My first BMW!!! Finally.....

[Kai Hirst]

Well, been threatening to join the BMW owners club for a while now, but all the ones ive viewed have been complete pups, until now.....

My trusty french poo Laguna's MoT was due, and knew it was going to be expensive as it needed 4 new tyres at the very least so I started browsing the Auto Trader, and found a 1999 e39 528i tiptronic.

Went to view it and fell in love there and then. Completely immaculate, full service history and a recent reciept with some pipes changed, coolant,brake and power steering fluid changed by BMW, 81k miles and feels tight as a drum. part exed my Laguna, and got it for £800 cash... BARGAIN as I had bmw perform a class 2 inspection and theres nothing wrong with it!!!

The power is unbelievable and the overall drive is unreal.... Had to change a couple of bulbs, and the headlights need cleaning, which brings me to my first question.

How do you take the headlights out to clean them?

Thanks, kai

[G4VHD]

Welcome, im new to BMW too, only a coulple of weeks in, all I can say is what a car!

I took some headlights out of a E46 not so long, i havn't got any pics but I think it was just 3 screws, one was difficult to get to if I remember right.

I imagine your car wouldnt be so different.

If you do do it, take some pics of the process and post them up here.

[andy-mcq]

welcome to the forum

if its anything like the e46 you can take the headlights apart while still on the car!

[Kai Hirst]

welcome to the forum

if its anything like the e46 you can take the headlights apart while still on the car!

I believe you can as ive had a good look at them, and they are only connected by 3 clips, and the light sockets themselves, but not sure whether there is anything else behind the light unit the needs to be release before attempting to lift out. The last thing I want to do is give them a pull thinking its free from its fittings, then break something.... Anybody got any links to any webpages thatll help me out?

[G4VHD]

[Guest DazH]

My E39 had a leak in the headlights and both where full of condensation :( sold it before I sorted them out. Good luck though!

Well done on a fantastic decision. I wish I had an engine like yours :(

All the best,

Daz

[Guest Mister Dabsy]

Get ready for some elbow work mukka... The E39 lenses are probably the worst design on the planet as they "fog" pretty badly...

Basically, you have to "cut" them, by this I dont mean use a jigsaw LOL ... I mean with finest grade wet 'n dry sandpaper, Honestly !!

I will have a look for the process link online to make it easier for you, Keep pushing me tho coz I am a busy man these days ;)

[Guest DazH]

Dabs, isn't there a compound you can buy to use with a polishing attachment on a cordless drill? It 'cuts' the lens and basically takes a layer off to detail it to perfection.

Forgot what its called... Its like an abrasive compound and there's a vid on youtube. Ah, if it comes to me or I find the link, I'll repost.

Daz

[Guest Mister Dabsy]

Yeah, T-cut LOL

Or even that FINE valve grinding paste !

[Guest DazH]

Hahaha Yeah, I guess T-cut... :P

I think I may of come across a brand that specialises in that one task. Never mind! BMW driver moment...