Lighting differences

[95-540iLE]

I have a 1985 Hartge H23 and recently picked up a set of E30 lights as cheap spares. They look quite different to those on my car.

Can anyone explain what the differences are and whether there would be any lighting advantage from fitting the new ones and, if so, is it possible?

Here are some pics of the new spares, and, then, the lights I have fitted:

[6inline]

I would recommend to keep your original ones. they're better. And by far in better condition from your photo

[dannosail]

I don't recognise the lights you have fitted but the 'spares' you have bought look like pre-facelift lights similar to mine on the right of the photo. The post facelift lights have the 'smile' on them which you can see (on the left). Logic would suggest that post facelift are better although they are completely interchangeable. As for yours, if the lights currently fitted are genuine Bosch I would probably leave them in.

Incidently, the 'spare' lights you have got were obviously fitted to a car which had headlight wash, you can easily swap these rims since you don't appear to have the headlight wash fitted on your car.

Hope this helps.

[Morat]

My plastic bumper car has the non-smileys :/
E reg- it must be an early facelift?
Do the smileys/later lights give better lighting? Cos the dip beams on mine are pretty awful to be honest...

[liquid079]

My plastic bumper car has the non-smileys :/
E reg- it must be an early facelift?
Do the smileys/later lights give better lighting? Cos the dip beams on mine are pretty awful to be honest...

yep the dipped beam on the smileys is better than on the earlier lights, i've had both.

Not sure why though.

[95-540iLE]

Thanks for the comments. I also have a set of Marshall inserts. I don't have a pic at the moment but will take one later.

They are similar to a Cibie insert.

Any thoughts on fitting these? They are brilliant lights. Short of Xenon, I have never seen anything that works as well - so would love to fit if possible.

[Brianmoooore]

The newer outer lights are projector lamps, similar to the very small lights fitted to a lot of modern cars. The actual light is the lens in the middle; the reflector is for decorative purposes only, although it does reflect the parking light.
The smiley version came a bit later. The cut out was introduced into the reflector to let some light from the bulb shine directly onto the road to improve the light pattern near to the car.
Facelift lights can be fitted to pre facelift cars by cutting off the pre facelift connectors and splicing on the later ones.

[95-540iLE]

So would the projector lights be better on the road than the standard Hella low beam lights currently fitted?

And is it possible to fit new glass to the projectors?

Thanks

The newer outer lights are projector lamps, similar to the very small lights fitted to a lot of modern cars. The actual light is the lens in the middle; the reflector is for decorative purposes only, although it does reflect the parking light.

[Brianmoooore]

The projector lamps have a much sharper beam cut off at the top than the old type. I prefer the new type, but others say they prefer the older "conventional" type.
Glass can be removed from the units by a heat gun, but AFAIK, there is no source of replacement glass on its own.
BTW, your chrome rims with the wiper bits on them are expensive from the dealer, and should be saleable.

[6inline]

Glass can be removed from the units by a heat gun, but AFAIK, there is no source of replacement glass on its own.

Just for information. You can put only new glass but it requires taking the old one which is glue-sealed and you have to pay attention not to damage the reflector!. The replacement I found comes from early russian Ladas which are copies of ancient Fiats. I've done this on my E30 (because my glasses where yellow) and now it looks great as the new glass is more transparent and clear and you obtain this 'diamant' effect like on contemporary cars...
The price of these glasses is less then a pound each...now I doubt you can get them in the UK easily, but you can try a Fiat dealer may be..?... The size is somewhat a 'standart' and you can even find busses and trucks with this dimension lights. If someone really needs a set of replacement glasses I can send him a set of 4 (2+2)...the thing is it says Made in Russia on them....