3 headlights

Post Thu Jan 29, 2015 3:15 pm

Hello all

I bought a 325i last year and the previous owner has three headlights with the one missing being converted to an air intake. Bit of help on this as I have searched and cannot fine an answer - is it possible to get a headlamp which will fit my car which has the high and low beam in one? The way it is at the minute the car will not pass MOT here in Northern Ireland.

Thanks

Post Thu Jan 29, 2015 4:04 pm

It might be easier for you to take the cone intake off - I don't think they really improve much and replace the headlamps to their original fitting.

Plenty of traders on here that will be able to help you.

Post Thu Jan 29, 2015 5:17 pm

It wouldn't pass mot in the uk either.
"Imported" from Southern Ireland?

Post Thu Jan 29, 2015 6:01 pm

No I actually got it from England and it came with 10 months MOT and the intake had been on a few years as I got all the receipts with the car. If I wanted to replace the intake with a headlight not sure how I would as there is no wire for it! Looks like the headlamps have been rewired

Post Thu Jan 29, 2015 6:13 pm

Hookey MOT then, and actually unroadworthy as far as VOSA are concerned.! You can fit a headlamp with combined main and dip beams (VAG scrap, IIRC), but they will need to be fitted both sides.
As above, fit the correct twin lamps and fix the wiring. This will give you decent lights, at least a chance of a legal MOT ticket, and you won't look like a tit.

Post Thu Jan 29, 2015 6:49 pm

Must have been! I actually like the original look with the twin lights each side. The car is 1986 but not sure if the last guy added more updated lights. If I ever figure out how to upload a photo I will put a picture up so maybe some could advise me of the correct light I need the

Post Thu Jan 29, 2015 6:51 pm

Any pics?

Post Thu Jan 29, 2015 7:22 pm

Post Thu Jan 29, 2015 7:25 pm

Post Thu Jan 29, 2015 7:29 pm

Post Thu Jan 29, 2015 7:32 pm

Post Thu Jan 29, 2015 8:06 pm

Get rid of the nasty air filter and put a proper box back in, you will then have properly filtered air and room to fit a high beam lamp

The lamps fitted are facelift versions, not correct for your car

Whats the gold thing on the battery tray? (driver side)

Post Thu Jan 29, 2015 8:17 pm

Can of Special Brew by the look of it

Post Thu Jan 29, 2015 8:57 pm

the car is styled in the Warstiener race scheme and that small gold thing is like one of their tins of beer- not sure actually what it does engine wise

Thanks at least I know what light to look for! I actually don't mind the air filter it is more the light issue

Post Thu Jan 29, 2015 9:05 pm

Picture

Post Fri Jan 30, 2015 12:24 am

Hello rk100!

Are you on NI-BMW? Where in Norn Iron are you? I might be able to point you to someone local-ish for headlights.

Post Fri Jan 30, 2015 3:19 pm

Hi bab-91

No I am not on NI-BMW. I am just outside Newry

Post Fri Jan 30, 2015 3:23 pm

Hey, rk100, whatever you do, do NOT meet up with bab-91. He's a ruffian!

Post Sat Jan 31, 2015 3:44 pm

WillNZ wrote:Can of brew could be the coil disguised.. cant make out the detail but looks like there could be a blue coil lead coming from it.

The OEM airbox flows far better than a cone filter, you can add a heatshield to ensure cold air but they work fine without one. I would personally get rid of the cone filter.

You will probably need to buy a complete headlight setup as the holder for both lamps has probably been cut up to stick the cone filter through. I would stick with facelift headlamps as they have much better lighting than the older ones. The wiring for the high beam will probably still be in the loom running along the nearside inner fender, doubt if they would have removed right back to the fuse box. You need to find a white/violet wire which comes from fuse#1 which should be a 7.5A fuse. The other connector goes to the same brown wire on the low beam which goes to a ground point just behind the low beam headlight on the inner fender wall.

Car looks pretty tidy btw..

Thanks WillNZ for that I will have a look about to see if I can find the high beam wire

Post Sat Jan 31, 2015 5:08 pm

Attached is picture of the beer tin!

Post Sat Jan 31, 2015 5:39 pm

Pic below of backside of light and air inlet. Do you think if I replaced the headlights I could keep the BMC air filter set up and reroute the intake pipe to sit behind the grill next to the lights? Obviously with the air intake being behind the grill this would restrict some of the intake air but would it really make a big difference? This way from the front it will look as a E30 should with twin lights each side.

Post Wed Feb 04, 2015 2:33 pm

anyone?

Post Wed Feb 04, 2015 4:04 pm

looks like the headlamp cluster is cut to allow the intake pipe to use the inner lamp's position.

I suppose you could try by re-routing the intake pipe behind the grill and see what effect this has. Very little, I should imagine.

Post Wed Feb 04, 2015 4:55 pm

Counciltastic !

Post Mon Feb 16, 2015 10:19 pm

Ok so I am going to get the twin headlight put back in. Quick question there are two types of updated headlights listed on eurocar parts does anyone know how I can tell which are fitted in my car currently?

Post Mon Feb 16, 2015 11:22 pm

OE makes are Bosch and Hella. Others are aftermarket of varying quality.
Plenty of second hand lights around, which only require adjusters and the cups they fit in to be as new.