Lefthand Drive Euro Headlights...

morscode · 05-07-2008, 11:39 PM

All headlights are put together the same way. I haven't ran into a set that's different yet.

Just remove plastics and bulbs, put it in the oven on a damp towel so it won't burn through for about 10 min. You just want to get the glue tacky. Pry the cover apart from the hosing with some butter knives working around the headlight. Everything inside should go in like legos. Remove the reflector and fab up a new one and just glue her back together.

Although I don't know how the fibers work with the extreme heat from an oven so you can either put it in the oven longer at a lower temp or use a heat gun.

I've done about 3-4 sets of headlights and it's really not hard, just time consuming.

malves85 · 05-08-2008, 10:48 AM

Ill be in for some non-amber headlights. Keep us updated if there is any group buy or what we need to do to order.
Anything else different between american and european headlights besides the amber?

adc · 05-08-2008, 12:51 PM

^ That's incorrect.

The only difference between the Euro beam pattern and the US pattern is the shape and reach of the cut-off on the right side.

For the Euro lights, the pattern is flat dead ahead and then abruptly rises at an angle (approx 30 degrees) towards the right side. (Driver's view). This is to aid visibility on the right side of the road, where pedestrians/cyclists/wildlife is likely to be on 2 lane roads.

The US pattern also rises a little towards the right side of the road, but then plateaus again (a little higher than the dead-ahead plateau). This is so that on highway driving you don't blind drivers in the right lane with a rising beam pattern (through the side mirror).

While not DOT legal, a regular Euro pattern will not get you in trouble. I've ran Euro lights on my E36 M3 for years without any trouble (and the current owner of the car is still running them).

Thing is, once you remove the orange reflector your US lights are no longer DOT compliant anyway, regardless of beam pattern. If police asks, you will need to go back to the orange reflector and that will be another major pain in the butt.

So go ahead, get the Euro lights if you can afford them. Installation will be a lot easier - and if they catch you, you can easily go back to legal US lights.

Edit: Euro is like this (except the angle is less acute):

/
___/.

US is like this:

_
__/ .

aesthetect · 05-08-2008, 01:42 PM

^ sorry i deleted my post before you said that because i realized i was wrong.

just dont try and swap over UK headlights.

JKennedy1612 · 05-09-2008, 03:08 PM

I am also interested in this conversion as well. However, since the value of the US$ has declined so vastly the conversion rate is poor. Once the economy recovers and the US$ strengthens you'll see a more appealing price.

ktdw · 06-19-2008, 06:07 PM

I would be interested in a group buy.

mjovic · 06-19-2008, 09:49 PM

$1,300 to get rid of ambers is ridiculous guys. I can see if the car didn't already come with self-leveling and rotating HIDs, then this would make a ton of sense, but seriously, come on. Half the cost and then MAYBE.

ktdw · 06-22-2008, 01:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mjovic

$1,300 to get rid of ambers is ridiculous guys. I can see if the car didn't already come with self-leveling and rotating HIDs, then this would make a ton of sense, but seriously, come on. Half the cost and then MAYBE.

What about comparing the $1300 for the clears to $1300 on carbon fiber pieces? I would rather not spend $1300 on either, but if I was going to spend the money, the clears win out easily IMO.

Vegas_Sirk · 06-23-2008, 03:29 PM

$1300 is cheap for the 1 series ... my 335i Euros cost $1800 :wink:

InsaneSkippy · 06-24-2008, 01:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ktdw

What about comparing the $1300 for the clears to $1300 on carbon fiber pieces? I would rather not spend $1300 on either, but if I was going to spend the money, the clears win out easily IMO.

+!

You can spend almost $1300 just for the carbon fibrer interior set. I'd MUCH rather have the clear headlights than a bunch of CF.

It's just personal preference when it comes down to it. Some people will like/want it, others won't.

