How to tell if you have sealed beam head lights or ellipsoid healights?

[IS300E30]

Can you tell by looking at them? Also, what is the actual difference in performance?

My car is a 7/87 convertible if that makes a difference

[Holland]

Sealed beams



Ellipsoids



Euro "Smiley" ellipsoids

[IS300E30]

Sealed beams



Ellipsoids



Euro "Smiley" ellipsoids

So, the top picture is of the "Sealed Beams" and the second picture is of the "Ellipsoids" , correct?

[MattM]

first is sealed, second is ellips, third is smiley ellips...


if you have removable bulbs on the back side you have ellips

Ellips have much better lighting output, along with the ability to run aftermarket bulbs(PIAA, Silverstar,etc) or even HID's

[bmw325csi]

most verts, if not all had ellipsoids

[dreamchasin]

most verts, if not all had ellipsoids

Not true. A buddy (Krumchev) had sealed beams on his 91 vert. I've seen a vert in the junkyard with smashed sealed beams on it too. Also seen a couple verts driving around with sealed beams.

[Stevie30]

most verts, if not all had ellipsoids

Only "88 and "89 verts had ellipsoid headlights. Look on your registration. If it is a 1987, it will have sealed beams. If it is a 1988, it will have ellipsoids.
My 1991 has ellipsoids but I put them in so I could use HID bulbs.

[Holland]

Not true. A buddy (Krumchev) had sealed beams on his 91 vert. I've seen a vert in the junkyard with smashed sealed beams on it too. Also seen a couple verts driving around with sealed beams.

I believe all 91 and up cars had sealed beams. IIRC BMW did that to keep the cost down.

[StereoInstaller1]

AFAIK, only '89 had ellipsoids on all models.

[MattM]

most verts, if not all had ellipsoids

my 91 parts car vert had sealed beams

[samiam3356]

Had a 91 vert as well and it had ellips on it. BUT judging by the wiring it looked like someone had put them on it. Sold it shortly after owning it though.

[bzboardz]

my '92 mtech had sealed beams

[MR 325]

Vert or non vert does not decide what headlights were installed. 89's all had ellipsoids, some 88's did. Just like the other models.

[CHIF8008]

sealed beam = {rounded face} poor light output, even new ones may not seem bright

ellipsoids = {flat face} good light output & projection/ can be upgraded with brighter bulbs/ HIDs ..ect

[aknickintyme]

i have a question.
my car came with seal beams. and i found some guy willing to trade me his ellipsoids. but i was wondering if i can just swap out the low beams from my sealed beams for his low beam ellipsoids?