Headlight "oddity" in E46 series

[Mag]

I was under the impression that all E46 models should look about the same. However, recently I'm not so sure anymore. Take a look at following two BMWs:

Is it just me or are the headlights in the first BMW shaped differently than in the second one? I'm specifically referring to the fact that the first one has only one "notch" and that its headlights are also bent slightly upwards as they curve around from the front. The second car's headlight has two notches and isn't curved upwards as much. Both are E46 series, right? So why don't they look the same?

FWIW, I like the headlights in the first image much better.

 

[ibcnunhell]

e46s up to 2001 have the headlights in the second picture and later years are like the first picture. Another difference are the side blinkers, they are a higher and more angled in the first picture, in the second they're rectangular and lower. The fog lights also changed from rectangular to circles in the later years.

I think the changes are refered to as the "face lift."

 

[xmas63]

Not to mention a slightly different shaped kidney grill and very different taillights, and other stuff...

 

[DrivingTopless]

Sedans/wagons got facelifted in 2002. Coupes/convertibles got the nip and tuck in 2004 (except the M3).

 

[codex57]

Sedans/wagons got facelifted in 2002. Coupes/convertibles got the nip and tuck in 2004 (except the M3).

This is correct. The primary reason why I purchased a 2003 instead of waiting a month for the 2004 was I didn't like the updated look as much as the original. Still don't.

 

[theBMWenthusiast]

This is correct. The primary reason why I purchased a 2003 instead of waiting a month for the 2004 was I didn't like the updated look as much as the original. Still don't.

i think the new cars look so sweet...every time BMW upgrades their lighting styles i always think "how are they gonna top themselves" and they always do...i wonder what they will think of next...

 

[TheBry]

The look is even more differfent in the coupes and convertibles. The lower edge of the lights is now flat... no UU dip around the shape of the lights. I think it makes the cars look more aggressive.

 

[theBMWenthusiast]

The look is even more differfent in the coupes and convertibles. The lower edge of the lights is now flat... no UU dip around the shape of the lights. I think it makes the cars look more aggressive.

ya i like it this way it looks really agressive, i think its that the side goes down from the flat side first that makes it look so agressive instead of all just flat

 

[drkeng]

The headlight change was kind of minor for '04 compared to the change in the lower part of the grill. The new one is much sportier looking-closer to the M3 (so they say). The side marker light is supposed to look like an arrow pointing forward (I read that somewhere). The '04 xenon headlights are "adaptive" although I can barely tell.

 

[TheBry]

(snip)...The '04 xenon headlights are "adaptive" although I can barely tell.

Oh man... you can't tell they're swiveling? You must not live near any twisty roads. I can totally tell when mine are moving. In fact, so can my passengers.

One thing that peeves me is that BMW isn't really promoting this feature very well. There's a Lexus commercial that shows one of their car-like SUVs cornering and they specifically call out the adaptive headlight feature. I think the car avoided hitting a deer on a curve or something like that. So now when people see it in action on my car they say stuff like "oh yeah... Lexus had this first, didn't they?" I don't think that's the case, but it's a great example of what advertising can do.

 

[codex57]

One thing that peeves me is that BMW isn't really promoting this feature very well. There's a Lexus commercial that shows one of their car-like SUVs cornering and they specifically call out the adaptive headlight feature. I think the car avoided hitting a deer on a curve or something like that. So now when people see it in action on my car they say stuff like "oh yeah... Lexus had this first, didn't they?" I don't think that's the case, but it's a great example of what advertising can do.

Yeah, that pissed me off when I first saw the commercial. I thought it was false advertising at first, but then I noticed it says "First SUV" to have it. It sounds all cool and technical. Totally fits in with the sporty image BMW is promoting, yet they don't do anything to promote this cool feature. The adaptive headlights was one of teh reasons I was thinking of getting the 04 model.

 

[MrElussive]

Who cares who was firsts? All the companies just rip off ideas all the time, anyways.

As for the 3-Series Coupe facelift, I'm still not sure which one looks better to me. I have definitely made this conclusion, though: The 2003 and previous models looked classier in the front, whereas 2004 and later models look sportier. Either way, at this point, I don't think I would get any 3-Series without the Performance Package.

 

[codex57]

Who cares who was firsts? All the companies just rip off ideas all the time, anyways.
/QUOTE]

It's not that we care that companies rip off ideas. What bugs me is that BMW doesn't promote it at all while Lexus does (ok, it also needles me in that Lexus does it in a way to make it sound like they came up with it). I mean, let's face it. Adaptive headlights sound much more appropriate for a sports car commercial than a luxury suv one.

 

[MrElussive]

Really? I twould think that Adaptive Headlights are more for luxury SUV's because all different SUV's have their own weird technologiy features built-in.

 

[codex57]

Well, the adaptive headlights are for keeping more of the road lighted when you in a curvy area. This is much more useful when you're in a sports car blasting through the mountains than a luxury suv that can't take the curves as fast.

 

[MrElussive]

Good point. IMO, the whole idea is completely unnecessary. Projector Xenons already have an extremely wide and even beam pattern and I guess I just don't see the real benefit of them. In my area, we have a lot of deer and I have had a few experiences with them late at night (never hit any, but came real close once or twice), and I just don't see how adaptive headlights could have helped me out.
I guess if I owned a BMW and planned to own it for a long time, I'd rather not have the Adaptive headlights feature and know that nothing about the lights will just break over time

drkeng, you do know that the Adaptive headlights feature only works when you have the headlights set to "Auto", right? When you just turn the knob to turn the lights on normally, the Adaptive headlights feature does not work. Only when you have it set on Auto then they will swivel left and right with the steering wheel.

 

[bmwrocks]

To me, the adaptive headlights are like the V1 arrows, sex, etc.. Once you've lived with them, you can't live without them. Trust me MrE, you would love them. They give you a leg up on all other xenons. Thanks BMW.

 

[DrivingTopless]

Don't over-hype them. The 1948 Tucker Torpedo had an adaptive headlight.

 

[TheBry]

Don't over-hype them. The 1948 Tucker Torpedo had an adaptive headlight.

But the Tucker didn't do it with electronics. It was mechanical and connected directly to the steering rack. The elegance of the BMW solution factors in speed, height (for auto leveling), etc. then electronically "adapts" up to 15-degrees. It's really a great system. Once you've driven with them for a while you'll see what we're talking about -- you really come to appreciate the seamless way they sweep into curves. Quite cool.

Mr. E... come back to BMW and you'll see what we're talking about. By the time you get your next B'mer they'll be standard equipment.

 

[Merlion]

May I make a comment on the first posting in this thread - the one with two different pix of the 3-series.

The top pix (number plate TWR876) is a 3-series Sports Edition. The bottom pix is a 3-series 'normal' edition. I just took delivery of the Sports Edition two days ago (in Singapore). It's actually a 3-series with several M3-like features, e.g. M3 body kit, M3 steering wheel, memory seats etc.