Hella Euro Headlamp Differences

[oh2ryan]

FAQers,

 

I am hoping the lighting gurus can chime in here. In an effort to ensure I am selecting the appropriate head lamps for my 04/1971 2002tii I come to you with two options (hopefully one being the correct set up). I have two sets of Euro buckets with Hella head lamps, and they are notably different. The Hella logos vary, the beam pattern on the glass, flat glass vs. curved, the p/n's, and one set has H4 embossed into the glass despite both accepting the same bulb. Also, only one set has trim rings fitted. The set with the curved glass and no trim rings is NOS, hoping it's the proper set-up!

 

Does anyone know the differences in these sets? 

 

Thanks!
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Simeon]

I think they are both, notionally the same albeit probably a few years between manufacturing dates. I think one is the same but ‘improved ‘ version of the other. 

[pehlivanov_tii]

I think that the lense with H4 marked in the center is the right one. The other one without the H4 mark and the older logo i think it is for the earlier cars. And at least my euro 73 tii came with this headlight.

[jgerock]

All I know is that you need to make sure they are marked Made in Germany. The replacement H4 lamp I purchased from Amazon wasn't marked and was missing the metal light diffuser inside the lamp. It also had the 3 metal locating bars in the wrong position on the perimeter of the lamp and they were too short to fit the stock BMW housing.  It did have a city light...

[oh2ryan]

Thanks for the help. I guess a good question here is when did the Hella logo change?

 

Ill do some more digging .

[Conserv]

I’m certainly not an expert on Euro lights, but doesn’t that black trim ring — assuming it is original to the light — signal “1974 and later”?

 

Any stamps (physical stamps, as opposed to the applied labels) anywhere on the buckets that might suggest a manufacturing date?

 

Regards,

 

Steve

 

[Son of Marty]

The ones with the e1 on the lens are standard euro issue can't really tell on the other set but it looks like e4 maybe? might be for another country that had different head light specs but I don't know for sure.

[oh2ryan]

7 minutes ago, Conserv said:

I’m certainly not an expert on Euro lights, but doesn’t that black trim ring — assuming it is original to the light — signal “1974 and later”?

 

Any stamps (physical stamps, as opposed to the applied labels) anywhere on the buckets that might suggest a manufacturing date?

 

Regards,

 

Steve

 

 

I will look them over again for stampings. I had read on another thread posted not too long ago that the black rings may indicate late 73+ for square tail 2002s.

[Conserv]

11 hours ago, oh2ryan said:

 

late 73+ for square tail 2002s.

 

Yep. That’s what I meant by “1974 and later”. What  

the European market refers to as the Modell 73 is known in the U.S. as the 1974 model, or, the first square taillight.

 

Best regards,

 

Steve

 

Edited June 24, 2018 by Conserv

[Son of Marty]

Looking at the Daniel Stern lighting site which is a great bit of reference e1 is German approved lighting and e4 is the Netherlands. Every one whose interested in headlights should go to his site danielsternlighting.com and read the article like everything Daniel does it's quite comprehensive and informative. 

Edited June 23, 2018 by Son of Marty

[oh2ryan]

4 minutes ago, Son of Marty said:

Looking at the Daniel Stern lighting site which is a great bit of reference e1 is German approved lighting and e4 is the Netherlands  

 

Interesting. I wonder which stamping Italy accepted back in 1971? That would help also seeing as my car is an Italy delivery. 

[Son of Marty]

Italy would be coded e3.?

[oh2ryan]

3 minutes ago, Son of Marty said:

Italy would be coded e3.?

 

Well darn. I search around and see if that was stamped on any lamps I can find on google or here. 

 

By that logic my Italian turn signals should be stamped e3 also? I’ll verify

[Son of Marty]

The code I read refers only to headlights, but I think all lights that have a country code will be marked, there was a thread on taillight lenses last week and the US ones were stamped sae and the euro ones did have a e1 on them, all the lenses look to be the same other than the markings.

[markmac]

Probably no help here, I purchased a really nice set off of Ebay (Italy) buckets only, no reflectors, VG condition else was really good - curved lenses, trim rings, this set is still different from both of those you posted the 'pie' section in the glass is different and maybe(?) a bit larger.  The number in the center of the glass is 14544R7R1 fwiw.

 

I will say they almost look 'bugeyed' in the car as if there should be a right/left, part numbers don't indicate that and it just may be an optical illusion.  Really doesn't matter as they are in a race car anyway and may not even get wired up.

 

There are a bunch of these on German Ebay at the moment, I found one that is a direct match of the ones I have described as a 'Hella Bilux' according to the ad from a 73 model year car....NOS but 499,00 Eur (wowza)

 

https://www.ebay.de/itm/BMW-02-E10-Scheinwerfer-Hella-Bilux-Front-ab-1973-1502-1600-2-1802-2002-Ti-Tii/332555464502?hash=item4d6dd9af36:g:HT8AAOSwgGFahUPu

 

Edited June 23, 2018 by markmac