I heart Lake County Bavarian! LCB FTMFW!

[Gumbi4u]

Well folks its that time again where I give you the low down on some stuff I bought and my experiences with said stuff.

This time the supplier was our Very own Lake County Bavarian (LCB) or better known as e39dream!

The product? Aluminum headlight adjusters.

The quality is penominal. Honestly I wasn't expecting such WIN and superb product but I was shocked to see the carnage as I opened the packaging. The aluminum adjusters are top notch. In my travels while looking for these on the net, I did find some metal adjusters or bronze (could not tell) and it was just a metal ball welded to a chunk of steel. Thats what I was expecting to see. But instead I saw quality. A unified piece of beauty. I even ran it over with my truck to see if the quality played the part. Thus now I have a flat tire and LCB will be getting a bill for that shortly.


I have to say for the price, these are a steal. I practically ran mark over with his own car and grabbed these out of his pocket. Then came home and made this thread.

All jokes aside, Im stoked. I havent put these in yet but will tackle the job soon. ANNNNNNNNNND to make life easier, Good ol Mark decided to include a video with the package.

YES its Mark showing us dumb folk how to install these. The video is long. I have only watched 2 mins and 23 seconds of it and I had to come and drop this thread in the section.

So far the video is great. I notice two beverages in the video. Dr pepper being one of them and the other being some sort of "secret drink' which I'm assuming is some sort of alcoholic beverage. Also in the video is a set of xenon headlamps so the video will definitely help the majority of people buying this product.

On a side note, I noticed mark took some lessons from Max headroom in making videos. You will know what im talking about when you watch the vid. Also it seems mark took several refills of the "secret drink" when making the video. Equally effective but it seems to have slowed down the video. I guess its a good thing for people that are not technically inclined. I suggest you get a media player that lets you rewind. I just rewind to hear the Max Headroom parts.

I would post pics, but I will let mark do that. Im sure they are floating around here somewhere.

The wait was worth it. You can wait and have a top notch part or whine and complain and get something sub par. Want sub par? There is always ebay and some "other" vendors you can get stuff from.

Hope LCB comes through with all their projects. The way things are, its hard to keep abreast of the issues at hand with money ,customer service and timely shipping.

If there is one thing I want to say that you guys should really listen to is that this is by far the best product I have ordered from any vendor to date, that I have no gripes or complaints about. I know its just some adjusters but trust me. Its goes a long way. I have ordered lighting, bumpers, and other stuff recently and nothing comes close to "AS DESCRIBED" or better.

That is all.........

[bimmerfiver]

Cool. I believe my adjusters are dead, sitting there, doing nothing. I will wait for Gumbi to master the Force of headlight adjusting and will order from Mark FTW.

I try to let Gumbi master things, so he can do them to my car!!! :buttrock

[Gumbi4u]

Cool. I believe my adjusters are dead, sitting there, doing nothing. I will wait for Gumbi to master the Force of headlight adjusting and will order from Mark FTW.

I try to let Gumbi master things, so he can do them to my car!!! :buttrock

Sounds like a plan. Actually we should have an INDOOR meet so we can knock these out together and perhaps teach the gang to do these as well. Seems like a fun project. Then we can critic Mark's video together lol! MAX HEADROOM FTW!!

[bimmerfiver]

Sounds like a plan. Actually we should have an INDOOR meet so we can knock these out together and perhaps teach the gang to do these as well. Seems like a fun project. Then we can critic Mark's video together lol! MAX HEADROOM FTW!!

Gopher2K is coming over Saturday, I'm doing his Powerflex bushings ftw.

Dude, please schedule an 'Indoor Gumbi Meet' where we serve hot tea (I have a tea pot made in India, no joke) and you do DIY fyi's FTW. Mark's headlight adjusters are famous and lots of people need them.

Aside: I've always felt there was a role for Dan in the Miami Vice movie. Daniel-san, he could've been a wrench, had a killer shop in Miami where Crockett and Tubbs pull the Ferrari in for a monthly tune up (or he heads down to the dock to tune the cigarette) while he was also the Azn pimp at the local clubs who knew the Azn druglords/underground. I've watched Dan work the local Dunkin Donuts in Fort Lee, I've seen it with my own eyes, he should've been in Vice.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7No1yBTTRzo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CmujbXDNT-8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bZV-pGFpAts

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lZA1syv5h5M&feature=related

[Gumbi4u]

Gopher2K is coming over Saturday, I'm doing his Powerflex bushings ftw.

