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Read the WELCOME ALL BMWFANATICS post.
Chef's E39 530d
- Thread starter ChefDJ
- Start date
gerald5ive
Member
If its a plastic part, maybe you could mould a new 1.
ChefDJ
///Member
gerald5ive said:
It is plastic :thumbdo:
However, the plastic clip also comes with a new arm it seems. And the arm might also be a problem. So will have to just get it at some point from the dealers.
Found this. Looks like a decent DIY step by step guide for me to do it myself...?
http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=333729&d=1342909463
Solo Man
Well-known member
I let the garage door come down on my 1998 E39 with the steel sunroof. Broke one of the arms. Got a quote for a secondhand casette, was R2500 iirc plus need to remove windscreen to get it in. Thought let me try something first and if i don't fix it then i will go the secondhand route. Anyway, on the steel roof there are some screws you can reach when the sunroof is in the tilt position. Unscrew the screws and the steel roof part can be removed completely. You then have the open casette with the broken arm within reach. Went to the scrap yard and fortunately there was an E36 with a sunroof which was slightly bent. Fortunately the part i needed was still fine and i removed that (paid R50 iirc). Went home and put the part in, put the steel roof back, adjusted it and it is still working 100% till this day. Am not sure how to remove the glass roof, but i would imagine it must be possible! I think the principle of the operation of the sunroof is similar on the steel/glass roofs. Panelbeater will be able to tell you how to remove the glass part.
ChefDJ
///Member
Solo Man said:
It is quite possible, if you see the link I posted in my previous post :thumbs:
However, the parts I need to replace are a lot more complicated to get out.
And going to a scrapyard will mean I first need to strip their sunroof too, so I think that option is out for me
ChefDJ
///Member
Hi gents
I have the unfortunate issue of having headlights on my E39 that are post July 2002 manufacture date, meaning I cannot open them in order to repair the adjusters (which I imported). Believe me, I have tried and almost melted my headlight trying to heat the epoxy in order to pry the lens off of the body.
A new set of OEM headlights will cost around 12k, which I will confirm tomorrow when I contact a dealer, and which I don't have to spend at the moment.
An aftermarket set doesn't look the same as OEM, and will completely change the look of the car as well as provide inferior lighting to OEM, which sort of warrants the quarter-of-the-OEM price, I guess.
I have an HID kit installed, but the lights are so bland on the road at night that it doesn't really help because the damn things are pointing down. I've tried other ways of holding the lights in a higher position for lighting, but these solutions don't last and I have to unplug the auto-adjust motor in order to prevent them being damaged and all sorts.
So I'd like to know if someone out there has a set of OEM E39 angel headlights that they replaced with another set, even if the adjusters are broken as I plan on replacing the adjusters and doing a restoration at the same time. These units MUST have been manufactured before July 2002, but after January 2001.
Otherwise, if anyone knows of a different solution, please post here.
My appreciation will be most humble :ty:
I have the unfortunate issue of having headlights on my E39 that are post July 2002 manufacture date, meaning I cannot open them in order to repair the adjusters (which I imported). Believe me, I have tried and almost melted my headlight trying to heat the epoxy in order to pry the lens off of the body.
A new set of OEM headlights will cost around 12k, which I will confirm tomorrow when I contact a dealer, and which I don't have to spend at the moment.
An aftermarket set doesn't look the same as OEM, and will completely change the look of the car as well as provide inferior lighting to OEM, which sort of warrants the quarter-of-the-OEM price, I guess.
I have an HID kit installed, but the lights are so bland on the road at night that it doesn't really help because the damn things are pointing down. I've tried other ways of holding the lights in a higher position for lighting, but these solutions don't last and I have to unplug the auto-adjust motor in order to prevent them being damaged and all sorts.
So I'd like to know if someone out there has a set of OEM E39 angel headlights that they replaced with another set, even if the adjusters are broken as I plan on replacing the adjusters and doing a restoration at the same time. These units MUST have been manufactured before July 2002, but after January 2001.
Otherwise, if anyone knows of a different solution, please post here.
