E30 Zone

i was wondering whats the difference between smiley headlights and normal head lights? or are all headlights smiley?

i have had a search but to no avail

cheers

IIRC the pre face cars had the non smileys

There are three types:
1. Smiley projector
2. Non-smiley projector
3. Pre-facelift non-projector

pics???

Chris-W wrote:There are three types:
1. Smiley projector
2. Non-smiley projector
3. Pre-facelift non-projector

The first two use a lens in the centre of the light to focus the beam, which is shaped by a metal plate. The reflector in the light is a fake as far as the headlamp part of the light is concerned, although it is used for the parking light. These are the same kind of lamp as the 2" diameter lights seen on some modern cars.
The first projector type was the non-smiley, which was only fitted for about a year.
It was found that although the projectors gave a good light at a distance from the car, close up there was little light, so the smiley was introduced. This simply has a crescent shaped cut out in the bottom half of the "reflector" which allows light, direct from the bulb, to fall on the road close to the car.
The pre-face lift lamp just uses a reflector with beam shaping done by the front glass, similar to the main beam lights.

thats what you call a genius

So, can smiley headlights be easily fitted to a chromie?

should be a simple swap.

i did wonder about mine as i have non smiley projectors in mine.

Easy swap - lights fit straight in, but you need the connectors with them, plus a few inches of loom to splice on to your existing loom.