Dude, please schedule an 'Indoor Gumbi Meet' where we serve hot tea (I have a tea pot made in India, no joke) and you do DIY fyi's FTW. Mark's headlight adjusters are famous and lots of people need them.

Aside: I've always felt there was a role for Dan in the Miami Vice movie. Daniel-san, he could've been a wrench, had a killer shop in Miami where Crockett and Tubbs pull the Ferrari in for a monthly tune up, while he was also the Azn pimp at the local clubs who knew the Azn druglords/underground. I've watched Dan work the local Dunkin Donuts in Fort Lee, I've seen it with my own eyes, he should've been in Vice.

(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CmujbXDNT-8)

Lets do a meet early in DEC after gobble day. We need an oven so we must do it somewhere.....most likely Dans house. He has intricate fingers so we can put them to use. My chunky hands are bound to snap something in half.

[quacktoduck]

ive had these for a year now... theyre great and now my headlights actually adjust hope you can actually get off your headlight covers.. some people have had issues...

[DaJackel]

Mark is great! He was kind enough to do mine for me :love

[Gumbi4u]

ive had these for a year now... theyre great and now my headlights actually adjust hope you can actually get off your headlight covers.. some people have had issues...

Yeah but I have a secret weapon. i just hope it doesnt dissolve the light itself.

[quacktoduck]

Yeah but I have a secret weapon. i just hope it doesnt dissolve the light itself.
dude your skeet??? haha gross that dissolves all kinds of stuff... women animals babies.. hahaha

[racerx0911]

mark know whats up... he's an amazing guy!

[FP5241]

I too have just purchased adjusters from LCB.. and they look like they will survive a nuclear blast!!!!

:redspot

[Bonswa]

I just missed the last batch of adjusters. I spoke to mark last week and he said he needed to get a few more guys to order. i've heard about the quality from a ton of members, and told him i would rather wait for his than pick up the plastic ones again. if i'm gonna tear my headlights apart, i want to do it once and do it right.

that being said....... does this mean we'll have more guys ordering so i can get mine?

[helvetica]

i cant wait to get mine. its been shipped but being in Jakarta Indonesia, im sure it will take longer to get mine. I know its been hard getting these in, but glad you finally came through with it. I know i stayed patience and wait for it.

[Jason5driver]

I just missed the last batch of adjusters. I spoke to mark last week and he said he needed to get a few more guys to order. i've heard about the quality from a ton of members, and told him i would rather wait for his than pick up the plastic ones again. if i'm gonna tear my headlights apart, i want to do it once and do it right.

that being said....... does this mean we'll have more guys ordering so i can get mine?

Count me in.
I have been meaning to get some, but still have a hard time designating $100+ on these things.
Maybe I am stingy...
LOL!

[weasel like]

Any pics of these vs. the stockers? I'm interested in how they function, if any different.

[Bonswa]

just picture the stockers in aluminum. no difference in function, but it will be the last time you replace them.

[quacktoduck]

nu functionality loss but performance gain by not having to open them up and the adjusters breaking...

[Gumbi4u]

nu functionality loss but performance gain by not having to open them up and the adjusters breaking...

Agreed. These things will outlast the car.

[razahyde]

cool

[e39dream]

The deal on them is as such. A while back I had struck a deal with a US based maker who could make the parts, albeit not quite as polished and pretty as what I have delivered the majority of you. Had I been able to get the volume I need from them I could bring the price down, and make more for myself per sale. I like that part.

The problem is that to make these in the USA you have to pay a man a Union wage or close to it- it's a cnc or very skilled machinist's job. No substitute. Then they work at their own slow pace and charge you by the hour, all the while we are waiting on parts.

So to deliver the parts as smoothly as possible and retain a consistent quality I have been buying them overseas again. Not much money in it that way for me, but I dont have to beg for the parts or concern myself with any quality issues.

The max headroom how to video was shot with a cheap digi camera and then a friend did some jazz to it so it would use divx codec. Somewhere in the matrix I picked up some HellaHella headlight action. :)

Everyone can play it, although some may have to download and install divx. Haven't heard much feedback on the video, so I am assuming everyone is able to watch it, or is too manly to watch it.

My goal is to get you THE BEST price on THE BEST stuff there is on the planet. That's hard to do when everyone is on a different budget, and everyone expecting differrent level of quality. I hate junk, I despise it and I will not deal with it. I only want to offer products that I know you will not want to return, sell to the next sucker, etc.

In today's world you get what you pay for. Sometimes when you pay for something you get a big kick in the nuts. It's happened to us on a big scale and a small one.

