Weak headlights on BMW 520D 21 January at 3:26PM in Motoring 9 replies 285 views

[Deleted User]

My wife drives a banger because if I get her anything decent she's always scraping it on gateposts and in car parks.

It's a 2007 BMW 520D with 300,000 miles on the clock.

It suits her perfectly as it's still going strong, is comfortable and she can scratch away at it to her heart's content.

However one problem of such an old car is the headlights are very weak. The actual glass is frosted from age and the bulbs emit quite a weak beam.

I know it's possible to get headlight restoration kits but I don't really have the patience for that.

two options - is it worth picking up whole replacement units from a scrapyard or can you simply buy much more powerful halogen or LED bulbs to replace the originals ?

Thanks for any help in advance.

Nobbie1967

What about paying a local valeter to do the headlight restoration? I’m assuming plastic lens? Should take very little time with a power sander and polisher. Doesn’t even need a special kit, just 1500/3000 grit wet and dry, some finishing compound and some trim restorer with a UV block to stop them deteriorating too fast after it’s done. Probably cheaper and less hassle than replacing with used.

You can also get better bulbs such as Osram Nightbreaker which avoids the complications of LEDs etc. just going through the same issue with my 24 year old Boxster. Currently like being illuminated by two candles.

fatbelly

I've used nightbreakers in the past and they are definitely an improvement on standard bulbs. You do get a shorter life so it may depend on how easy they are to change.

If you want a compromise I'd suggest the ultralife version

diystarter7

Deleted_User said:

My wife drives a banger because if I get her anything decent she's always scraping it on gateposts and in car parks.

It's a 2007 BMW 520D with 300,000 miles on the clock.

It suits her perfectly as it's still going strong, is comfortable and she can scratch away at it to her heart's content.

However one problem of such an old car is the headlights are very weak. The actual glass is frosted from age and the bulbs emit quite a weak beam.

I know it's possible to get headlight restoration kits but I don't really have the patience for that.

two options - is it worth picking up whole replacement units from a scrapyard or can you simply buy much more powerful halogen or LED bulbs to replace the originals ?

Thanks for any help in advance.

Look up auto express bulb reviews

Serious question, if as you say she is doing that to your gates and in the carpark, the insurance for claims by others must be high. Why not get her a smaller car that she can manage to get into carparks, drive wihtout accidents and at the same time thse smaller, newer cars will be much easier to drive, cheaper to run and most likely have better lights?

Thanks

TadleyBaggie

Can't help with the headlight issue, but could you let me know which car parks your wife uses....so I can avoid them.

diystarter7

TadleyBaggie said:

Can't help with the headlight issue, but could you let me know which car parks your wife uses....so I can avoid them.

LOL, lol. lol

motorguy

You'd likely spend longer sourcing, going getting and fitting second hand headlights as would restore your own to their former glory

I did the four of these in less than an hour.  Pic after the first one was done.

Then its likely just a set of upgrade bulbs it needs.

Ectophile

Given the choice of

• Polish the headlamps with a polishing kit, or
  
• Buy a complete set of headlamps from a breakers yard and then fit them

I have no idea why you would choose the latter.  It will cost more.  Replacing the headlamps is will involve dismantling half the car.  And given that the replacement lamps are likely to be a similar age to the ones you are taking off, they will then need a good polish.

I don't see how fitting brighter lamps to a cloudy headlamp is a particularly good idea either.  It will be a bit brighter, but the light will still be going in all directions, rather than down on the road where it's meant to be.

Grey_Critic

You can polish them with Brasso - it does word. Used to use it in the old days to restore car paint as well.

fred990

Rubbing compound (for paint), £3 amazon, damp towel/sponge, small circular polishing, job done in minutes.