Tech advice Needed Poor Z4 Headlamps

[Mario Rossi]

Ok, I've got to do something about the really poor headlamps on my Z4. I am aware they are self leveling and believe they are not the Xenon type as (I'm assuming) they would be much brighter if they were. They are barely reasonable on High Beam but when switched to dip are terrible. I think they are set too low. Is this still adjustable? The lens don't look too bad a little hazed maybe. My Z3 Headlamp lenses were worse but still gave a much better light although I had upgraded the Bulbs. I'm wondering if I will get away with just doing that on the Z4 or has someone found a more successful solution?

 

[GazHyde]

What's the condition of the plastic lenses, are they in good condition? My Z4 had the Xenon options fitted so I never needed to look at upgrading them.

 

[t-tony]

Ok, I've got to do something about the really poor headlamps on my Z4. I am aware they are self leveling and believe they are not the Xenon type as (I'm assuming) they would be much brighter if they were. They are barely reasonable on High Beam but when switched to dip are terrible. I think they are set too low. Is this still adjustable? The lens don't look too bad a little hazed maybe. My Z3 Headlamp lenses were worse but still gave a much better light although I had upgraded the Bulbs. I'm wondering if I will get away with just doing that on the Z4 or has someone found a more successful solution?

They really shouldn't be that far out of alignment Mario as this is tested at M.OT. Time. As for bulbs I fitted some extra bright ones in my Z and my Touareg too but I can't for the life of me remember the brand I used. They were called "night breaker" I think maybe Osram.

Tony.

 

[Mario Rossi]

Hi GazHyde, I don't think it's the Lenses that are causing the poor lighting. There's no condensation in the units or any obvious misting. just not a very bright light. I suppose it could be poor bulbs. I will replace them and see if that has made any difference.

 

[GazHyde]

I think t-t-t-t-t-t-t-tony is right with Osram Night Breakers to use for uprated bulbs.

 

[Mario Rossi]

They really shouldn't be that far out of alignment Mario as this is tested at M.OT. Time. As for bulbs I fitted some extra bright ones in my Z and my Touareg too but I can't for the life of me remember the brand I used. They were called "night breaker" I think maybe Osram.

Tony.

In my experience with M.O.T's it's all down to the guy doing the testing. At one garage I use to have my cars tested the MOT Examiner would always adjust the headlights during the test because he said they were too low (as a regular at the garage he never charged for this). Following that I would always have people flashing me at night until I set them a little lower and then come next year he would readjust them and the whole thing went on like that until one year they bought a new Beam tester and either it worked better or he knew how to use it and the problem stopped. This car was tested in November just before I bought it. The beam pattern is clearly visible on the road just ahead of the car when driving at night. The car has a beam adjuster designed to lower the beam when the car is loaded but is already on the highest setting. But from experience I believe the beam is set too low. Today I will change the Bulbs and get the Beam angle tested and see where I'll go from there. Thanks for the help so far guys, Ill see if I can get those Osram Bulbs.

 

[MAURICE THE MARTIAN]

Be interesting to see how you go, my Z4 has factory fitted xenons and tbh there sh***, an before any wise cracks about me being an old fart with bad eyes, lol, the standard lights on me common ford cmax are far superior,
Ding, idea maybe I should swap em [emoji4]
M

 

[t-tony]

In my experience with M.O.T's it's all down to the guy doing the testing. At one garage I use to have my cars tested the MOT Examiner would always adjust the headlights during the test because he said they were too low (as a regular at the garage he never charged for this). Following that I would always have people flashing me at night until I set them a little lower and then come next year he would readjust them and the whole thing went on like that until one year they bought a new Beam tester and either it worked better or he knew how to use it and the problem stopped. This car was tested in November just before I bought it. The beam pattern is clearly visible on the road just ahead of the car when driving at night. The car has a beam adjuster designed to lower the beam when the car is loaded but is already on the highest setting. But from experience I believe the beam is set too low. Today I will change the Bulbs and get the Beam angle tested and see where I'll go from there. Thanks for the help so far guys, Ill see if I can get those Osram Bulbs.

I know only too well the tale you tell here Mario and if you can see the beam cut off on the road in front of you I can gaurantee that they are too low. With mine set correctly, if I wind the adjuster to max down I can't see it on the road. Wish you were nearer Lincoln then I could set them up for you myself.

Tony.

 

[Mario Rossi]

Just a quick Update. I visited my local Halfords to see what Bulbs they stocked. In the past I've bought high performance bulbs from their own range and have always been satisfied with them. They had Ultra bright Bosch Bulbs claiming to be 120 per cent brighter than standard for about £30 each or their own Halfords branded Ultra Bright also claiming to be 120 per cent brighter than standard for £26. Only they had a deal on their own headlight bulbs of buy one get one free, so I went with theirs. I have fitted them and had the beams checked which were at the very lower limit allowable to pass an MOT. They have now been reset to the Upper permissible limit. Just got to wait till dark now and go and test them. I've also bought a Headlamp Restoration Kit made by Meguiars. It's basically an abrasive gel and sanding and finishing pads which restore the outer Headlamp lens by removing all the minute scratches which can obscure the light. Mine don't look too bad but at £22 I wondered if this really would help, but I don't want to use it until I found out how much the bulbs on their own have had.

 

[GazHyde]

I've also bought a Headlamp Restoration Kit made by Meguiars

Did this little write up when we used the kit a while back. Does a good job for the money.
https://zroadster.org/threads/meguiars-headlight-restoration-kit.5934/

 

[Mario Rossi]

Did this little write up when we used the kit a while back. Does a good job for the money.
https://zroadster.org/threads/meguiars-headlight-restoration-kit.5934/

Wish I'd seen that before. that's a great thread. My Z4 headlamps are not as bad as those were. I had considered using T Cut after see great results on a Motorbike screen years ago, it was interesting to see that that could well do a good job. Did the finish last for a while or did you treat the headlamps with anything after to try and preserve that finish?

 

[GazHyde]

Those weren't my headlights so I can't comment on the durability of the finish - I'll have to have a look at them next time I meet up with the owner! I think someone suggested that covering the lenses afterwards was a good idea as this effectively removes the top coating on the lenses.

 

[ppavuk]

I've just polished z4 headlights with 3M kit. Looks like brand new now. Will see how long they will be clear. The process took 2h, as headlights were very bad, a lot of sanding was required. To just buff them with polish - 5 -10 minutes each, next time will be easier.

 

[MD99]

Did this little write up when we used the kit a while back. Does a good job for the money.
https://zroadster.org/threads/meguiars-headlight-restoration-kit.5934/

was it easy to get the headlights out at all _ thought it may help even bulb replacement.

Also Amazon do a 3M headlight kit too, going to try and report back. https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0078IHJ1K/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[GazHyde]

Z3 headlights are relatively easy to remove, think it's 3 screws off the top of my head but I'm sure someone will confirm... Z4 needs the front bumper removed to take the lights out!

 

[t-tony]

@MD99 I have found a couple of videos on YouTube and posted a link to them here,

https://zroadster.org/threads/how-to-remove-front-bumper-on-e85-z4.20031/

Tony.

 

[t-tony]

Professional headlight polishing does the best job. But you can do it quite easily using various kits and equipment.

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BGQEHhxXYoc


Tony.