Recommendations for improved head lights ??

[vetinari]

I drove my car at night for the first time recently . I was not impressed with the 20 year old light bulbs beams .
Does any one have a recommendation for more modern [Quartz halogen ?? ] bulbs . which can use the original reflectors ??
Thanks
Vetinari

 

[Richardrix]

I was thinking of putting in some OSRAM Night Laser. Not worked out the size I need yet as everything I read contradicts. It also appears that it is a bit of a pain to get to the light bulbs to replace them.

 

[t-tony]

I used Osram Night breaker bulbs in my Z3 and now have them in my Z4.

Tony.

 

[137699]

I have found the best road legal bulbs to be PIAA Xtreme White Plus bulbs. They're not cheap (and beware buying fake ones on ebay etc.) but they're bloody good. That said, I bought some full xenon converted headlamps for mine & they are unbelievable. I was fortunate to find a set already converted & I also had the headlamp washers so they're legal on my car, but otherwise it's a bit of a mission to do this conversion legally...

 

[Delk]

I have OSRAM night breakers in mine and they are very good. The ones in Ann-Maries Z are not near as good and I need to look at what bulbs are installed and change them when I get a chance.

Its one benefit of having two virtually identical cars.

 

[Richardrix]

I think the next time there is a Z-Shed, this will be one of my jobs. Can someone confirm the main beam bulb size for me. Pre-facelift '97 1.9 Thanks.

 

[abh29]

I seem to recal some discussions a while ago regarding it not being permissable now to use Zenons if the original "glass" was not designed for them. Also question about washers. I converted my e61 many years ago car was self levelling and had washers , had no trouble with MoT

 

[TrevD66]

I too have Osram Night Breakers installed and the difference is unbelievable.... they are night and day comparatively. Highly recommend

 

[137699]

I seem to recal some discussions a while ago regarding it not being permissable now to use Zenons if the original "glass" was not designed for them. Also question about washers. I converted my e61 many years ago car was self levelling and had washers , had no trouble with MoT

Correct - hence why if you look at my photo you will see the original unit is replaced with a xenon specific unit which is designed for that use.
If you fit them in standard units they will likely still pass an MOT but that doesn't make them road legal - and in the event of an accident you could be left finding yourself uninsured if your illegal lights were deemed to be a contributory factor in the accident.

 

[g8jka]

I think the next time there is a Z-Shed, this will be one of my jobs. Can someone confirm the main beam bulb size for me. Pre-facelift '97 1.9 Thanks.

On my headlights they have the bulb sizes embossed on the main lens. They are HB4 and HB3, these are facelift units though. Have a look on your headlights to see if the bulb sizes are embossed on them. It will be along the bottom edge if they are.

 

[motco]

What is the legal status of aftermarket LED 'bulbs'? I know that xenons have to have self levelling and washers, but my Good Lady's Nissan Leaf has OEM LED dipped beams and the car has no washers nor self levelling.

 

[g8jka]

What is the legal status of aftermarket LED 'bulbs'? I know that xenons have to have self levelling and washers, but my Good Lady's Nissan Leaf has OEM LED dipped beams and the car has no washers nor self levelling.

I used to have aftermarket 'HID Xenon' bulbs and never had an issue with the MOT. I used to get the odd flash from oncoming traffic so I took them out. Replaced with 'LED' bulbs in both dipped and main beam and they are just as bright but I don't get flashed anymore so they must not dazzle oncoming traffic like the HID ones. No problem with the MOT either.

Regarding the legal status, I am not 100% sure. LED bulbs are now fitted as standard or as an option to the majority of new cars.

 

[137699]

LED bulbs in standard headlamps are totally illegal I'm afraid.
The headlamp units have to be type approved for LED bulbs for them to be legal.

Though they will pass MOT and probably won't dazzle anyone, it only requires an accident where the other driver says they were dazzled by your lights and you'll quickly find your insurance voided immediately when they find out the bulbs were not legal.

 

[Richardrix]

On my headlights they have the bulb sizes embossed on the main lens. They are HB4 and HB3, these are facelift units though. Have a look on your headlights to see if the bulb sizes are embossed on them. It will be along the bottom edge if they are.

I took a look at the headlights and I can see that HB4 is noted in front of the main beam, which is what I was after so thanks for that. None of the other writing on the lens is HB3 or what looks like the other bulbs. But, I have the info I need. Cheers.

 

[g8jka]

LED bulbs in standard headlamps are totally illegal I'm afraid.
The headlamp units have to be type approved for LED bulbs for them to be legal.

Though they will pass MOT and probably won't dazzle anyone, it only requires an accident where the other driver says they were dazzled by your lights and you'll quickly find your insurance voided immediately when they find out the bulbs were not legal.

What if they have been declared to the insurance company as a modification?

 

[motco]

I suppose that they are strictly no-kosher, but as there doesn't seem to be any accompanying requirement for self-levelling or washers, you'd have to be supremely unlucky to be caught out.

 

[137699]

What if they have been declared to the insurance company as a modification?

Check the T&Cs of your insurance - you will find that that it's your responsibility to ensure all mods comply with regulations. If they don't then you're on your own - even if you declared it. They won't cover you for illegally modifying your car.

 

[137699]

Long & short of it, it's only legal to use LED bulbs in units designed & type approved to house LED bulbs.

Using them in a unit designed & approved for candescent bulbs means it's not been tested or approved for LED light - the wavelength of LED is different to halogen and therefore the way the light finds its way out of the unit is potentially different - potentially dazzling to other users in certain conditions/circumstances/angles.

Because of this you must use lamp units designed for LED bulbs. AFAIK nobody actually makes aftermarket units specifically designed to accept loose LED bulbs. The only legal units I have seen are fully sealed units with the LEDs embedded within - and they're expensive - like £150+ per side.

 

[motco]

On my Good Lady's Leaf they are buried below the reflector out of sight, and the light emerges by a mirror or prism.

 

[Althulas]

The only legal units I have seen are fully sealed units with the LEDs embedded within - and they're expensive - like £150+ per side.

Do you have a link for the headlights?