Euro front turn lenses on US, will they fit?

**wogden700** · 07-01-2020, 09:53 AM

My 85 us model has the "elephant ears" parking light turn signal lenses. one of them is cracked and letting moisture in, so will need to be replaced. While im there and buying one of them I am thinking of changing to the lower profile Euro lenses. My question is will the Euro lens fit on the US bulb housing? I know the housings are different with the US one having an extra 4w side marked bulb, but the gaskets seem to be the same part number which makes me wonder about compatability.
Has anyone done this? Can I just change the lens, or do I need to change out the whole unit?

Thanks!

**635sharknose** · 07-01-2020, 10:00 AM

It will not fit, you need to exchange the brackets too.
I did it on my 1987 US model too.

**wogden700** · 07-01-2020, 10:14 AM

Thanks! That's over $200/side for all new. Maybe I'll reconsider.

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**635sharknose** · 07-01-2020, 10:35 AM

I found them used for 50 euros

**DesktopDave** · 07-01-2020, 10:35 AM

No, the euro front turn signal lens definitely won't fit on the US front turn signal housing. The US turn signal inner housing has a large protrusion to mount the 4w side marker bulb.

I always thought the complete Euro signal unit would fit our North American cars, at least for the E28 chassis cars built after 9/82, but now I'm not sure about that. I'll go dig up some spares if you have to be 100% sure. The bumpers definitely won't fit without body modifications & brackets, that's for sure.

Not to sound pedantic, but the US cars are actually "NA" market cars in BMW speak; we're all in the North American market. Canadians have gotten some tasty special BMWs, but they're usually stuck with the same ugly & dubious modifications that US DOT requires.

**carsnplanes** · 07-01-2020, 10:45 AM

Originally Posted by wogden700

Thanks! That's over $200/side for all new. Maybe I'll reconsider.

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Check the lenses for the 88-89 cars. They are a lower profile than 87 and earlier but not as flat as Euro where the fixtures need changing. I believe they will fit on the original early fixtures.

**Bert Poliakoff** · 07-01-2020, 12:00 PM

Originally Posted by carsnplanes

Check the lenses for the 88-89 cars. They are a lower profile than 87 and earlier but not as flat as Euro where the fixtures need changing. I believe they will fit on the original early fixtures.

++1 But the euros will fit if you grind down the protrusion. It has been done many times. But as Jody has said, the very late turn signal lenses look very close to the euros and will fit without modification

**wogden700** · 07-02-2020, 06:38 PM

Thanks for all the replies! I may try the euros and grind the divider down.

Ps I just found a good thread about it on Bigcoupe.

http://bigcoupe.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=4217

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**wogden700** · 08-05-2020, 12:17 PM

After reading through the thread on BC I went ahead with the project. I was able to order the euro lenses on ebay. They're not cheap, came from Latvia and took a month to arrive.
The DOT reflector inside is removable with three screws. The inside of the housing is black, but clearly has the moldings to be a reflector, so I painted it silver.
Pulling back the dust cover on the wiring makes it easy to snip off and terminate the leads to the 4W bulb.
This leaves 3 screw holes that held the DOT reflector that would let water in thru the back, so I filled those with high temp silicone.
Everything came out pretty good.
With some careful dremel work it would be possible to save the mount for the 4W bulb ( See the BC thread), and I considered that, but after test fitting without I just dont see the point of it.

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