[thefys]

[SCROLL BELOW FOR FIX]

I have a 2013 F25 2.8i X3 with passenger-side broken headlight clips. This is a drag as BMW apparently does not make replacement clips for these models.

[They do make them but only for POST-April 2014 X25s, but not mine (Jan 2013)]

As far as I can tell these lights are Bi-xenon headlight, and the right one is part no 63117276996 item according to Park Shore BMW.

It seems like there are 3 variants of this headlight according to REAL OEM
http://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/show...diagId=63_1257

1) Can anyone tell of these are Bi-Xenons or AHL-Xenons from the images below?

2) has anyone fabricated a part or found some solution that involves JB Weld etc to repair the broken clips?

1000 thanks !

Red arrows indicating both broken clips on passenger-side light





some labels on the driver's side headlight for info:

[nyalpine90]

you have 2 options.
1) remove the headlight, repair it with poxy. plenty of youtube videos DIY
2) purchase new headlight assembly without bulbs/modules on ebay (cheaper).
make sure the tabs are intact. you can transfer over the bulbs and modules.

[thefys]

Originally Posted by nyalpine90

you have 2 options.
1) remove the headlight, repair it with poxy. plenty of youtube videos DIY
2) purchase new headlight assembly without bulbs/modules on ebay (cheaper).
make sure the tabs are intact. you can transfer over the bulbs and modules.

Thank you.

on solution #2- replacement light ebay
Q: Do you know if it's possible to switch out the lens of a light, using the tried and true bake-N-melt method?

Thanks again

[thefys]

REPAIR BOTH CLIPS METHOD - With photos

The clip near the center of the vehicle (CLIP 1) was broken at the base in two spots. It was glued with several consecutive thin coats of epoxy to build up strength.
The epoxy of choice was Fast-Cure Sika AnchorFix + Static Mixer Home Depot $20
After the epoxy cured I did NOT crank down the screw clip, just a gentle snug.

The clip closest to the turn signal (CLIP 2) was fabricated out of a Door threshold at Hope depot $20

I ended up fabricating CLIP 2 three times until I got it right. I used a jigsaw with a NEW metal blade, a few C clamps to hold it in place, goggles, gloves, metal files and a lot of caution.

See photos for details.

[nyalpine90]

Originally Posted by thefys

Thank you.

on solution #2- replacement light ebay
Q: Do you know if it's possible to switch out the lens of a light, using the tried and true bake-N-melt method?

Thanks again

No these headlights are sealed and very complicated to seal again and risk of having condensation.
Its a lot easier to buy headlight assembly

[thefys]

Originally Posted by nyalpine90

No these headlights are sealed and very complicated to seal again and risk of having condensation.
Its a lot easier to buy headlight assembly

I guess I'm about to find out then cause I just bought a set with cracked/disstressed lenses !

[________]

Originally Posted by thefys

I guess I'm about to find out then cause I just bought a set with cracked/disstressed lenses !

Good luck and keep us posted!

[Merlin82]

Originally Posted by thefys

I guess I'm about to find out then cause I just bought a set with cracked/disstressed lenses !

Also curious how this goes. I think partly because a little voice inside me wants to know if it would be possible to retrofit something and make the lenses on the inside actually do something other than just give the look of 4 headlights.

[Dima1978]

Originally Posted by thefys

I guess I'm about to find out then cause I just bought a set with cracked/disstressed lenses !

Let us know. im curious whether BMW used urethane or butyl on these lights

[thefys]

So the distressed lights showed up, but because I fixed the mounting brackets with concrete epoxy, I decided I didn't want to drop my bumper to replace anything. The short answer, unless my light breaks again. I likely won't be taking it apart to find out.

[thefys]

The mounting brackets worked. Update Dec 2022.
I did not use the replacement headlight from.ebay with a cracked lens.