What did you do to/for your 1er today?

[K9Leader]

I've had Little Red, my 2011 128i E82, for almost two years and am finally getting around to doing something about the hazy headlight assemblies. I've polished them multiple times but that only helps so much. They also have red overspray around the edges from when a PO painted the bumper (which was not painted well and is quite road-rashed but I'm going to live with it because as soon as I paint it, I will start with the "not going to drive it today because . . . nice bumper" type of thoughts).



They are halogens and I'm not interested in the expense or complexity of converting to Xenon. I like the Xenons on my E91, but on Little Red, Halogens with a nice clear lens will be fine.

Every time I went looking, though, I was put off by the cost. New are so pricey and most of what I saw used on Ebay were still expensive and not obviously better than what I already have. Finally saw a driver side on Ebay this week that looked really good and was a decent price, so I pulled the trigger. It arrived today and I'm pleased.



Unfortunately, nothing similar for passenger side so I decided to roll the dice on an aftermarket TYC from Rock Auto. Price is bearable and I'm hoping it will work out - most of the reviews on TYC headlight assemblies (for all makes/models) are generally positive. I will still troll Ebay, just in case a decent OEM pops up.

Busy this weekend, but I'm retired, so I can get to it one day next week.

[GoRomeo]

Right ON!! . Congrats on the hradlight.! 👍 iv used the Meguiars headlight restoration Heavy Duty kit on my e90 for years and now the E88 and worked pretty well I recommend it .

[djacinto]

Originally Posted by K9Leader

I've had Little Red, my 2011 128i E82, for almost two years and am finally getting around to doing something about the hazy headlight assemblies. I've polished them multiple times but that only helps so much. They also have red overspray around the edges from when a PO painted the bumper (which was not painted well and is quite road-rashed but I'm going to live with it because as soon as I paint it, I will start with the "not going to drive it today because . . . nice bumper" type of thoughts).



They are halogens and I'm not interested in the expense or complexity of converting to Xenon. I like the Xenons on my E91, but on Little Red, Halogens with a nice clear lens will be fine.

Every time I went looking, though, I was put off by the cost. New are so pricey and most of what I saw used on Ebay were still expensive and not obviously better than what I already have. Finally saw a driver side on Ebay this week that looked really good and was a decent price, so I pulled the trigger. It arrived today and I'm pleased.



Unfortunately, nothing similar for passenger side so I decided to roll the dice on an aftermarket TYC from Rock Auto. Price is bearable and I'm hoping it will work out - most of the reviews on TYC headlight assemblies (for all makes/models) are generally positive. I will still troll Ebay, just in case a decent OEM pops up.

Busy this weekend, but I'm retired, so I can get to it one day next week.

I’ve also been debating doing xenon’s on my girlfriend’s car. The halogens suck, plus I miss the angel eyes!

I know it’s fairly in depth, but i certainly think the practical uses justify the need to do so

[Fishee]

Originally Posted by K9Leader

I've had Little Red, my 2011 128i E82, for almost two years and am finally getting around to doing something about the hazy headlight assemblies. I've polished them multiple times but that only helps so much. They also have red overspray around the edges from when a PO painted the bumper (which was not painted well and is quite road-rashed but I'm going to live with it because as soon as I paint it, I will start with the "not going to drive it today because . . . nice bumper" type of thoughts).



They are halogens and I'm not interested in the expense or complexity of converting to Xenon. I like the Xenons on my E91, but on Little Red, Halogens with a nice clear lens will be fine.

Every time I went looking, though, I was put off by the cost. New are so pricey and most of what I saw used on Ebay were still expensive and not obviously better than what I already have. Finally saw a driver side on Ebay this week that looked really good and was a decent price, so I pulled the trigger. It arrived today and I'm pleased.



Unfortunately, nothing similar for passenger side so I decided to roll the dice on an aftermarket TYC from Rock Auto. Price is bearable and I'm hoping it will work out - most of the reviews on TYC headlight assemblies (for all makes/models) are generally positive. I will still troll Ebay, just in case a decent OEM pops up.

Busy this weekend, but I'm retired, so I can get to it one day next week.

Recommend applying 3M headlight/lexan clear coat.
https://www.amazon.ca/3M-Quick-Headl...420534429&th=1

[K9Leader]

Originally Posted by Fishee

Recommend applying 3M headlight/lexan clear coat.
https://www.amazon.ca/3M-Quick-Headl...420534429&th=1

Yep, I've got some of that, as well as the Meguiar's version, and may even have some Cerakote left over. I'll use something.

[1and1]

In the process of detailing the 135's interior I have the seats out and, FINALLY, figured out how to remove the broken drivers side thigh bolster!!

Replacement ordered!

Nice part is that the new one will pop back on easy once the cover, pad & heating element are in place....

[nevetstoj]

Originally Posted by K9Leader

I've had Little Red, my 2011 128i E82, for almost two years and am finally getting around to doing something about the hazy headlight assemblies. I've polished them multiple times but that only helps so much. They also have red overspray around the edges from when a PO painted the bumper (which was not painted well and is quite road-rashed but I'm going to live with it because as soon as I paint it, I will start with the "not going to drive it today because . . . nice bumper" type of thoughts).



They are halogens and I'm not interested in the expense or complexity of converting to Xenon. I like the Xenons on my E91, but on Little Red, Halogens with a nice clear lens will be fine.

