Z3 headlights and side lights.

Z Victor 1

Formerly "Ontiken1"
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Now then you Z3 experts! I know that some earlier models did not have the separate side lights in the bumpers so where exactly where they? Operating as part of the headlight? The main reason I'm asking is, is there any difference in the back part of an early light to that of the later ones, are they interchangeable?
 

Z Victor 1

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E 89 Z4 S drive 23i
Looking at a photo of the back of an early light (1998) there seems to be an extra socket near the top of the back of the light that is not there on the later lights. Can a later light be fitted in place of the early model? If so , how do you wire in the sidelight?
 

t-tony

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Extend the wires from the bumper light up to the new one in the headlight Ken. Simple job.

Tony.
 

Stevo7682

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Hi done to mine 2 options if you have a face-lift z3 you can either fit the early lights and join the wiring or remove the blanking plug on the newer lights and buy the bulb holders an wiring loom and join it
20170108_142631.jpg
20170107_182420.jpg
 

Z Victor 1

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Thanks you chaps, I was sure I could join the wiring up, but someone was asking me about fitting the back of an old light to a facelift and I know they are different. Don't want him to have a nasty surprise!
 

Z Victor 1

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As I say, this query is not for me. I've recently taken out the Halo lights that were in my car when I bought it and replaced them with the correct original lights. As I've never really looked at any of the older lights I don't know exactly how they differ, but it's not my problem really!
Thanks for the information, good that we can rely on fellow members for help and advice.:)
 

Grand Poombah

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Hi done to mine 2 options if you have a face-lift z3 you can either fit the early lights and join the wiring or remove the blanking plug on the newer lights and buy the bulb holders an wiring loom and join it View attachment 51309 View attachment 51310
I have the option of two facelift headlights and have a pre-facelift 1998 car without the separate side lights, on the facelift lights is it as simple as removing a rubber grommet and fitting the old sidelight bulb holders into the facelift lights? Is the reflector still cut out to allow this. Need intel from someone who has done this before buying! Thanks!
 

Stevo7682

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Yes it can be done the hole is still in the main beam reflector and the bulb holder fitment is still on the rear of the light .
But I'm sorry to say its not just a case of removing a rubber grommet.
What bmw did is molded a plastic disc over the bulb holder an requires a bit of time and care to remove so as not to damage the bulb holder fitment underneath it but it is possible as i have done mine Stephen.
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20170107_182420.jpg
 

Grand Poombah

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Yes it can be done the hole is still in the main beam reflector and the bulb holder fitment is still on the rear of the light .
But I'm sorry to say its not just a case of removing a rubber grommet.
What bmw did is molded a plastic disc over the bulb holder an requires a bit of time and care to remove so as not to damage the bulb holder fitment underneath it but it is possible as i gave done mine Stephen. View attachment 68649 View attachment 68650

Ok brilliant advice, thanks!
 

Grand Poombah

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Have now fitted facelift headlights to my pre facelift Z3, needed to make the hole for the sidelights as mine does not have marker (bumper) lights. Found the easiest way was to heat up the plastic with a heat gun and then just peel off the moulded cap with long nose pliers to reveal the original hole. Nice and neat! Love the chrome surround and clear side (indicator) lenses.
 

buze

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Or you could do this, piece of cake
View attachment 51317
How did you do that? I had 'angel eyes' optics for a while but didn't like the look, I reverted to OEM (clear) but I'd love to have daylight lights as well...
I've seen on ebay you can get LED rings, but they don't look fantastic... also ran at 'full' power they'll fade very quickly.
 

Sean d

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How did you do that? I had 'angel eyes' optics for a while but didn't like the look, I reverted to OEM (clear) but I'd love to have daylight lights as well...
I've seen on ebay you can get LED rings, but they don't look fantastic... also ran at 'full' power they'll fade very quickly.
They are not really bright enough for DRLs but they look great in low light, been in for over a year and still as good as they was when installed
I really don't like the beady eye ones and these are OEM look

Heres the link to where I got them
http://www.diyspareparts.net/bmw-1.html
 

Grand Poombah

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How did you do that? I had 'angel eyes' optics for a while but didn't like the look, I reverted to OEM (clear) but I'd love to have daylight lights as well...
I've seen on ebay you can get LED rings, but they don't look fantastic... also ran at 'full' power they'll fade very quickly.
Well I am lucky to have a 1998 Z3 with only 24k on the clock and in “as new” condition. The pre-facelift UK versions were fitted with headlights without the chrome rings with amber indicators and with the sidelight in the headlight, a bulb holder goes into a hole in the back, twists and locks in and shines into the inner reflector. No light in the bumper.

USA versions required “marker lights” in the bumper (and in the very corner/edge of the rear lights). For the facelift version BMW decided to standardise on the front bumper light (so they only had to make one version of the bumper) and for the UK the bumper “marker lights” were re-purposed for the sidelights and the headlight sidelight fitment was deleted. I personally never liked this setup, but that is a matter of opinion.

To re-use the same headlight moulds, they simply placed a moulded cap over the original hole for the sidelight bulbs and used the same reflector in the headlight so in reality the sidelight hole still exists but is covered.

Fast forward, I obtained a new set of genuine UK BMW facelift headlights, these have the chrome half rings and clear indicator lenses, but have the sidelight holes capped. People have used Dremels to remove the cap, but I found a heat gun worked well as the cap is not totally bonded to the light in the middle, only around the edges. See above posting.

Hence I now have a pre facelift car with post facelift headlights with sidelights in them. I use Osram 4000k W5W led bulbs in these and they look really sharp.

I have also changed the side repeaters and rear lights, clear side repeaters have Osram W5W orange leds in them also. These leds are not polarity sensitive and have proved to be of high quality and light output.

Hope this helps.
 
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