New Headlights

[rk100]

Does anyone know where I can get new face lifted headlamps? The only ones I can see on the net are aftermarket ones for LHD

[BenHar]

There is a question about this a few posts down.

If you read the posts and wiki before posting you will often find the answer without waiting.

Ben

[rk100]

I did post this earlier but for some reason it is not showing up that I did it - is the post your referring to one I did.
Thanks

[BenHar]

You can search for your posts too.

http://www.e30zone.net/modules.php?name ... thor=rk100

Ben

[rk100]

Thanks Ben

The guy I got my car from had put the facelifted headlamps on as mine is a 1986 model. I need to get a new headlamp. The question is I see on euro car parts that there are two different updated headlights one from 09/1987 to 09/1988 and the other 09/1988 onwards - does anyone know how to tell the difference.

[rk100]

Anyone?

[BenHar]

http://www.e30zone.net/e30zonewiki/inde ... Headlights

Ben

[rk100]

Cheers Ben I already had a good look through that page.
These are the different ones I am talking about on eurocar parts

http://www.eurocarparts.com/ecp/c/BMW_3 ... 068&000176

And

http://www.eurocarparts.com/ecp/p/car-p ... eb9&000176

[BenHar]

Go to the dealer or get some from a trader on the zone.

Ben

[Brianmoooore]

The one in your first picture, if the fitting dates are correct, is the early type of ellipsoidal lamp, that did not have the cut out in the bottom of the reflector (the mouth in 'smiley'), and were known as 'bull's eyes'. There were comments that the new type of light did not provide sufficient illumination close to the car, so the cut out was introduced to allow some light to reach the road directly from the bulb, without being focussed by the projector lens.

[rk100]

Thanks Brian

In both links they show the cut outs in place but maybe they have just used a generic image for both. The ones which are currently fitted to my car have the cut outs in them so I think I will need the lights in the second link. Thanks again.

[Brianmoooore]

Try BMW. IIRC, you're just looking to replace one inner light that was removed as a cold air feed.
Individual headlamp parts are all available.

[rk100]

That's correct Brian, but the headlight cluster is cut in half so I was going to get a whole new headlamp that is in one piece. Picture of cut headlamp is at this link,

http://www.e30zone.net/modules.php?name ... t=#2820664

I will try BMW to see what sort of price the unit will be.

Thanks

[Brianmoooore]

A second hand plastic frame will be absolutely identical to a new one, as will a second hand light unit. Fit it with new adjusters and cups that the adjusters sit in and it will be as new.
Put up a wanted add in the appropriate forum on here. Someone might have a frame with one good light and a cracked one going cheap.

[rk100]

Thanks

[Brianmoooore]

I'd ask the seller to throw in a full set of plugs for the lights, along with about 12" of wire for each as well, so that you can get rid of the bodged up connectors with the blue tape, and splice the facelift plugs to your pre facelift loom properly, and tape it all up with proper fabric loom wrapping tape.

[rk100]

Been a while since I got a chance to tinker at the car.....but I got a used headlight from ebay and was planning on tackling this. When I was at it I was going to wire in the correct plugs for the updated lights - does anyone know the parts numbers for these? I have seen the following on US websites but not sure if they are still valid here:

Low beam - 61131378403
High beam - 61130007441
Side light - 61131378418

Thanks for any help

[JP1979]

Hi.. I have a set of pre 87 lights (bullseye) which I'm swapping from some post facelift ones”¦ are you interested in second hand ones”¦? i enquired with BMW too and they were £427 quid to replace so went for some new, aftermarket post facelift lights”¦ let me know if your interested or if that will help.

[Brianmoooore]

"Bulls'eye" lights are early post facelift, not pre facelift.