2001 Z3 Headlamps: best current option?
- Thread starter Z-Rex
- Start date
If they are not the bulb type specific to the type of headlight then they are not allowed for the UK MOT test.
The colour of the light headlamps emit must be one of the following:
The precise position of lamps is not part of the inspection, but you should check visually that they are at about the same height and the same distance from each side of the vehicle.
Existing halogen headlamp units on vehicles first used on or after 1 April 1986 must not be converted to be used with high intensity discharge (HID) or light emitting diode (LED) bulbs. If such a conversion has been done, you must fail the headlamp for light source and lamp not compatible.
This does not refer to complete replacement headlamp units which may be constructed with HID or LED light sources.
If a complete headlamp unit has been replaced with a unit that was manufactured with HID or LED light sources, it must not be failed for ‘Light source and lamp not compatible’ but it must meet all other requirements detailed in section 4 of this manual specific to the type fitted at the time of test.
You can identify HID headlamps from:
Tony.
The colour of the light headlamps emit must be one of the following:
- white
- predominantly white with blue tinge
- yellow
The precise position of lamps is not part of the inspection, but you should check visually that they are at about the same height and the same distance from each side of the vehicle.
Existing halogen headlamp units on vehicles first used on or after 1 April 1986 must not be converted to be used with high intensity discharge (HID) or light emitting diode (LED) bulbs. If such a conversion has been done, you must fail the headlamp for light source and lamp not compatible.
This does not refer to complete replacement headlamp units which may be constructed with HID or LED light sources.
If a complete headlamp unit has been replaced with a unit that was manufactured with HID or LED light sources, it must not be failed for ‘Light source and lamp not compatible’ but it must meet all other requirements detailed in section 4 of this manual specific to the type fitted at the time of test.
You can identify HID headlamps from:
- ‘DCR’ mark on the headlamp lens or body
- an igniter module or inverter behind the headlamp
- taking a few seconds to reach full intensity
- a bluish tinge to the light
Tony.
I know the bulbs well, originally developed by Toshiba (they used to have a bulge in the glass but do not now).
The technology for the infrared coating is old now.
Ihave tried these years ago and whilst OK light wise there is still the potential insurance issue.
@Tony or @stevo will clarify reMOT no doubt
As long as you stick to 55W maximum output there would be no insurance issue.
Tony.
Tony.
So after being lambasted by the mods on the lighting forum candlepower.com I started to buy into the facts that blue tipped or covered halogen bulbs emit less measurable light even though it looks whiter and brighter. I tried a number of nighbreaker type and Philips white vision type bulbs and while they looked good on the road up close I noticed the reflected light from road signs only came back to me much closer than HIR bulbs. This is not a scientific test by any means but candlepower mods recommended to me the HIR globes.
Yes the tech is old and in fact I don't think they are made any more in the coated style but Philips I think make a bulb that meets the specification and for me they are the best legal bulbs I have had in the z.
Experimented a lot with Led & HID replacement light sources in headlights made for halogen bulbs and it never really works in one way or another. So for me this gives me the best vision at a colour temp that is effective in the rain and the dry and my unscientific test of road sign reflection is the best I have found using the stock reflectors.
Anyway these things are cheap so do your own research.
Cheers
Edit here is a link. With the base mod these fit high beam reflectors also
Yes the tech is old and in fact I don't think they are made any more in the coated style but Philips I think make a bulb that meets the specification and for me they are the best legal bulbs I have had in the z.
Experimented a lot with Led & HID replacement light sources in headlights made for halogen bulbs and it never really works in one way or another. So for me this gives me the best vision at a colour temp that is effective in the rain and the dry and my unscientific test of road sign reflection is the best I have found using the stock reflectors.
Anyway these things are cheap so do your own research.
Cheers
Edit here is a link. With the base mod these fit high beam reflectors also
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DeanjayZ
Regular Member
- Joined
- May 30, 2023
- Points
- 18
can you tell me more? I’m buying a used spare set of headlights. Where do I find the parts to do this mod?
Unless you plan on doing a lot of winter (night) driving I would just replace the headlight bulbs with Osram Night Breaker bulbs. They give a marked improvement.
Tony.
Tony.
Here’s the post from the guy I bought them from who did the conversion.
Personally I would look for a set of pre facelift headlights, the ones with the glass lenses not plastic ones as found in the facelift. You can then have brighter bulbs (preferably not bulbs that run really hot) then you won't have the worry of wrecking them
You’re replying to a post that’s 2.5 years old!
Oops
I tried upgrading bulbs to Osram Silver Stars and there was marginal improvement.
Last weekend I installed Spyder Headlights, there was a sale for $260.
I drove once and it’s vast improvement. You may even say… “Night and Day difference “.
Badumpbump
Just saw age of post. My bad.
Last weekend I installed Spyder Headlights, there was a sale for $260.
I drove once and it’s vast improvement. You may even say… “Night and Day difference “.
Badumpbump
Just saw age of post. My bad.
Attachments
I had a similar set of lights and wasn't entirely happy with the look although as you say brighter. I opted to buy some old lights but with glass lenses, swapped the orange indicators for clear and fitted a set of Zedonist angel eye DRLs. I much preferred this option. Especially with brighter bulbs.
I got some complete headlight units from Amazon recently, complete housing with xenon bulbs, projector beams, and LED Halo ring lights. The inside of the units behind the clear lens is black, and it looks very good. Not really expensive either. About $200.
I wired the halo ring lights into the wiring that lights up the front side marker lights, so that the halos light up whenever the side markers come on, even if the headlights are not on.
The previous owner had put in some HID retrofit ballasts that I had to remove. They drilled holes and used zip ties to hold the ballasts in place, but it was all not working and was messy. This solution works well.
I wired the halo ring lights into the wiring that lights up the front side marker lights, so that the halos light up whenever the side markers come on, even if the headlights are not on.
The previous owner had put in some HID retrofit ballasts that I had to remove. They drilled holes and used zip ties to hold the ballasts in place, but it was all not working and was messy. This solution works well.
Cant remember now, I think I dropped a fuse tap onto the stereo fuse, to come on at key 1 and better, those are LED DRL,s and draw very little current, wiring still hanging out of the front of the car in this pic.. Driving it around a bit like that cleaned up that mess.... 
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Did it a couple of months ago and not had an accident since, so they must work...
But put the fuse tap in the right way round, if you dont, blowing the original value fuse will take the out piggyback too... If you do not have a multitester to check what side of the fuse socket is hot, no big drama, but if its arse about face pulling stereo fuse will knock out the DRL,s too.. series v,s parallel ...So just turn it around the other way... Job done... I can post up the implementation of a fuse tap on my Z if it helps you, but there is plenty of info on the interlink on this topic...
Edit: If you choose to go that way, get a low profile tap, so the cover can go back on..
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.Did it a couple of months ago and not had an accident since, so they must work...
But put the fuse tap in the right way round, if you dont, blowing the original value fuse will take the out piggyback too... If you do not have a multitester to check what side of the fuse socket is hot, no big drama, but if its arse about face pulling stereo fuse will knock out the DRL,s too.. series v,s parallel ...So just turn it around the other way... Job done... I can post up the implementation of a fuse tap on my Z if it helps you, but there is plenty of info on the interlink on this topic...Edit: If you choose to go that way, get a low profile tap, so the cover can go back on..
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