2 out of 10 times I look at them I think these look good. Sometimes 3 out of 10. Personally I’d just like the clear indicators instead of the tangerine numbers I have. But I don’t want to spend $3k on the BMW ones or cook my existing lights in an oven. My heart says they screw up design purity. My head (sometimes) says they look more modern, are more functional and remove those Satsumas at a fraction of the price.
CCFL headlight upgrade. Ugly or not?
- Thread starter Davil
- Start date
The issue for me is, Do they actually work better than the OEM headlights? I have asked many times and nobody answers this one true question.
I’m still considering a set since I’ve owned mine. Main reason being that they update the car a bit but not so sure the same as you some days. The other thought for me is that they would be new and I think it’s easier to get a set of led main bulbs to work but the ccfl’s halos would be replaced straight away in favour of a led set. The only other consideration is whether to have the chrome set on a black car.
- Joined
- Feb 18, 2016
- Points
- 231
- Model of Z
- Z3M Imola and Z4 (e89)
Having had both types on two different Z3s I would say IMHO the OEM headlight are far far better once you put decent bulbs in them.
Thanks for that honest answer!Having had both types on two different Z3s I would say IMHO the OEM headlight are far far better once you put decent bulbs in them.
- Joined
- Feb 18, 2016
- Points
- 231
- Model of Z
- Z3M Imola and Z4 (e89)
Personally I don't like them or the open indicator light with no lens and IMO don't provide anywhere near as good a light as the OEM lights with decent bulbs fitted. But as ever its a matter of personal taste, some will like them some wont its your car and you should do what you want and you think suits and stuff the rest of us.
I personally like the OEM setup, including orange indicators. Mines a 1997 car after all, can't see any point in "making it look more modern". It is what it is IMO and all the better for it. Other opinions will be available. 
- Joined
- Apr 1, 2016
- Points
- 208
- Location
- Maybole , South Ayrshire
- Model of Z
- Z3 Individual Dakar / Orinoco Individual
I see aftermarket projector style lights here and there for mot and as much as they will pass the various criteria you can see the output is generally not as good .
So then people think I know bigger bulbs so ditch the 55w bulbs for 100w ones yes they get brighter but you then run risk of either melting the light with the extra heat or melting the wiring with the extra current draw.
So I suppose depending on what you want them for if purely cosmetic then they are fine but if performance upgrade is on the agenda I'm with Niall the standard lamp with some good quality bulbs ( I run Osram Nightbreaker plus )
If you really don't like the orange indicators source some decent 2nd hand front / rear clear indicator light units .
Something I would like to add just in the same line .
I bought some led headlight bulbs for dip and main beam for my standard lights.
The colour looked fantastic really modern but I stay in a rural area so have my zed out on unlit roads where main beam used .
I found the dip beam , beam pattern borderline at best and although bright to look at actual light on road not as good
Same for main beam bright to look at but no great punch into the darkness.
As although the led are in the same height from the base its the point of emittance that's the issue.
The bulb produces light omnidirectional from a central point within the glass .
The led has an led each side further out so point of emittance is slightly different so it doesn't focus the light just quite right hence the poor projection issues although it has to be said an led bulb may work better in a projector style light but under current mot rules would be a fail.
Stephen.
So then people think I know bigger bulbs so ditch the 55w bulbs for 100w ones yes they get brighter but you then run risk of either melting the light with the extra heat or melting the wiring with the extra current draw.
So I suppose depending on what you want them for if purely cosmetic then they are fine but if performance upgrade is on the agenda I'm with Niall the standard lamp with some good quality bulbs ( I run Osram Nightbreaker plus )
If you really don't like the orange indicators source some decent 2nd hand front / rear clear indicator light units .
Something I would like to add just in the same line .
I bought some led headlight bulbs for dip and main beam for my standard lights.
The colour looked fantastic really modern but I stay in a rural area so have my zed out on unlit roads where main beam used .
I found the dip beam , beam pattern borderline at best and although bright to look at actual light on road not as good
Same for main beam bright to look at but no great punch into the darkness.
As although the led are in the same height from the base its the point of emittance that's the issue.
The bulb produces light omnidirectional from a central point within the glass .
The led has an led each side further out so point of emittance is slightly different so it doesn't focus the light just quite right hence the poor projection issues although it has to be said an led bulb may work better in a projector style light but under current mot rules would be a fail.
Stephen.
That’s useful info on the led’s. I did try some hid’s over 10 years ago on my std headlights and took them straight out as although they lit up the street they would have been blinding to oncoming traffic. I switched to night breakers although an improvement over std were still poor compared to the cooper s we had at the time. Just had to drive slower on the unlit country roads where I live.
Thanks. All very interesting feedback. I reckon I will just embrace the tangerine. For some weird reason Australian cars got the clear side indicators but kept the orange front indicators while the UK ones got the clear appearance. The headlights are the only thing in the car that doesn’t look like new as they have some ageing on the covers. They work perfectly well though. So, for now I’ll do a refurb and see how that goes.
Drop the orange and put LED angel rings in. Don't bother with CCFL's.
Unfortunately, not all Australian Zeds...... My 2.2 had orange all round, only having changed the fronts a rears in the past few weeks. I haven't got to finding a set of reasonably priced sides.
You‘ve gone and done it now Trev. They look absolutely spot on with the silver. Just found some 2nd hand ones online and ordered them. Thanks!
P.S., they’ll go well with my side indicators.
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I know, I spotted them in your first post… I thought I need a trip to Sydney to borrow them 
. You have a very smart looking Zed there Davil
. You have a very smart looking Zed there DavilThanks! As do you.I know, I spotted them in your first post… I thought I need a trip to Sydney to borrow them