I would do some research in the lighting section. I THINK there was some site that had custom made aftermarket headlight lenses for facelift coupes. If there are none then you will not be able to replace the lenses. Every E46 models except facelift coupes have headlight lenses that pop out via 6-7 tabs.

 

It's sedan ,I've replaced them before ,

I'm really tempted here ,219 sold ,good reviews

Headlight Headlamp Lense Clear Lens Cover Fit For 02-05 BMW E46 3-Series 4 Door | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Headlight Headlamp Lense Clear Lens Cover Fit For 02-05 BMW E46 3-Series 4 Door at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

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It's sedan ,I've replaced them before ,

I'm really tempted here ,219 sold ,good reviews

Headlight Headlamp Lense Clear Lens Cover Fit For 02-05 BMW E46 3-Series 4 Door | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Headlight Headlamp Lense Clear Lens Cover Fit For 02-05 BMW E46 3-Series 4 Door at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

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Haha sorry man, been up since 130 and the coffee wore off. I think the last last set of lenses I bought for my E46 before I sold it were cheap ones. They were good. You can get the OEM ones and a rock can destroy it the next day. Not worth to put in so much money for such an old car (don't get offended @dmax

 

@wasp9166 Let us know how they fit on the car.

I pop in here and there. Bali is on top of it and I honestly don't have too much time. I now live in southern NJ and drive to NYC and back 4x a week. 180 miles a day. When I'm not working I'm taking care of the 18 month old. A lot has changed amigo. How have you been?

 

Ok man ,hoping to get bisability for my back and retire

I'll miss nyc and I won't

4 hours a day on train is brutal

 

you guys make me love my hour and a half driving a BMW on completely varied roads...

t

 

well if you had Khoalty China made lenses before I’m guessing these eBay’s ones prob close to the same.
some will do the DIY and polish them out and clear them. some will buy new OE. some will buy China replicas. the first two will get you correct fit and UV protection. the China made copies can have fitment issues that allow moisture in the lens and quickly discolor.

 

I found these on Amazon and they worked out great... they are also for the 2004

https://amzn.to/3LlrwUM

 

whether you buy overpriced OEM or cheap aftermarket, do not touch the inside of the lens. inspect when you open the box, and if you see fingerprints return them. and no you can't just wipe or wash it clean again. only ever clean the outside of the lens.

 

which “lens” of the headlamp are you referring to?

 

the polycarbonate one with the clips. outermost lens.

 

why can’t one wipe it clean with a lint free/oil less fine cloth?

 

I've been running a set of cheap Amazon lenses for a few years, now. I did use new, OE gaskets when I installed them. They're starting to haze a tiny bit, now. For the $$, though, I'd buy them again. Sorry, I don't remember exactly which ones I have.

 

Well,fitment is OK, but a little sketchy

Prob wouldn't get these again, how was the fit on the Amazon posted?

 

sorry that happened to you. modern headlamps are a nightmare to maintain. but yeah, don't touch any internals if you can avoid it. the coating on the inside of the lens is especially fragile. if you notice, when they package, the peel away protection film is only on the outside of lens. because the adhesive on the film would leave a residue and indentations in the coating.

 

the headlight lens restoration kits always come with a buffing pad, but only buff or sand - after trying cleaning the oxidation chemically. i've prolonged replacing the lenses a few years with those kits. never used the buffing pads. the inside of the lens oxidizes and hazes too though, only slower because airtight seal.

factory OEM lens will develop micro cracks in the body of the lens. i'd think aftermarket ones have same issue. microcracks are invisible unless the headlights are on. if microcracks are your issue, don't bother with restoration kits. there is no fix. i have them on my lenses, and just live with it.

 

if referring to me the lenses are pretty good and seal very tightly. I just like very new looking aesthetics on my cars and don’t mind a little work(or diy) in upkeep to make new looking/performing. i don’t mind a little tinkering to fix but also understand it often pays off at times to just replace with new OE.

 

I totally agree. before / after 18 years of use.

Here's from where I bought them, apparently seller still has some units:
BMW E46 323Ci 325Ci 330Ci M3 Pair LH+RH Headlight Lens For Xenon Lights Genuine | eBay

 

My Amazon lenses also fit well enough. Not as well as the original lenses, but they put pressure on the seal, snap in place, and have been sealed for a few years, now. Exterior appearance you wouldn't really know.

 

fit doesn't need to be perfect, as long as it isn't so small it displaces the gasket, or so big the gasket doesn't contact in places. i need to replace the black tabbed piece on the outer edge. mine are brittle and crumbling. haven't replaced yet for fear of breaking other parts in process.