I know that some of the e39 crew are unhappy with me, I still need to get a lot of you refunded for the botched eyelid ordeal. I owe Jo a good chunk of change, and I have not forgotten anyone. I am getting that squared up as quickly as I can, and I am ashamed of this happening. I don't want to talk about who is at fault or what the deal was is or will be. I just want to get everyone their cash back and put it behind us. Many of you have wrote in saying forget the money, or pay it back whenever, etc. I truly appreciate you guys extending the offer to me but everyone who has paid in on that deal will be fully compensated, and eventually everyone who recieved the product will be contacted and offered a chance to return them since about half of those guys were not happy with the parts. I just have to focus on the guys who need to be refunded due to no parts being delivered.

I'm not just sitting online all day hoping to make a few dollars for the week, I am working construction clean up by day and busting my ass to earn the cash to pay you guys back. I've got another gig running a snow plow truck by night. The more it snows, the more I can make. We have just now been getting snow that sticks so soon I will have my cash straight. I <3 snow. U <3 snow. We love snow.

Nothing comes easy at LCB. There is blood. There has been sweat. There have and will be tears as things fall into place.

For every negative thing that has happened to LCB, there has been a silver lining. A lot of opportunity has presented itself to me lately in my quest to improve the company. Resources are becoming available. Unburned bridges are still crossable.

[razahyde]

nice speech president obama

[Mr Hyde]

Good luck with the install man.

Just a heads up though; I have no idea how true it is, but I remember reading on the M5 board that in 2003, BMW started using a different adhesive on the headlights making them harder to open. Hopefully its not a problem, but let us know how the install goes.

[PJB]

Just a heads up though; I have no idea how true it is, but I remember reading on the M5 board that in 2003, BMW started using a different adhesive on the headlights making them harder to open. Hopefully its not a problem, but let us know how the install goes.

As evidenced by me and a few other members, this is true. The headlights can still be baked and also opened with a heat gun, but a lot more elbow grease will be needed. It's like having a gasoline lawn mower vs. a manual old-school lawn mower: they both get the grass cut, one just involves a lot more sweat.

And Mark's store FTW!

[Bonswa]

e39dream. Even though my brand new 55w 6000k bulbs look like they're sleeping, i'm holding out on the repair until you get them in. Definately put out a thread in EXTRA CAPS, when you get the next batch in.

Screw it, i'm gonna jump the gun.

1) Bonswa
2)
3)
1,000,000)

[e39dream]

If you notice I never go out of my way to say these are in stock, this is because usually by the time I get them in I have 1-2 sets that have not pre-sold. The best way to lock in a low price on these is to advance order.

[jnyost]

nice speech president obama

Don't insult him! Oh, did I say that out loud?

Mark is the man. Everyone with newer headlights need these now! Step up and give Mark your order.

[FP5241]

Any pics of these vs. the stockers? I'm interested in how they function, if any different.


Sure, allow me....

http://img210.imageshack.us/img210/6460/10063041746385zq6.jpg


Yea, thats right, thats the only piece of the stock adjusters I can get out of my lights..... :shifty

[Gumbi4u]

Sure, allow me....

http://img210.imageshack.us/img210/6460/10063041746385zq6.jpg


Yea, thats right, thats the only piece of the stock adjusters I can get out of my lights..... :shifty

Looks like a busted tooth!

[FP5241]

Looks like a busted tooth!

Busted teeth are worth something.... :shifty

[Bonswa]

i've never seen the actual photos. those things are incredible. i see what you mean when you say the craftsmanship is hard to find.

Mark,

What's the price to preorder? $125 ?
What's the e-mail for paypal again?
and i know its a ballpark figure, but how about a time estimate?

[e39dream]

Thanks for the pic Fab- I forgot to post a shot. Are you having troubles opening your lights? You watched the movie right?

125.00 shipped with the how-to video
lakecountybavarian@yahoo.com = paypal address
shooting for early-mid December delivery times, hoping to get them in sooner.

These products are expensive even in bulk and take some time to produce, which is why I don't have 600 of them waiting for you guys. If we were talking stamped plastic parts I would have them all day and night. There is literally nothing offered for the e39 that is produced in this manner. These are made to spec, custom CNC machined solutions to a problem that previously had no solution other than opening your wallet for new headlights.

You can pay 125.00 and fix your lights to better than new with parts that speak for themselves.

You can pay 700-1200 dollars for new hellas depending on which type you get, then when the adjusters in those break you can come see me. :)

or, you can go aftermarket and hope for the best. What no one ever talks about is that the Depo lights have adjusters too. And guess what they are made out of? Plastic, with indentations every couple MM to ensure they break at some point and you are in the dark again.

[JDMB20TDA]

go LCB!

[Gumbi4u]

Mark, is your cat in the video in the corner? I noticed him sitting there through the whole process. Now thats an "involved" kitty. Adorable indeed! I name him, BavKitty!

[jnyost]

ooh ooh, Can I sell someone some $700 lights? :)

The fact that these are only $125 surprises me. Anyone who knows CNC recognizes that it takes a lot of work to make these little buggars...

[FP5241]

ooh ooh, Can I sell someone some $700 lights? :)

The fact that these are only $125 surprises me. Anyone who knows CNC recognizes that it takes a lot of work to make these little buggars...


You can sell me some 350.00 Tail lights.. :) :(


No Mark, I havent had a chance yet.. It's been a crazy 3 days... :(

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1123773


But I did tell my brother to bring his laptop over tomorrow.. :)

[jnyost]

You can sell me some 350.00 Tail lights.. :) :(


No Mark, I havent had a chance yet.. It's been a crazy 3 days... :(

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1123773


But I did tell my brother to bring his laptop over tomorrow.. :)

I'm trying. I've established a contact but doesn't look like I'll be much better than the eBay price.

[bimmerfiver]

Mark, is your cat in the video in the corner? I noticed him sitting there through the whole process. Now thats an "involved" kitty. Adorable indeed! I name him, BavKitty!

I want an LCB Kitten. Meow they are hot! That's what I'm talking about. LCB kittens for Christmas. Adjusters and kittens to all and to all a good night!!! LCB!!!

[Lightford]

Maybe I'm overlooking the obvious but is it $125 for adjusters to fix both headlights or is it $125 per headlight?

[Bonswa]

Maybe I'm overlooking the obvious but is it $125 for adjusters to fix both headlights or is it $125 per headlight?

Both headlights and.... get this.... DVD DIY Instructions. heard theres some Kitten porn on there or somethin too.

[e39dream]

lol- yeah that is my cat. He is my shadow.

[tinius]

Is the video available online? I'd like to see how hard/easy it might be to fix mine.

Thanks,
-stephen
99 528iT Individual Mojavebraun
Washington DC

[btmlinedan]

mark-
do you have to bake the oven to pull the apart the headlights, or is it all snaps / clips? Thanks homie--

[Bonswa]

Is the video available online? I'd like to see how hard/easy it might be to fix mine.

Thanks,
-stephen
99 528iT Individual Mojavebraun
Washington DC

I dont think so. Guys like Mark and Raz have taken their headlights apart many times and say that it's not hard at all. Raz mentioned to me before that they have two different types of epoxies. one's hard, one stays soft. They even know the exact temperature and time to set the oven.


mark-
do you have to bake the oven to pull the apart the headlights, or is it all snaps / clips? Thanks homie--

Yep. bake to soften the epoxy, then pull apart.

[jnyost]

IIRC The older ones come right apart. Only the newer ones need baked.

[jamesdc4]

Is the video available online? I'd like to see how hard/easy it might be to fix mine.

Thanks,
-stephen
99 528iT Individual Mojavebraun
Washington DC


I dont think so. Guys like Mark and Raz have taken their headlights apart many times and say that it's not hard at all. Raz mentioned to me before that they have two different types of epoxies. one's hard, one stays soft. They even know the exact temperature and time to set the oven.



Yep. bake to soften the epoxy, then pull apart.
Here's the DIY for baking the lights.
Headlight Adjusters Replacement (2001-2003) (http://www.odometergears.com/subpages/E39_Headlight_FAQ.pdf)

[Bonswa]

IIRC The older ones come right apart. Only the newer ones need baked.

Pre-01's should pop right off. Mark's adjusters are only for 01-03's and should be glued.


Here's the DIY for baking the lights.
Headlight Adjusters Replacement (2001-2003) (http://www.odometergears.com/subpages/E39_Headlight_FAQ.pdf)

5 minutes at 200 degrees. you can throw some pizza rolls in next to the headlight while you wait... Great PDF. I hear the video that comes with Mark's adjusters is even better.

Hey mark! what's the possibility of getting a set? how many guys do we need before making an order?

[m5hoot]

Friends helping friends. Very cool and I'm sure Mark appreciates the high praise from someone who has seen many fixes and only endorses those that warrant this kind of praise.