I purchased a set of new aftermarket headlights from europartsdirect.com for my '92 245 this summer. They look great on the car, but the light quality just seems poor to me. I've made several attempts to aim them higher, lower, and in between, but I just can't seem to get what I would consider to be optimal light from them.

Additionally, the beams/light don't hit the ground until about 10 feet out - it's like there's a blank space before the light starts vs. the typical wash of light I'm used to. Is this typical of the 240? When I've tried to adjust them downward to fill in this dead space, I just end up with a short, wide throw (which is essentially useless). I've considered having the dealership aim them for me - perhaps there's a sweet spot I'm not finding?

With these concerns in mind, I have a few questions:
1) What should the 240 beam pattern look like (how far out should the light be hitting the ground - should there be a 10' "blank" space)?
2) Should the light quality be as good from these as the oem Volvo headlights (given that construction and fittment appears to be the same)?
3) Is there anything I can do to improve the light quality (besides replacing bulbs - I'm running PIAA Extreme Whites)?

Admittedly, this is my first 240, and I don't know anyone else who has one, so I have nothing to compare the light quality to at this point. If they look the way they should, then I'll just learn to live with them, but if there's something I can do to improve them, please let me know! Thanks!!!
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Black '92 245, 111K miles, powder-coated gunmetal Virgos - a work in progress!