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COMMON GOOD TO KNOW
INFORMATION
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BMW E Code (Chassis):
E30 = 1983-1991 BMW 3 Series
E32 = 1988-1995 BMW 7 Series
E34 = 1989-1996 BMW 5 Series
E36 = 1992-1999 BMW 3 Series
E37 = 1996-2002 BMW Z3
E38 = 1995-2001 BMW 7 Series
E39 = 1997-2003 BMW 5 Series
E46 = 1999-2006 BMW 3 Series
E53 = 2000-2006 BMW X5
E70 = 2007-2009 BMW X5
E60 / E61 = 2004-2008 BMW 5 Series
E63 / E64 = 2004-2008 BMW 6 Series
E65 / E66 = 2002-2008 BMW 7 Series
E82 = BMW 1 Series Coupe
E83 = 2003-2008 BMW X3
E85 = 2003-2008 BMW Z4
E87 = BMW 1 Series Hatchback
E88 = BMW 1 Series Convertible
E90 = 2006+ BMW 3 Series Sedan
E91 = 2006+ BMW 3 Series Wagon
E92 = 2006+ BMW 3 Series Coupe
E93 = 2006+ BMW 3 Series Convertible |
| MERCEDES Reference (Chassis):
C207 Chassis = 2010+ E Class 2D Coupe
W124 Chassis = 1984-1996 E Class
W140 Chassis = 1991-1999 S Class
W163 Chassis = 1998-2005 ML Class
W164 Chassis = 2006+ ML Class
W201 Chassis = 190E / 190D
W202 Chassis = 1994-2000 C Class
W203 Chassis = 2001-2007 C Class
W204 Chassis = 2008+ C Class
W208 Chassis = 1998-2002 CLK Class
W209 Chassis = 2003-2008 CLK Class
W210 Chassis = 1996-2002 E Class
W211 Chassis = 2003-2009 E Class
W212 Chassis = 2010+ E Class 4D / 5D
W215 Chassis = 2000-2006 CL Class
W216 Chassis = 2008+ CL Class
W219 Chassis = 2006+ CLS Class
W220 Chassis = 2000-2006 S Class
W221 Chassis = 2007+ S Class
R129 Chassis = 1990-2002 SL Class
R170 Chassis = 1998-2004 SLK Class
R171 Chassis = 2005+ SLK Class
R230 Chassis = 2003+ SL Class
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How do I know if I have factory xenon or factory halogen (non-xenon)?
Go ahead turn on BOTH your low beam and high beam for 30 seconds. If you
see both high and low beam have the same yellowish color after 30 seconds,
then you have the halogen model. If you see low beam is whiter than high
beam after 30 seconds, then you have factory xenon model. |
What is Bi-Xenon?
Definition of Bi-Xenon, Regular Xenon only has
Low Beam that operates Xenon. A Bi-Xenon has BOTH Low and High Beam operate
Xenon. In other word, regular xenon, when you turn on low beam, xenon is
on, but when you turn on high beam, it's regular halogen. For Bi-Xenon on
the other hand, when you turn on Low Beam, Xenon is on, and when you switch
to high beam, Xenon still operates, but produces further outward beam for
high beam projection. |
What is LHD and RHD?
LHD stands for Left Hand Drive while RHD stands for Right Hand Drive. LHD
is what USA, Canada and majority of European countries use, meaning the
driver is on the LEFT side of the car. While UK, Japan, Hong Kong,
Australia.... has the opposite, RHD, meaning the driver is on the RIGHT side
of the car. Due to the road is on the opposite side between the 2 systems.
Most of the headlights need to be made or be able to adjust so it fits the
road regulation of that particular system of use; since the projection of
the light beam is the completely the opposite of the other road system. |
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What is Auto-Leveling (Electronic Self Level)?
Auto-Leveling is the new feature introduced in the late 90s. It basically
is that a headlight has a motor built-in which operates the headlight
projecting angles (up and down) either by car's computer automatically or
there is a switch inside the car which you can manually adjust inside the
car. This feature is to provide the best optical angle for the beam output,
therefore maximize the visibility for driver while not blinding the upcoming
traffic. Originally, it was only offered to top of line models, now it
becomes more and more common on all European vehicles. If you originally
don't have an Auto-Leveling headlight, upgrading to a headlight that comes
with Auto-Leveling motor and feature will NOT make your car to have
Auto-Leveling, because Auto-Leveling has to do with more than just the
headlight upgrade. It also has to do with re-programming of car's ECU
(which only dealer have the machine to perform) plus some extra wiring
harness and adapters for the Auto-Leveling plug. Most of the Mercedes, Audi
and Volkswagen's Auto-Leveling plug are located in the same plug where the
low beam/high beam/parking light is. while BMW usually has a separate plug
just for Auto-Leveling. To know if your car has Auto-Leveling or not,
simply turn on the headlight, if you see the headlight going up and down for
a few sections, that means you have Auto-Leveling. For BMW E38, E39, E46,
E53 X5, you can also check if you have this plug in the back of the
headlight? If you do, you have Auto-leveling model.
The RED arrow shows the
Auto-Leveling Plug (Above)
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| BMW Reference:
What is Pre-Facelift and Facelift?
As you might or might not know that a normal car's production period (a
chassis) is around 4~6 years and in between, car manufacturer usually will
make small editing on their design after 2~3 years of the first
introduction, to update the car's look. Therefore, before the small editing
while stays at the same chassis is called Pre-Facelift literally. And
Facelift is obviously talking about AFTER the editing on the design, or also
called Post-Facelift.
What is Clip-On and Screw-On?
For pre-facelift E46 Coupe and Convertible, BMW has switched from the 99-01
Clip-On type corner light to the 02-03 Screw-on type corner. Clip-On and
Screw-On is referring to how the corner light is secured onto the car.
Clip-On means by clips and Screw-on means by screws. They are not
interchangeable. Here are 2 photos to show you the difference:
Clip On (Below):
Screw On (Below):
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