This topic might have been discussed in the past, but i couldnt find the answers in the forum archives.

I was driving from denver to albuquerque in the night in my 81 320i and i noticed that both my headlights were pointed to the right . I stopped at a rest area and made them dead center. I am still not pleased with the headlights - i cant see enough of the road.

1) I know how to align the lights using the white knobs. But i am unclear about where the beams have to be pointing - distance from the car and where the left and right should point.

2) the intensity of the beam sucks! A brand new M3 overtook me and the headlights were so BRIGHT! should i switch over to Xenon HIDs? if so, which are the best ones for the 81 320i ? - are they legal?

3) How should the fog lights be aligned?

i am new to these forums...but man its been an invaluble resource to me. Thank you fellas!

This topic might have been discussed in the past, but i couldnt find the answers in the forum archives.

I was driving from denver to albuquerque in the night in my 81 320i and i noticed that both my headlights were pointed to the right . I stopped at a rest area and made them dead center. I am still not pleased with the headlights - i cant see enough of the road.

1) I know how to align the lights using the white knobs. But i am unclear about where the beams have to be pointing - distance from the car and where the left and right should point.

2) the intensity of the beam sucks! A brand new M3 overtook me and the headlights were so BRIGHT! should i switch over to Xenon HIDs? if so, which are the best ones for the 81 320i ? - are they legal?

3) How should the fog lights be aligned?

i am new to these forums...but man its been an invaluble resource to me. Thank you fellas!

First off the sealed beams suck which is what you have. You dont need Xenon HID's to see.
I bought my E-code Hella's at Susquehanna Motorsports. The whole setup cost about $230.00 Its a simple conversion and the light output is amazing.
As far as adjusting, I adjust with the lights on against a wall.
Here is some photo's from the conversion progress.
Low beam, sealed beam on right and new H4 on left.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v709/vtbmw525/number%202/IMG_1500.jpg

High beam, sealed beam on right, new Hi's on left
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v709/vtbmw525/number%202/IMG_1501.jpg

Here is the link....
http://www.rallylights.com/hella/5.75_lo.asp

Not only switching the bulbs has an impact but the pattern of the actual lense itself makes a huge difference. The Hella E-codes have a brilliant pattern that will spread the light out more and angle it down toward the road of path. The link above will pretty much satisfy you. Your dont have to get all 4 lights but with just the E-code low beams and a decent set of H4 bulbs you should be happy. I run E-codes with PIAA "HID" SuperPlasma bulbs and I am extremely happy with them.

Where are your fog lights? If they are under the bumper you need to angle them just enough so they arnt pointing at the same point as the driving lights. I like to put mine just below, that way I can angle my driving lights a little more higher giving me a longer path of travle with the driving lights.

Credit goes to CJ on that link. I believe you are the one that pointed me in their direction initialy. :buttrock

well.. that was very useful. I checked the car and it indeed does have the sealed headlights. Will replace it soon.

mmmm.....wise you are!

Here is a link to upgrading and proper aiming of H4 and H1 e-code head lights http://www.danielsternlighting.com/tech/aim/aim.html

When I upgraded I went with 55/100w and 100w
http://www.rallylights.com/hella/hella%20images/5.75%20Lo.jpg
http://www.rallylights.com/hella/hella%20images/5.75%20Hi.jpg
I also installed relays and larger wiring to handle this lota work but the results are amazing
The low beams light 2.5 times further than sealed beams
The high beams light 4.5 times further than sealed beams

If you want to 'save up' a while for those lights, you CAN get some Halogen sealed beams at your local autoparts store; the technology is much better than it used to be! At like, $8 a light, replace all 4 and you will be satisfied for a while. Better than the 10+ year old lights that are in it, anyway!

waferman