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Headlight question..........
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cmcon98



Joined: 13 Nov 2002
Posts: 1844
Location: Boston

PostPosted: Mon Nov 17, 2008 8:22 am    Post subject: Headlight question.......... Reply with quote

Are the glass lenses removable from the headlight housings? My '88 has a chipped lens on one of the headlights.
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m78



Joined: 14 Nov 2001
Posts: 2807
Location: In the great midwest

PostPosted: Mon Nov 17, 2008 10:10 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Sadly no.

There are repair kits you can buy:

http://www.mrlens.co.za/replacement.htm


http://www.glass-staramerica.com/diy-headlight.htm


I had a headlight crack not long after I bought my e30. I replaced the headlight and bought some plastic covers for all my lights. The plastic covers are well worth buying, and anyone with the glass headlights would do well to get them ASAP.

http://www.autoanything.com/lights/headlight_covers.aspx

http://www.eautoworks.com/html/ast-Auto~styling-HeadLight~Cover~protection~Film.htm

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/BMW-87-90-E30-3-Series-ArmorAuto-Headlight-Covers_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ38661QQihZ007QQitemZ8058606552
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Quincy56



Joined: 03 Jan 2002
Posts: 2634
Location: San Marcos, CA

PostPosted: Mon Nov 17, 2008 7:04 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

The mrlens site doesn't sell the BMW lenses any longer (I think).

However this site still has them.
http://www.bmwlight.com/

I've done this for both the headlights and the fog lights. It takes time, but looks good in the long run.
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tncean



Joined: 26 Feb 2005
Posts: 1652
Location: Chattanooga, Tn.

PostPosted: Tue Nov 18, 2008 6:17 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Enlightenment appreciated....

My 90i has "standard" headlamps. Round, glass fronted. In my case, a pair of Sylvania quartz halogens, about 7$ each.
The replacement lamps shown in above site; are these "permanent" lenses with changeable halogen bulbs?

Thanks...
t
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m78



Joined: 14 Nov 2001
Posts: 2807
Location: In the great midwest

PostPosted: Tue Nov 18, 2008 12:23 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Quote:
are these "permanent" lenses with changeable halogen bulbs?


Yes.

I believe the idea is simply to replace the cracked front lens. The rest of the lamp remains the same.
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Quincy56



Joined: 03 Jan 2002
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Location: San Marcos, CA

PostPosted: Tue Nov 18, 2008 12:26 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

If you have sealed beams, you don't need these. Just go to the autoparts store and get a new lamp for next to nothing. These are for the elipsoid headlamps with a replaceable bulb.
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m78



Joined: 14 Nov 2001
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Location: In the great midwest

PostPosted: Thu Nov 20, 2008 9:41 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I believe the 88 year models were the first to get ellipsoid glass headlights that used the replaceable bulb.
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dale



Joined: 22 Aug 1999
Posts: 3087
Location: Seattle, WA USA

PostPosted: Fri Nov 21, 2008 3:41 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

The E30 had ellipsoidal headlights in the USA in 1988 and 1989.
For 1990-1992(cabrio), they reverted to the standard sealed beam.

Dale
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85-325e



Joined: 30 Jun 2002
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PostPosted: Fri Nov 21, 2008 3:49 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Wow, really? What a great piece of info! Wonder why they reverted? The ellipsoids were always more powerful I believe.
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dale



Joined: 22 Aug 1999
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Location: Seattle, WA USA

PostPosted: Fri Nov 21, 2008 9:27 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Price. At least that's my guess. A guy gets a rock in a headlight and it's $200-$400-ish for a new high-low ellipsoidal headlight assembly, ouch!

Vs the sealed beam, $20 and you're on your way.

Dale
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maxinjaxin



Joined: 15 Feb 2008
Posts: 117
Location: Collinsville, MS

PostPosted: Sun Nov 23, 2008 1:46 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I had a HL go out las nite. So can I get ellipsoids anywhere now?
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85-325e



Joined: 30 Jun 2002
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Location: Southampton, NY

PostPosted: Sun Nov 23, 2008 2:19 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

NO.... Well, sortof YES... You can get sets of cheap aftermarket elliospoids on eBay. You can also find used OEM sets there as well...