CAMike · 06-24-2008, 02:34 PM

I'm not sure if BMW is different then other companies that have Euro versions and US versions of cars but when I got my Mazda6 there were many people that found the Euro version of the lights for a decent price (don't remember exactly now as this was several years ago) and tried to do a swap. Turned out that the wiring was different and they were not a simple plug and play sawp. The process to switch over was a PITA and needed some additional parts (which of course came with additional cost) from Europe to complete the swap. Turned out to be much more expensive and much more difficult. I have no idea if BMW would do the same thing but wanted to share my experience with trying to just swap out a Euro version of a light with a US version. Those that didn't give up and sell the parts on e-bay never had any problems with the cops and more than a few tested this with several speeding tickets. Despite something that seems like it shoudl be easy enough, it didn't work so well after all...with that said, I will be trying to locate some lights after my car arrives and If I'm able to find some for a decent price, I'll gladly give it a try and share here.

Brandon26pdx · 06-24-2008, 05:27 PM

Hit up the internet parts dudes at Tischer BMW in NJ with the P/N's and see if they will set up a "1Addicts" discount for them like they do with the E46 guys.

TT1351 · 08-24-2008, 01:08 PM

Dan at United can get them for less then $900 a pair for non-adaptive, more for adaptive. http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=11746

Fran

e46m3to335i · 02-28-2011, 08:07 AM

Anybody ever get an answer if the euro headlights are a true plug and play for us US xenon guys??

Nick

Purgatory · 02-28-2011, 11:12 AM

Yes they are, I've done it. Mine were more expensive than what has been quoted above, but I attribute that to the poor exchange rate at the time.

http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showt...ean+headlights

Canada = Legal
USA = Not so much, but who cares... live on the edge!

e46m3to335i · 02-28-2011, 11:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Purgatory

Yes they are, I've done it. Mine were more expensive than what has been quoted above, but I attribute that to the poor exchange rate at the time.

http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showt...ean+headlights

Canada = Legal
USA = Not so much, but who cares... live on the edge!

Awesome!

Thanks for the quick confirmation

-Nick

05-07-2008, 11:39 PM	#23
morscode Got Boost? 52 Rep 601 Posts Drives: 19 x3 m40i Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: 818 iTrader: (3)	All headlights are put together the same way. I haven't ran into a set that's different yet. Just remove plastics and bulbs, put it in the oven on a damp towel so it won't burn through for about 10 min. You just want to get the glue tacky. Pry the cover apart from the hosing with some butter knives working around the headlight. Everything inside should go in like legos. Remove the reflector and fab up a new one and just glue her back together. Although I don't know how the fibers work with the extreme heat from an oven so you can either put it in the oven longer at a lower temp or use a heat gun. I've done about 3-4 sets of headlights and it's really not hard, just time consuming.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-08-2008, 10:48 AM	#24
malves85 Second Lieutenant 6 Rep 255 Posts Drives: Join Date: Feb 2008 iTrader: (0)	Ill be in for some non-amber headlights. Keep us updated if there is any group buy or what we need to do to order. Anything else different between american and european headlights besides the amber?
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-08-2008, 12:51 PM	#25
adc Major General 2750 Rep 6,759 Posts Drives: 2018 F80 M3 ED Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: MD/DC iTrader: (12)	^ That's incorrect. The only difference between the Euro beam pattern and the US pattern is the shape and reach of the cut-off on the right side. For the Euro lights, the pattern is flat dead ahead and then abruptly rises at an angle (approx 30 degrees) towards the right side. (Driver's view). This is to aid visibility on the right side of the road, where pedestrians/cyclists/wildlife is likely to be on 2 lane roads. The US pattern also rises a little towards the right side of the road, but then plateaus again (a little higher than the dead-ahead plateau). This is so that on highway driving you don't blind drivers in the right lane with a rising beam pattern (through the side mirror). While not DOT legal, a regular Euro pattern will not get you in trouble. I've ran Euro lights on my E36 M3 for years without any trouble (and the current owner of the car is still running them). Thing is, once you remove the orange reflector your US lights are no longer DOT compliant anyway, regardless of beam pattern. If police asks, you will need to go back to the orange reflector and that will be another major pain in the butt. So go ahead, get the Euro lights if you can afford them. Installation will be a lot easier - and if they catch you, you can easily go back to legal US lights. Edit: Euro is like this (except the angle is less acute): / ___/. US is like this: _ __/ . __________________ 2018 F80 Santorini 2019 Z4 3.0i 2022 X2 M35i
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05-08-2008, 01:42 PM	#26
aesthetect form follows function 38 Rep 838 Posts Drives: GC impreza Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: austin tx iTrader: (0)	^ sorry i deleted my post before you said that because i realized i was wrong. just dont try and swap over UK headlights.
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05-09-2008, 03:08 PM	#27
JKennedy1612 New Member 0 Rep 9 Posts Drives: Join Date: May 2008 iTrader: (0)	I am also interested in this conversion as well. However, since the value of the US$ has declined so vastly the conversion rate is poor. Once the economy recovers and the US$ strengthens you'll see a more appealing price.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

