[CanadianGatorBacon]

Does anyone on here know of a standard metric to use to gauge how high to aim the headlights properly (i.e., not as they come from the factory)? I want to be able to see further, but I don't want to be blinding people. I know headlight aiming is generally an inexact process, but I'm and exacting person. So if someone knows of a good measurement to use for the settings, like the cutoff should be so many inches up a wall from so many feet way, it would be appreciated.

According to the new IIHS headlight test, to the front left of the car low beams should shine about 200 ft forward and directly in front of the car the low beams about 320 ft. The IIHS tested 2er with HID headlights measured just under 100 ft on the left (less than half!!! ) and about 250 ft in front (still 70 ft short).



For all the halogen people ...

[pz619]

I'm curious as well. Disappointing to see the 2 and 3 did so poorly. But then again, I felt that others cars I've had have much better headlights.

Subbed to see if anyone knows how to improve the performance by re-aiming the lights.

[Zooks527]

This is the old school way. At an annual inspection, the tech was supposed to move a bunch of reference lines around on the target wall in the garage. In 40 years, I think I saw that happen once.



The 24" and 50" numbers are examples only here, to be replaced with the actuals from a 2-series. The mention of "trim rings" lets you know how old this procedure is.

[CanadianGatorBacon]

Originally Posted by Zooks527

The 24" and 50" numbers are examples only here, to be replaced with the actuals from a 2-series. The mention of "trim rings" lets you know how old this procedure is.

Based on the IIHS test, I wonder if the 2er spec numbers are suspect. IIHS said they test lights as they came from the dealer without any adjustment. I wonder if they compared the spec numbers with the actual numbers for their cars. Doesn't seem to be any mention of that. Also don't see any mention in the owners manual about specs for adjusting.

I guess I could dust off the old trigonometry skills and work out a number, but I'd prefer guidance from someone with some experienc.

[Zooks527]

Originally Posted by CanadianGatorBacon

I guess I could dust off the old trigonometry skills and work out a number, but I'd prefer guidance from someone with some experienc.

What trigonometry skills? Measure from the ground up to the center of the headlights. That's the number you use instead of 24"

Measure the distance between the two headlights. That's the number to use instead of 50.

Seriously, I did this on my 335. Took all of 5 minutes plus a tape measure.

[fun2drive]

Couple of things here. First of all every BMW I have ever owned had improperly adjusted lights. Yes they are perfect on the BMW machine but always way way too low. The chart that is used above is pretty standard. I have used Daniel Stern's method for years.
http://www.danielsternlighting.com/tech/aim/aim.html
This should help some.
How can BMW HID lights get a good rating when the company has then adjusted too low?
I loved my BMW lights in Europe because I could raise or lower the lights using the adjustable electric switch that comes with all European cars...

[CanadianGatorBacon]

Originally Posted by Zooks527

What trigonometry skills? Measure from the ground up to the center of the headlights. That's the number you use instead of 24"

Oh, oops. Not sure what I was thinking when I read the instructions.

[krhodes1]

Given the HID cars are supposed to have speed-based aiming (I forget what BMW calls it), but it is not allowed in the US, I suspect this is why the headlights are aimed too low from the factory. They probably install them all the same regardless of whether that is inhibited or not. I plan to code it back in once I get one of those "round tuits" and setup the coding software.

But 30 seconds with a Torx wrench and the headlights are much improved.

[xantdieselx]

Originally Posted by krhodes1

Given the HID cars are supposed to have speed-based aiming (I forget what BMW calls it), but it is not allowed in the US, I suspect this is why the headlights are aimed too low from the factory. They probably install them all the same regardless of whether that is inhibited or not. I plan to code it back in once I get one of those "round tuits" and setup the coding software.

But 30 seconds with a Torx wrench and the headlights are much improved.

Same here I manually adjusted mine yesterday. Driver's side was quite a bit lower than the passengers. I've only had my M235i a few weeks but I remember thinking that lights weren't weren't as impressive as I thought they would be. Wouldn't you know a couple of days later this story breaks.

[CanadianGatorBacon]

I have to find a flat parking lot or something. My building's garage is full of drains, and there isn't a level piece of ground on any of the three floors. Maybe an emptyish mall garage will do.

[alanmc_21]

These lights do suck. Dealer of course says they are perfect - passenger side basically shines into people's yards as I drive and doesn't hit the road, feels like I'm driving blind. Glad this info is still floating around....tonight's project

[John in VA]

Originally Posted by CanadianGatorBacon

I have to find a flat parking lot or something. My building's garage is full of drains, and there isn't a level piece of ground on any of the three floors. Maybe an emptyish mall garage will do.

Find a big box store, like a supermarket, auto parts store, etc.