[Monk111]

Hi chaps.

320d coupe. What dispersion pattern do you get from your xenon headlights. Not sure if mine are correct.

Left hand light seems to project a light further into distance than right. Also there is a step where the two light patterns cross. Higher on left hand light. Also the light seems brighter on the left hand side. Is it just me or is this a design feature specifically to stop the lights affecting on coming drivers in some way?

How do BMW dealers ensure:

1-the light is not defective i.e one not brighter than the other.
2-lined up correctly

Sorry if this all sounds daft!

[parapaul]

The pattern sounds right - the left hand beam will be shaped to illuminate the pavements and verges, where the right hand beam should be much flatter, to avoid glaring.

They should be equally bright though.

[Bungle009]

That right. Left hand beam is sort of straight ahead, with right hand beab angled towards the kerb. Avoids dazzling oncoming drivers.

[AdrianSi]

What position do you have the headlight control knob in? In Auto mode with adaptive lighting the pattern and alignment is different to the manual headlight on position. You will find in the manual position that both headlight beams are aligned the same and should be level. This is the position that the headlight aim should be checked at during an MOT. The auto position will apply adaptive lighting to suit the road infront of you and generally the drivers side aim is higher and further to the right to illuminate further up the road.

[m1bjr]

Originally Posted by AdrianSi

What position do you have the headlight control knob in? In Auto mode with adaptive lighting the pattern and alignment is different to the manual headlight on position. You will find in the manual position that both headlight beams are aligned the same and should be level. This is the position that the headlight aim should be checked at during an MOT. The auto position will apply adaptive lighting to suit the road infront of you and generally the drivers side aim is higher and further to the right to illuminate further up the road.

The OP doesn't mention adaptive lights.

So his lights appear to be set quite normally.

[AdrianSi]

Originally Posted by m1bjr

The OP doesn't mention adaptive lights.

So his lights appear to be set quite normally.

In manual mode, the lights should still be set level the same both sides within a tolerance band. The 15% cut off pattern creates the increased lighting beam towards the kerb. During the MOT test the headlamp beam is usually checked with a Aim setter, using the same settings for both head lights.

The aim most likely needs setting, especially if the car is under 3yrs old and not had it's first MOT. P.D.I checks often miss this off so they remain unchecked until the first MOT. So if the OP has any concerns and the car be less than 3 yrs old i would suggest going back to the dealers and asking for the headlight aim to be checked.

[gIzzE]

This is the pattern a headlight should have, obviously this is a RHD car....