Really Poor Headlights

[Vin]

on the facelifted 2002 e39 530i sport with standard headlamps has anyone noticed the v v v poor range. is this just my bros car or is it anything to do with headlamp range adjustering. mines set on the highest setting but still its really poor even comnpared to a 325CI sport with standard lamps.

does ne1 knw where the fuse for the headlamp adjusters are?

have anyother 5 owners had probs with their lamps?

[BeelZibub]

Originally posted by Vin@Jan 16 2005, 07:34 PM
on the facelifted 2002 e39 530i sport with standard headlamps has anyone noticed the v v v poor range. is this just my bros car or is it anything to do with headlamp range adjustering. mines set on the highest setting but still its really poor even comnpared to a 325CI sport with standard lamps.

does ne1 knw where the fuse for the headlamp adjusters are?

have anyother 5 owners had probs with their lamps?

[snapback]272618[/snapback]

Unfortunately, the lowbeam on all halogen e39's is very poor - I couldn't believe how bad they were the first time I drove at night, then read on a UK forum that everyone with an e39 had the same problem. They even discussed the possibility of using brighter bulbs but all of the LEGAL ones here in the UK still didn't make a difference. I honestly couldn't say if a XENON upgrade is any better, but if you've got the cash and they bother you that much (they do bother me terribly but I can't affor the xenon upgrade) it might be an option worth checking out.

[sp0rky]

The xenon lights are absolutely incredible. My old headlights were crap and when I switched on my fogs, it was almost like the lowbeam's width was destroyed, etc etc. I siwtched to xenon and my down the road illumation is EXCELLENT and when I drive through residential towns, I light up both sidewalks. Can't even tell when I have foglights on anymore. Best upgrade of the car.

[BMWLotAttendant]

Originally posted by sp0rky@Jan 16 2005, 06:14 PM
The xenon lights are absolutely incredible. My old headlights were crap and when I switched on my fogs, it was almost like the lowbeam's width was destroyed, etc etc. I siwtched to xenon and my down the road illumation is EXCELLENT and when I drive through residential towns, I light up both sidewalks. Can't even tell when I have foglights on anymore. Best upgrade of the car.

[snapback]272836[/snapback]

I love xenons...they are the best IMO....but if you have the xenons on....the fogs look kinda tacky...so I either have only the fogs/parking lights on or just the xenons....

[Ted K]

where do you get the xenons for an E34?

[sp0rky]

You really dont. I just did a retrofit on my own using all products from cars that came equipped with xenon lights for the exact right beam pattern that isn't offending to oncoming traffic.

You can't just go throw HID bulbs and ballasts in any headlight assembly.

[gates540i]

speaking of headlights. does anyone know how to make the "Brights" any better. i have Xeons so regular lights are great but when i hit the brights, you can hardly tell that they are there. can anyone suggest any upgrades or buld switches?

[sp0rky]

You can swap your assemblies for those with a later model car that has bi-xenons. Basically when you flip the high beam switch, the cut off sheild for your HID lights is dropped, allowing a full range of lighting from your standard low beams.

[gates540i]

ok that sounds good. can you give me a hint to what years would have the bi-xenons?

[///Matt]

I'd agree that the headlight range on E39's is weak...the xenon of course helps, but there should have been a better design. I figure, blame Hella...because BMW never makes mistakes - cough - cough -

[Scotty Dangles]

Sporky, I'm very interested in upgrading my lighting system, my lowbeams are absolutely terrible, but my high beams are amazing, maybe I just need to do a simple adjustment to my low beams?

1) What parts did you use?
2) Was it hard to install yourself?
3) Cost?
4) Lastly any pictures would be great....

Cheers
Scott

[iconnx]

Go here guys! I have seen a set of these in action and can recommend them quite highly. I will be getting a set for my high beams and fogs, so that they match my xenon lows....

http://www.bmwxenon.com/