Every time I went looking, though, I was put off by the cost. New are so pricey and most of what I saw used on Ebay were still expensive and not obviously better than what I already have. Finally saw a driver side on Ebay this week that looked really good and was a decent price, so I pulled the trigger. It arrived today and I'm pleased.



Unfortunately, nothing similar for passenger side so I decided to roll the dice on an aftermarket TYC from Rock Auto. Price is bearable and I'm hoping it will work out - most of the reviews on TYC headlight assemblies (for all makes/models) are generally positive. I will still troll Ebay, just in case a decent OEM pops up.

Busy this weekend, but I'm retired, so I can get to it one day next week.

SYLVANIA Headlight Restoration Kit - just get this and make sure to sand off all the old coating. Over a year and lights still look new.

[GoRomeo]

Nothing its all good 🤞

[Gray_Panther]

Filled it up last night with BJ's 93 octane gas. It's not a DI engine, so I didn't think it would cause an issue.

TPMS sensors I believe died on me because the tires have not gone down in air pressure. I am looking into solutions to use NCSExpert to code it out.

[demas]

Replaced the wheel speed sensors today.

I had a front left failure first - then ~36 hours later, both rears were gone...

[guero128i]

does anyone know if e87 headlights can fit into a e82 just wondering

[K9Leader]

Originally Posted by nevetstoj

SYLVANIA Headlight Restoration Kit - just get this and make sure to sand off all the old coating. Over a year and lights still look new.

Yep, I've used those kits (Meguiar's and Cera Kote) on this and many other cars. They do work wonders and they did improve them on the 128i significantly; but, not enough. I've lived with them for almost two years and it was time. I'll use the protectant on the new ones to help keep them clear and, if/when the time comes, I'll restore them.

[Donkeyshins]

Gathering parts for my M3 strut tower brace install (including HP Autosports mounting doo-hickey).

One thing I noticed is that other than the relief machined into the flange (not used by the strut tower brace bar) and a bit of offset webbing on the underside that is removed, there's little to no difference between the left and right strut tower brace rings, so I'm wondering if they are more-or-less interchangeable left-to-right, especially since the right ring is less than 1/2 the price of the left ring.

Anyone know offhand?

[EDIT] I think I may have answered my own question - looking at the bracket used for the single-point bars, the webbing removal on the M3 ring is keyed to align with the position of the raised part of the bracket. I suppose you could use the strut tower brace rings interchangeably, but only if you were to grind off the single-point bracket.

[mkeiser]

Originally Posted by Gray_Panther

Filled it up last night with BJ's 93 octane gas. It's not a DI engine, so I didn't think it would cause an issue.

TPMS sensors I believe died on me because the tires have not gone down in air pressure. I am looking into solutions to use NCSExpert to code it out.

There are posts out there on how to disable TPMS via NCSExpert. Removing $2VB from vehicle order.

You can also enable FTM, which uses wheel speed sensors to trigger tire pressure light. I forget what exactly you do for that one but it does work! Makes it easy to switch between summer and winter wheels.

It's been a while since I've done this all so verify my info for yourself

[mkeiser]

Originally Posted by K9Leader

Yep, I've used those kits (Meguiar's and Cera Kote) on this and many other cars. They do work wonders and they did improve them on the 128i significantly; but, not enough. I've lived with them for almost two years and it was time. I'll use the protectant on the new ones to help keep them clear and, if/when the time comes, I'll restore them.

Here's what I ended up doing for my hazy eyes

https://www.1addicts.com/forums/show...7#post29166667

[1and1]

Yeah, headlights are one of those things that are like tossing good $$ after bad....

I've polished, or polished and covered, or polished and treated, sooo many over the years, and they've all ended up needing to be done again. Maybe as fast as 8 months, some lasting almost two years.

When it was time for the second round on my 1's headlights I finally hit on what i think has been the best method, and now years later the still look great

https://www.1addicts.com/forums/show...ostcount=14371


.

[K9Leader]

Little Red got its new eyes yesterday. Just went with halogen replacements - not interested in the expense and complexity of a Xenon conversion. But the front end looks so much better with crystal clear lenses instead of the worn and tired old ones (Yes, I did polish/restore them and they were usable but no amount of polishing will reverse 12 years and 145K miles). Took a quick test drive last night and it is an improvement but I will need to see about adjustments tonight.

[1and1]

Looking good!

It's really pretty amazing isn't it???!?
New set of headlights can make a ride look like it just rolled out of the showroom!

I happened by my local BMW dealer a few days after installing mine, and had two different employees ask if I was interested in selling... (not to the dealer, but to them privately!)

[Fishee]

Genuine E82 sun shade!

[Gray_Panther]

Originally Posted by guero128i

does anyone know if e87 headlights can fit into a e82 just wondering

Yes they can, exactly the same!

Originally Posted by Fishee

Genuine E82 sun shade!

Nice! Where did you score that?!

[Gray_Panther]

Originally Posted by mkeiser

There are posts out there on how to disable TPMS via NCSExpert. Removing $2VB from vehicle order.

You can also enable FTM, which uses wheel speed sensors to trigger tire pressure light. I forget what exactly you do for that one but it does work! Makes it easy to switch between summer and winter wheels.

It's been a while since I've done this all so verify my info for yourself

I definitely need to spend a little time looking into it. I have the gear, I just need to learn the exact process because I am scared of messing up the car's electronics!

[Fishee]

Originally Posted by Gray_Panther

Nice! Where did you score that?!

FCP... but, it looks like they just ordered it from a local dealer?!?