headlight swap?

[1990e30coupe]

Have sealed beams on my 87 and I have projector units from a 1990 525i frame was woundering if I can possibly use them on my e30. Not sure if they will mount on the frames I have but will they mount into brackets from any e30? I know the 5 series brackets won't fit but will the low beam unit fit a diffrent bracket to fit my 3?

[Mo Brighta]

headlight swap vs upgrade to halogen reflectors

Have sealed beams on my 87 and I have projector units from a 1990 525i frame was wondering if I can possibly use them on my e30. Not sure if they will mount on the frames I have but will they mount into brackets from any e30? I know the 5 series brackets won't fit but will the low beam unit fit a different bracket to fit my 3?

Well, with enough reworking / metal fabrication, anything is possible. You'll need to find a way to mount them, then reconfigure headlight relays to light them full time vs. going off with High Beams ... to cure sealed-beam-itis. I totally understand wanting to replace sealed beams.

I'd be surprised if they fit without extensive modification; maybe someone has tried this and can chime it? Projectors are uniquely mounted, don't fit US buckets.

Do you have the 5er buckets? You might get 525 buckets to mount to the car easier than getting the lights to fit the E30 buckets. Then you'll have high beams to sort out, and relay mods and connectors.

If you aren't too heavily invested in the projectors, maybe upgrading with a light that drops straight into the stock bucket would be faster, easier, brighter, simpler, and so forth. Depends on whether you are emotionally tied to the projectors, and really like tinkering with metalwork and wiring.

Anything else you can tell us about the lights- are they really pristine? Did you pick them up for a song? Do you really like 'the look'? Are they from a friend's car that was wrecked, and you want them to live a full life?

[AndrewBird]

Unless they are Euro projectors, they won't fit in any e30 bracket. Euro lights are the same reflectors though.

Your best bet is buy a set of H4/H1 lights that will fit into your stock sealed beam brackets. Then you get brand new lights without pitted glass and foggy reflectors.

[Mo Brighta]

Headlight upgrade

Unless they are Euro projectors, they won't fit in any e30 bracket. Euro lights are the same reflectors though.

Your best bet is buy a set of H4/H1 lights that will fit into your stock sealed beam brackets. Then you get brand new lights without pitted glass and foggy reflectors.

^ What he said.

With new headlights, you'll want headlight film to protect your investment(see here: http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=357961).

[1990e30coupe]

I got it guys thanks! I found it wouldn't work and bought a set of e30 ellipsoids from Tismael711 so they will bolt right in and already have harnesses.
Just for the record on here 5 series brackets wont fit on 87's anyways and the low beam units themselves will not go into any e30 brackets from what I researched and found. Maybe someone has made it possible, but in all reality it is easier to buy a set for an E30 (units + brackets from e30).
I feel stupid for starting this thread as 5 series brackets are different of course causing the units in them to mount differently from that of a e30 one, and the brackets are a larger size off a 5er just by looking. Shows I need to pay attention more too. Anyways thanks again for the info.

[1990e30coupe]

^ What he said.

With new headlights, you'll want headlight film to protect your investment(see here: http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=357961).

I already new about the headlight film, and now that I got a set on the way I am going to order some since the lenses are in great condition. Thanks for the advice since protecting investments is ideal.