E32 - Poor headlights problem solved

[Eggie86]

Finally, problem with poor headlamps a thing of the past.Kept facing problems with my E32's throw of the low beams, couldn't even see past the bonnet especially during the night, and it took me a whole ordeal of trial and error before one awesome member suggested changing the reflectors. Back then, I tried changing the bulbs, buying higher watts and 4,300K ones, but to no avail. Even toyed with the idea of getting Osram Nightbreakers [as suggested by King82] & CCFLs installed, but a skinny wallet dictated otherwise, whilst I also resorted to buying a brand new Hella lamp [right side] last year. Still, problem persisted. Then, after a fellow forumer mentioned that the problem was solved after getting the reflectors changed. And so I followed his path, ordering a pair of brand new ones from Bavarian Auto in Subang. Managed to get a discount, and total damage in the end amounted to RM 400 for a pair, and another RM 81 for labour costs to get my lights fixed. I suppose poor visibility for the low beams are a problem pretty common amongst the 4-eyed family Oo==oO so I hope this helps our fellow E23,28,30,32 and 34 members who might be facing the same problem that I had.

Eagerly awaiting the results whilst the mechanics were busy giving my E32 a new pair of eyes.

Sorry they're a bit blur. Phone camera sucks at night. Rear view. Standard lights, and managed to get the rear fogs working too.

Tada! Looks good!

The 'throw' of the beams are much brighter now.Then again, as discussed with brother King82, my beams seem to be ___X___ instead of \___\___

 

[king82]

hahah...no need to mention me la...

congrats...your lights are much brighter now...quiet high too as well?

are you going to do anything about your ___X___ lights?

 

[Eggie86]

hahah...no need to mention me la...

congrats...your lights are much brighter now...quiet high too as well?

are you going to do anything about your ___X___ lights?

Haha. Yeah. much brighter, and using the same 55/60W bulbs too.

Guess it was the reflectors all along. The original ones were really dusty and old, then again, the car's almost 20 plus already. Haha.

Really so much joy whenever taking it out for a spin at night lately. It's like a pair of new eyes have been christened to the E32.

As for the X lights, hmm, I guess I'll have someone look at it. Then again, if it crosses ___X___, what is the effect on incoming motorists? Surely not as blinding as those Xenons or accidentally using high beams right?

 

[king82]

haha...shouldn't be much of a problem for the oncoming vehichles i guess...just hope that x-men don't come out after seeing your "call" for help =)

 

[SarJeePekAi]

Looks like your left set came from a LHD Bimmer
and right set from a RHD! I pity the oncoming traffic
as the beam cutoff pattern will blind them.
The correct pattern should be \___\___
please take note.
Hava good drive!

 

[morpheus5039]

Eggie, you can adjust you passenger headlamp to get \__ pattern.

Actually E32,E34 low beam) can be adjusted for LHD or RHD purpose.

Just make sure your screw is screwed on the RED circle place, not on the YELLOW arrow pointed.


u can unscrew the reflector and rotate yourself, only 2 distinct positions are allowed for you to screw.

u wont differentiate the difference of visible light(except the pattern mentioned above) between LHD and RHD if using normal Halogen bulbs, but u will notice the difference if using HID bulbs

 

[Eggie86]

Eggie, you can adjust you passenger headlamp to get \__ pattern.

Actually E32,E34 low beam) can be adjusted for LHD or RHD purpose.

Just make sure your screw is screwed on the RED circle place, not on the YELLOW arrow pointed.


u can unscrew the reflector and rotate yourself, only 2 distinct positions are allowed for you to screw.

u wont differentiate the difference of visible light(except the pattern mentioned above) between LHD and RHD if using normal Halogen bulbs, but u will notice the difference if using HID bulbs

Hey Morpheus, thanks a lot for the lowdown. Shall try to get it fixed. A bit afraid to DIY cos my dad once touched some part of the headlamp and it blacked out soon after.

You mean, the reflectors can be adjusted both ways [LHD & RHD]? Wow, thanks! Was worried I might need to change the reflectors again cos of the ___X___ pattern.

Thanks mate. :top:

 

[morpheus5039]

Hey Morpheus, thanks a lot for the lowdown. Shall try to get it fixed. A bit afraid to DIY cos my dad once touched some part of the headlamp and it blacked out soon after.

You mean, the reflectors can be adjusted both ways [LHD & RHD]? Wow, thanks! Was worried I might need to change the reflectors again cos of the ___X___ pattern.

Thanks mate. :top:

yes, i had tried \____/ , ____/____/ , \____ \____ with the same reflector :stupid:

haha, juz wanna contribute my experience:wink:

 

[evilnickwong]

Just curious, you mentioned you bought a brand new Hella at one point also and that didn't help. Wouldn't the new Hella have come with new reflectors as well? or you only replaced the lens cover?

