Headlight brightness ....

[Chachi112]

I was curious if anyone knew how to make the headlights brighter. I'm not talking about the angel eyes, I really don't care what color they are, but the actual headlights. I feel as if I'm over driving them even around town. Is it as simple as swapping out the HID bulbs to a different temp??

[luis_m3]

[cloud8r]

Unfortunately it's not that simple. The color (temp) of the oem bulbs are pretty much as bright as they can be. Any other temp changes the color and accordingly dims the actual light output.

If you are determined, try looking into 50w ballasts to replace the oem's 35w. This will not be a simple swap as most of the after market 50w ballasts are designed for d2s bulbs (bulb and ballast are separate) whereas the newer bmws use d1s with the ballast and bulb attached. So if you can't find a 50w d1s kit, you'll have to get a d2s kit with separate bulbs, you'll have waterproofing issues and potentially bulb fitment issues unless you find a 50w d1s/d2s adapter. Regardless you may have bulb out errors. Nothing that can't be overcome but you gotta be dedicated to doing this.

I researched this indepthly several years ago and don't remember all the specs and things may have changed since. But with a little research you should be able to come up with a solution.

Good luck and all the best. Keep us updated.

[ChrisK]

Originally Posted by Chachi112

I was curious if anyone knew how to make the headlights brighter. I'm not talking about the angel eyes, I really don't care what color they are, but the actual headlights. I feel as if I'm over driving them even around town. Is it as simple as swapping out the HID bulbs to a different temp??

It's not your bulbs.

All you need to do is raise your headlights up. I have adjusted the headlights on every single BMW I have ever owned. BMW seems to angle down their Headlights slightly from the factory. There is an adjustment on each headlight ( I don't have a picture). I made two full turns to each headlight - now they are perfect.

People will say they are "self adjusting". Yes, they are self adjusting from the default level set at the factory. That level is too low IMHO.

[sig5x]

I adjusted my headlights up as well and it made a big difference in lighting up the road.

They were pointed really low from the factory. I take care not to adjust them too high to avoid glaring oncoming traffic, too. Even a slight adjustment makes a noticeable benefit.

[Stainless 45]

^ This. Did the same with mine. Simple adjustment, face a wall and raise them until you're happy with the height.

[rye m3]

Originally Posted by ChrisK

It's not your bulbs.

All you need to do is raise your headlights up. I have adjusted the headlights on every single BMW I have ever owned. BMW seems to angle down their Headlights slightly from the factory. There is an adjustment on each headlight ( I don't have a picture). I made two full turns to each headlight - now they are perfect.

People will say they are "self adjusting". Yes, they are self adjusting from the default level set at the factory. That level is too low IMHO.

+1 me too. I turned them more than 2 full turns. Also turned the passenger side a bit higher than the driver side. Since that light doesn't shine into oncoming traffic, I felt I could get more distance out of that light.

Agreed - I was stunned how low the factory had the lights set. The headlights themselves are outstanding.

[Sandye90m3]

Hey guys, I misplaced my manual. Just wondering where the "knob" is to rotate and raise the levels of the headlights? I took a "quick" glance and couldn't find it

[BKMK5]

Originally Posted by Sandye90m3

Hey guys, I misplaced my manual. Just wondering where the "knob" is to rotate and raise the levels of the headlights? I took a "quick" glance and couldn't find it

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=6704

[mmm def]

do you guys who have turned your headlights up get flashed by oncoming drivers at night?

[JCtx]

Originally Posted by ChrisK

I made two full turns to each headlight - now they are perfect.

That's what I'm going to do, but can you just turn the knobs (or do you need a screwdriver?) counterclockwise two turns each with the car off, or does it have to be running? Hope the former. I also need to adjust the bike's headlight (also a BMW K1300S), since it's pretty darn low as well. Typical BMW adjustment. Thanks.

[lve2xlr8]

Originally Posted by rye m3

1 me too. I turned them more than 2 full turns. Also turned the passenger side a bit higher than the driver side. Since that light doesn't shine into oncoming traffic, I felt I could get more distance out of that light.

Agreed - I was stunned how low the factory had the lights set. The headlights themselves are outstanding.

2 bmw didn't raise the lights at all on the zcp models either so even though the drop is modest the light angle is even poorer. If you go to a nice flat lot in the back of a building with a clean wall you can really line up the driver and passenger lights to give them a sharper cut off, still not as cut as an Acura, but pretty good.

[NFAM3]

Ever since I had the KW's installed, I don't know if the people who installed it touched something or didn't plug something back in, I'm constantly getting flashed by oncoming traffic like I had my high beams on. Once I flash them my high beams, they must freak out. Mine are super bright.

[rye m3]

Originally Posted by elp_jc

That's what I'm going to do, but can you just turn the knobs (or do you need a screwdriver?) counterclockwise two turns each with the car off, or does it have to be running? Hope the former. I also need to adjust the bike's headlight (also a BMW K1300S), since it's pretty darn low as well. Typical BMW adjustment. Thanks.

I did it while running (pretty hard to tell what you're doing without having the headlights on). Also good to have a flashlight to find the knob. I used a large Phillips screwdriver, the knob was way too stiff to turn by hand.

I've never been flashed at night. That's the problem with running low on coils - you bounce around too much and your headlight angle gets much flatter as the car gets lower.

[rye m3]

Originally Posted by NFAM3

Ever since I had the KW's installed, I don't know if the people who installed it touched something or didn't plug something back in, I'm constantly getting flashed by oncoming traffic like I had my high beams on. Once I flash them my high beams, they must freak out. Mine are super bright.

The leveling lever was a plastic and connected to the suspension on E46's - not sure for the E92. It was common for installers that didn't know what they were doing to break them off, disabling the auto leveling feature. Make sure your headlights dip and come up when you start the car.

[geneatals]

Originally Posted by NFAM3

Ever since I had the KW's installed, I don't know if the people who installed it touched something or didn't plug something back in, I'm constantly getting flashed by oncoming traffic like I had my high beams on. Once I flash them my high beams, they must freak out. Mine are super bright.

http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthr...just+headlight

[JohnnyRoaster]

I was thinking it was just me. At night I can only see about twenty five feet of the road in front of me. That is fine for residential streets but too short for highway speeds. Thanks for the info on adjusting the head lights.

[Titanium Silver]

All you need is a screwdriver, but don't raise them by more than two full turns.