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How do I change the headlamp direction>
- Thread starter bras0782
- Start date
you either need new set of projectors or headlights, OR new shield. but getting new shield would be near impossible. you'd be better off finding the projectors.
should look into EBAY USA for LHD units. plenty of them out there for cheap. PAIR of bi-xenon projectors cost around $150. remember, ones from MAXIMA, E55 and E60(5 series) fit the Z4. Same projectors.
should look into EBAY USA for LHD units. plenty of them out there for cheap. PAIR of bi-xenon projectors cost around $150. remember, ones from MAXIMA, E55 and E60(5 series) fit the Z4. Same projectors.
OK - so UK lights and things are different for lights here to anywhere else in the globe.
If you have Xenon open the flap in front of the wheels. Remove ther rear spring cover off the lamp and wiggle the cover out of the way. (lights off obvioulsy else you will hurt real bad witha 20k shock...) By the side of the projector there is a lever. Sliding up or down and it will cut off the elevated left side of the beam, making them legal in Europe. Reassemble ensuring the cover seats well. It's less than 5 mins per side and can be done before oyu leave home as they would still be UK legal but poorly illuminate the left verge.
The halogens I have dismantled have the same lever in the UK but if not, then it's blanking / diffusers / beam deflectors from Halfords/AA. Do not use black tape as the heat build up can easliy melt/scar the plastic lens and guessing the cut offf location would be tricky.
LHS and RHS lights do not point higher or lower - a myth/not correct for the UK. Just look at your current beam pattern on a wall or garage door.
Hope this helps.
If you have Xenon open the flap in front of the wheels. Remove ther rear spring cover off the lamp and wiggle the cover out of the way. (lights off obvioulsy else you will hurt real bad witha 20k shock...) By the side of the projector there is a lever. Sliding up or down and it will cut off the elevated left side of the beam, making them legal in Europe. Reassemble ensuring the cover seats well. It's less than 5 mins per side and can be done before oyu leave home as they would still be UK legal but poorly illuminate the left verge.
The halogens I have dismantled have the same lever in the UK but if not, then it's blanking / diffusers / beam deflectors from Halfords/AA. Do not use black tape as the heat build up can easliy melt/scar the plastic lens and guessing the cut offf location would be tricky.
LHS and RHS lights do not point higher or lower - a myth/not correct for the UK. Just look at your current beam pattern on a wall or garage door.
Hope this helps.
Found out how to do it with standard lights - it's on pg86 of the maunal. Thanks to GAZA62 for the tip.
There is a lever in the engine bay which you push in or pull out for the different settings. This must be what GP20 was referring to.
I was looking at copy of the manual I had on my computer - turns out that's the American version and so no reference to the lights
There is a lever in the engine bay which you push in or pull out for the different settings. This must be what GP20 was referring to.
I was looking at copy of the manual I had on my computer - turns out that's the American version and so no reference to the lights
mason storm
Active member
as far as I can see this only shows yu how to access the bulbs it doesn't say anything about changing the angle of the beam?
mason storm said:
The lever I refer to does not alter the angle of the beam at all. It lowers a blanking plate (well actually raises it as the light source is inverted by the lens but that would confuse...lol) that cuts of part of the beam. Very different to adjusting the headlamps for normal and correct alignment and direction.
bras0782
I cannot get to my handbook to check what you are referring to, as it's 500 miles away at home.
If you mean the knurled adjusters they are for beam alignment on Z4 headlights (up, down left, right). They will not blank off the beam that points left and up, which in the UK of course illuminates the pavement/hedge and in Europe would dazzle oncoming drivers.
All adjustment for Europe is through the rear access panel as mentioned above.
I cannot get to my handbook to check what you are referring to, as it's 500 miles away at home.
If you mean the knurled adjusters they are for beam alignment on Z4 headlights (up, down left, right). They will not blank off the beam that points left and up, which in the UK of course illuminates the pavement/hedge and in Europe would dazzle oncoming drivers.
