[Xfloridiankicks]

Any eyelids for LCI headlights?

[bluewater328]

Tons, check eBay. I have a set on the way for the exact same reason. There is a seller that will have them painted to color (though with black, you really won't have an issue finding that or carbon fiber if it suits your fancy). IF you do want a guaranteed trim color look for this eBay seller (oem.thing)

But FYI (if it matters) the LEDs on top will not have a hole to peak out of (unless you're going to take a crack).

I've seen the nonsense work on how to crack these open (install some upgraded angel/corona eyes) but nobody ever shows if you can take off that eyelid piece to sand down. I've seen replacement plastic fronts, but there are no breakdowns that show where that piece ends up when the front plastic is removed. I heard it might be attached to the clear plastic shield -- but is it removable?

[Xfloridiankicks]

Originally Posted by bluewater328

Tons, check eBay. I have a set on the way for the exact same reason. There is a seller that will have them painted to color (though with black, you really won't have an issue finding that or carbon fiber if it suits your fancy). IF you do want a guaranteed trim color look for this eBay seller (oem.thing)

But FYI (if it matters) the LEDs on top will not have a hole to peak out of (unless you're going to take a crack).

I've seen the nonsense work on how to crack these open (install some upgraded angel/corona eyes) but nobody ever shows if you can take off that eyelid piece to sand down. I've seen replacement plastic fronts, but there are no breakdowns that show where that piece ends up when the front plastic is removed. I heard it might be attached to the clear plastic shield -- but is it removable?

Originally Posted by bluewater328

Tons, check eBay. I have a set on the way for the exact same reason. There is a seller that will have them painted to color (though with black, you really won't have an issue finding that or carbon fiber if it suits your fancy). IF you do want a guaranteed trim color look for this eBay seller (oem.thing)

But FYI (if it matters) the LEDs on top will not have a hole to peak out of (unless you're going to take a crack).

I've seen the nonsense work on how to crack these open (install some upgraded angel/corona eyes) but nobody ever shows if you can take off that eyelid piece to sand down. I've seen replacement plastic fronts, but there are no breakdowns that show where that piece ends up when the front plastic is removed. I heard it might be attached to the clear plastic shield -- but is it removable?

You have a link to the same ones you bought?? And I believe they are I'm going to my car right now I'll take a picture of a screw that looks like it's holding it in place, I had owned a Audi A4 s-line prior to me buying my 335i and I could take the lens apart and remove this plastic strip and paint it black and it was held in by some small screws, but hey Audi isn't bmw! So I guess we'll just have to do some trial & error

[Xfloridiankicks]

It's funny how I took a little bit more time to look and it looks like it's connected via clips!

[Xfloridiankicks]

Pics

[bluewater328]

If you find a good way to open it, please let me know. I haven't seen one person open these up without a hot knife or dremel. These can't be baked like usual.

The link was for the cover, but I haven't ordered that yet as I didn't know if the eyebrow piece was part of it or not (if it is, then that linked item won't work). That vendor I mentioned about the painted eyelids IS the one I ordered from -- have the paint code handy when you order.

I hope you're right about the eyelid part being clipped on. Would definitely make it worth it to try to crack these open.

[bluewater328]

Pics of the eyelids in place. There is a spot of the oem eyelid that peaks through that is noticeable just above the xenon if you are really looking. Otherwise good.

[Xfloridiankicks]

Originally Posted by bluewater328

Pics of the eyelids in place. There is a spot of the oem eyelid that peaks through that is noticeable just above the xenon if you are really looking. Otherwise good.

You got a link for these?

[bluewater328]

Originally Posted by Xfloridiankicks

You got a link for these?

I don't want to direct link, but I listed the seller's name above "oem.thing" on ebay. Takes a few weeks as it's painted to factory color (have the paint code ready). I think it was about $25 + s/h

I think my search terms were "painted bmw e90 eyelids"

[addict]

I looked for eyebrow options as well but just opted for replacing the lenses and painting the oem yellowed out brows silver. Keeps them looking OEMish.

[Xfloridiankicks]

Originally Posted by addict

I looked for eyebrow options as well but just opted for replacing the lenses and painting the oem yellowed out brows silver. Keeps them looking OEMish.

How much of a pain in the ass was it to take the lens apart? Any tips? I really wanna keep it OEM

[addict]

Originally Posted by Xfloridiankicks

How much of a pain in the ass was it to take the lens apart? Any tips? I really wanna keep it OEM

IM assuming its not very easy. A friend of mine that does Xenon retrofits on VW's did them for me he has done a few sets for a few of my buddies and myself and he did say he HATES working on bmw headlights.

[bluewater328]

Originally Posted by addict

I looked for eyebrow options as well but just opted for replacing the lenses and painting the oem yellowed out brows silver. Keeps them looking OEMish.

