Yikes, these are dirt cheap.

Anyone had any experience with these?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/CORNE...Q5fAccessories

The last time I tried to save a couple bucks, it didn't turn out so good, as demonstrated here: http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sho...909&highlight=

Apparently I haven't learned anything, because for $60, I'm thinking about rolling the dice.

Anyone want to try and stop me? (PLEASE )

Well, for starters, by the time you include the shipping, it's actually $72. On the other hand, at least you're dealing with a totally passive part that only has to fit properly to work. I'd be inclined to try it myself, to tell you the truth.

Honestly, your just taking advantage of lower pricing on an expensive product. Personally that's not my style so I wouldn't buy it, but other than that it seems to be alright. Check if the seller offers some type of warranty just in case. Ebay isn't all THAT bad. Last year about this time, I was contemplating the same thing as you. I wanted to upgrade my headlights, si I went to check on ebay. I don't like the look of clear corners so I crossed your pic off my list. I bought some ccfl angel eyes and have been using them every time I drive, and they've been perfect in every way. If you don't mind me asking, why do you want new lenses?

They're probably Chinese, and may not fit very well.

(Claimed) OEM fitment? 30 day money back guarantee? 90 day warranty?

What do you have to lose? Don't throw away the old ones in case there's an issue and you're good to go.


Sent from my iPhone using BimmerApp

Originally Posted by Youngproexec

Honestly, your just taking advantage of lower pricing on an expensive product. Personally that's not my style so I wouldn't buy it, but other than that it seems to be alright. Check if the seller offers some type of warranty just in case. Ebay isn't all THAT bad. Last year about this time, I was contemplating the same thing as you. I wanted to upgrade my headlights, si I went to check on ebay. I don't like the look of clear corners so I crossed your pic off my list. I bought some ccfl angel eyes and have been using them every time I drive, and they've been perfect in every way. If you don't mind me asking, why do you want new lenses?

Ha, ask away

Aside from condensation following wet weather (fortunately not a big problem here in SoCal), the existing lenses are getting cloudy, and to keep them looking acceptable, I hit them with a buffing wheel and some Rain-X headlight restorer every couple of months. I've got to replace the self leveling actuators, so I was thinking about replacing the lenses at the same time. I kind of like the clear corners, and was going to get clear sides as well. I've grown fond of the look of my existing HID's and really have no desire to go all in on dealing with a full on conversion to the updated angel eyes, so... That's pretty much it... I figured on something like this, like you said, as long as it fits, how "bad" could they be...

Originally Posted by bobdmac

Well, for starters, by the time you include the shipping, it's actually $72. On the other hand, at least you're dealing with a totally passive part that only has to fit properly to work. I'd be inclined to try it myself, to tell you the truth.

This is your version of "talking me out of it"?

Originally Posted by 02BMW530

(Claimed) OEM fitment? 30 day money back guarantee? 90 day warranty?

What do you have to lose? Don't throw away the old ones in case there's an issue and you're good to go.


Sent from my iPhone using BimmerApp

Looks like I'll be the guinea pig on this one

Originally Posted by WagonTheDog

This is your version of "talking me out of it"?

Yeah, pretty lame, isn't it?

Interested to see how this works out for you. I just 'restored' my oem covers (sanding / buffing) and although they turned out "decent", I'd prefer "perfect."

Anyone sell glass covers?? Seen them for my E36.

Cheers... Glenn

Originally Posted by WagonTheDog

Ha, ask away

Aside from condensation following wet weather (fortunately not a big problem here in SoCal), the existing lenses are getting cloudy, and to keep them looking acceptable, I hit them with a buffing wheel and some Rain-X headlight restorer every couple of months. I've got to replace the self leveling actuators, so I was thinking about replacing the lenses at the same time. I kind of like the clear corners, and was going to get clear sides as well. I've grown fond of the look of my existing HID's and really have no desire to go all in on dealing with a full on conversion to the updated angel eyes, so... That's pretty much it... I figured on something like this, like you said, as long as it fits, how "bad" could they be...

