Replacement E39 Headlamp Assembly

[Janet and Todd]

A couple of owners asked where I purchased my headlight fixtures. Looking on eBay, I noticed that the OEM style has dried up and the new Halo light, Angel Eye style is prominent. For those searching for the OEM type that are plug and play, send me a PM and I will respond with a source who assured me that he has several DEPO brand in stock. They are DOT approved.

[Kennzz05]

Here's some non Halo on car id
https://www.carid.com/1999-bmw-5-ser...parentsubmodel[]=MODEL|528i

[RVPioneer]

My experience with Carid products is a center console armrest for a VW Jetta. It was significantly less costly than the OEM part and significantly worse in quality and construction.

[AKOne]

Purchase pair of headlights here: http://buyrvlights.com/product.html/
This website lists WRV Apline Coach. They are not cheap in price and do seem to be good quality. These are non-Angel Eye. Original design from 1999 on. Don't know if WRV changed to a different headlight after 2004.

[tiredvet]

Google the headlight model #RVL310.Amazon has them for $340.00 a pair.

[Mocha Latte]

Just curious, but I always see replacement lenses offered wherever headlights are sold and wonder if anyone has gone that route. It seems that since the headlights are fine and it's usually only the lenses that become oxidized, it would be a reasonable option. Curious if anyone has tried this. Is it difficult to replace the old lenses?

[whalepirot]

As a side note, the shield applique, commonly used on vehicle fronts, has fully protected the 'plastic' headlights on our '08 Smart from any crazing or fogging. Such deterioration can be from road debris or sunlight.

[Rusty Bear]

I have installed a set of replacement lenses about a year ago and they look great. The lenses were about $135 as I remember and I think I got them on E bay. They need to be tweaked a little to make them fit, but when done, they look all origional and have held up well.

[Jeff_S]

Our headlight lenses were also badly hazed and pitted. I got a set of lenses only and re-used the Hella back-half. They were $140 from a BMW parts seller:

BMW E39 Headlight Lens From ECS Tuning

No modification was required and the new lenses also included a new gasket for between the new lens and the Hella back-half.

NOTE: The description for the product in the link above refers to production "up through 9/2000". This is referring to BMW production dates, NOT Alpine production dates.

It is best to remove a headlight and split the front / back halves before ordering to confirm the configuration of the lens itself matches the new headlight lens.

[DrDaveMA]

I replaced my headlights with a set from Depo about 10 years ago. They started hazing up last year, so last week I was in Walmart and found this kit from Rustoleum for about $20.

Here is my driver’s side before.


Then after.


You can see the difference, I started with the passenger side, which was worse, but did not take pictures. Each side took me about 30 minutes. I am happy with the results, it remains to be seen how they hold up over time.

[paul65k]

Originally Posted by Jeff_S

Our headlight lenses were also badly hazed and pitted. I got a set of lenses only and re-used the Hella back-half. They were $140 from a BMW parts seller:

BMW E39 Headlight Lens From ECS Tuning

No modification was required and the new lenses also included a new gasket for between the new lens and the Hella back-half.

NOTE: The description for the product in the link above refers to production "up through 9/2000". This is referring to BMW production dates, NOT Alpine production dates.

It is best to remove a headlight and split the front / back halves before ordering to confirm the configuration of the lens itself matches the new headlight lens.

I just did this change out last weekend with the same lenses from ECS the fit was perfect and the total change out took a little over an hour....if I did it again I'm guessing 15 minutes each fixture.

The change in appearance is dramatic....looks like new....probably because they are

[Schuby]

Jeff, Can't thank you enough! Quick and easy is the way I like it. I wish all Alpine repair were as slick as this. I bought new halo style lights that would have required some rewiring I was not looking forward to! Now they will be going on a for sale site.

I have always liked the amount of light the originals put out at night!

[Terry W]

Originally Posted by Jeff_S

Our headlight lenses were also badly hazed and pitted. I got a set of lenses only and re-used the Hella back-half. They were $140 from a BMW parts seller:

BMW E39 Headlight Lens From ECS Tuning

No modification was required and the new lenses also included a new gasket for between the new lens and the Hella back-half.

NOTE: The description for the product in the link above refers to production "up through 9/2000". This is referring to BMW production dates, NOT Alpine production dates.

It is best to remove a headlight and split the front / back halves before ordering to confirm the configuration of the lens itself matches the new headlight lens.

Changed my lenses this afternoon, just like new. $150 delivered from ECS in about 5 days. Plug and play.

Terry

[bobkathy95]

Along these same lines - has anyone done an LED headlight upgrade? On our toad it was just a swap out from OEM halogens to LED. What about the Aplines? Thanks for your help.