I need to change both units for the MOT. Will the later style ones (with the smile) fit without any mods? Are the units pretty much the same?
Headlights
Moderator: martauto
My e30 is a 1988 tourer (325i) and it has the older style headlights, the ones without the little black smile
I need to change both units for the MOT. Will the later style ones (with the smile) fit without any mods? Are the units pretty much the same?
I need to change both units for the MOT. Will the later style ones (with the smile) fit without any mods? Are the units pretty much the same?
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Ziggy
- E30 Zone Team Member
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If they're the projector type (you can see the projector unit in the middle of the dipped beams), then yep they swap straight over. If they're the early non-projector type, you need to do some (minor) wiring changes & use the plugs from the new lights. On a tourer, I expect they're projectors... 
E30 in need of wiring loom smoke since April '11...
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mrLEE30
- E30 Zone Team Member
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thought the tourings, or estate cars as in like to call them 
or station wagon if you like, only came as face lift and with projector lights... both Hella and Bosch produced projector non-smiley lights and smiley lights, the only difference is the driving light plastic reflector/front bit.
So yes any facelift lights will fit, but be careful as some have different sidelight systems....some have a small bulb others have a resistor that dim the actual driving light.
and for info...the nonsmileys are not older...came on my late 1992 cab.
mrlee
or station wagon if you like, only came as face lift and with projector lights... both Hella and Bosch produced projector non-smiley lights and smiley lights, the only difference is the driving light plastic reflector/front bit.So yes any facelift lights will fit, but be careful as some have different sidelight systems....some have a small bulb others have a resistor that dim the actual driving light.
and for info...the nonsmileys are not older...came on my late 1992 cab.
mrlee
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Globulator
- E30 Zone Regular
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I've got the old lamps too - with 3 pin plugs. The smile ones I saw had 2 pin plugs.
An alternate upgrade is to buy new lense/bowls and install HID bulbs - I'm tempted to try this myself as my lamps are rubbish too.
An alternate upgrade is to buy new lense/bowls and install HID bulbs - I'm tempted to try this myself as my lamps are rubbish too.
1986 325i 'vert, funk louder than standard.
"No Mr Bond, I expect you to tell me why your 4 litre, 282bhp sports car can't outrun some lardy old Mercs.."
Audio & electronic software: http://www.cutestudio.net
"No Mr Bond, I expect you to tell me why your 4 litre, 282bhp sports car can't outrun some lardy old Mercs.."
Audio & electronic software: http://www.cutestudio.net
Yep, mine are the projector type. Thanks for the help guys
Now for part2 My little switch / knob inside to change the headlamp aim doesn't work (which doesn't bother me as I'm not big into caravans or trailors). But I can move both my headlights by hand, up and down into three or four different possitions. Is this normal? I'm guessing not as when I clean the car my headlamp aim is all over the show. What other bits do I need to replace when I put new lamps in to rectify this problem? Cheers.
Now for part2 My little switch / knob inside to change the headlamp aim doesn't work (which doesn't bother me as I'm not big into caravans or trailors). But I can move both my headlights by hand, up and down into three or four different possitions. Is this normal? I'm guessing not as when I clean the car my headlamp aim is all over the show. What other bits do I need to replace when I put new lamps in to rectify this problem? Cheers.