I see how you can worry about the water in the headlamps, but I can assure that this is 100% curable. As I already explained to you I have been through the same mess, and have developed a solution to the problem. I am going to include a few pictures of my light before and after they were cleaned/ the installation of the angel eyes I was talking about.
You see, the water gets into the headlamps from two locations, only, I know all of this because I studied it for weeks at a time and disassembled my assembly so many times I could do it in under 30sec with my eyes closed. The first location is right on top of the actually assembly where the end of the hood meets the front corner of the assembly between the corner lights and the xenon/ high beams. Im speaking from a birds eye view with the hood open. You will notice, that the hood has two long "ducts" running along either side of it. Actually, these are a part of the car and not the hood, but they help keep the hood in place. With that said, they can be identified . These serve a double duty, because they not only hold the hood to the car, but catch the run off of water or liquid from the windshield. After traveling from the windshield to these ducts they reach at the top of the headlight, go around it, and exit through the beauty trim or piece under the headlight, which is the same color as the car. When the water travels from the windshield, it reaches on top of the headlight, and since BMW didn’t seal them correctly and with the heal a brittleness of rubber, the water gets in. Also, the water settle under the beauty trim, and causes condensation , ( cold weather, hot engine , plus water ) or ( hot weather hot engine, plus water) . Just seal these off with the appropriate weather seal tape. I will make a PDF on this shortly.

In the PDF that I have made, You could see the procedure for taking the lens apart with pictures for every single thing in color and the lights themselves before and after. To clean them is also very simple. I took some UC- Ultimate compound- a pure polish like meguiars deep crystal, a wax like meguiars carnuba was, and turtle wax's headlight sealer spray. Using a clean foam applicator apply a nickel sized portion of the UC and work it in a vertical motion, the ling way of the lens from one side to the next, as if you were making a 180 degree line. Wipe with a quality Microfiber cloth only- preferable new , not the ones at the corner store or walmart either- and wipe the UC residue. After that apply three coats of the pure polish wiping the residue off each before starting the next. Then use the headlight sealer, provided you inspected the light for clarity , in a controlled environment. Avoid fans, wind, and dirt&debris, as these will not only scratch your lens, but attach to it. Then after waiting 12-24 hrs apply the wax.

I must say , to NEVER EVER EVEN THINK ABOUT CLEANING THE INSIDE AT ALL. !! All you will do is scratch the hell out of it, because it has no coating of protection, of any kind. I learned the hard way .

As you will see in the pictures I've attached my lights were dirty but have been cleaned the same way I told you. Now they're clean , crisp, and water free.

The one all the way to the left is after I cleaned it, but I didn't seal it , so I did it over again, and the other three are the end result ! Again, im gonna make a complete pdf on this aside from the one I already made on the actual angel eye installation. If any one wants to see it i'll give it to them.

Originally Posted by WagonTheDog

I hit them with a buffing wheel and some Rain-X headlight restorer every couple of months.

The pictures of the results from these threads make the headlights look brand new!

- Headlight plastic polishing & refinishing DIY (1) (2) (3)

I didn't click on your link, and you didn't say what you are buying, so I say go for it.

mw

Originally Posted by Bailey228

Interested to see how this works out for you. I just 'restored' my oem covers (sanding / buffing) and although they turned out "decent", I'd prefer "perfect."

Anyone sell glass covers?? Seen them for my E36.

Cheers... Glenn

Haven't seen any glass for e39's, only plastic for $200+, which is why $60 for the pair looks so interesting. I e-mailed another Ebay-er who bought them to see if I could get some additional info. More to come...

