Opening e90 Headlight

SgtGoldy · 04-12-2014, 02:42 PM

So I have heard that opening the e90 headlight is close to impossible. Has anyone done it before as a DIY? If so, how difficult was and and what method did you use? I want to upgrade the inside with LED rings but really don't want to pay OSS just yet for that. I did it with my G37 headlight and it was easiest mod I have done to the vehicle. Unfortunately I feel this will be much harder...

sd_luis · 04-12-2014, 10:01 PM

I did mine a few months ago. It's a really difficult mod. They use a really strong glue. My method was a heat gun and a flat screw driver, working down the edges. Some people cut them open I guess it could be an option if you are familiar with the tools. It was easier for me since I bought a pair of headlights and still had mine on the car so I didn't had to rush things.

Sherj · 04-12-2014, 10:08 PM

Do we not normally bake the headlight in the oven to soften the glue? Or does e90s headlight more difficult to open then e92s?

tova86 · 04-12-2014, 11:03 PM

E90s are much more difficult.. I heard baking it will only harden the glue

SgtGoldy · 04-13-2014, 01:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sd_luis

I did mine a few months ago. It's a really difficult mod. They use a really strong glue. My method was a heat gun and a flat screw driver, working down the edges. Some people cut them open I guess it could be an option if you are familiar with the tools. It was easier for me since I bought a pair of headlights and still had mine on the car so I didn't had to rush things.

Hmm... I should look into buying a spare then... How long did the total process take you?

Also; cutting sounds scary lol

Quote:

Originally Posted by tova86

E90s are much more difficult.. I heard baking it will only harden the glue

Really? That sounds aweful.

sd_luis · 04-13-2014, 01:45 AM

It took me a couple of weeks, but only because the vendor had the projector shrouds on backorder(I did a projector retrofit) it should take a weekend (opening 2-3 hrs., any custom work if you decide to paint them 2-3 hours, curing time 24 hours
And no the glue gets softer with heat, but cools off real quick that's why a heat gun is better use.

SgtGoldy · 04-13-2014, 10:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sd_luis

It took me a couple of weeks, but only because the vendor had the projector shrouds on backorder(I did a projector retrofit) it should take a weekend (opening 2-3 hrs., any custom work if you decide to paint them 2-3 hours, curing time 24 hours
And no the glue gets softer with heat, but cools off real quick that's why a heat gun is better use.

Thanks SD. I think I will have to give it a shot. Maybe pick up a crappy set of headlights for the time being till I can get mine squared away.

sd_luis · 04-13-2014, 11:24 AM

No problem(:
I do have to warn you that the hardest part of all is putting the lense back on. You can either just use the same glue or scrape the old one off and apply new it's still a PITA, but since you done it before I'm just you will have no problem, good luck

beady1 · 04-13-2014, 09:20 PM

heat gun and butter knife is the way to go and patience lol.

SgtGoldy · 04-13-2014, 10:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sd_luis

No problem(:
I do have to warn you that the hardest part of all is putting the lense back on. You can either just use the same glue or scrape the old one off and apply new it's still a PITA, but since you done it before I'm just you will have no problem, good luck

Thanks man. I'm gonna purchase the umnitza orion v4 soon then. Most likely I'll add a new sealant so in case I have to reopen them is not that super hard core of stuff.

sd_luis · 04-14-2014, 01:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SgtGoldy

Thanks man. I'm gonna purchase the umnitza orion v4 soon then. Most likely I'll add a new sealant so in case I have to reopen them is not that super hard core of stuff.

Good luck bro, update us soon

LuxAngelEyes · 04-14-2014, 01:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sd_luis

No problem(:
I do have to warn you that the hardest part of all is putting the lense back on. You can either just use the same glue or scrape the old one off and apply new it's still a PITA, but since you done it before I'm just you will have no problem, good luck

Your much safer to scrape away all the old glue from both the housing and the lens. I persomally recommend RTV Silicone Adhesive. Its easy to work with and remains soft after curing. You can always put more on afterwards to make sure everything is sealed up.

Open the headlights will take about a hour per light, but be careful not to break the angel eyes!!!!! you need to unclip them from the bottom.

