LED Reversing Lights

MisterP007

German-Italian-British Mix - What could go wrong?
Supporter
British Zeds
Joined
Jul 24, 2020
Points
144
Location
Tunbridge Wells
Model of Z
Z3 2.8
Hi folks

Any idea what the brightest LED reversing lights I can get away with would be. I can switch these using a toggle as a separate circuit to the actual reversing light and also mount them inconspicuously under the rear valance.

I was planning on one each side, inside the exhausts and low down to illuminate things better (I live in the middle of bloody nowhere and it is pitch black here at night).

@t-tony @Stevo7682 any MOT problems if they are separately switched, or will they have to vanish for the MOT?

_DSC3970.jpg
 

t-tony

Zorg Expert (II)
Supporter
British Zeds
#ZedShed
Joined
Dec 31, 2013
Points
226
Location
Torksey Lock,Lincoln, England
Model of Z
E89 Z4 23i Auto
You can have them as bright as you like (re MOT). If you use a separate switch you MUST have a tell-tale warning light. If you wire them through the reverse light switch on the gearbox you don’t need a warning light. I can’t remember when they became part of the Test (May 2018 rings a bell) but have a look at the MOT Tester’s Manual on line.

Tony
 

Delk

Zorg Guru (III)
British Zeds
Joined
Oct 9, 2018
Points
125
Location
Hemsby Norfolk
Model of Z
Z3 2.8 real widebody
It is a great improvement. Don't remeber the specifics but I installed bright Leds in mine and it makes backing up into a dark garage much easier.
 

MisterP007

German-Italian-British Mix - What could go wrong?
Supporter
British Zeds
Joined
Jul 24, 2020
Points
144
Location
Tunbridge Wells
Model of Z
Z3 2.8
You can have them as bright as you like (re MOT). If you use a separate switch you MUST have a tell-tale warning light. If you wire them through the reverse light switch on the gearbox you don’t need a warning light. I can’t remember when they became part of the Test (May 2018 rings a bell) but have a look at the MOT Tester’s Manual on line.

Tony
Thanks Tony
 

Stevo7682

Zorg Expert (I)
Supporter
The M44 Massive
Scottish Zeds
Joined
Apr 1, 2016
Points
208
Location
Maybole , South Ayrshire
Model of Z
Z3 Individual Dakar / Orinoco Individual
Reverse lamps are not part of the test on your car they are only applicable to vehicles registered after 1st September 2009.

This is the type of bulb I have in my zed ( dark when I got home so only nightime pictures)

Side lights
20211209_202119.jpg

Side and reverse

20211209_202055.jpg


Reverse only
20211209_202035.jpg


Bulb
20211209_202211.jpg

20211209_202226.jpg
20211209_202221.jpg

Bought these ages ago but still happy with them .
You need something that is cree led powered so yo get decent brightness from them .

Stephen.
 

t-tony

Zorg Expert (II)
Supporter
British Zeds
#ZedShed
Joined
Dec 31, 2013
Points
226
Location
Torksey Lock,Lincoln, England
Model of Z
E89 Z4 23i Auto
I had single Cree units in my Z3 and later on my Z4. I have to say that the reversing lights on my E89 are quite poor, something on the “to do” list.

Tony.
 

Nodzed

Zorg Expert (II)
Supporter
British Zeds
M Power
Joined
Feb 18, 2016
Points
231
Location
Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire, England
Model of Z
Z3M Imola and Z4 (e89)
Horizon LED do an 80w CREE, had them in my M they were like headlights :thumbsup:
 

MisterP007

German-Italian-British Mix - What could go wrong?
Supporter
British Zeds
Joined
Jul 24, 2020
Points
144
Location
Tunbridge Wells
Model of Z
Z3 2.8
Thanks everyone for the info. I know what you mean about Cree LED’s, I have a 6 Cree LED torch which is every bit as good as my headlights!

First I may try one Cree bulb in the existing Wipac style reversing light that is on the car and see what this gives me.

If this is not good enough then one or two 6xLED lights are next.
 

UolyGooj

Newbie
Joined
Jun 24, 2022
Points
1
Those lights look very bright. I guess I'll order them for my sweetie. Actually, I've already bought a car light strip for my car. You can have a look at it here https://www.vont.com/product/vont-car-smart-strip-light/. My kids simply admire it. When they discovered that the lights could change to the music beat, they were so excited. And I would too. Tbh, I'm not really a fan of the music they listen to. When I was a teenager, I listened to Nirvana, while now they listen to… IDK who it is; most likely, it's some sort of autotuned rap, I guess. That's why I don't allow them to play music in my car. It's all fun and games, but I can't imagine where they'd heard this music. Ugh.
 
Last edited:

t-tony

Zorg Expert (II)
Supporter
British Zeds
#ZedShed
Joined
Dec 31, 2013
Points
226
Location
Torksey Lock,Lincoln, England
Model of Z
E89 Z4 23i Auto
These are what I used. Excellent.


Tony.
 
Top