E30 Zone

Is it possible to still buy new headlight units? The 'smileys' are ok but One of my main beam lenses is broken and the other is very cloudy. Best retailers etc?

Cheers

you could always try these VVVVVV

http://www.schmiedmann.com/3_series/E30.htm

they seem to carry a lot of new/old stock so you could get lucky.

Main Beam inserts available new from BMW about 70 quid or thereabouts.

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Paul

I think Depo make brand new units, generally available on the likes of eBay.de for LHD cars - but I think you can switch them to RHD

I have just bought complete headlamp units (because I wanted to change to smilies) from these people http://www.buycarparts.co.uk/bmw/3-e30/ ... ght-insert and it seems that they also sell inserts at various prices.

Depo ones are good if you dont want to get bummed on Hella ones. I think theres one on ebay.

The Depo ones are left \right switchable LHD RHD.

Paul

ChrisHC wrote:I have just bought complete headlamp units (because I wanted to change to smilies) from these people http://www.buycarparts.co.uk/bmw/3-e30/ ... ght-insert and it seems that they also sell inserts at various prices.

What make are the lights?

Also any chance of putting a couple of pics up on here of what they look like as I'm interested in getting them from there aswell!

Thanks

Cypriotgeeza wrote:

ChrisHC wrote:I have just bought complete headlamp units (because I wanted to change to smilies) from these people http://www.buycarparts.co.uk/bmw/3-e30/ ... ght-insert and it seems that they also sell inserts at various prices.

What make are the lights?

Also any chance of putting a couple of pics up on here of what they look like as I'm interested in getting them from there aswell!

Thanks

I got Hella ones as I am into historic rallying and wanted the best available lights. They are switchable between LHD and RHD and came with fittings for the remote adjuster or manual adjuster, and strangely an H4 socket. I originally thought I could just swap over the light units but that is not possible, you need to change the mounting plate too.
Picture here: http://www.buycarparts.co.uk/hella/929450

ChrisHC wrote:

Cypriotgeeza wrote:

ChrisHC wrote:I have just bought complete headlamp units (because I wanted to change to smilies) from these people http://www.buycarparts.co.uk/bmw/3-e30/ ... ght-insert and it seems that they also sell inserts at various prices.

What make are the lights?

Also any chance of putting a couple of pics up on here of what they look like as I'm interested in getting them from there aswell!

Thanks

I got Hella ones as I am into historic rallying and wanted the best available lights. They are switchable between LHD and RHD and came with fittings for the remote adjuster or manual adjuster, and strangely an H4 socket. I originally thought I could just swap over the light units but that is not possible, you need to change the mounting plate too.
Picture here: http://www.buycarparts.co.uk/hella/929450

Did the new mounting plate come with it?

cheers for that

How much are a set from the dealer? I'm sure Cotswold can give a price inprovement.

Gert_8 wrote:How much are a set from the dealer? I'm sure Cotswold can give a price inprovement.

Eur317 per side from BMW Classic

indeed!!

paultv wrote:Main Beam inserts available new from BMW about 70 quid or thereabouts.

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Paul

£100 each now

Cypriotgeeza wrote: Did the new mounting plate come with it?

cheers for that

Yes, all complete as illustrated.

ChrisHC wrote:I have just bought complete headlamp units (because I wanted to change to smilies) from these people http://www.buycarparts.co.uk/bmw/3-e30/ ... ght-insert and it seems that they also sell inserts at various prices.

There are some from Van Wezel on there which look OK, as I might be looking just to refresh them next year so do you think they could be Ok and is the price for one side as in pair with backing plate etc?

Many thanks Mart.

Thanks for the replies guys. Hella's UK main office is not far from me and I have the number for the loacl rep. I am hoping to speak to him about getting a trade price through my business. If it goes well I will let every one know.

martauto wrote:

ChrisHC wrote:I have just bought complete headlamp units (because I wanted to change to smilies) from these people http://www.buycarparts.co.uk/bmw/3-e30/ ... ght-insert and it seems that they also sell inserts at various prices.

There are some from Van Wezel on there which look OK, as I might be looking just to refresh them next year so do you think they could be Ok and is the price for one side as in pair with backing plate etc?

Many thanks Mart.

I have never previously heard of Van Wezel so I have no idea how good they are, but if your main concern is their appearance they might be fine. The price is for what is illustrated I would say, so if the picture is for a main beam and dip units on a backing plate, that is what you will get, but it does seem odd that the price for both units on the backing plate is not much more than for a single unit.
What the falling pound will eventually do to parts sourced from Germany remains to be seen.
I will just mention that the Hella headlamp units provide a sharp cut-off and a good spread of light on dipped beam, and with Phillips Xtreme Vision +130% bulbs in all units the main beam illumination is most impressive.

I can do a new complete N/S cluster for £75 inc courier. Excellent quality complete plug and play assembly.


http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/262656071048? ... 1555.l2649