replacement headlamps?

[yellowjacket]

Greetings Zedsters,

In another thread I've gotten some solid advice about repairing the broken tabs on both my Z3's headlamps, and replacement units were suggested. OEMs are pricey at 500 USD each, a bit less used.

I came across these on Amazon and wanted to know if anyone has had experience with them: https://smile.amazon.com/ZMAUTOPART...10N68T2AS05S&refRID=F9E0JR0110N68T2AS05S&th=1

Thanks in advance for ideas about this.

 

[the Nefyn cat]

Got something similar on mine, been on a few years and still working, so can't be too bad. Just a personal point, but mine have black insides (apart from the reflectors, of course) never been fond of chrome, and that's an awful lot of chrome in them. Just my opinion, others may disagree. They'd be wrong, mind.

 

[yellowjacket]

Got something similar on mine, been on a few years and still working, so can't be too bad. Just a personal point, but mine have black insides (apart from the reflectors, of course) never been fond of chrome, and that's an awful lot of chrome in them. Just my opinion, others may disagree. They'd be wrong, mind.

There's a blacked out option from the same company (seems like the same style unit, with just one rating) that I'd been considering as well. I've already opted for the blacked out grill (photos coming eventually) and I'm wondering whether the black background headlights might be too much, esp with a bright color around it. It may play differently with a different body color, which from your picture looks to be medium brown.

 

[the Nefyn cat]

It may play differently with a different body color, which from your picture looks to be medium brown.

Made me wonder for a moment there. That'll be liver chestnut, then.
And a different colour car will look different, obviously, but the black option definitely looks better on mine (Topaz Blue) and it's your car = your choice. We're here to encourage people to spend money that they don't really need to. As much as possible, too. Ought to get some kind of commission, I reckon.
Not the best picture, but would have looked a lot worse with more chrome.

 

[yellowjacket]

Having these choices sure slows down spontaneous buying, I'll tell ya. But your feedback is appreciated--I'll owe you a beer or a coffee if you're in Montgomery, or if I make it by Nefyn (so far the closest I've been is Bath and Leeds)

 

[t-tony]

Just like the ones I fitted to my Z3, apart from mine were the all chrome version on an Oxford green car.
I can add a picture if you would like.

Tony.

 

[mwpe]

I have got something similar on mine although they were e-bay. Had them about 9 years and very satisfied, the halos are not very bright but the dipped beam is definitely better.

 

[Stevo7682]

That's not too bad a price .
The only thing I would be confirming is that they are for a lhd vehicle.

As an alternative option in uk amber indicators 2nd hand lights in good condition go for about £60 each.
Not sure how much the equivalent lhd version costs 2nd hand from.some of our European neighbours ( perhaps if one of them.read this may be able to answer that )

So would it then maybe be an option to source a couple of nice condition European lhd lamps and have them shipped to you stateside.
Stephen.

 

[t-tony]

I have got something similar on mine although they were e-bay. Had them about 9 years and very satisfied, the halos are not very bright but the dipped beam is definitely better.

View attachment 122905

They look like the ones I used too Mike.

Tony.

 

[Althulas]

I was considering these but not keen on the dull halos. Would the cfl ring light be easy to remove and replace with led rings? Just wondering if the be easy to split like the BMW oem units.

 

[t-tony]

Couldn't say for sure Mark, but I couldn't see why not mate. I have to say that on a bright day the "Halos" were not brilliant.

Tony.

 

[yellowjacket]

Great to see all this positive feedback on the aftermarket headlight replacements. The pics are especially nice with Zs looking like-new with the upgrade. Ended up ordering the black units, can't wait until later this week when I'll be able to get them installed. Thanks, everyone, for the suggestions and pics.

 

[the Nefyn cat]

So now we get to see what a yellow one looks like with black headlamps. Hurrah. Always glad to help people spend their money.

 

[the Nefyn cat]

Blue with black. My decision, and I'm sticking to it.

 

[Bumpa]

I've got the chrome ones on my 2002 model Z3 with clear indicator lenses. I'm pleased with them. The dip beam cut-off is very marked and the high beam gives good illumination down the road. The halo lights aren't really bright enough to be used as daylight running lights, but they look good at dusk. I have wired them to the parking light circuit. I paid £254.98 for mine earlier this year.

 

[yellowjacket]

Thanks for the feedback and pictures. I'd been waiting until I could reciprocate. YJ's front paint could use some touchup, and the hood/bonnet is a bit out of whack on the left side (probably the result of PO mishap--could be a bent frame, tho she drives straight) but the lights and new grill make a big difference. I couldn't imagine not spending the money now, NC.

A quick note--I haven't hooked up the halos, since the harness for the parking/running light is missing on one side, but am confident there's a lead to build on somewhere in there.

 

[Paul Rice]

Looks great the Black grills and black back lights suit the yellow, Superb!

 

[Sean d]

The out of line bumper is a simple job to adjust, there is a plastic slider that the bumper end locates too, remove the arch liner, a couple of ten mm bolts hold the slider, loosen and pull into place, I fitted my own halos as they look more in line with modern BMW's

 

[Mint]

They look very smart, hope they work as well as they look

 

[yellowjacket]

The out of line bumper is a simple job to adjust, there is a plastic slider that the bumper end locates too, remove the arch liner, a couple of ten mm bolts hold the slider, loosen and pull into place, I fitted my own halos as they look more in line with modern BMW's

I'm going to give this a try--thanks for the tip. FWIW, as follows are some pics that show varied other, and possibly related, damage--bent radiator brace, with a hole that might have been used to straighten the component, and the mismatch with a side panel. I'd always thought of this as the next Big Project after the head gasket, but I'm hoping it might be manageable in small ways as you describe.