2013, 11:03 PM	#13
BMWCaptain Registered User Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: TEXAS - 25X,XXX PLUS MILES CLUB MEMBER Posts: 1,331 My Ride: 03 325iT Sport Wagon View My Garage	Hell Yeh. It is easy to lift the tabs and remove the lens.

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search
Display Modes	Rate This Thread
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode	Rate This Thread: