Refurb or Replace headights?

[lancerr]

After getting through a number of other mods, I've been paing more attention to my headlights and I'd like to upgrade them.

It looks like the previous owner already replaced the units with some sort of a modified unit but there is condensation inside the lens, cracks and other sorts of visible markings.

My options seem either to be , replacing just the lenses(I've seen replacement lenses but would want a shop to handle the replacement) refurbing the entire unit with companies like OneEightyand & using that chance to upgrade to DTM style or getting a brand new OEM replacement.

Questions

Lenses - Has anyone gone this route in the bay area? Any issues? Are there shops in the Bay Area, CA that people would recommend to disassemble and assemble the lenses


Refurb - I'm concerned about having to ship over the headlights Has anyone been done this with OneEighty? What's the turnaround time?

Finally, are there any other options I'm missing?

Thanks.

[Spun Crankhub]

I am diy'ing a set right now for my car. I rate doing aftermarket E9X ring retrofit a 4/10 on difficulty. Probably about 15-20 hours labor for someone who doesnt do a ton of these.
Doing lenses only is easy, just a quick bake in the oven.

[shimmy23]

Originally Posted by TacoChris

I am diy'ing a set right now for my car. I rate doing aftermarket E9X ring retrofit a 4/10 on difficulty. Probably about 15-20 hours labor for someone who doesnt do a ton of these.
Doing lenses only is easy, just a quick bake in the oven.

Not sure I agree with the 4/10 and I've done about 6 retrofits across several makes. I'm extremely meticulous though. I look forward to seeing your DIYer. I wish more people attempted this mod.

OP, hit up bayoptics if you don't feel comfortable removing the lenses yourself. He's in the Bay Area and from what I've seen, does a great job.

[lancerr]

Originally Posted by shimmy23

Not sure I agree with the 4/10 and I've done about 6 retrofits across several makes. I'm extremely meticulous though. I look forward to seeing your DIYer. I wish more people attempted this mod.

OP, hit up bayoptics if you don't feel comfortable removing the lenses yourself. He's in the Bay Area and from what I've seen, does a great job.

I had emailed Bayoptics but a 3 week turnaround is what they quoted me plus their base package didnt align with what i needed.

I cant tell who did the original replacement for my car as it already looks like its been through one of these aftermarket shops.

Do bayoptics or oneeighty leave any brand marks on their work?

A lense bakeoff might be a good idea. If i remember, sonic does that.

Anyone try ebay DTM style replacement units? Nothing crazy, just the flat bottom vs rounded ring version?

[jiggz]

Lots of people have a OneEighty retrofit including myself, Shimmy23 above...

No issues with shipping, they're a 1st class operation, but downtime will be 2-3 weeks from the west coast unless you pay a ton of $ to overnight them.

As mentioned above, Bayoptics is local to you, I'd probably start there.

Originally Posted by lancerr

Do bayoptics or oneeighty leave any brand marks on their work?

OneEighty does if the prior owner opted for it, I think they charge $50 for the sticker. It says 'BMW Dynamic Xenon By OneEighty'

[smyles]

off-topic, but do you guys know if it's a thing in Germany to accessorize cars with expired US temp tags? Is it considered cool? Adds to street cred?

Just curious.

[lancerr]

Originally Posted by jiggz

Lots of people have a OneEighty retrofit including myself, Shimmy23 above...

No issues with shipping, they're a 1st class operation, but downtime will be 2-3 weeks from the west coast unless you pay a ton of $ to overnight them.

As mentioned above, Bayoptics is local to you, I'd probably start there.

OneEighty does if the prior owner opted for it, I think they charge $50 for the sticker. It says 'BMW Dynamic Xenon By OneEighty'

Thanks. Nothing visible on the front. Ill keep looking.

[BayE30]

Bayoptiks is the go-to in the bay area for our application. His units are very clean, so if yours look sub-par, they were probably a DIY hackjob.

[lancerr]

Originally Posted by SFCM3

Bayoptiks is the go-to in the bay area for our application. His units are very clean, so if yours look sub-par, they were probably a DIY hackjob.

Understood. Heard only good things about bayoptics.

I guess its really the idea of not driving the car for 3 weeks is preventing me from pulling the trigger.

Thanks.

[BayE30]

Originally Posted by lancerr

Understood. Heard only good things about bayoptics.

I guess its really the idea of not driving the car for 3 weeks is preventing me from pulling the trigger.

Thanks.

yes, that is the hardest part. i almost bought a set of headlamps used so that people can use them as revolving core to send the bayoptiks as a few buddies wanted work done. But it never panned out.

[Apexeon]

Originally Posted by smyles

off-topic, but do you guys know if it's a thing in Germany to accessorize cars with expired US temp tags? Is it considered cool? Adds to street cred?

Just curious.

No. It's just illegal in Europe, they're a lot stricter one your car conforming to regulation and less amiable to looking cool.

[WingZeroX5]

Man, I had a pair of lenses that I threw away after the package went "missing" and showed up 2 months later. Just took forever to get here from china. But when I got it, they looked pristine.

If your current lenses are pretty jacked up, just diy and heat them open and pry it apart. Get some silicone gasket sealant and be generous about it.

[shimmy23]

Originally Posted by WingZeroX5

Man, I had a pair of lenses that I threw away after the package went "missing" and showed up 2 months later. Just took forever to get here from china. But when I got it, they looked pristine.

If your current lenses are pretty jacked up, just diy and heat them open and pry it apart. Get some silicone gasket sealant and be generous about it.

Do not use gasket sealer. Use proper headlight sealer like this:

https://www.theretrofitsource.com/oc...SABEgLHjvD_BwE

[JD3]

Originally Posted by lancerr

Understood. Heard only good things about bayoptics.

I guess its really the idea of not driving the car for 3 weeks is preventing me from pulling the trigger.

Thanks.

I'm getting mine from Bay Optics. They do a core option so you can keep driving then send them your old units when you get the new ones. Requires a deposit of course, but turn time isn't as big of a deal that way.

[lancerr]

Originally Posted by JD3

I'm getting mine from Bay Optics. They do a core option so you can keep driving then send them your old units when you get the new ones. Requires a deposit of course, but turn time isn't as big of a deal that way.

Ok. Didnt know that. Thanks.

[jiggz]

Originally Posted by lancerr

Understood. Heard only good things about bayoptics.

I guess its really the idea of not driving the car for 3 weeks is preventing me from pulling the trigger.

Thanks.

You can drive the car, just not at night and not in the rain.

I covered my openings with plastic to keep rain out (I live in Seattle) but otherwise kept driving it during daytime hours with no issues.

[WingZeroX5]

Originally Posted by shimmy23

Do not use gasket sealer. Use proper headlight sealer like this:

https://www.theretrofitsource.com/oc...SABEgLHjvD_BwE

It was a vendor who recommended RTV, don't remember the thread

[shimmy23]

Originally Posted by WingZeroX5

It was a vendor who recommended RTV, don't remember the thread

I don't know a vendor that would recommend that but who knows these days: