How Hard Is It To Open A Regular E36 Headlight?

[E36M34life]

I've done it before alot on my Hondas, it involved baking them and such.

So, has anyone done it on an E36 headlight? How hard was it and what steps did you take it?

Thank you!

[sbblowz]

my depos are pretty simple to pull apart. its held together by 2 side clips on each side. anyways if the stock is the same. just use screw driver around all the edges to get it a bit loose and than pop the clips and pull apart.

[BayAreaE36]

it's a pain in the ass to get them apart!
Remove the clips, and take a razor and go around the hold headlight to cut through the glue that is around the assembly

[E36M34life]

it's a pain in the ass to get them apart!
Remove the clips, and take a razor and go around the hold headlight to cut through the glue that is around the assembly

What about glueing them back together? Should I just silicone or something? Also, I only saw one clip, were there anymore?

Oh, and once again, im talking about regular OEM E36 headlights here, they are wayyyy different then depos or zkw's.

[e36cruiser]

I am also interested in this thread, I use to have a benz 190e and I had to put them in the oven to break them apart... silicone is what I used to put them back together, its strong, prevents leaks and can be cut off like the factory seal.

[giterdone]

is it the oem or the zkw (or any glass ones) that you stick in the oven?

I'm guessing hte glass ones, but I can't remember. One of htem you put in the oven to melt the glue.

[E36M34life]

No, the ZKW's and Depos do not need to be baked to take apart, they are super easy to take apart, and I mean EASY. I wish I could say the same for the stock E36 headlights, I ahve a feeling I am going to have a heel of a time tomorrow taking those bad biys apart.

[Drexial]

Ive seen the same thing for a lot of headlights. headlights with plastic lenses are generally glued together and do need to be baked apart.

Judging by the confusion it doesn't seem it happens in the BMW world often. I feel they usually just replace them with some version of the projectors.

May I ask why you are looking to take them apart?

[sbblowz]

prolly for angel eyes

[E36M34life]

Ive seen the same thing for a lot of headlights. headlights with plastic lenses are generally glued together and do need to be baked apart.

Judging by the confusion it doesn't seem it happens in the BMW world often. I feel they usually just replace them with some version of the projectors.

May I ask why you are looking to take them apart?

Yeah, I agree, usually people just buy the euro ellipsoid headlights, and thats exactly what I will be doing in a few months in fact. But right now, I would like to test my "ideas" on the free stock headlights. That idea being to paint the high beam yellow, and my fog lights yellow. I have a white E36 and its quite modified, so I think I will pull of this look very easily, and it should look very good.


Im no noob by any means, I know what it takes to do things like this. Ive done it on my other cars before, and it wasn't easy I gotta say.

I was just hoping someone had some E36 specific tips or suggestions when doing it.

[Balthazarr]

A dremel with a thin cutting blade would be quick, but you would lose the material
equivalent to the width of the blade.
If that doesn't bother you, then try it.

[E36M34life]

A dremel with a thin cutting blade would be quick, but you would lose the material
equivalent to the width of the blade.
If that doesn't bother you, then try it.

You know, honestly thats not a bad idea at all, infact its a great idea. But, I dont like to test new ideas or concepts on things I only have 1 of, AKA the headlights, if I had an extra set, I would of been on top of that like flies on poop. :)

[RRSperry]

New ones are only about $80 each from the dealer. Or I'm sure that someone has a set of the boat anchors they would love to get rid of...

[E36M34life]

New ones are only about $80 each from the dealer. Or I'm sure that someone has a set of the boat anchors they would love to get rid of...

LOL "only", for that price I can get some depos and that would ruin the whole point here, lol, "only". Im sure I could find some cheap used ones though.

[Balthazarr]

You know, honestly thats not a bad idea at all, infact its a great idea. But, I dont like to test new ideas or concepts on things I only have 1 of, AKA the headlights, if I had an extra set, I would of been on top of that like flies on poop. :)

Go to a junk yard and find one to test it on.
Doesn't have to be a bimmer light. Just one that is sealed.

[giterdone]

the FS section always has stock headlights for sale.