timk 1 Report post Posted April 12 So my 2002 M5 has just failed its MOT based on the headlight aim being too low and the garage has been unable to adjust it as the adjuster is just turning and not moving the aim up or down. Apparently it is stuck in the down position. I've order some cheap looking plastic adjusters on eBay, in the hope I might be able to do this myself, although doesn't look like they'll arrive before the MOT expires next week. My question is - there appear to be various DIY guides out there but is there a definitive 'how to' anyone can point me towards?? If mines a March 2002 build am i likely to have the epoxy bonded lights which can't be prised apart? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
benedwards64 35 Report post Posted April 12 This is the one I used: Remember as a UK car you have an additional panel on each headlight you can remove - the flat, round one on the top that gives you access to switch from RHD to LHD beam pattern. This helps enormously with one of the adjusters! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
timk 1 Report post Posted April 12 Thanks for that. Looks incredibly fiddly. Is removing the headlight itself straightforward? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
d_a_n1979 1,820 Report post Posted April 12 1 hour ago, timk said: Thanks for that. Looks incredibly fiddly. Is removing the headlight itself straightforward? Yup, 4 bolts which you can see from the top, when you open the bonnet. Are yours OEM xenons or halogen headlights? My headlights were duff on my 530i touring (oem xenons) but being someone who has no patience for fiddly jobs, I bought 2 new halogen headlights from ECP and retrofitted the xenons (ballasts, D2S bulbs, D2S to H7 adapters etc). You can’t tell the difference between them and oem xenons IMO and it’s a straight foreword swap out Just thought I’d offer the info in case you decide it’s too much of a faff as I did Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Paddy O'Furniture 619 Report post Posted April 13 Might be worth checking the level sensor on the o/s/f if you have xenons. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
timk 1 Report post Posted April 15 On 12/04/2019 at 18:57, d_a_n1979 said: Yup, 4 bolts which you can see from the top, when you open the bonnet. Are yours OEM xenons or halogen headlights? My headlights were duff on my 530i touring (oem xenons) but being someone who has no patience for fiddly jobs, I bought 2 new halogen headlights from ECP and retrofitted the xenons (ballasts, D2S bulbs, D2S to H7 adapters etc). You can’t tell the difference between them and oem xenons IMO and it’s a straight foreword swap out Just thought I’d offer the info in case you decide it’s too much of a faff as I did They're OEM xenons. I think all the M5s had them. Punching my reg into ECP brings up Hella xenon units at £844 a pop (!) - how much did the halogen units cost and were they Hella? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
d_a_n1979 1,820 Report post Posted April 15 12 minutes ago, timk said: They're OEM xenons. I think all the M5s had them. Punching my reg into ECP brings up Hella xenon units at £844 a pop (!) - how much did the halogen units cost and were they Hella? Yeah; as were mine Nearly swallowed my tongue when I saw the prices! I reverted back to OEM Hella Halogen headlights and retrofitted the xenon parts; I got them from ECP; about £520 for both IIRC and then used D2s to H7 adapters to fit the D2S xenon bulbs into the dipped beam, the rest is the same; you can attach the brackets to hold the ballast to the back of the headlights as your OEM Xenons have also. I didn't do this as the screws were rusted to hell and snapped as I tried to undo them, so my ballasts are velcro'd in place, there's plenty of room behind heach headlight to do this (you'll see when you remove them) The headlights are perfect too; they've flown through an MOT, all the motors work as they should; they just needed a tweak to align them correctly Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
