3-series headlights... ?

[kid667]

I notice that the 3-series have different headlights.. one has the turn signals pointed down and the other with the turn signal pointed up.. is this based on the model or the package or what? Cuz I've seen 325's and 330's with both so I'm confused... here's a pic:



I like the downward pointing ones (looks more m3ish). In the pic the silver one is upwards and the blue is downwards...

WTF?

[e36_m3_Turbo]

yes they are differnet. its called the "facelift". all e46 models from 2002 had the facelifted feature. from 1998-2001 was the regural such as the m3. the m3 did not have that change. also the facelifted models have differnet rear lights. they go red white red. unlike the model from 1998-2001 that go white then red.

[jefft325i]

Originally posted by kid667@Aug 24 2004, 12:37 PM
I notice that the 3-series have different headlights.. one has the turn signals pointed down and the other with the turn signal pointed up.. is this based on the model or the package or what?* Cuz I've seen 325's and 330's with both so I'm confused... here's a pic:



I like the downward pointing ones (looks more m3ish).* In the pic the silver one is upwards and the blue is downwards...

WTF?

'99-'01 4 doors were 'prefacelift.' '02 4 doors to current are 'facelilfted' - like the silver one in your picture.

For coupes '00 - '03 (99 coupes were E36 bodystyle) were 'prefacelift' like the blue M3 in your pic. '04 coupes got the facelift except for the M3 - their front lights have been the same every year ('01 - '04).

The 325 and 330 were introduced in 2001, so yes, you will definitely see these 2 models with either front end (back lights are different too). 2001 4 doors are easy to distinguish - if you see a 325 or 330 4 door and it's prefacelift, you know it has to be a 2001.

As for the color of the lenses...the '02 to current coupes got the red/white lenses. The 4 doors are still amber (the facelifted sedan rear lights look a bit different too).