SgtGoldy · 04-14-2014, 02:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LuxAngelEyes

Your much safer to scrape away all the old glue from both the housing and the lens. I persomally recommend RTV Silicone Adhesive. Its easy to work with and remains soft after curing. You can always put more on afterwards to make sure everything is sealed up.

Open the headlights will take about a hour per light, but be careful not to break the angel eyes!!!!! you need to unclip them from the bottom.

Thanks for the heads up Lux!!!!

apexi66 · 04-14-2014, 09:35 PM

How about opening e90 LCI Headlight?
Is the e90 LCI using the same glue as Pre-LCI? (hard to open?)

Thanks.

tova86 · 04-14-2014, 10:45 PM

Yesh

Karman · 04-15-2014, 12:46 AM

i want to do this as a diy, only because people are charging too much to do this as a service smh

SgtGoldy · 04-15-2014, 01:47 AM

Once I finally buy my LED halo rings I'll make a DIY video

LuxAngelEyes · 04-15-2014, 12:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Karman

i want to do this as a diy, only because people are charging too much to do this as a service smh

People charge a lot for this since its a PITA!!!!! the whole process is about 3 hours of labor per headlight to open, clean, reform and re-glue. the E90 headlights simply suck to open. I've done it too many times and i hate doing it.

Karman · 04-15-2014, 03:33 PM

are you located in new haven, ct? i have all the parts together, just need to open headlight to put in orion v4 and to install on e90 pre lci..lights are lci xenon

Taran.J · 04-15-2014, 06:05 PM

I've baked and cut three sets already. Very time consuming, cutting takes 1 hour for both with a dremel. Baking takes about 1.5 hours a side with heat gun and prying it open carefully.

SgtGoldy · 04-15-2014, 06:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Taran.J

I've baked and cut three sets already. Very time consuming, cutting takes 1 hour for both with a dremel. Baking takes about 1.5 hours a side with heat gun and prying it open carefully.

The whole cutting thing eludes me because I don't understand how they reseal or where you cut.

Taran.J · 04-15-2014, 06:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SgtGoldy

Quote:

Originally Posted by Taran.J

I've baked and cut three sets already. Very time consuming, cutting takes 1 hour for both with a dremel. Baking takes about 1.5 hours a side with heat gun and prying it open carefully.

The whole cutting thing eludes me because I don't understand how they reseal or where you cut.

Yeah cutting was faster but I re sealed using RTV sealant haven't had issues with that set and sold it to a guy in North Carolina over a year and half ago and he hasn't had any problems