My appreciation will be most humble :ty:
GeorgeL
New member
I worked at BMW for a long time and have done quite a number of these roofs. A lot of time its just dirt that goes into the rails and causes it to stick and brake the lift arms. The glass is actually easy to remove, pull off the rubber covers and loosen the 4 torx bolts and lift out.
Remember to have extra hands to lift out as you might drop it on your roof :bangdesk: Once you're here you can clearly see what's going on and clean it out.
Assembly just as easy, install glass and adjust with the front 1mm below the roof surface and the rear sticking 1mm above the roof. :rollsmile:
Hope this helps guys :idea:
Remember to have extra hands to lift out as you might drop it on your roof :bangdesk: Once you're here you can clearly see what's going on and clean it out.
Assembly just as easy, install glass and adjust with the front 1mm below the roof surface and the rear sticking 1mm above the roof. :rollsmile:
Hope this helps guys :idea:
S
S1NGH 001
Guest
Chef PM your contact number, will try and assist you buddy :thumbs:
ChefDJ
///Member
Veedub said:
I will do, bud :thumbs:
That price is insane :nonono:
GeorgeL said:
There are nice ones on eBay, and even ones with the OEM look. Importing is no problem. You just set up your PayPal account, linked to your credit card, and go online and place the order and make payment immediately, including shipping costs.
You will receive a tracking number and the parcel should arrive at your post office (if you provided a postal address rather than residential) within 45 days. Then the post office will send you a notice saying that a parcel has arrived, and will state on the notice if any pay-in is necessary, and in this case there will be.
Then you just go with your slip and cash to collect :thumbs:
However, I don't want something that may or may not fit. And the prices on eBay are pretty high too. I dunno how the overseas spec differs from ours.
S1NGH 001 said:
PM sent :ty:
Clownshoe
Active member
Clifton spares in Maitland do a lot of "aftermarket" and they have been trying e39 facelift headlights but would do not sell because they have not found ones that they can guarantee not to fade or yellow. Sounds like they have tried all the local available stuff as well. The owner is trying to source for his e39 as well.
So buying of e-bay could be an expensive route unless you can some how get a guarantee or long term review.
I am also looking for OEM facelifts.
Chef if you come right I will take your pesky ones off you!!
So buying of e-bay could be an expensive route unless you can some how get a guarantee or long term review.
I am also looking for OEM facelifts.
Chef if you come right I will take your pesky ones off you!!
ChefDJ
///Member
Clownshoe said:
Buying off eBay will definitely be expensive, as you never know how much you need to pay the post office to release in any case.
I didn't even think of the "fading/yellowing" problem with non OEM lights, so now I DEFINITELY don't want aftermarket.
:bangdesk:
What's wrong with the ones you have in currently? If it's the same problem as mine, taking mine from me will resolve nothing I'm afraid.
Solo Man
Well-known member
ChefDJ, i have opened the ones on my 2001 540i facelift by using a heat gun. Donned my welding gloves and used the heat gun to heat the glue holding the covers and eventually got them off. Heated the glue again when i put them back on. Took a while and patience as you have to do a bit at a time but i eventually got it right. Nice thing about the heat gun is you can vary the heat and as soon as the glue starts to give you move on to the next spot. Would certainly try it before blowing R7k on new ones!
Hey ChefDJ.
i have the perfect solution for you:
http://www.m5board.com/vbulletin/e39-m5-e52-z8-discussion/149252-e39-m5-fx-r-projector-retrofit.html
i have stock of this FX-R 3" projectors and they will provide far better lighting than the OEM lighting.
if the guys in this link above can do it then i think it should be a piece of cake (for me anyways) :fencelook:
send me an email ([email protected]) if you are interested and we can discuss further.
i have the perfect solution for you:
http://www.m5board.com/vbulletin/e39-m5-e52-z8-discussion/149252-e39-m5-fx-r-projector-retrofit.html
i have stock of this FX-R 3" projectors and they will provide far better lighting than the OEM lighting.
if the guys in this link above can do it then i think it should be a piece of cake (for me anyways) :fencelook:
send me an email ([email protected]) if you are interested and we can discuss further.
