Dome Light

[Drew320]

I was watching a youtube video today of some car wizard guy taking a look at a 1978 320i. (I saw an e21 in the thumbnail and had to click haha)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KeXo0N8S_so
I wouldn't say its "mint" by any means but I am definitely jealous of the shearling seat covers. I would love to find some that match the Marineblau interior of my daily. Anyways, one of the interior shots revealed a center dome light that looks pretty nifty. Is that something that came stock on the early models? Both of my late models have a single dome light on the drivers side right next to the B pillar. It would be a shame that BMW "upgraded" theme light to just the drivers side considering a center one would shine more light on everything inside. Maybe the change was more "driver oriented" as many of the 3-series cars were designed.
Screen Shot 2019-02-21 at 6.21.57 PM.jpg

[jaredmac11]

Yea that dome light is in my early. Pretty large with a chrome ring. Probably BMW trying to add a sliver of luxury in the car. Honestly feels sorta out of place, but I rarely notice it.

Surprisingly, there isnt one in the Baur. ; )

[Somjuan]

Mine is an early that had the same. Then my dog oafed into it with his head and snapped it in two hahaha

Have yet to find a replacement, every time it’s a different size, probably because I have an early slicktop

[hotdish]

Pretty large with a chrome ring. Probably BMW trying to add a sliver of luxury in the car.

I guess it matches the sunroof handle and... right armrest?

[tlapham]

Somehow, my 79' also has the center dome light, (sunroof) my 73' 2002tii has the same, (non sunroof) yet my other 73' 2002 has a small drivers side dome light (non sunroof).... strange.

[amarino]

My 1980 slicktop has a center dome light but my 1981 with sunroof has it on the driver side only.

[mxl556]

Non sunroof cars had this light in the middle, sunroof cars had the light by the b pillar.

Max

[amarino]

Non sunroof cars had this light in the middle, sunroof cars had the light by the b pillar.

Max

In the screenshot of the video we see a sunroof and center dome light. I wonder if it's an early vs late thing? Also curious if later cars have the support structure in the ceiling for a center so we can add one of we want.

[Manny G.]

My '81 sunroof model has the dome light only over the driver side and no chrome surround trim. The chrome ones are found in E12s and early E24s