325 tds (1996) - Headlights

[mbf001]

Hi Folks,

Maybe I'm going blind or losing my marbles but I can't find out how to remove the headlight and the separate front indicator units.

The external front lenses are a bit worn out plus condensation forms in the main housing units. I've thought about renewing the seals if I can get them but the complete light units need to be removed for dis-assembly first. Surprising the H***s Manual doesn't provide the info in enough detail. The top two top outer screws on the headlight units are obvious but can anyone else advise on the other fixing points?

I'll think about changing the whole units if there are any good, reasonably priced and DOT approved upgrades...preferably brighter than the standard ones. I'd prefer direct swap (Plug 'n Play) units that don't require any alterations to wiring or fixing points. Any recommendations???

[Ivan413]

Hi, mbf001 in order to get your headlights out you need to remove your corner lights with a flat head screw driver and a little force. The back of the corner lights have to be disconnected from the back and there's a plastic clip behind It that you have to wedge the screw driver behind and pry out that holds the unit in place and the rest is just wiggling it out. You can access this are by opening the hood and looking straight behind the corner lens. Once you have the corner lens out there's 4 hex screws in total to take out and remove the headlight housing. The two on top you already know about 1 under the corner lens and one to the opposite side of the unit. You might need to take off the plastic cover over the grilles it's two small screws and two pop rivets to take that plastic cover off.
Also the corner light slides on a needle so you can't just pry it out.


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[mbf001]

Hi Ivan413,

Thanks for your detailed info. It's greatly appreciated. I'll have another try at it tomorrow.

REPLACEMENT PLUG 'N' PLAY HEADLIGHTS ???

Any recommendations on new and better plug 'n play headlights? I'm keen to stick with TUV approved units United Kingdom spec. As a 'form follows function' guy rather than 'function follows style/fashion' I'd appreciate recommendations from those who have been there and done it.

[Ivan413]

I haven't heard of the tuv style headlights because I'm in the US but I know the European glass depo lights are really good and the uminitza lights are great. The depo lights don't come with angel eyes installed and you can always add them in later or you can get the uminitza and they come wired and installed with there predator Orion v4 led eyes


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[Ivan413]

Oh almost forgot about the ellipsoid headlights are great also


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[mbf001]

Hi Ivan413,

Just discovered this with 'destructions' and pics that are so clear that I thought you'd like to know about it.

Pelican Technical Article: BMW Euro Ellipsoid/Angel Eyes Installation

In my humble opinion it is a brilliantly compiled site with clarity being its achieved objective.

[Ivan413]

That's a good find I could have used that when I took my head lights a while ago and put in my blue angel eyes


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[Lord Vader]

You have the advantage of the Euro market being in Scotland. US DOT headlights arent as cool as the Euro ZKW headlights. The best bang for your buck in terms of lighting is a projector retrofit, and HID's.

Ivan, DEPO is a company that makes lower cost aftermarket headlights. Their not very good quality compared to OEM lights, but they do the job. Euro models came stock with a glass ZKW headlight. These are highly sought after in the US, with OEM ones going for $700 a set.