Here's a used set:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/_Car-Truck-Parts-Accessories__BMW-3-series-E30-1985-1991-Ellipsoid-EURO-headlights_W0QQitemZ270304232279QQadiZ2865QQadnZCarQ20Q26Q20TruckQ20PartsQ20Q26Q20AccessoriesQQcmdZViewItemQQptZMotors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories?hash=item270304232279&_trksid=p4506.c0.m245&_trkparms=65%3A1%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318

If only your bulb blew and the lens is in good shape, it's easy to get a new bulb. The ellipsoids have replaceable bulbs, unlike the sealed beams which are replace as a whole headlight unit and inexpensive. Ellipsoid bulbs are available everywhere, even Wally*World.
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maxinjaxin



Joined: 15 Feb 2008
Posts: 117
Location: Collinsville, MS

PostPosted: Sun Nov 23, 2008 6:14 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I just replaced my hi/lo w/Sylvania H5006 XV (Xtravision) cost 11.61 @ AZone. They are clearly brighter than ones on other side.
I will replace the other this coming wkend.
Oreily wanted 19.99 for the same lite...

Thanks
MJ
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cmcon98



Joined: 13 Nov 2002
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Location: Boston

PostPosted: Mon Nov 24, 2008 8:41 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Another thing I just noticed about the ellipsoids is that even the US versions have holes for the euro city lights. (3w lights in the headlight housings that come on when the headlight switch is pulled to the first position)
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dale



Joined: 22 Aug 1999
Posts: 3087
Location: Seattle, WA USA

PostPosted: Sun Dec 14, 2008 2:05 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

My preference for headlights on an E30 is the following:
a) get the sealed beam bucket assemblies if you don't have them already
b) buy the Hella H4/H1 replacement headlights($140), these were the basic Euro standard headlights for 20+ years before all the new "free-form" headlights.

c) be sure to get the headlight electrical connectors, the ellipsoidal headlights have different wiring then the older sealed beam type,
If you need to rewire, it is simple:
low beam => ground / low beam power
high beam => ground / high beam 12v power
high beam portion of low/high beam => use current low beam ground, run high beam wire over from high beam side

d) get Lamin-X or something to protect the new headlights, they are flat so this is simple

If you really want to go overboard ....
e) buy HID H4/H1 conversions, and upgrade the light output of these
I bought mine here:
http://www.ddmtuning.com/

Dale

H4/H1` lights:


DDM / Apexcone


====================
These are the HID kits I bought. You could start with just the H4/H1 Hella kit for $150,
then add the H4 HID high/low kit later for $100.

http://www.ddmtuning.com/index.php?p=product&id=101&parent=85

I bought my Hella's from this guy, first time for the black cabrio, 2nd time for the white cabrio:
best price I found, $146

Current auction, this is for all 4 headlights and bulbs, everything needed for the conversion.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Hella-5-3-4-Round-H1-H4-Headlamp-Set-H5001-H5006-EURO_W0QQitemZ370210156541QQcmdZViewItemQQptZMotors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories?hash=item56323eaffd&_trksid=p4506.c0.m245&_trkparms=65%3A12|39%3A1|72%3A1171|240%3A1318

"Includes: (2) 5 3/4" Round H4 Headlamps, (2) H4 12V 60/55w Clear Bulbs, (2) 5 3/4" Round H1 Headlamps, (2) H1 12V 55w Clear Bulbs, Silicon Dustcovers/Boots
Part Numbers: 71456 (002850871) & 71156 (002425831)
Lamps: E-Code (Euro Beam). Lamp glass lens, reflector and casing are made by Hella.

This Hella 5 3/4" Round Headlamp Conversion SET replaces Industry Sealed Beam Headlamp# H5001 (High) & H5006 (Low). The H4 & H1 are the gold standard in headlamps. These Hella conversion headlamps produce twice the light of conventional sealed beams. No other accessory so significantly improves your vehicle's lighting. This H4 & H1 headlamp conversion SET easily replaces any 5 3/4” Round H4 & H1 Sealed Beam Headlamps in a matter of minutes. Be assured, these lamps come with everything you need to convert from a sealed beam application.

Please email ebaysales@sohiperformance.com with any questions regarding this product, and receive immediate, courteous assistance."

His store:
http://stores.shop.ebay.com/SOHi-Performance__W0QQ_armrsZ1
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Last edited by dale on Wed Jun 10, 2009 12:48 pm; edited 5 times in total
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