Unofficialbmw.com

m78 · Posted: Thu Mar 05, 2009 10:38 am Post subject:

It actually appears to be epoxy.

Could I have received some altered lights?
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Lachssilber Metallic 203 1988 325i sedan with 200,xxx miles

Top Speed 220 km/h

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dt325ic · Joined: 24 Aug 2004 Posts: 307 Location: Atlanta, GA

Maybe the previous owner used the epoxy to better seal the bulbs from wet weather? Who knows really...

m78 · Posted: Mon Mar 09, 2009 8:16 am Post subject:

Is sealing the lights like this common?

Are all euro lights glued on the back like this?

And how should the backs of euro ellipsoids look like?
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Lachssilber Metallic 203 1988 325i sedan with 200,xxx miles

Top Speed 220 km/h

(OO=00=OO)

dt325ic · Joined: 24 Aug 2004 Posts: 307 Location: Atlanta, GA

I've never heard of sealing them. However, the lights are close to 20 years old, so anything is possible.

I found this pic on ebay. It is the back of some euro elliposoids:

m78 · Posted: Mon Mar 09, 2009 10:53 am Post subject:

So do those back pieces simply screw off in order to replace the bulb?
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Lachssilber Metallic 203 1988 325i sedan with 200,xxx miles

Top Speed 220 km/h

(OO=00=OO)

dt325ic · Joined: 24 Aug 2004 Posts: 307 Location: Atlanta, GA

I would think so.

I looked on the realoem.com database and used a euro 1988 325i as the car. Here's the diagram:
http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=1111&mospid=47263&btnr=63_0048&hg=63&fg=05

It looks like the bulb is replaceable.

Maybe someone with direct experience with these lights will chime in.

Dane
'88 325iC

m78 · Posted: Mon Mar 09, 2009 1:50 pm Post subject:

Thanks dt, that helps.

I guess I'm still kind of puzzled why someone would seal the backs of the headlights. Unless they're not really sealed, but repaired from leaks.

I'm torn between returning these used ones that I bought, or getting a wire harness to install them.

I'm planning on looking at them again tonight to find out if I can in fact replace the bulbs. if not, they're definitely being returned.
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Lachssilber Metallic 203 1988 325i sedan with 200,xxx miles

Top Speed 220 km/h

(OO=00=OO)

dt325ic · Joined: 24 Aug 2004 Posts: 307 Location: Atlanta, GA

I did some more checking. High beam bulb for E30 euro ellipsoids is also used in E36 applications. So, I'm certain that they come out. One of two things--the base on back of the assemblies must be removeable....or the lenses have to be removed to install new bulbs. It's got to be one or the other.

m78 · Posted: Tue Mar 10, 2009 8:40 am Post subject:

Checked again last night, and actually they do come out. But the screw cap is super tight and feels like it's been corroded. Anyone know a good non flammable lubricant that I could apply to the backs of these light buckets to allow the backs to more easily unscrew?
Also the high beams have a fair amount of rust on the back. I have some yellow high beams that I might replace them with, and I'll have to get new adjusters and perhaps new brackets as well.

I need to get the wiring altered though. Check the junk yards and/or stealer for that. At this point, it's workable, though it will take some extra work and $$.

Is there such an adaptor wire that has a male US ellipsoid plug on one end and a female euro/US H1 plug on the other end? Probably not, that would make too much sense. Shocked

Anyone on the board here have some spare headlight connecting wires they'd like to unload?
_________________
Lachssilber Metallic 203 1988 325i sedan with 200,xxx miles

Top Speed 220 km/h

(OO=00=OO)