2001 Z3 Headlamps: best current option?

[Z-Rex]

Hi all, I'm hoping someone can recommend replacement headlamps for my 2001 Z3. I'm looking for the most advanced options possible. I drive a dark mountain highway daily and the difference is stark between my existing lights and the LEDs on my X5!

Apologies if this is a duplicate thread--I searched first but didn't find anything. Thanks in advance for ideas.

 

[NZ00Z3]

Hi,

Welcome to the forum.

Don't know what part of the world you're in, so can't provide advice on headlight bulb options. There are many new designs of bulb that produce different colour and wattages. You'll have to do your local research.

A word of caution. Your headlights are designed for a certain wattage of bulb. The higher the wattage, the more heat the bulb produces. Higher wattage bulbs have a tendency to burn the reflectors and lens of the headlights over time. Replacing Headlights is not cheap and as our cars get older, parts will get harder to source. It would be sad, if in 10 years time, your Z3 fails it's MOT/State Inspection/Warrant of Fitness due to burnt headlights lens and you can't get a replacement set.

 

[Z-Rex]

Hi,

Welcome to the forum.

Don't know what part of the world you're in, so can't provide advice on headlight bulb options. There are many new designs of bulb that produce different colour and wattages. You'll have to do your local research.

A word of caution. Your headlights are designed for a certain wattage of bulb. The higher the wattage, the more heat the bulb produces. Higher wattage bulbs have a tendency to burn the reflectors and lens of the headlights over time. Replacing Headlights is not cheap and as our cars get older, parts will get harder to source. It would be sad, if in 10 years time, your Z3 fails it's MOT/State Inspection/Warrant of Fitness due to burnt headlights lens and you can't get a replacement set.

Thanks for the quick reply and the "welcome." I'm in the Pacific NW of the United States. I appreciate the cautionary notes--I will be sure to verify compatibility and I don't expect them to be inexpensive. Thanks again.

 

[hard top]

on the Forum @Z-Rex

 

[137699]

Mine were modified with xenon units. They are extremely powerful and also fully road legal.

They look like this:

Some pictures of the modification:

 

[Sajk]

I know this not be fashionable but I have tried to update my lights without losing the stock look. With some simple mods as described in candlepowerforums.com I have replaced my globes with HIR globes. It's not the bright white of aftermarket LED and Hid (I have these in other vehicles) but they are around 3500 Kelvin but much brighter than stock.The zds reflectors are actually pretty good. If you don't care about retaining stock looks then LED projectors are probably a good bet providing they are not too big Kelvin as then you lose distance vision and street signs become a reflective distraction that shuts down your eyes.

 

[PierreFerré]

I have a 1.9 2002 (Jan 02) Z3.
The manual for my reg says it should have HB3 and HB4 bulbs confirmed by local AMS store.
However it turns out I have H1 55w for dipped and main beam Which are less bright than two candles.View attachment 193683View attachment 193687 Don’t know why but have attached photos.
Also headlight is partially crazed. Can this be removed or do I need new ?

 

[PierreFerré]

Technical error photo reattached

 

[t-tony]

I have a 1.9 2002 (Jan 02) Z3.
The manual for my reg says it should have HB3 and HB4 bulbs confirmed by local AMS store.
However it turns out I have H1 55w for dipped and main beam Which are less bright than two candles.View attachment 193683View attachment 193687 Don’t know why but have attached photos.
Also headlight is partially crazed. Can this be removed or do I need new ?

When you say the headlights are partially crazed, do you mean the outer plastic lens or the inner chrome reflector?
If you're referring to the outer plastic lens you can easily renovate them using "off the shelf" treatments. Look in your owner's handbook and see what bulbs should be installed. If you're UK based look for Osram Nightbreaker bulbs in the pattern needed for your car. I used these both in my 2000 Z3 and my 2003 Z4. The light output compared to "normal" bulbs is literally like "Night and Day"

Tony.

 

[PierreFerré]

Hi Tony

It is the outer plastic coating the inner reflector looks fine. Have you any experience of the products you mention and any recommendation.
As far as the bulbs the handbook and every online bulb check show H3 and H4 but as per photo my headlight unit is different and only takes H1’s for both dip and main beam.
I did see a comment in a similar thread saying that UK bound cars sometimes used H1 bulbs but no explanation as to why.
Anyway I have fitted Ring Xenon 150 H1 RW 1548 which are better than the originals

Peter

 

[Nodzed]

@t-tony Totally agree Night Breakers are a very good light upgrade

 

[Mike Fishwick]

Make sure that your battery voltage is at least 13 volts when running, as a slightly lower voltage makes a big reduction in wattage. Also measure the voltage drop between your battery positive - use the jump starting point - and the headlamp filaments, and also between the main earth point and the earth pin of the headlamp bulbs.

I agree about bulb types - any top-line bulb by Osram, Philips, or Sylvania (American Philips) are fine, but forget about the rest, even if they have a well-known name such as Bosch on the box, as the focus of such things is usually so poor that they send most of their light into the air as dazzle.

 

[Sajk]

HIR globes with the base mod as per candlepowerforums.com in both high and low beams are fabulous lighting from a temp and distance point of view. Note HIR not HID. Hard to get now but v good.

 

[bertiejaffa]

I have recently bought HID conversion kit which is safe with reflector headlights… have yet to fit them but will let you know

 

[t-tony]

Hope you have a friendly MOT tester ...............

Tony.

 

[bertiejaffa]

Hope you have a friendly MOT tester ...............

Tony.

 

[137699]

Retro fitting HID kits into reflectors (or LEDs for that matter) is a big "No-No".
Have an accident with them fitted and have the other driver say they were dazzled by your lights & you'll find yourself uninsured.
I know someone this happened to - injuries were involved and he ended up settling £330,000 in compensation himself. Had to sell his house to clear the debt.
The only thing type approved & therefore legal to fit into the factory headlights is a halogen bulb. Fit anything else and you have an illegal modification and illegal modifications invalidate insurance policies (even if you have declared them - it's still your responsibility to ensure they're legal)

 

[MisterP007]

@137699 is bang on with the legality.

Fit some Osram Nightbreaker 200's, the difference from standard is absolute night and day.

 

[Sajk]

Look at HIR. Seriously.

 

[MisterP007]

Look at HIR. Seriously.

This will invalidate your insurance. I have worked in the Insurance/financial advice game since 1995, the car insurance companies will look for any tiny reason they can to avoid a pay-out: like non-type approved lights, engine/ECU mods (unless declared), even incorrect speed rating on tyres.

Sure you could try to argue the to55 with them at the point of claim, but guess what? They have bigger lawyers than you!