Headlight inner lens
 

Is this part still available (see photo)?

The part number (for this side) is 1 305 621 780, but I need a pair.

I’m using this old one to practise with a lens cleaning kit, but not having much luck, so I thought I’d get new ones if they’re available.

I don't think these have ever been available as a separate part - certainly weren't when I refurbished my headlights. You can buy the outer lens glass though (or at least you could!)

I recall attempting to clean mine and the 'painted' silver finish is very easy to damage, so in the end I left well alone apart from wiping what I could with a damp cloth on the clear bits

Only one side of the outer lens is available new now. Maybe they'll make some more?

The inner lens isn't listed with a separate part number in ETKA and I've only ever seen it advertised used on the Prestige site (although now OOS).

This has never been available as a separate part, and after 20+ years it deteriorates so bad that the usual xenon headlights are wayy better than xenon plus at night.

MJ has a set of brand new xenon pluses on her car and they make the car look brand new and also apparently they do a good job at night too.

IMO refurbing xenon pluses without tackling the inner lens is pointless unless you want to sell them, because all the magic and deterioration in light intensity is in that inner lense.

Whilst we're chatting about refurbishing xenon headlights, I'm wondering if anyone has used one of these kits before to improve their lighting. I'd be interested to know any opinions on it as the price seems reasonable.

https://retrofitlab.com/collections/...hid-headlights

Yeah that was an 'ohh, I get it now' moment. The difference between the S8 and Big Red is remarkable. The S8's lighting is now on a par with the Allroad's bixenon Nightbreakers, which make 20-year-old Xenon+ look like sad glow-worms. Alas, thats a one-off solution since new Xenon+ are unicorns these days.

That retrofit kit looks like an excellent idea though, but standard Xenon projector lights are unforunately also pretty rare.

However, this does lead me to pondering the viability of producing our own X+ inner lenses. There are many low-volume injection moulding companies in the UK, including one not far from me who specialises in reproducing parts for classic cars - handy! I suspect it would be prohibitively complex and expensive to replicate the chrome finish as that would have been done with vapour deposition, but its 99% decorative anyway so a clear polycarbonate part would still perform its primary function. It might be possible to use one of the many chrome paints on it, but that would require experimentation and testing.

Realistically what would people be willing to pay for a pair? £200? More? I can have a chat and see if it might be viable.

I'd pay that sure.

I've not really looked at how bad mine are, my outer lenses also need attention, though only really on the nearside, so I'm not aware how much those lenses are degrading/diffusing the beam.
Given what I (and others) are prepared to pay to fix issues that doesn't seem at all unreasonable; I guess it depends on batch size?

I have no issues with the lights on mine at the moment, the back roads in Northumberland are testament to that, but should these be considered a service item?

£200 a pair seems reasonable in the grand scheme of things.

Yours are actually a lot younger than most, since they were mid-life replacements on my Murple which I stole because your FE deserved them more :D

For the projector lights there are lot of different retrofit options including biLED and laser

I have a spare pair of headlights as well as another couple of outer lenses. The refurb kits (wet and dry papers and polish) work quite well on the outer lenses, but nothing that I’ve tried will shift the discolouration on the inner lens. Please add me to the list for new inner lenses! +++

This is a great idea. I have one question about a possible replacement. What can be done to prevent the new inner lens turning yellow?

I'll be interested in buying when available.

Nothing. The Xenon discharge lamp is a powerful source of ultraviolet light which will deventually degrade anything other than glass.

So ceramic coating a new lens won't protect it from turning yellow?

Are you sure, this is very much a "That'll see me out" issue! :ROFL:
Mine have lasted 20 years from new.
If the replacements last as long, the questions in 2043 will be:
1. Will I still be here (and care)?
2. Will the S8 still be here, and will it matter?
3. Will there be a better solution by then anyway?

Michaela, would you like me send one of my spare inner lenses to you to use a a template? It has one of the four little lugs/clips broken off, so It’s not really any use to me and might help your man fabricate the new ones.

Thanks Jim. While I have a large pile of X+ headlamps, they are all intact so it would be very useful to have a loose lens already removed +++ I'll have a chat with a guys and see what they say and PM you if its viable.