All adjustment for Europe is through the rear access panel as mentioned above.
mason storm
Active member
cj10jeeper said:
Interesting, how did you find this out as the manual just says you have to move the lever (if we are talking about the same thing) to gain access to the bulbs? Was it just a case of finding this out by accident?
mason storm
Active member
cj10jeeper said:
I don't think he was refering to any knurled headlight adjusters, I think he is refering to a lever which is used to access the bulbs in the headlights
My knowledge comes from dismantling and rebuilding sets of Z4 halogen and Xenon lights to convert them to clear turn lenses. To do this I have had to gain intimate knowledge of every component inside and outside of the light units.
Why not take 5 minutes to open the flap in the wheel arch by turning the locks 90 degrees, remove the spring that holds the rear light cover on (as if changing a bulb) which oyu may be calling a 'lever' then simply look for the beam adjuster ont he side of the projector. It's a few moments to do and I don't think there is anything further I can add to help you.
Edit: Picture of the rear of a light unit showing the spring retainer running lower left to top right and the cover you need to remove.
Why not take 5 minutes to open the flap in the wheel arch by turning the locks 90 degrees, remove the spring that holds the rear light cover on (as if changing a bulb) which oyu may be calling a 'lever' then simply look for the beam adjuster ont he side of the projector. It's a few moments to do and I don't think there is anything further I can add to help you.
Edit: Picture of the rear of a light unit showing the spring retainer running lower left to top right and the cover you need to remove.
Thanks cj10jeeper. I was planning to do that that yesterday but it rained too much.
The manual says you have to access the light compartment (as described seperately on pg 87) by unlocking using a coin and then pulling back teh wire - is this wire the spring retainer you mentioned? Within the compartment there is a knob or lever which can be push in or out (i.e. two states). The manual says to push them in for LHD and out for RHD (or vice versa - can't remember).
Is it very straightforward to get to the back of the headlight and then re-assemble? Hope to get a chance tonight and test out the settings.
The manual says you have to access the light compartment (as described seperately on pg 87) by unlocking using a coin and then pulling back teh wire - is this wire the spring retainer you mentioned? Within the compartment there is a knob or lever which can be push in or out (i.e. two states). The manual says to push them in for LHD and out for RHD (or vice versa - can't remember).
Is it very straightforward to get to the back of the headlight and then re-assemble? Hope to get a chance tonight and test out the settings.
Yes on every count. You've got it....
Tried it today. Got access to the headlights, but could not find the lever to push/pull!!! :headbang:
The diagram on page 86 highlighting the lever is very different to the diagrams on page 88 showing the back of the headlights with and without the cover :x
Has anyone managed to figure this out? Where can I get a copy of the owners handbook (UK version) online? It would help illustrate.
Thanks
The diagram on page 86 highlighting the lever is very different to the diagrams on page 88 showing the back of the headlights with and without the cover :x
Has anyone managed to figure this out? Where can I get a copy of the owners handbook (UK version) online? It would help illustrate.
Thanks
I still couldn't find the lever 
so I took to the nearest BMW service centre.
When I showed him the diagram in the manual he told me it's a pic of the back of the xenons, not the halogens! Wish the manual had clarified that!! :thumbsdown:
:headbang:
After a bit of trial and error he found the lever. We couldn't see it because of the limited view with the wheel in the way, but it's next to the big bulb and just above what felt like the back of a screw. It's just a small lever which you can puch up and down with a finger - very easily misable unless you know what you're looking for.
Hope this helps anyone else in the future.
so I took to the nearest BMW service centre.When I showed him the diagram in the manual he told me it's a pic of the back of the xenons, not the halogens! Wish the manual had clarified that!! :thumbsdown:
:headbang:
After a bit of trial and error he found the lever. We couldn't see it because of the limited view with the wheel in the way, but it's next to the big bulb and just above what felt like the back of a screw. It's just a small lever which you can puch up and down with a finger - very easily misable unless you know what you're looking for.
Hope this helps anyone else in the future.