*edit: btw, are yours projectors or sealed beams?

 

[Eggie86]

Just curious, you mentioned you bought a brand new Hella at one point also and that didn't help. Wouldn't the new Hella have come with new reflectors as well? or you only replaced the lens cover?

*edit: btw, are yours projectors or sealed beams?

Hey bro,

Yeah, I bought a new Hella [right side], but just the lense, which did not come with the reflectors. Just the glassy part of the headlights.

Mine ought to be projectors.

Then again, just curious, what are sealed beams, and the difference between them and projectors?

 

[Eggie86]

yes, i had tried \____/ , ____/____/ , \____ \____ with the same reflector :stupid:

haha, juz wanna contribute my experience:wink:

Thanks a lot bro. I'm sure many will find that useful. :top:

 

[evilnickwong]

Someone correct me, but I believe sealed beams are the regular kind of headlamp which just has the bulb light refracted off the shiny lens structure into the front. Whereas projectors have a much sharper beam/cutoff and are generally brighter.

Actual reason I asked is because I thought for projector low lights, the shiny chrome reflector behind the lens doesn't affect brightness much, which is why people who smoke the lights just spray this reflector matt black.

Unless you mean you changed the entire projector assembly?

 

[Eggie86]

Ooh, alright. Crap, to be frank, I really am unsure which ones my beams are. Sorry man.

Anyways, I might say, they're the sealed ones. But aren't the headlamps the same across the E30/28/34/32 models?

Nope, I just bought a pair of reflectors, and voila, problem of poor throw of low beams were a thing of the past.

Someone correct me, but I believe sealed beams are the regular kind of headlamp which just has the bulb light refracted off the shiny lens structure into the front. Whereas projectors have a much sharper beam/cutoff and are generally brighter.

Actual reason I asked is because I thought for projector low lights, the shiny chrome reflector behind the lens doesn't affect brightness much, which is why people who smoke the lights just spray this reflector matt black.

Unless you mean you changed the entire projector assembly?

 

[morpheus5039]

Someone correct me, but I believe sealed beams are the regular kind of headlamp which just has the bulb light refracted off the shiny lens structure into the front. Whereas projectors have a much sharper beam/cutoff and are generally brighter.

Actual reason I asked is because I thought for projector low lights, the shiny chrome reflector behind the lens doesn't affect brightness much, which is why people who smoke the lights just spray this reflector matt black.

Unless you mean you changed the entire projector assembly?

there are total 2 reflectors in the low beam, what usually melt and affect the light visibility is the first pictiure(you can take out that by unscrew it). the other reflector is the one which stick very near to the plastic lens(you cannot take out this, atleast i never try before), people only smoke this part to matt black.

Eggie: to deferentiate between projector and seal beam? try taking apart you high beam like what you do to your low beam (such as changing the plactic lens). you will find it impossible(the lens and the housing are glued together). and the seal beam doesn't have the fish eye like low beam (picture 2)

 

[Eggie86]

there are total 2 reflectors in the low beam, what usually melt and affect the light visibility is the first pictiure(you can take out that by unscrew it). the other reflector is the one which stick very near to the plastic lens(you cannot take out this, atleast i never try before), people only smoke this part to matt black.

Eggie: to deferentiate between projector and seal beam? try taking apart you high beam like what you do to your low beam (such as changing the plactic lens). you will find it impossible(the lens and the housing are glued together). and the seal beam doesn't have the fish eye like low beam (picture 2)

Hey morpheus bro, thanks for the clarification. Frankly I've never dared try to take apart the high beams, since they've not been problematic.

And you're right, the high beams don't have the fish eyes like beam.

 

[alantiong]

hi guys, correction correction!.. non of 30/32/34 or even 39 and 38 are using sealed beams. i think there is a misconception that the older H1/h3/h7 light that usesbulbs are sealed beams. these are open reflectors.

the definition sealed beams is sealed beam as suggested by the name. no bulbs.. ite the whole thing bulb/reflector and lense built as one.. lots in the late 80s to mid 90s japanese cars especially toyota and trucks.

regards

Alan

 

[morpheus5039]

hi guys, correction correction!.. non of 30/32/34 or even 39 and 38 are using sealed beams. i think there is a misconception that the older H1/h3/h7 light that usesbulbs are sealed beams. these are open reflectors.

the definition sealed beams is sealed beam as suggested by the name. no bulbs.. ite the whole thing bulb/reflector and lense built as one.. lots in the late 80s to mid 90s japanese cars especially toyota and trucks.

regards

Alan

actually you are right, the high beam is not really a seal beam, juz the len and reflector is sealed, bulb can be unplug.

the real sealed beam is the one cannot change the bulb one... I got them in my modified classic beetle, they were considered brighter than normal in the past...