Quote:
Originally Posted by dzid_
You mean the Valeo projector lens is hard glued or something?
Seems like it is also 3", but maybe Valeo have different focal length than e90's Hella? https://www.hidplanet.com/forums/for...-2011-bmw-135i
It's not clear to me if Valeo projector lens can be swapped with anything on the market. Did you try? |
I decided to try this and swapped in ZKW lenses, I have a X1 which has a similar projector as the E82, The focal length is slightly different but there is a way to counteract the effects with using an LED bulb instead. The other option would be to add spacers which another forum member has done with thin paper washers. To me, even with that spacing due to the floating cut off shield, the projected cutoff would still not be as sharp as the E46/ZKW style without extensively modifying that piece.
Quote:
Originally Posted by westie135
I'd have to dig around for the thread on HIDPlanet, but I think the issue is that the lens carrier on the projectors used in the E82 is plastic, and the lens is more or less cast into it. No swapping.  The next best thing is either finding a retrofitter willing to polish the lenses while they're still attached to the projector assemblies or just bolting other projectors into the housings. |
This is correct, the lens carrier is plastic and is indeed cast in. That does not mean you cannot swap the lens...most people stop here instead of going further. You will need to modify the projector shroud as well as the lens holder. You will need to remove the plastic rivets with your tool of choice, then once you disassemble the components you will need to break the old lens out of the plastic. Once you do that you will see a non-uniform plastic edge around the lip of the edge of where the lens would sit. You then will need to trim down or grind this edge flat to make a mating surface for the new lens and epoxy them together. The overall output is definitely an improvement over stock, I haven't been flashed for blinding other cars or pedestrians. If I were to go back in to add the spacers it would make the projected reflections a bit sharp in the center where the step is and then softer in-between (this is currently negligible to me)
Hope this helps someone who wants to attempt the same thing. I will post more pictures and a write up of the process soon. All the pics are taken with my phone through tint.
