took my lights out to get them rechromed and....

[pistonheader]

as i started taking them apart they practically disintegrated in my hand. the metal behind the chrome coating has rusted right through, it's wafer thin, and probably about as tough as a bloody cream cracker to say i'm disappointed is an understatement. well, well beyond repair. 2nd hand ones are all but impossible to come by, so having to look at either an E30 or E28 lights conversion.

f*** hate old cars some times.

it's annoying because mechanically the car is sweet as a nut, but every now and again things like this just come up and bite you in the arse. getting to the point where i'm thinking of selling up. i love the thing to bits but it's getting silly now. spent so much on it and it's never perfect. the shell is still one of the best around the in country, of that i'm sure. but going into my 4th year at uni i'm struggling to justify the cost of the thing, especially since when at uni i only use it to "keep it ticking over". sure, i use it to get to and from uni and carry luggage etc, but i'm sure my dad would help me with that if i didn't have a car.

a disgruntled ross.

[Reck]

Mate it's just a light. Mines rusted through but so what? I'll either wait for a spare unit to come up or do a conversion in future..

It's what owning an old car is about, unless you stump up £££££'s for something concourse.

[Jason_323i]

I had a look at golf MK2 lights looked doabel but would need new brackets fabricating for the light surrounds

Jason

[rob0r]

323i lights and grills? I probably have some good ones around.

[pistonheader]

rob - how much for light units (would need all 4 of course) and grill? fritz currently looking at alternatives and are going to give me a quote at some point today. thanks mate, much appreciated.

Mate it's just a light. Mines rusted through but so what? I'll either wait for a spare unit to come up or do a conversion in future..

It's what owning an old car is about, unless you stump up £££££'s for something concourse.

it's not just the light though, it's the "one thing after another, when you think it's all sorted" kinda thing. getting parts if often a complete nightmare. i know it's only a pair of lights but if i have a car, i want it well sorted. it has no lights that i can use at all now so the car has to sit until this all gets sorted, certainly can't drive it at night, or in rain!!!

[e21-Mark]

You could always get a modern car and lose money in depreciation instead?

[pistonheader]

You could always get a modern car and lose money in depreciation instead?

at the moment, i certainly wouldn't buy a car new enough to lose lots in depreciation, but your point is very valid. whatever car you have, you will almost certainly lose money

[Reck]

it's not just the light though, it's the "one thing after another, when you think it's all sorted" kinda thing. getting parts if often a complete nightmare. i know it's only a pair of lights but if i have a car, i want it well sorted. it has no lights that i can use at all now so the car has to sit until this all gets sorted, certainly can't drive it at night, or in rain!!!

I think that's part of the fun of owning a 'unique' car though.. Tracking down bits that are hard to find, fitting them yourself where possible etc. Maybe you could bodge something out of plasic and tin foil for the time being.

Maybe you'd prefer a Figaro;

[nas80]

It's cost you a lot cos u keep taking it to Fritz.

You could buy a light unit from the dealers. Even if its 100 - 150 its probably still cheaper then paying petrol to drive to Fritz and parts / labour on top of that!

I'm not slagging Fritz off but Im going by the quotes I've had off them before.

[andy205]

Hi Ross, i picked up a old 2002 yesterday and these were in the boot,not sure if they are twin convertion for 02 or e21 if they are e21 you can have them, they are not in good condition but are useable, Andy
if anyone knows let us know

[murran]

they'll be 02 lights.

bodge some e30 smiley lights in it?

as naz said, stop taking it to fritz! and buy some tools and invest in yourself insted! will save you a packet in the long run!

[pistonheader]

The car isn't at fritzs, I said I phoned them for a quote! Just looking at ideas but need a solution pretty pronto really. Someone said phone the dealer for a light set....they won't have any, that's the problem! Thanks for the 2002 lights offer pal, not sure if they'd work or not...?

Cheers guys,

Ross.

[arshad76]

Hi Ross,

I'd look at this as an opportunity and not a problem. The E30 Ellipsoid conversion is worth doing and you can pick them up really cheaply from somewhere like the zone. How about I donate a pair of twin headlamp grills if you go ahead and do it?

[pistonheader]

thanks for the offer Arshad, i will certainly let you know within the next couple of days! currently looking at my options

thanks chaps

[e21-Mark]

I can get you a set of headlights from my e30 M3 that are mint if you do decide to convert?