Missing Headlight Adjusters?

[Bumpa]

Hi Momo77. I gave up on the original headlights. They looked terrible and the right one pointed almost straight at the ground in front of the car, so they were pretty much useless at night, although they passed an MoT !! The adjusters on mine were completely snapped off and I couldn't get any tool in there to move them, so I bit the bullet and shelled out for a new pair from 2Xcite (https://www.2xcite.co.uk/webshop/angel-eye-headlights/bmw/z3/).

I was quite concerned about doing this as I wondered if they would be Chinese rubbish with a poor beam control, but I have been pleasantly surprised. Not only have the improved the appearance of the car enormously, but they fitted well, the plugs were all correct and the beam pattern is exactly what you would expect from a European headlamp, with the proper kick-up on the left. I haven't been out after dark yet, but I have high hopes that they will be much better than the originals.

The only slight disappointment is that the Angel Eyes aren't bright enough to be used as daylight lamps. Oh yes, and the wires for the indicators were too short - but were easily extended with my trusty soldering iron. But hey, you can't have everything.

 

[theshootist]

Hi, I have the same problem with my car. It' just failed an MOT on headlight misalignment but the adusters don't work because they are corroded. In fact even second hand set of lights I see on eBay has the same corrosion.

Can I ask, do These aftermarket lights have the same adjster mechanism?

Thanks

 

[t-tony]

I fitted aftermarket all chrome headlights to my Z3, these adjusters were used on those lights.

Depending on what the lights failed on, you may be able to make an adjustment on the plastic nuts which the securing screws are fitted. Although these are for aligning the light to the bodywork there may be enough "movement" to allow the light beam aim to be moved .

Tony.

 

[Bumpa]

They are basically the same type of adjuster except that there is no geared right-angle drive, so you simply use a short cross-headed screwdriver directly on the back of the adjuster. See my picture of the rear of the light. In case you are wondering what the other white circular thing below the adjuster is, it is where the motor plugs in if you have motorised lamp height adjustment. That white part comes out and the motor assembly plugs in its place.

Adjustment is a bit awkward on the left one. Even with the air filter components out of the car, there is still a plastic cover over the back of the light with the air intake on it. I couldn't find any way to remove this so drilled a 10mm hole in it so I could gain access to the adjuster with the screwdriver. The right one is simple. I found that as supplied the lights were pretty well adjusted horizontally but were much too high. A few turns of the adjuster and they came down nicely.

 

[theshootist]

Thanks t-tony and bumpa thats great info.

Do these lights offer any better performance?

 

[t-tony]

I found they were slightly brighter than the stock lights, though if I'm honest I did buy then for their looks as much as anything else.

Tony.

 

[theshootist]

They look great!

..I've ordered a set