Headlight alignment

rcc_007 · 01-20-2015, 08:10 PM

Hey guys,
I had both headlight replaced at the dealer due to a manufacture defect recently. When I got the car back the headlight seems to be pointing lower than my previous ones. Took it back to the dealership to have it checked out and they said it aligned perfectly, but it continues to bother me when I am driving. I considered take the car to another dealer but I am afraid they may charge me since they did not install the headlights. Anyone has similar issues? Any thoughts on what I should do?

963mw · 01-21-2015, 03:47 AM

If you really do feel that they have been lowered, you can re-adjust them by yourself, but make sure that you don't aim them too high, in which the dazzle on coming traffic.

tomsab0 · 01-21-2015, 06:37 AM

can you explain how this works with xenon headlights?

Fronzdan · 01-21-2015, 11:28 AM

I suspect there is an adjustment screw, but I'm interested to hear as well. I haven't bothered to look, but my left light seems to be slightly lower than the right.

963mw · 01-21-2015, 05:42 PM

Open your hood, you will find 2 screws over each headlight, the inner one adjusts the height of each light source. Clockwise to lower, counter-Clockwise to raise. Check on the forum, it is in the DIY sticky, really straightforward.

ktula · 01-21-2015, 05:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fronzdan

I suspect there is an adjustment screw, but I'm interested to hear as well. I haven't bothered to look, but my left light seems to be slightly lower than the right.

The driver side headlight is meant to be lower than the other one.

Daftasabrush · 01-21-2015, 06:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ktula

The driver side headlight is meant to be lower than the other one.

Really? With adaptive headlights (in Europe) the drivers side is lower than the passenger one until you reach about 30mph, then it raises and moves towards the passenger side to create a longer beam. If you just switch the headlights on, instead of auto, they're both the same height.

http://www.al-lighting.com/lighting/headlamps/afs/ has more info on the system

Fronzdan · 01-21-2015, 09:45 PM

Ahh then I guess I'm fine. So why is the driver's side lower?

We don't get adaptive headlights in US, unless you code them on.

Jet Driver · 01-21-2015, 10:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fronzdan

Ahh then I guess I'm fine. So why is the driver's side lower?

We don't get adaptive headlights in US, unless you code them on.

When xenon lights were first introduced in the US, there was a lot of pushback because they were so bright they would blind oncoming drivers. Now they have "cutoffs" that limit how high the low beams illuminate. The driver's side is lower to help with the "blinding the other guy" issue.

I've got a 2015 328i xDrive with adaptive headlights. There was no coding done.

ktula · 01-21-2015, 11:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fronzdan

Ahh then I guess I'm fine. So why is the driver's side lower?

We don't get adaptive headlights in US, unless you code them on.

Xenon headlights for the 3-series (and others) are adaptive headlights. I think you are referring to Variable Light Distribution, which are intentionally disabled for US-spec cars.

Fronzdan · 01-22-2015, 09:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ktula

Xenon headlights for the 3-series (and others) are adaptive headlights. I think you are referring to Variable Light Distribution, which are intentionally disabled for US-spec cars.

Yeah that. I've seen the video/demo and wish we had it.

01-20-2015, 08:10 PM	#1
rcc_007 New Member 1 Rep 5 Posts Drives: 2013 BMW 335i Xdrive Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: North Carolina iTrader: (0)	Headlight alignment Hey guys, I had both headlight replaced at the dealer due to a manufacture defect recently. When I got the car back the headlight seems to be pointing lower than my previous ones. Took it back to the dealership to have it checked out and they said it aligned perfectly, but it continues to bother me when I am driving. I considered take the car to another dealer but I am afraid they may charge me since they did not install the headlights. Anyone has similar issues? Any thoughts on what I should do?
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01-21-2015, 03:47 AM	#2
963mw BMW Fanatic 331 Rep 1,076 Posts Drives: M2 Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Mexico iTrader: (0)	If you really do feel that they have been lowered, you can re-adjust them by yourself, but make sure that you don't aim them too high, in which the dazzle on coming traffic. __________________ 18 BMW M2 \| ER DP \| ER CP \| Wagner Evo 2 Comp Intercooler \| Aquamist HFS4 \| BM3 \| CSF Oil Cooler \| AFE Drop-in Filter \| Bilstein B16 PSS10
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01-21-2015, 06:37 AM	#3
tomsab0 Second Lieutenant 29 Rep 208 Posts Drives: F48 Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Europe iTrader: (0)	can you explain how this works with xenon headlights?
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01-21-2015, 11:28 AM	#4
Fronzdan Lieutenant Colonel 303 Rep 1,738 Posts Drives: '24 M240 xDrive Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: MA iTrader: (0)	I suspect there is an adjustment screw, but I'm interested to hear as well. I haven't bothered to look, but my left light seems to be slightly lower than the right.
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01-21-2015, 05:42 PM	#5
963mw BMW Fanatic 331 Rep 1,076 Posts Drives: M2 Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Mexico iTrader: (0)	Open your hood, you will find 2 screws over each headlight, the inner one adjusts the height of each light source. Clockwise to lower, counter-Clockwise to raise. Check on the forum, it is in the DIY sticky, really straightforward. __________________ 18 BMW M2 \| ER DP \| ER CP \| Wagner Evo 2 Comp Intercooler \| Aquamist HFS4 \| BM3 \| CSF Oil Cooler \| AFE Drop-in Filter \| Bilstein B16 PSS10
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01-21-2015, 09:45 PM	#8
Fronzdan Lieutenant Colonel 303 Rep 1,738 Posts Drives: '24 M240 xDrive Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: MA iTrader: (0)	Ahh then I guess I'm fine. So why is the driver's side lower? We don't get adaptive headlights in US, unless you code them on.
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