Headlight question - The Unofficial BMW M5 Messageboard (m5board.com)

NHM5 · 10th November 2005, 16:03

Wondering about the difference between the `smiley` headlamps,
and the non `smiley` type..
I have a 3.8, but the headlamps are not the smiley version..
are they from a later year? My car is a 93`..

NHM5 · 11th November 2005, 08:58

Nobody huh?

redl1nerpm · 11th November 2005, 09:16

arent the smiley or ellipsoids projector style. And the others just being standard lights

NHM5 · 11th November 2005, 12:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by redl1nerpm

arent the smiley or ellipsoids projector style. And the others just being standard lights

I`m not sure what headlights the US spec M5`s have..
My headlights are projector style..
They are missing the `smiley` though..

I must have the older version I guess..

farrell · 11th November 2005, 12:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by NHM5

I`m not sure what headlights the US spec M5`s have..
My headlights are projector style..
They are missing the `smiley` though..

I must have the older version I guess..

I think the cutout in the reflector panel may be for legislative light field compliance in certain countries.
An effort to reduce undesirable refraction in one zone of the homologation light field test chart & give a clean pattern cutoff.

Farrell

NHM5 · 11th November 2005, 13:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by farrell

I think the cutout in the reflector panel may be for legislative light field compliance in certain countries.
An effort to reduce undesirable refraction in one zone of the homologation light field test chart & give a clean pattern cutoff.

Farrell

Thanks Farrell.
I`m wondering how big the difference is..
Are the smiley style much brighter?
I ask, because I haven`t had the opportunity
to compare.

farrell · 11th November 2005, 13:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by NHM5

Thanks Farrell.
I`m wondering how big the difference is..
Are the smiley style much brighter?
I ask, because I haven`t had the opportunity
to compare.

I would doubt very much that they are brighter as you are reducing the effective surface area of the reflector but its likely that the portion of the light field affected is not going to detriment the drivers vision but may cut stray light for on coming traffic.

I will ask Hella when they are in next & see what comes back.
I know our refelctors are designed by computer program so the type of cutoff seen on that generation of lamp does not occur these days

I would add that they are a supplier but its still cheaper & more time expedient for me to go down the road to a wholesaler to buy lenses.

Farrell

M5e3438 · 11th November 2005, 14:17

I've got one of each - dont know why - with HIDs in. Cant say there's any significant difference in light projection.

farrell · 11th November 2005, 15:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by M5e3438

I've got one of each - dont know why - with HIDs in. Cant say there's any significant difference in light projection.

No, thats not surprising Frank.
The difference is probably only detectable under certification conditions using a light meter & light field chart.
An MOT will not pick it up either.

Farrell

M5e3438 · 11th November 2005, 15:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by farrell

No, thats not surprising Frank.
The difference is probably only detectable under certification conditions using a light meter & light field chart.
An MOT will not pick it up either.

Farrell

Gotcha.

BTW did you get my PM?