06-19-2008, 06:07 PM	#28
ktdw BMWCCA #401908 54 Rep 470 Posts Drives: 135i Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Bay Area iTrader: (0)	I would be interested in a group buy. __________________ Vishnu PROcede v3, Vishnu Dual Cone Intake, Code3 FMIC, Riss Racing Downpipes, Riss Racing Exhaust, H&R Sport Springs Best 1/4 mile: 12.583 @ 117.609 mph
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06-19-2008, 09:49 PM	#29
mjovic Lieutenant 45 Rep 457 Posts Drives: 135i Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Bolingbrook, IL iTrader: (1)	$1,300 to get rid of ambers is ridiculous guys. I can see if the car didn't already come with self-leveling and rotating HIDs, then this would make a ton of sense, but seriously, come on. Half the cost and then MAYBE.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

06-23-2008, 03:29 PM	#31
Vegas_Sirk Banned 578 Rep 3,547 Posts Drives: 2013 JKU Wrangler Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Boise, ID iTrader: (11) Garage List 2011 BMW M3 ZCP [0.00] 2008 535xi [0.00] 2009 John Cooper Wo ... [9.50] 2007 E90 335i [0.00]	$1300 is cheap for the 1 series ... my 335i Euros cost $1800 :wink:
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06-24-2008, 02:34 PM	#33
CAMike Second Lieutenant 6 Rep 237 Posts Drives: 2008 135i Join Date: May 2008 Location: Aviano, Italy (San Diego is home though) iTrader: (0)	I'm not sure if BMW is different then other companies that have Euro versions and US versions of cars but when I got my Mazda6 there were many people that found the Euro version of the lights for a decent price (don't remember exactly now as this was several years ago) and tried to do a swap. Turned out that the wiring was different and they were not a simple plug and play sawp. The process to switch over was a PITA and needed some additional parts (which of course came with additional cost) from Europe to complete the swap. Turned out to be much more expensive and much more difficult. I have no idea if BMW would do the same thing but wanted to share my experience with trying to just swap out a Euro version of a light with a US version. Those that didn't give up and sell the parts on e-bay never had any problems with the cops and more than a few tested this with several speeding tickets. Despite something that seems like it shoudl be easy enough, it didn't work so well after all...with that said, I will be trying to locate some lights after my car arrives and If I'm able to find some for a decent price, I'll gladly give it a try and share here. __________________ Mike
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06-24-2008, 05:27 PM	#34
Brandon26pdx Lieutenant Colonel 28 Rep 1,938 Posts Drives: 2011 135i Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Portland, OR iTrader: (1)	Hit up the internet parts dudes at Tischer BMW in NJ with the P/N's and see if they will set up a "1Addicts" discount for them like they do with the E46 guys.
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08-24-2008, 01:08 PM	#35
TT1351 Captain 508 Rep 929 Posts Drives: 135, GTS, E30 M3+ Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Massachusetts iTrader: (2)	Dan at United can get them for less then $900 a pair for non-adaptive, more for adaptive. http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=11746 Fran
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02-28-2011, 08:07 AM	#36
e46m3to335i Major 172 Rep 1,375 Posts Drives: 2015 F80 M3 Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Fort Bragg, NC iTrader: (26)	Anybody ever get an answer if the euro headlights are a true plug and play for us US xenon guys?? Nick
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02-28-2011, 11:12 AM	#37
Purgatory Private First Class 5 Rep 178 Posts Drives: 2011 X5 xDrive 5.0 Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Calgary iTrader: (0)	Yes they are, I've done it. Mine were more expensive than what has been quoted above, but I attribute that to the poor exchange rate at the time. http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showt...ean+headlights Canada = Legal USA = Not so much, but who cares... live on the edge!
	Appreciate 0 Quote