Originally Posted by Youngproexec

I must say , to NEVER EVER EVEN THINK ABOUT CLEANING THE INSIDE AT ALL. !! All you will do is scratch the hell out of it, because it has no coating of protection, of any kind. I learned the hard way

Nice, thanks for the info! Especially about the inside surface... It's nice to not have to learn stuff the hard way ALL the time

Originally Posted by bluebee

The pictures of the results from these threads make the headlights look brand new!
- Headlight plastic polishing & refinishing DIY (1) (2) (3)

Lol, D'OH!!! I actually got on the light thing as one of the first orders of business when I got the car and still didn't know anything... I think I just got into the habit of "winigin' it" with a Rain-X kit and never even thought to look up a more complete process. Then again, if I can pick up a good looking set of clears of decent quality and indistinguishable from OEM for $60, I'm tempted to go for it. I e-mailed another Ebay user who bought them to see what they have to say, so it should be interesting.

Originally Posted by MatWiz

I didn't click on your link, and you didn't say what you are buying, so I say go for it.

mw

Lol, the most cogent response yet

If it looks like a duck ,sounds like a duck , walks like a duck and flys like a duck. Its probably a chicken

I bought a pair similar to these off ebay for $117 and they fit perfect

Originally Posted by MatWiz

I didn't click on your link, and you didn't say what you are buying

Interestingly, same with me.

I thought about snapping a screenshot to do the OP's job but then I realized it was about headlights from other people's posts ... so I simply responded to one of them.

Originally Posted by WagonTheDog

....
Lol, the most cogent response yet

But of course. I always explain what leads me to my answer.

Originally Posted by bluebee

Interestingly, same with me.

I thought about snapping a screenshot to do the OP's job but then I realized it was about headlights from other people's posts ... so I simply responded to one of them.

Baiting. I hate it.

mw

Originally Posted by 540indiana

If it looks like a duck ,sounds like a duck , walks like a duck and flys like a duck. Its probably a chicken

lol.. I just think you should buy it. Besides, it's not like your doing anything totally obscene and expensive, like swapping a mercedes v12 . Your just trying 60 buck headlights.

I also just noticed that we have the same color car and wheels . Anthracite Metallic gray and bmw style 5 wheels FTW

Originally Posted by Youngproexec

l
I also just noticed that we have the same color car and wheels . Anthracite Metallic gray and bmw style 5 wheels FTW

Maybe you are twins!

mw

Originally Posted by Bailey228

... Anyone sell glass covers...

It appears that glass is available in Latvia only, according to an EBay search...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/BMW-E...ht_2106wt_1074

I'd pay 150.00 for glass - but you have to ask yourself "Why only in Latvia?"

Maybe someday I'll take a shot. Better than spending it at the casino.

Cheers... Glenn

Glass? The lens covers are Polycarbonate and that's why it's easy to re-fresh them by sanding, polishing, and then buffing.

Originally Posted by Bailey228

It appears that glass is available in Latvia only, according to an EBay search...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/BMW-E...ht_2106wt_1074

I'd pay 150.00 for glass - but you have to ask yourself "Why only in Latvia?"

Maybe someday I'll take a shot. Better than spending it at the casino.

Cheers... Glenn

And, why are all the covers only available for pre-facelift? Mine is 2002 so this is not an option for me.

Real glass would be sweet. The look and durability of glass is much better than polycarbonate.

While I would be careful of cheap headlight assemblies, the covers seem like a low-cost, low-risk upgrade.

Originally Posted by WagonTheDog

Anyone had any experience with these?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/CORNE...Q5fAccessories

The last time I tried to save a couple bucks, it didn't turn out so good, as demonstrated here: http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sho...909&highlight=

Apparently I haven't learned anything, because for $60, I'm thinking about rolling the dice.

Anyone want to try and stop me? (PLEASE )

Ok, WagonTheDog, we voted. You're on the sharp end of this. Buy 'em and post the results. Fellow bimmerheads await the news.

Originally Posted by fortunateson

Glass? The lens covers are Polycarbonate and that's why it's easy to re-fresh them by sanding, polishing, and then buffing.

I'm aware - I was talking about the AVAILABILITY of glass. ^Read^