<e36> Euro Headlight Install + Results

[wji <wisaacso@xxxxxxxxx>]

All,

I finally got around to installing Euro Headlights on my 325i.  I
received these lights in a trade; they did not come with new plugs to
adapt these headlights to the US wiring harness.  Bekkers was the only
outfit I found who would supply me with the kit adapters on an
individual basis (not as part of a $400 kit.)  Total cost was around
$35 shipped 3 day air.  The adapters consist of two parts.  The first
part is plastic plug which screws onto the back of the headlight
assembly.  The second part is called "barrel connectors"; you'll need
8 of these.  The barrel connector is essentially the female half of
the plug.  You solder the barrel connector onto the end of the wire,
then insert it into the plastic plug.  The result is that you build a
wiring adapter that looks like it came from the factory  (it should,
the part is a bmw part.)  

The barrel connectors have 2 sets of tabs on them.  The ones at the
end fold over the wire insulation.  The tabs in the middle of the
connector fold over the bare wire (which you'll want to solder as well.)

Chad Burkey was kind enough to send me a detailed installation
instruction document.  Mail me and I'll forward you a copy (rather
than plagerize his work)

I did not wire up the city lights (little 4 watt bulbs that reside in
the high beam.)  I'll probably go back and wire them in // with the
parking lights.

One easy way to make sure the headlights are centered in the opening
is to look at the parking lights.  The parking lights slide onto the
edge of the headlights.  If the parking lights line up correctly with
the body of the car (it's really easy to tell if they are properly
aligned) everything is okay, otherwise go back and adjust as
necessary.  

Results:  

First of all, having clear headlights really improves the looks of the
car.  Even with all the stone chips on the front of my car, things are
looking good.

A short drive was enough to demonstrate the differences between the US
and Euro lights.  While (IMHO) the US lights do a good job of lighting
the road with an even beam, they don't cast light very far.  The euro
lights have a pattern which is extremely even (no bright or dark
spots) and they cast a light a far distance.  
I was almost expecting these things to turn night to day (get em close
to bugs and the insects incinerate before they touch your car.)  Not
so, but they are a big improvement over normal lights.

Total install time was around 2 hours, I probably could have done the
job in 1 hour.  

Regards,
Bill Isaacson
BMWCCA, GGC
94 325i 
_________________________________________________________
DO YOU YAHOO!?
Get your free @domain.elided address at http://mail.yahoo.com

------------------------------