Headlight Low Beam Troubles - BMW Forum

TylerJ · 10-23-2004, 09:19 PM

Hello everyone,

I just installed a new set of euro spec smiley ellipsoid projector headlights on my 89 525i and everything works fine except the low beams do not light up enough of the road to drive safely with them on at night. I am running 55w H1 bulbs in the low beams and their seems to be enough brightness but it is a though the beam is cut off sharply way too close to the car. I have tried adjusting the low beams, but the beam is still cut off too soon. the lights I bought have a place for a 5w city light, but I do not know what type of bulb to buy. Could this city light help fix this problem or is it something else. Has anyone had this problem before? any help or advice would be great.

Thank you.

rsn48 · 10-24-2004, 07:37 PM

Well, if you are experiencing the same problem I am having with my 528i (97) then I'm afraid that I have some bad news for you. There is no cheap fix.

I was told by the service manager to upgrade to a brighter bulb so I installed Slyvania Silver Stars or whatever they are (not really important what they are - they don't help).

The problem:
The problem is the aim of the light of thel lower beam. So figuring that out I took it in to the dealer and asked them to raise it and they informed me they were raised as high as they could go, nothing could raise them higher.

Next solution:
Xenon lights - costly but it will work.
http://www.eurosportdesign.com/e39_xenon.htm

llzoom_zoomll · 10-25-2004, 06:47 AM

as for your question with the 5w city lights, those are 194 bulbs and they will make no difference with your low beams (they run like parking lights, too dim for projection). i tried once installing new headlamps on my e34, and never managed to do them successfully! so, i'd say get them corrected by a body shop. They are good at things like this. its not difficult, but its delicate labor, something i know dealers are too lazy to do! good luck buddy!

sp0rky · 10-26-2004, 01:51 AM

what brand were the replacement lights?

If it was some generic brand, the projectors could very well be not throwing the light where it should go.

This really does sound like an aiming issue, though. You said you tried re-aiming them, What procedure did you use? How much did you drop the low beam from the axis point of the headlight?

///M3 FX · 10-26-2004, 01:55 AM

E-mail info@umnitza.com explain the problem and he will figure out the best solution, im more of a e36 guy =x

TylerJ · 10-26-2004, 10:05 PM

The lights I installed have the brand name deppo and I bought them on ebay. They fit perfectly. Yes I do think it is an aiming issue but the vertical adjust is currently adjusted all the way up. I think this could be fixed by adjusting the fixed mount. right now this cannot be adjusted, but a little creative tinkering could adjust it back further. I think I will get some professional help on this one. Thanks for all of your input.

sp0rky · 10-26-2004, 11:24 PM

You also have to remember that you went with a euro set up.
Which means MORE direct foreground lighting and less distance lighting. Keep that in mind.

Also, If they're aimed all the way up, that could be the problem, the low beam is jus tthat.. a LOW beam and is actually supposed to point down a tad.