Euro ellips compatibility

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  • royalflush313
    R3VLimited
    • Mar 2004
    • 2070

    #1

    Euro ellips compatibility

    Quick Q.

    I was sure that all the E30 headlights are interchangeable between all E30 models. But someone recently told me that 87 and earlier E30s headlights are held in differently, so the euro smiley elips for example will not work.

    I know that there are more than a handful of you with a 87 E30 using euro ellips, so can someone confirm this? Is there modifications (mounting) needed?

    I just want to be sure, because im selling my ellips to a local guy with a 87.
    ~ Go Canucks Go! ~
  • nando
    Moderator
    • Nov 2003
    • 34827

    #2
    they are confusing the sealed beam buckets and lenses. you have to swap the whole assembly with the Euro assembly, which comes with it's own mounting bracket. it's like 4 big screws to take the old ones out, you can find the procedure in any $15 E30 manual.

    wiring is a little more tricky, but there are some great guides on wiring the euro lights into sealed beam cars all over the place. I used Ryan's but I think he took it down..

    you will also need to aim them, I used the procedure on www.danielsternlighting.com and my lights are great!
    Build thread

    Bimmerlabs

    Comment

    • royalflush313
      R3VLimited
      • Mar 2004
      • 2070

      #3
      Originally posted by nando
      they are confusing the sealed beam buckets and lenses. you have to swap the whole assembly with the Euro assembly, which comes with it's own mounting bracket. it's like 4 big screws to take the old ones out, you can find the procedure in any $15 E30 manual.

      wiring is a little more tricky, but there are some great guides on wiring the euro lights into sealed beam cars all over the place. I used Ryan's but I think he took it down..

      you will also need to aim them, I used the procedure on www.danielsternlighting.com and my lights are great!
      right, thanks for the response.
      I was quite certain that it would be no problem, but I wanted to make sure before I sold the lights to him.
      ~ Go Canucks Go! ~

      Comment

      • Madhatter
        E30 Modder
        • Oct 2004
        • 966

        #4
        no they arent confusing them, atleast not here they arent (so for euro spec vehicles). It is true, the earlier lights use a metal frame which is much smaller than the larger model lights with ellipsoids (the ellipsoids wont actually fit into them). I had to swap the whole assembly from a series II car in order to use my ellipsoids i purchased.
        Just a little project im working on
        - http://www.lse30.com -

        Comment

        • nando
          Moderator
          • Nov 2003
          • 34827

          #5
          Originally posted by Madhatter
          no they arent confusing them, atleast not here they arent (so for euro spec vehicles). It is true, the earlier lights use a metal frame which is much smaller than the larger model lights with ellipsoids (the ellipsoids wont actually fit into them). I had to swap the whole assembly from a series II car in order to use my ellipsoids i purchased.
          that is exactly what I just posted above...
          Build thread

          Bimmerlabs

          Comment

          • royalflush313
            R3VLimited
            • Mar 2004
            • 2070

            #6
            Originally posted by nando
            that is exactly what I just posted above...
            right, so as long as you have the actual lights and the brackets, it is okay.
            ~ Go Canucks Go! ~

            Comment

            • Madhatter
              E30 Modder
              • Oct 2004
              • 966

              #7
              errr, no you didnt. I dont have sealed beams, it is already a euro car i have H4/H1's and i had to swap the whole thing with a series II car. You cant just use any euro assembly, you specifically need the series II items.
              Just a little project im working on
              - http://www.lse30.com -

              Comment

              • nando
                Moderator
                • Nov 2003
                • 34827

                #8
                Originally posted by Madhatter
                errr, no you didnt. I dont have sealed beams, it is already a euro car i have H4/H1's and i had to swap the whole thing with a series II car. You cant just use any euro assembly, you specifically need the series II items.
                I think you are confused. I said he had to swap out his old assembly for the new assembly, including the buckets, which is what you just stated (again). it's no different if your car is euro or not (sealed beams and H4s use the same mounts).
                Build thread

                Bimmerlabs

                Comment

                • ebelements
                  PBMW Feature Car
                  • Oct 2005
                  • 403

                  #9
                  I have an 86, and I'm retrofitting the smiley lowbeams because I got them cheap and I enjoy a challenge. For those of you who do not enjoy cutting yourself, cursing, and possibly not having headlights, you should shell out a couple ben franklins and buy the whole setup. =)
                  . . .
                  Erik

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