04-12-2014, 02:42 PM	#1
SgtGoldy SuperFastYo 51 Rep 790 Posts Drives: N54 335i TiAg Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Orange County, CA iTrader: (3)	Opening e90 Headlight So I have heard that opening the e90 headlight is close to impossible. Has anyone done it before as a DIY? If so, how difficult was and and what method did you use? I want to upgrade the inside with LED rings but really don't want to pay OSS just yet for that. I did it with my G37 headlight and it was easiest mod I have done to the vehicle. Unfortunately I feel this will be much harder... __________________ C63 AMG - LSD - Straight Pipe - EuroCharge v5 - Vossen CV7 -
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04-12-2014, 10:01 PM	#2
sd_luis Captain 104 Rep 912 Posts Drives: 2006 BMW 325I Join Date: May 2013 Location: Germany iTrader: (1)	I did mine a few months ago. It's a really difficult mod. They use a really strong glue. My method was a heat gun and a flat screw driver, working down the edges. Some people cut them open I guess it could be an option if you are familiar with the tools. It was easier for me since I bought a pair of headlights and still had mine on the car so I didn't had to rush things. __________________ Check out my built thread of my white beauty! http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1045460 Follow me on Instagram! l_gomez1215
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04-12-2014, 10:08 PM	#3
Sherj Private First Class 15 Rep 191 Posts Drives: E92 335i coupe Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: CNJ iTrader: (3)	Do we not normally bake the headlight in the oven to soften the glue? Or does e90s headlight more difficult to open then e92s?
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04-12-2014, 11:03 PM	#4
tova86 RACE CAR!! 37 Rep 568 Posts Drives: 09 335i AW sedan Join Date: May 2013 Location: San Diego, CA iTrader: (1)	E90s are much more difficult.. I heard baking it will only harden the glue __________________ jb4/e85 wedgeflash, vanguard exhaust, wagner fmic, plm dps, dci, ER chargepipe, turbosmart bov, alpina flash, msport w/ splitters, miro 111 19x9.5 all around , sonic tuning csl trunk, gloss black roof, st coilover, custom black/white umnitza V2 headlights
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04-13-2014, 01:45 AM	#6
sd_luis Captain 104 Rep 912 Posts Drives: 2006 BMW 325I Join Date: May 2013 Location: Germany iTrader: (1)	It took me a couple of weeks, but only because the vendor had the projector shrouds on backorder(I did a projector retrofit) it should take a weekend (opening 2-3 hrs., any custom work if you decide to paint them 2-3 hours, curing time 24 hours And no the glue gets softer with heat, but cools off real quick that's why a heat gun is better use. __________________ Check out my built thread of my white beauty! http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1045460 Follow me on Instagram! l_gomez1215
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04-13-2014, 11:24 AM	#8
sd_luis Captain 104 Rep 912 Posts Drives: 2006 BMW 325I Join Date: May 2013 Location: Germany iTrader: (1)	No problem(: I do have to warn you that the hardest part of all is putting the lense back on. You can either just use the same glue or scrape the old one off and apply new it's still a PITA, but since you done it before I'm just you will have no problem, good luck __________________ Check out my built thread of my white beauty! http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1045460 Follow me on Instagram! l_gomez1215
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04-13-2014, 09:20 PM	#9
beady1 Private First Class 13 Rep 188 Posts Drives: 2008 BMW 328xi Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: NorthEast PA iTrader: (2)	heat gun and butter knife is the way to go and patience lol.
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04-14-2014, 09:35 PM	#14
apexi66 New Member 3 Rep 28 Posts Drives: E90 325i M-Sport Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Hong Kong iTrader: (0)	How about opening e90 LCI Headlight? Is the e90 LCI using the same glue as Pre-LCI? (hard to open?) Thanks. __________________
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04-14-2014, 10:45 PM	#15
tova86 RACE CAR!! 37 Rep 568 Posts Drives: 09 335i AW sedan Join Date: May 2013 Location: San Diego, CA iTrader: (1)	Yesh __________________ jb4/e85 wedgeflash, vanguard exhaust, wagner fmic, plm dps, dci, ER chargepipe, turbosmart bov, alpina flash, msport w/ splitters, miro 111 19x9.5 all around , sonic tuning csl trunk, gloss black roof, st coilover, custom black/white umnitza V2 headlights
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04-15-2014, 12:46 AM	#16
Karman Second Lieutenant 22 Rep 274 Posts Drives: 335i e92 07 space gray Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: CT iTrader: (0)	i want to do this as a diy, only because people are charging too much to do this as a service smh
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04-15-2014, 01:47 AM	#17
SgtGoldy SuperFastYo 51 Rep 790 Posts Drives: N54 335i TiAg Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Orange County, CA iTrader: (3)	Once I finally buy my LED halo rings I'll make a DIY video __________________ C63 AMG - LSD - Straight Pipe - EuroCharge v5 - Vossen CV7 -
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04-15-2014, 03:33 PM	#19
Karman Second Lieutenant 22 Rep 274 Posts Drives: 335i e92 07 space gray Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: CT iTrader: (0)	are you located in new haven, ct? i have all the parts together, just need to open headlight to put in orion v4 and to install on e90 pre lci..lights are lci xenon
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04-15-2014, 06:05 PM	#20
Taran.J Major General 1113 Rep 7,063 Posts Drives: BMW, LEX, MBZ, RAM, TESLA Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Graham, WA iTrader: (7)	I've baked and cut three sets already. Very time consuming, cutting takes 1 hour for both with a dremel. Baking takes about 1.5 hours a side with heat gun and prying it open carefully. __________________ E90 Build Thread (SOLD) http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=809436 F15 Build Thread (SOLD) http://f15.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho....php?t=1064084
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