Question regarding HID lights and side view mirrors

sonicbimmer19 · 04-27-2014, 11:50 PM

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Hey guys,

I have the 428i with xenons (standard) and the HID lights are not even when you look at the road, the driver's side HID line is lower than the passenger side's HID. I plan on taking my car in for repairs but I was wondering if this is a easy fix or if the headlights have to be replaced by any chance?

And the side view mirrors are not even as well, the passenger side side view mirror seems to be normal and the driver's side side view mirror seems to fold one angle less.

Are these common problems and easy fixes or am I looking at something relatively major?

Thank you for any input guys, I appreciate it.

roxxor · 04-27-2014, 11:57 PM

That is how the xenons are designed, drivers side intentionally lower so that you don't blind oncoming traffic. As for the mirrors, I have never noticed an issue with mine but I will look next time I fold them in.

sonicbimmer19 · 04-28-2014, 12:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by roxxor

That is how the xenons are designed, drivers side intentionally lower so that you don't blind oncoming traffic. As for the mirrors, I have never noticed an issue with mine but I will look next time I fold them in.

Wow, thank you for the input. I thought the HIDs were suppose to make a perfectly horizontal line. If what you're saying is true, then that's good news; it stresses me out, the small stupid problems.

Yes, the passenger side mirror folds more closer to the body than the driver's side. It's noticeable when the mirrors are not folded as well, just not as easy to see, because when the mirrors are folded, you can actually use your finger to measure the gap. Please let me know what you find. Thank you!

Halsifer · 04-28-2014, 12:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sonicbimmer19

Wow, thank you for the input. I thought the HIDs were suppose to make a perfectly horizontal line. If what you're saying is true, then that's good news; it stresses me out, the small stupid problems.

Yes, the passenger side mirror folds more closer to the body than the driver's side. It's noticeable when the mirrors are not folded as well, just not as easy to see, because when the mirrors are folded, you can actually use your finger to measure the gap. Please let me know what you find. Thank you!

Whenever I close my mirrors, one of them closes more than the other. (Can't remember which one) I do believe it is normal though, I wouldn't bother with it.

sonicbimmer19 · 04-28-2014, 12:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Halsifer

Whenever I close my mirrors, one of them closes more than the other. (Can't remember which one) I do believe it is normal though, I wouldn't bother with it.

Thank you for the input. It is really interesting that they could be normal, it really bothers me that they are uneven; both the mirrors and the lights. hahaha

Jdmfreak811 · 04-28-2014, 05:03 PM

The driver headlight is lower to prevent glaring to other side drivers. It not even. From what i heard to, the passenger side is higher so you can read the road signs. As far as the side mirrors, i would not touch it if its doesn't bother you. Sometime bringing the car in to the dealer can do more harm than good.

shivaswrath · 04-28-2014, 08:05 PM

you can manually adjust it...BMW just won't do it for you.
Do a search, one of us posted something about this a year or 2 ago...there are 4 leveling screws, you have to get a long (7 inch long) screw driver (flat head I think?) in go into at a 30 degree into the side screws to adjust up/down. The other 2 screws adjust left to right, and are ironically perpendicular to the light housing...

WHL102 · 05-10-2014, 07:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shivaswrath

you can manually adjust it...BMW just won't do it for you.
Do a search, one of us posted something about this a year or 2 ago...there are 4 leveling screws, you have to get a long (7 inch long) screw driver (flat head I think?) in go into at a 30 degree into the side screws to adjust up/down. The other 2 screws adjust left to right, and are ironically perpendicular to the light housing...

He is referring to the HID lights in case there was any confusion.

I would leave the driver's side lower though.

kent11202 · 05-11-2014, 10:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Halsifer

Whenever I close my mirrors, one of them closes more than the other. (Can't remember which one) I do believe it is normal though, I wouldn't bother with it.

Yep, checked mine last night. FWIW, the passenger side closes more than the driver side.

ETA Just measured. Passenger side mirror is roughly 1.25 inches closer to the side window than the driver side mirror. My "guess" is that it's set up that way because it's "safer" to tuck it in a little more on the passenger side due to less visibility from the driver side. Smart IMO

shivaswrath · 05-12-2014, 02:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WHL102

He is referring to the HID lights in case there was any confusion.

I would leave the driver's side lower though.

As was i.

WHL102 · 05-15-2014, 09:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shivaswrath

As was i.

That's what I meant. I worried the OP would mistake it for the mirrors. I should have used "^"

04-27-2014, 11:50 PM	#1
sonicbimmer19 Lieutenant 72 Rep 487 Posts Drives: E88 and F32 Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Los Angeles, CA iTrader: (1)	Question regarding HID lights and side view mirrors Featured on BIMMERPOST.com Hey guys, I have the 428i with xenons (standard) and the HID lights are not even when you look at the road, the driver's side HID line is lower than the passenger side's HID. I plan on taking my car in for repairs but I was wondering if this is a easy fix or if the headlights have to be replaced by any chance? And the side view mirrors are not even as well, the passenger side side view mirror seems to be normal and the driver's side side view mirror seems to fold one angle less. Are these common problems and easy fixes or am I looking at something relatively major? Thank you for any input guys, I appreciate it.
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04-27-2014, 11:57 PM	#2
roxxor Major 1140 Rep 1,138 Posts Drives: 2024 iX50 Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Florida iTrader: (7)	That is how the xenons are designed, drivers side intentionally lower so that you don't blind oncoming traffic. As for the mirrors, I have never noticed an issue with mine but I will look next time I fold them in.
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04-28-2014, 05:03 PM	#6
Jdmfreak811 New Member 2 Rep 22 Posts Drives: 2014 328i M Package Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: California iTrader: (0)	The driver headlight is lower to prevent glaring to other side drivers. It not even. From what i heard to, the passenger side is higher so you can read the road signs. As far as the side mirrors, i would not touch it if its doesn't bother you. Sometime bringing the car in to the dealer can do more harm than good.
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04-28-2014, 08:05 PM	#7
shivaswrath Brigadier General 649 Rep 4,323 Posts Drives: 2012 335i Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Lost in NJ iTrader: (3)	you can manually adjust it...BMW just won't do it for you. Do a search, one of us posted something about this a year or 2 ago...there are 4 leveling screws, you have to get a long (7 inch long) screw driver (flat head I think?) in go into at a 30 degree into the side screws to adjust up/down. The other 2 screws adjust left to right, and are ironically perpendicular to the light housing... __________________ CURRENT: 2017 RS3 (miss you guys) SOLD: 2012 335i Mineral Gray M Performance Exhaust/Brakes/Suspension/LSD\|Bav Stage 1/AMP\|\|ER CP/IC/DP/OC \| Dinan CAI/N55 PWG BIG TURBO\|BMWF30.com
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