Buy BMW 320i Headlight Assembly

New Section:

Overview

The BMW 320i headlight-also called a headlamp, front light, or beam-is the main safety lamp at the nose of every 320i sedan. It lights the road, helps on-coming drivers spot you, and gives the car its unmistakable twin-halo look. Across model years, BMW offered three main technologies: basic halogen bulbs, brighter xenon HID projectors, and advanced full-LED or Laserlight systems. Each style bolts into a sealed headlight "housing," keeping dust and water out while supporting signals like turn indicators and "angel-eye" daytime running lights.

New Section:

Fitment & Generations

BMW sold the 320i under two modern chassis codes:

• F30/F31 (2012-2018) - Halogen H7 low/high beams were standard in North America. Xenon HID (D1S capsules) with corona rings became optional, while LED headlights arrived after the 2016 LCI refresh. (Bimmerpost)
• G20 (2019-present) - Full-LED headlights are now standard, and buyers can add Adaptive LED lights or Laserlight high-beam modules that reach about 530 m. (BMW Group PressClub)

Fitment note: housings, wiring, and control modules differ between halogen, HID, and LED units; mixing them requires retrofit harnesses and coding-topics covered later.

New Section:

Bulb & Technology Types

Halogen

The entry H7 halogen bulb is cheap, draws more power, and throws a warm yellow beam. LEDs use roughly 80 % less energy for the same light, easing strain on the alternator. (carwow.co.uk)

Xenon HID

Factory xenon projectors pack about 2 900 lumens from a D1S capsule, giving a crisp cutoff and bright white light. (Bimmerpost)

Full-LED

LED reflectors or projectors light instantly, last longer, and support "Selective Beam" automatic high-beam dimming. (BMW BLOG)

BMW Laserlight

An internal blue laser excites phosphor to extend high-beam reach to roughly 530 m while sipping little power. (BMW press release) (BMW Group PressClub)

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Safety & Regulations

• Aim rules: U.S. Federal Highway Administration says lamps under 90 cm should hit the same height on a wall; higher lamps drop 5 cm. (Federal Highway Administration)
• Glare concerns: Brighter LED optics have sparked complaints about nighttime blinding; policy experts push for stricter output caps. (Vox)
• ECE R112: Europe certifies headlamps for beam pattern and brightness before market sale. (TRALERT®)
• Crash safety: IIHS awards recent 3 Series "Good" headlight scores when equipped with Adaptive LED units. (IIHS)
• Recalls & complaints: Owners can search the NHTSA site or CarComplaints data for open issues; one report in 2015 cited premature lens hazing. (CarComplaints.com)

New Section:

Common Issues & Fixes

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New Section:

Care & Maintenance

The 320i's headlight lens is polycarbonate. Wash with car-shampoo, not household cleaners, to avoid scratching. A UV-protective sealant every six months slows yellowing. If equipped, the pop-up headlamp washer sprays fluid whenever you clean the windshield while lights are on-see the BMW How-To video for a demo. The owner's manual VIN-lookup on BMW USA shows fuse locations and bulb specs. (BMW USA)

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Upgrade Options

• LED plug-in bulbs drop into halogen reflectors but must match an H7 base and stay under local lumen limits.
• Projector retrofits add HID or bi-LED optics for a sharp cutoff; some enthusiasts document step-by-step swaps on Bimmerpost. (Bimmerpost)
• Adaptive LED kits need FRM or FEM module coding-DIYers follow BMW's ISTA software with guides in the digital manual PDF. (CSPO)
• Laserlight retrofit is rarely cost-effective but shows up in high-spec G20 builds. (BMW Group PressClub)

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Installation Basics

1. Disconnect battery.
2. Remove bumper fasteners around the lamp.
3. Unplug the multi-pin connector, then slide the housing forward.
4. Transfer modules, gaskets, and leveling motor to the new housing.
5. Re-install bumper, then aim beams on a flat surface (YouTube guide here).

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Environmental Impact

Replacing halogens with LEDs can cut headlight energy use by up to 80 %, easing CO₂ output and alternator load. (carwow.co.uk) Laserlight systems run even cooler and draw less power than LEDs alone, helping BMW meet efficiency targets. (BMW Group PressClub)

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Q: What bulb does a 2014 BMW 320i use if it has basic lights?
A: It uses an H7 halogen for both low and high beam. (Bimmerpost)

Q: Can I swap straight to LEDs without error codes?
A: Only if the LED kit has a built-in CAN-bus resistor or you code the car to "LED" so it stops checking filament load.

Q: How bright are BMW Laserlights?
A: They reach about 530 m, roughly double standard LED high beams. (BMW Group PressClub)

Q: Why do my headlights fog up after rain?
A: Moist air sneaks past the rear caps; drying and resealing usually fixes it. (Reddit)

Q: Are brighter bulbs legal?
A: They are legal only if they meet DOT (U.S.) or ECE R112 (EU) beam pattern rules. (TRALERT®)

Q: Does headlight aim really matter?
A: Yes-mis-aimed beams reduce your sight distance and can blind oncoming cars; follow FHWA aiming steps. (Federal Highway Administration)

Q: What is Adaptive Headlight?
A: A small servo turns the projector with the steering angle to light curves; see BMW's demo video for details. (YouTube)

Q: Has BMW ever recalled 320i lights?
A: No major recall exists, but the NHTSA database shows owner complaints about lens haze; always check your VIN online. (NHTSA)

Q: How do I turn on automatic high beam?
A: Press the "A" button on the light stalk; settings are explained in the digital manual available on BMW USA's site. (BMW USA)

Q: What's the best way to polish cloudy lenses?
A: Use a dedicated plastic polish kit; avoid household abrasives that can scratch the UV coating.

Q: Can condensation hurt the electronics?
A: Persistent moisture may corrode the ballast; fix leaks quickly to avoid costly HID or LED module failures. (Reddit)

Q: Why do modern headlights seem blinding?
A: LEDs concentrate more blue light and sit higher on today's taller cars, so glare feels worse even at the same legal output. (Vox)