Great job there!

I would just hate to crack them open unless I'm moving forward with an angel eye (Bavgrouppe) retrofit as well. So tempting...

[n50four]

Here's my Pre_LCI with a tack-on brow, no "cut-out" for the main beam. IMHO, keeps the cleaner BMW aggressive look.

[wolfboyG]

Originally Posted by addict

I looked for eyebrow options as well but just opted for replacing the lenses and painting the oem yellowed out brows silver. Keeps them looking OEMish.

hey what silver did your buddy use? I like this better than blacked out look .

[Notifyz]

You may find plenty of them on online stores such as e-Bay, Amazon etc..
Although you need to be careful, usually they come unpainted.

[Liam1106]

While my 335’s eyelids aren’t as bad as yours I’m thinking about ripping open my LCI headlights. I’m curious if it’s its possible to just delete the eyelid, and what that would look like?

Eventually my goal is to install some LED rings, possibly Bavgruppe, while I’m in there, and also black out the housing and some components. I also have some dust inside to take care of. I do have to say though, that silver painted eyelid looks pretty damn good. I might go for a silver/black combo with all the components

Here’s a pic of my headlights, and some ideas I’ve seen from some forum members

[TheMidnightNarwhal]

Originally Posted by bluewater328

Tons, check eBay. I have a set on the way for the exact same reason. There is a seller that will have them painted to color (though with black, you really won't have an issue finding that or carbon fiber if it suits your fancy). IF you do want a guaranteed trim color look for this eBay seller (oem.thing)

But FYI (if it matters) the LEDs on top will not have a hole to peak out of (unless you're going to take a crack).

I've seen the nonsense work on how to crack these open (install some upgraded angel/corona eyes) but nobody ever shows if you can take off that eyelid piece to sand down. I've seen replacement plastic fronts, but there are no breakdowns that show where that piece ends up when the front plastic is removed. I heard it might be attached to the clear plastic shield -- but is it removable?

Yeah same here I'm trying to find info on if they are sandable like the clear lens or they are different material and if detachable to. Plus what product to use to seal the eyebrow from yellowing as headlight restoration kit comes with protectant that only lasts a year at most. I assume 2k clear coat would do the work but not 100% sure. Or I think a dedicated headlight clearcoat, Sp*****x sells some.

Opening them is straight forward, just heat up and cut through the seal. Just takes time and patience.

[ibutd01]

Originally Posted by addict

I looked for eyebrow options as well but just opted for replacing the lenses and painting the oem yellowed out brows silver. Keeps them looking OEMish.

Just to ask mate didyou paint anything else apart from the eyelids in silver inaide the headlight? Did you leave the housing in OEM colour?
Thanks

[alshevch]

Originally Posted by n50four

Here's my Pre_LCI with a tack-on brow, no "cut-out" for the main beam. IMHO, keeps the cleaner BMW aggressive look.

Could you link these? love the way they look.

[Scubudo]

I have only ripped one of them apart and it took way longer than I anticipated. Unless you are going to black the chrome, you need to be extremely careful not to touch it with your bare hand because they scratch easily and (per my understanding) the oils on your hand with affect it. The brows do unclip although I was unable to the outside unclipped and it broke instead. Since you can't see that end, it should be fixable with a little glue.
The brows seem to be made of a different (softer) plastic than the lens. Similar to the plastic of the housing (so probably either ABS or HDPE). It shouldn't be difficult to sand and paint them.

There are several different techniques to getting the headlight open. Some people have just cut the outer rim of the housing where the lens is attached...which may be the easiest way but kind of a hack job. I saw a video where someone used a needle and syringe to inject acetone into the glue and that may work (although I am not sure if most syringes would hold up to acetone).

I started by cutting the lens itself near where it was attached to the housing with one of those oscillating multi-tools, then used pliers, x-acto blades utility knife, and a variety of small screwdrivers and picks (along with some profanity) to get the rest off. It took me over an hour to get the lens completely off and even longer to scrap all of the glue out of the channel (due to the curvature of the channel there are some areas that were amazingly difficult to get to.
I suspect my OCD traits made this part harder than necessary, but the from the info I had when I started everyone said you have to make sure you get all of the glue out and when I took it literally. It doesn't help that the glue and plastic are both black either...and I am not 100% sure that at times I wasn't just getting removing plastic dust and not glue.
I started the project thinking I would be able to get both headlights out and done in a weekend, but by the time I got the 1st one completely apart it was clear that this was more work than I had anticipated. I ended up borrowing a used loaner from BB-Cuda...but that was almost a year ago, so I am finally going to bite the bullet and get a pair of used ones to build out so that once they are done I can just swap them in (assuming I don't end up frustrated and buying some new ones).