E34 Headlamp Replacement - BMW Forum

amh · 04-09-2008, 08:53 AM

1992 525i
I need to replace the passenger low beam assembly (cracked lens). To my surprise, there is nothing in the archives regarding this topic.

It appears the front surround panel and grille assembly has to be removed, any help would be appreciated.

Alan
Mercedes Benz 123 chassis nut/screwball/gun owner

colink1 · 04-16-2008, 12:35 PM

I had the same issue last year and replaced both sides. If you are replacing just the single lens, you will need to remove the center grille in order to access the headlight assembly. I would also recommend ordering a couple of the those plastic mounting tabs (to have handy).
Let me know if you have any specific questions about the process.

amh · 04-17-2008, 09:26 AM

Thanks for the reply. I thought the center grilles would have to be removed. Maybe this weekend I'll have the time to do the job and report back.
Alan

d3ity · 04-17-2008, 10:28 AM

First of all.

Headlight replacement is pretty easy on the e34... the entire front grille is made of legos basically, it's just knowing which ones to take off. IIRC you have to take out the horizontal grill pieces around the headlights themselves, I believe theres a few screws accessible through the front of the grille itself.

I think you may need a metal stick to push down a retaining tab accessible from under the hood. Not sure if that's to remove the kidneys or the grille pieces.

Either way, the FIRST thing you need to do is click this link.

Amazon.com: BMW 5 Series (E34) Service Manual: 1989-1995 (BMW): Robert Bentley: Books

Click the buy button. Don't think. Just buy the damn thing. That book will save you HOURS of

. Probably alot of four letter words. Mine has saved me literally thousands of dollars.

kyle1990 · 05-19-2008, 10:46 PM

mine need replacing and i had heard someone say somewhere that the body just after my 90 535i will fit? the e39 i guess .. im new to all this stuff.

AlpineSixAndSeven · 05-19-2008, 11:11 PM

... I dont believe it wil.....

90 535 would be an E34.... the e39 has a big housing for both high and low beams... the e34 still had seperate housings...

colink1 · 05-19-2008, 11:16 PM

The latter years of the E34 94-95 had the wider grille.

kyle1990 · 05-19-2008, 11:41 PM

well ive been looking for new headlights online. i see the dual angel eyes/projectors to be most common. from about $180-$300 or so. and its not like there are only 3 or 4 ... there are several.

long story short this is my roommates car. my car is driving me insane (and broke), we are transfering titles and i have a few "to-do's" on this car. one being headlights. i was unable to drive at night for several years, now i can .. i want damn good headlights. thats not so much to ask. i dont need super fancy HID right now or anything like that .. but one of the lense are busted and they just look old and i wanna replace them, maybe new corner markers as well.

whats the huge difference in all these lights i am seeing? example page .. e34 headlights - Google Product Search

help me not buy junk

kyle1990 · 05-19-2008, 11:42 PM

p.s. the diff in e34 and e39 is understood. thanks wikipedia, lol

colink1 · 05-20-2008, 10:01 AM

You can replace just a single light or the whole assembly. Try these links for comparison pricing:

BMW E34 Lights and Lenses - Page 4

BMW Parts and BMW Accessories | Bavarian Autosport

kyle1990 · 05-20-2008, 11:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by colink1

You can replace just a single light or the whole assembly. Try these links for comparison pricing:

BMW E34 Lights and Lenses - Page 4

BMW Parts and BMW Accessories | Bavarian Autosport

@ bavarian there are angel eye conversion kits for $399. part # E34/32 H/L CONV . i am assuming that would be genuine bmw parts?

@ other link .. there is a projector kit (with smiley ... not sure what that is)for $231.00.

i like the looks of angel eyes but will the projectors be at least better than the stock headlights??