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FCP Euro Service Kits

FCP Euro Kits

Let's face it, styling cues and equipment options have always been better on European spec cars, and design wise the equipment itself seems to be better. Many options on the Euro-spec E36 BMW M3 models weren't available on U.S models, simply because they thought the car was too expensive to be successful in the American market. So, cars were specifically designed for the American market featuring cheaper options; headlights being on this list.

Subtle differences?

At first glance you may not notice the difference between a U.S and Euro headlight, but there are several design features that make the Euro spec better.

Glass Lens

Compared to the plastic lens on the U.S., the glass lens gives you a feel of quality while also giving a better appearance. And while the plastic lens will fog over time and  need replacement/refurbishment the glass lens will keep its clarity.

Projector

The biggest reason to switch to Euro-spec headlights is for the projectors. Not only does it help light the road better by producing a more focused light beam, it's also better for switching to HID. Using HIDs without a projector in a stock halogen reflector housing not only looks ridiculous, but can be dangerous for oncoming traffic.

Price

These days you can get a quality set of Euro Headlights for under $200, be it from DDMTuning or ECS Tuning, including the PnP harness. So, if I've sold you on the idea of Euro-spec Headlights, let's get started on putting them in your car.

Tools Required:

  • Long flat blade screwdriver
  • Normal philips head screwdriver
  • Wire Cutters
  • 1/4" ratchet drive set
  • 19mm wrench
  • Electricians Tape

Parts Required:

  • Euro-spec Headlight Assemblies
  • PnP (plug & play) wire harness
  • HID kit (optional)

Removal

Removing corner light
  • Remove the old headlight assembly. Using a long screw driver release the retaining clip for the corner light.
  • Gently pull the corner light out of the car, and un-plug the corner bulb.
  • Using an 8mm socket remove the 3 mounting screws on the top of the headlight housing. Then move on to the two bottom mounting screws.

Headlight Mounting screws

  • Remove the radiator cover to gain access to the mounting screw on the passenger side of the housing. Remove it and the screw on the driver side of the housing. The housing should remove with little effort.

Headlight side mount screw

  • Unplug the low and high beam connectors from the housing. Remove the old housing completely.
  • Moving on to the Euro housing, connect the wires from the PnP harness into their corresponding prongs on the back of the housing. Refer to the diagram. Be sure to cover the connections with the silicon grommet.

Wiring diagramWires

There will be a grey wire running from the plug and play harness you just connected to the housing. This wire you will connect to the parking light wire in the corner light wiring assembly. On the drivers side the wire is grey/purple on the passenger side the wire is grey/yellow.

There are several ways to splice a wire - including butt connectors, t-taps, or just good ol' fashioned copper on copper with electrical tape. Do whatever you're most comfortable with, just not the electrical tape method. The pictures shown are using butt connectors.

butt connectorPlug your stock high beam connector into the PnP harness (brown and white wires)

9005 harnessPlug in the HID bulb wire connectors into the corresponding plug-ins coming from the ballast.

 

ballast HID Ballast Connections

 

With everything wired, install the new housing. If you press the low beam side in first and then gently press the high beam side in next, the housing should slide in rather smoothly.

install

With the headlight loose install the corner light. Remember to plug the corner light bulb in before sliding the corner light into place. When everything is in place install the 8mm bolts removed earlier and affix the headlight to the vehicle.

The cutoff line should be the same

With everything installed just wait until it gets dark and properly adjust your new headlights by parking 15 ft away from a closed garage door. You will want your cutoff line to be the same between both headlights. As with any car install, especially electrical, be sure to be patient and work methodically and slowly.

Now, go out and enjoy your new headlights!

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Written by :
Tony Robinett

Tony lives in Spokane, Washington and is a 3-D Design Engineer, machinist, and welder. When he’s not at work he is designing and fabricating parts for his M3, and other BMWs alike.


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