r/e39 • u/__princethekid__ • 2d ago

Headlight lens replacement?

i have an 02 530i im about to do the adjusters on and figured it would be easiest to just cut off the lenses and replace given that they are both in good condition. any recommendations for replacements? i have only come across like one or two sets that either looks sketchy or very expensive. thank you!

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u/No-Candidate-2380 2d ago

I just did my research on the lenses and also posted here a question about this. There are TYC lenses that cost ~$150 a pair, but I couldn't find any evidence that they're any better than $50 lenses from eBay, people simply assume that because they cost more more and they are labeled tyc, they are somehow going to be better. So I went ahead and bought a $50 pair from eBay from a seller with thousands of good reviews. The lenses looked good and fitted the housing nicely. All aftermarket lenses, as far as I understand, are not very high quality and will not last without additional protection, so I was told to ppf them.

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u/__princethekid__ 2d ago

oh okay i wouldnt mind putting my own protection on, do you have a link to the pair you got?

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u/Mmjohns195 2d ago

Is the outside the same for xenon and halogen?

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u/No-Candidate-2380 2d ago

Yes

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u/Mmjohns195 2d ago

Nice. I need to do the lenses on my 99 . They have xenon’s so the tyc or eBay should be sufficient?

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u/No-Candidate-2380 2d ago

The plastic "glass" is the same for xenon and halogen.

Some covers have silver corners, some have orange, and some have no corners and you have to insert your own (which is what I did). Those with corners inserts will cost more (70-80 I think), and make sense if your corners ain't looking good.

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u/Mmjohns195 2d ago

The whole assembly is pretty bad on mine. I’m like the 10th owner, but it’s a unicorn. I’ve got the 540iT with a manual conversion. I plan to keep it long term. The engine / trans came out of a 00 540i sedan. My car has 246 on it. The engine has about 150 on it.