Z3 Headlight Upgrade

[bertiejaffa]

HI all, ok this may have been debated before but I thought I would ask for opinions anyway…. Before I start, I know that UK MOT is an issue and I will make sure that they don’t dazzle people etc…. My lenses are perfectly clean too and I have 20/20 vision

Ok so, my old M used to have upgraded Xenon headlights that had been professionally fitted before I bought it and they were fabulous in the dark. Last night whilst driving home from the Scottish run I realised that the 23 year old candles on my new M just don’t cut the mustard, in fact I would go as far to say that they make driving at night dangerous as I couldn’t see more than 1 car ahead of me whilst on the motorway.

So I am looking for any thoughts on the best Xenon upgrade for the standard lights. I know you can buy the smaller halo projectors but I want to retain the standard headlight but fit bulbs and upgrade that actually shine the road in front of me.

Cheers

 

[Stevo7682]

From an official point of view Lee it is now an mot fail to convert a halogen headlight to hid or led you could pass a replacement light unit if it designed to take hid or led from new.

Stephen.

 

[bertiejaffa]

lol - thanks Stephen, I know that it is an issue but thankfully I have a way round that the same as I do with the opposite end of the car where the noise & polution comes out

in the meantime I think I have found the right ones.... just waiting for a second call back from the company...

Dipped: https://www.autobulbsdirect.co.uk/hb4-9006-hids4u-stealth-55w-xenon-hid-conversion-kit.html
Main Beam: https://www.autobulbsdirect.co.uk/hb3-9005-hids4u-stealth-55w-xenon-hid-conversion-kit.html

Any thoughts?

 

[t-tony]

Osram night breaker bulbs would be my choice. In the Z3 and the E85 Z4.

Tony.

 

[lalinsorinoco]

These `Osram night breaker bulbs` ... are they just plug and play?

 

[Nodzed]

One problem Lee, the Z3 has pattern lens, wont these interfere with the light pattern from the new bulbs or vice versa? I thought these were to be used with clear lens and flat reflectors?

 

[t-tony]

These `Osram night breaker bulbs` ... are they just plug and play?

Yes. Direct replacement.

Tony.

 

[jonco]

Yes. Direct replacement.
Tony.

Do you mean these Tony? https://www.eurocarparts.com/p/osra...t-bulbs-150-more-brightness-2-bulbs-48177022X
I rarely drive the Zed in the dark and could hardly see when I did the other night so time for a change methinks.

 

[t-tony]

Yes Colin, they’re the ones. A good upgrade.

Tony.

 

[lalinsorinoco]

I bought them but they won't go in my 1999 Z3, as its my case the bulb has a plastic fitting kit attached to it, which is not detachable.

 

[jonco]

I bought them but they won't go in my 1999 Z3, as its my case the bulb has a plastic fitting kit attached to it, which is not detachable.

Thanks for info - I was about to order but will now check whether they will fit '98. They did come up as compatible when I put my reg no in.

 

[t-tony]

You need to buy the Night Breaker in the right style of bulb. H7 won't fit.

Tony.

 

[jonco]

You need to buy the Night Breaker in the right style of bulb. H7 won't fit.

Tony.

I'll bow to your experience Tony but it's confusing.
realoem says H7 for normal beam(part 06) as do other parts catalogues - do you know which it is?

06	Longlife bulb	12V 55W H7	2	04/1999		63217160781	$20.90
07	Bulb	HB3 12V 60W	2			63217160785	$18.86

 

[Stevo7682]

Some zeds use h7 bulbs and some are Hb4 Hb3

 

[Stevo7682]

If you look it you should be able to see which type is fitted
The hb3 ( main) hb4 (dip) have plastic bases with multi plug

You should be able to see it relatively easy.
Stephen.

 

[jonco]

If you look it you should be able to see which type is fitted
The hb3 ( main) hb4 (dip) have plastic bases with multi plug ..........................

You should be able to see it relatively easy.
Stephen.

Thanks Stephen - will have a look tomorrow.

 

[t-tony]

This is what an H7 bulb looks like Colin.

Tony.

 

[GreenFish]

Just to say that I fitted the Osram Nigh Breaker bulbs yesterday. Made a big difference as could hardly see a thing with the previous bulbs. They were "Sylvania" - not a name I'm familiar with to be honest! The main difference for me is how far they reach

Fitting was a pain though. Had to do it outside it the dark as had a trip to do today and needed them for that (too dangerous last time I did it with the previous bulbs).

Went for the headlight removal option. The drivers side was "okay" - I removed the indicator connector and then the headlamp bulb connector before removing the bulb. Passenger side was a PITA - the indicator wire was so short I could only move the headlight a few milimeters out to remove and the overall fitment seemed more hard work.

That screw deep down in the panel is a pain on both sides. Luckily I watched a YouTube video beforehand and purchased a magnetic pick up pen - this was needed! To screw back in, I put a small piece of masking tape inside the socket to hold the screw. Amazingly it worked. Took me 2 hours all in....mainly due to my (lack of) skill level

 

[royk123]

Good thread! Was very useful

 

[david suller]

Just fitted some angel eyes, thanks for all the advice, and a special thanks to spurs fan in a coupe for a great deal on the spare
headlights to do it, as I did not want to mess mine up if I made a mistake.