Headlight Cover Lens

[das boots]

Anybody done this before? A long term project that one of these days that I might have to replace both lenses. If anybody done a write up on this please point it out. Are the lenses easy to disassemble? Looks like parts #1, #9 & #15 need to be replaced. The lenses also state under Supplement ZKW & AL. What are they? My ZHP looks like it has been under the sun too long and the plastic lens has some oxidation. And looks like specks of dust inside the lenses. Would require a good cleaning. BTW, I got part #16. A Headlight Repair Kit. (Same one Gary received as door prize). Supposedly clears out oxidation. Ha! They don't work. Ask me how I know. Thanks.

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...72&hg=63&fg=05

[mikeyb74]

ZKW and AL are the two manufacturers BMW used for e46 high lamps. It is pretty easy to replace the lens. Do you own the Bentley e46 repair manual? Here is a link to bentley publishers video regarding e46 lens replacement.

https://wiki.bentleypublishers.com/d...ens,+replacing

[danewilson77]

Super easy. Just get the lenses from Khoa or Bimmian....

[zj96sc]

I just did this Saturday. I didn't take any pictures of the process but I guess I should've.

Do you have a sedan? If so, its very simple. Coupe i guess you have to bake them to open them up which sounds like a PITA.

There are 4 bolts holding in the headlight, 2 will require a magnetic pickup to retrieve.

Then snap out the trim piece below the headlight, attached inboard on the headlight itself, outboard to the quarterpanel. If you've got headlight washers this gets a little fiddly, but the trim piece plus headlight will slide forward together and can be unclipped from each other.

At this point, push the headlight aft a little to get it unclipped from the trim piece, and then remove the whole assembly. Fair warning, if you yank the trim piece plus the washer nozzle too far forward, all your washer fluid will puke out. Ask me how I know.

Once the headlight is out, you unclip #9. Once #9 is unclipped, you unclip #15. Replace, reassemble, done.

Great DIY on youtube:

http://youtu.be/17qK-Ji7cNM

edit: actually shows it being done without removing the headlight. works if you dont have headlight washers.

I bought new OEM ZKW covers from bmw part store for $85 ea. Khoalty at $72 for the pair is enough to make my eye twitch.

[das boots]

Super easy. Just get the lenses from Khoa or Bimmian....

Dane...Khoa's lens are the same as OE? Mikey..Thanks for the site. I will be getting a Bentley's soon. One of my to-do list. ZJ, great youtube. So, do I have a AL or ZKW? I still don't know what or where are they pertained to......Is one better than the other?

[zj96sc]

is khoa khoalty? Their website made me raise a bit of an eyebrow...their sidebar says "manufactured by: Bosch" and then in the body of the text it says "quality equivalent to Bosch."

Do you have a sedan or coupe? Is this for the M3 in your info?

I think for the most part, sedans got ZKWs and coupes got ALs. Both are brands used by BMW for the E46.

[mikeyb74]

Dane...Khoa's lens are the same as OE? Mikey..Thanks for the site. I will be getting a Bentley's soon. One of my to-do list. ZJ, great youtube. So, do I have a AL or ZKW? I still don't know what or where are they pertained to......Is one better than the other?

As long as the lens are either ZKW or AL/Bosch. I've seen Hella branded lens in the past. You are welcome on the link. I've had the lens off and on so many times on my e46 and a on a couple of friends I can do it in my sleep.

Look at your headlight lens. Do you see ZKW or AL on them? So you will order what the lens is.

[mikeyb74]

is khoa khoalty? There website made me raise a bit of an eyebrow...their sidebar says "manufactured by: Bosch" and then in the body of the text it says "quality equivalent to Bosch."

Do you have a sedan or coupe? Is this for the M3 in your info?

I think for the most part, sedans got ZKWs and coupes got ALs.

So their lens can be reps of Bosch/AL or ZKW. I know I sell either ZKW or AL/Bosch here at work.

[das boots]

As long as the lens are either ZKW or AL/Bosch. I've seen Hella branded lens in the past. You are welcome on the link. I've had the lens off and on so many times on my e46 and a on a couple of friends I can do it in my sleep.

Look at your headlight lens. Do you see ZKW or AL on them? So you will order what the lens is.

I will look at what the lens would state. But does it matter if I purchase a ZKW or AL? It looks like the ZKW is more expensive than AL. I got a sedan

[mikeyb74]

I will look at what the lens would state. But does it matter if I purchase a ZKW or AL? It looks like the ZKW is more expensive than AL. I got a sedan

You need to buy the brand of the lens on your car. I do not think they are swappable.