Materials to Maintain Your ZHP IIIII Hand Protection IIIII Tools to Maintain Your ZHP
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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Dec 2012
    Location
    Palm Beach County, FL
    Posts
    397

    Cleaning plastic headlight covers vs....

    How many of you have simply used a cleaning kit on the plastic headlight covers that always turn bad after years of use and abuse and was satisfied with the ADDITIONAL LIGHT that was produced afterwards or was it mainly aesthetic reasons only?

    Asking because mine is bad again, I didn't clear coat last time which I think is a requirement BUT even when I did it last time I didn't feel like it made it light output/lumens actually better by much.

    So I'm trying to weigh between cleaning again or getting a new set... I would love some glass, which I got in my last e36 not I heard they don't really make those anymore?

    And do you guys use any tool to measure light output for your car lights?

    Sent from my ONEPLUS A6013 using Tapatalk
    __________________________________________________ ____
    2003 ZHP 4dr | 145,000 miles (ACTUAL before RIP) | BBS 17"
    Hankook Ventus V12
    Front: 225/45ZR
    Rear: 255/40ZR-17 Hankook Ventus V12 evo2 XL
    [ Staggered on square (17x8.5 +38) ]

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Aug 2014
    Location
    Leesburg, VA
    Posts
    1,209
    I don't believe the glass option was available for E46s like the E36 Euro lenses. As your car is a sedan you should have a number of plastic replacement lens options.
    2006 330ci ZHP - Silbergrau Metallic / Stoff Laser/Anthrazit / Alu Black Cube trim / Adaptive Xenon headlights / HK hi-fi system / heated front seats

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Feb 2013
    Location
    Austin TX
    Posts
    7,606
    I replaced the lenses on my ZHP five years ago. My main goal was to improve the cosmetic aspect. My car suffers from ZKW burnt bowls, so the light output didn't improve that much (if any).
    2005 IR / black / 6MT
    157,000 miles

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Nov 2012
    Location
    22841
    Posts
    9,921
    No glass option for the e46 sedan.

    The best option is to purchase a new set of lenses from fcp euro and use the warranty when they fade again.

    Sent from my Pixel 4 XL using Tapatalk

    His - 2004 Imola Red / Alcantara 330i | 6MT | ZHP |

    Her's - 2005 Black Sapphire Metallic / Black Leather 330i | 6MT | ZHP |

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Dec 2019
    Location
    Raleigh, NC
    Posts
    879
    I've been rocking 20$ eBay lenses for close to 3 years now and they still look the same apart from the rock chips. Fitment isn't as good as OEM though so keep that in mind.
    330i Base | Mysticblau | Slicktop | 6MT

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Nov 2016
    Location
    Charlotte, NC
    Posts
    3,130
    Quote Originally Posted by Galapolis View Post
    I've been rocking 20$ eBay lenses for close to 3 years now and they still look the same apart from the rock chips. Fitment isn't as good as OEM though so keep that in mind.
    Man I wish I had a set of those for my touring...

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Dec 2012
    Location
    Palm Beach County, FL
    Posts
    397
    Quote Originally Posted by fredo View Post
    I replaced the lenses on my ZHP five years ago. My main goal was to improve the cosmetic aspect. My car suffers from ZKW burnt bowls, so the light output didn't improve that much (if any).
    That's the thing, I think my bulbs are a bit blown because they'll look more yellow than I think they should be... They just don't look like they have any real illumination at all, bad plastic cover or not...

    Might just shell out for a replacement honestly...

    Did you ever end up replacing the whole assembly?

    Sent from my ONEPLUS A6013 using Tapatalk
    __________________________________________________ ____
    2003 ZHP 4dr | 145,000 miles (ACTUAL before RIP) | BBS 17"
    Hankook Ventus V12
    Front: 225/45ZR
    Rear: 255/40ZR-17 Hankook Ventus V12 evo2 XL
    [ Staggered on square (17x8.5 +38) ]

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Dec 2012
    Location
    Palm Beach County, FL
    Posts
    397
    Quote Originally Posted by Galapolis View Post
    I've been rocking 20$ eBay lenses for close to 3 years now and they still look the same apart from the rock chips. Fitment isn't as good as OEM though so keep that in mind.
    Do you still have link or something similar at least?

    Sent from my ONEPLUS A6013 using Tapatalk
    __________________________________________________ ____
    2003 ZHP 4dr | 145,000 miles (ACTUAL before RIP) | BBS 17"
    Hankook Ventus V12
    Front: 225/45ZR
    Rear: 255/40ZR-17 Hankook Ventus V12 evo2 XL
    [ Staggered on square (17x8.5 +38) ]

  9. #9
    Join Date
    May 2020
    Location
    SF Bay, CA
    Posts
    1,266
    +1 to just replacing the lenses, whether cheap aftermarket or FCP, it's so easy. Us coupe guys got shafted
    2004 BMW 330CI ZHP (well, technically ZAM)


  10. #10
    Join Date
    Dec 2019
    Location
    Raleigh, NC
    Posts
    879
    Quote Originally Posted by Dathaeus View Post
    Do you still have link or something similar at least?

    Sent from my ONEPLUS A6013 using Tapatalk
    Looks like the listing is still up after all this time: https://www.ebay.com/itm/For-BMW-E46...72.m2749.l2649
    330i Base | Mysticblau | Slicktop | 6MT

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