E39 headlight not clear/far enough

[champion]

Not necessary the same. if it the same, then why call it by difference name. Each bulb design have it advantage and disadvantage.

just like H1 and H7 bulb that are commonly used in BMW.

What i meant does 'H7' model alone have different length ?

 

[jarance]

What i meant does 'H7' model alone have different length ?

Not sure about H7 but I experience the difference in length for h1 bulb. Try a few H1 "extra bright" bulb and fixed in my E36. Was bright but the focusing was shit. Got fed up and bought hella bulb. the focus was spot on. did a comparison and found out that the other bulb is offset by 2 mm. So the focal length does place an important part in the light shinning on the road.

 

[BMW2007]

maybe we should try to use the branded bulb like Hella, Philips etc. 1, 1.5 or 2 mm gaps might be difficult to measure accurately from the cheaper or non-branded bulb.

 

[jarance]

actually. one of the extra bright bulb is philip.

 

[bmw7833]

I just measured my HID bulb.

It is 25mm exactly.

 

[jarance]

I just measured my HID bulb.

It is 25mm exactly.

at least you dont have a bulb problem. so a picture of the light profile on the wall would help to understand more.

 

[jarance]

Ha.. ha.. got a bit confuse between bmw2007 and bmw7833.

Both have similar problem but 2007 is on halogen and 7833 is on HID.. have to keep this in mind.

sorry if I give wrong advise.

 

[bmw7833]

Jarance, my headlight throw the same distance if switch to halogen, only the HID give me brighter night vision.

 

[BMW2007]

Jarance, i have been using both Halogen and HID, not much different in term of distance focusing. I have measured the HID bulbs, it's only 23mm! This could be the root-cause i believe. Looks like i still can try the philips bulb hopefully to get the right focus.

Btw, i couldn't find the "hole" for the headlight adjuster on my E39, seems to be different from E46.

 

[bmw7833]

Jarance, i have been using both Halogen and HID, not much different in term of distance focusing. I have measured the HID bulbs, it's only 23mm! This could be the root-cause i believe. Looks like i still can try the philips bulb hopefully to get the right focus.

Btw, i couldn't find the "hole" for the headlight adjuster on my E39, seems to be different from E46.

What do u meant by the 'hole'?

U meant these two?

 

[BMW2007]

ya, i think the screw knob is what it meant for E39 headlight adjuster, have you tried to adjust it? clockwise or anti-clockwise to lift up the light?

 

[tkk]

how about my E34 headlight

http://www.bmwclubmalaysia.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=12156&d=1262355547

 

[jarance]

Jarance, my headlight throw the same distance if switch to halogen, only the HID give me brighter night vision.

I thought so as well. you might not have the same problem. post a picture of the headlight shining on the wall. :top:

 

[fabianyee]

E39 also have this common problem where the plastic clips break and the light will point downwards... shine only 2-3 meters ahead...
Search the forum on custom fabricated clips to replace the broken ones..

 

[bmw7833]

how about my E34 headlight

http://www.bmwclubmalaysia.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=12156&d=1262355547

I always impress when i see this photo.

This is another one from an e39.

I am curious why my headlight shoot so downward?

 

[jarance]

Borrow picture from king82... to see the light profile

ok...here goes...

without lights turned on

lights turned on

from inside the car, lights turned off

from inside the car,lights turned on

front view

inside the car, further view

wall close-up view

slightly further away

hope this helps...sorry bout the quality of the photos...first 6 photos taken at the basement car wash area which is slightly darker...the last two photos were taken at the basement carpark bay (slightly well lighted)

 

[jarance]

how about my E34 headlight

http://www.bmwclubmalaysia.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=12156&d=1262355547

tkk, is there something wrong with your light?

 

[bmw7833]

tkk, is there something wrong with your light?

Why..?? It is good enough for me.

 

[jarance]

Why..?? It is good enough for me.

yeah.. tkk light look fine to me as well. maybe a bit tweeak here and there, it should be just nice.

 

[king82]

he just wanna show off his BRIGHT lights la...