Quick + Easy Headlamp improvement please?

derin100 · Post by **derin100** » Tue Nov 06, 2018 12:33 pm

I'm actually going to be using my E85 3.0Si a bit more this winter. I brought it out of storage in Shropshire yesterday and drove it back to Lincolnshire. It was an evening journey and I really noticed just how poor the standard (non-Xenon) lights are on this car and it's pretty dark countryside around where I now live.

Previously, to other cars like E38s and E39s, I have just fitted those relatively cheap 'Night Eye' bulbs that you can buy on Ebay for about £17. Although I'm aware they're not strictly legal, they did their job quite well actually with no particular problems and come MOT time I'd just change them back out again temporarily.

With the E85 however I'm not sure I could use a set of these as the cooling bit at the back probably won't allow the back cover on the headlamp assembly to go back on.

What relatively quick and easy solutions for improvements do forum members recommend? I don't really have the skills (or patience these days) to do complex electrical installations.

Thanks in advance!

Kevoz4 · Post by **Kevoz4** » Tue Nov 06, 2018 12:57 pm

Hi
I’ve used the Osram Nightbreaker bulbs to good effect, had them in my E46 and my TR6 and the lighting is much improved.

derin100 · Post by **derin100** » Tue Nov 06, 2018 1:19 pm

Thanks Kev, I used them in the passed as well on other cars. I might even have some in the garage. So, I might try them temporarily.
I'm just wondering if anyone had found a 'Night Eye' type LED bulb that fitted the Z4...as they really are a MASSIVE improvement!

Cheers

Greg 01 · Post by **Greg 01** » Tue Nov 06, 2018 1:52 pm

+ 1 for the nightbreakers
Big improvement on the country roads

derin100 · Post by **derin100** » Tue Nov 06, 2018 2:42 pm

I think that's going to be the quickest, easiest way and no issues of legality.

Cheers chaps!

Kevoz4 · Post by **Kevoz4** » Tue Nov 06, 2018 2:47 pm

Hi
I’ve used this https://www.classiccarleds.co.uk/search?q=LLB477 company for LED dash light for my TR6 but not for headlights. Worth checking them out.
No connection, just a happy customer.

chrisgreen · Post by **chrisgreen** » Tue Nov 06, 2018 3:09 pm

i've got the halogens which were terrible in the dark - i just adjusted the beam upwards by about half a turn and this helped alot

derin100 · Post by **derin100** » Tue Nov 06, 2018 3:20 pm

Kevoz4 wrote: ↑Tue Nov 06, 2018 2:47 pm Hi
I’ve used this https://www.classiccarleds.co.uk/search?q=LLB477 company for LED dash light for my TR6 but not for headlights. Worth checking them out.
No connection, just a happy customer.

Those are like the 'Night Eye' ones I was talking about Kev (only you can get the much cheaper than the price they're advertising). The do make a huge difference but the problem in the Z4 is that the back of those bulbs is over 4cm proud of where the bulb inserts. So I don't think the black plastic cup that seals of the bulbs at the back in the Z4 will fit over them.

derin100 · Post by **derin100** » Tue Nov 06, 2018 3:22 pm

chrisgreen wrote: ↑Tue Nov 06, 2018 3:09 pm i've got the halogens which were terrible in the dark - i just adjusted the beam upwards by about half a turn and this helped alot

That's a good little trick Chris! I may give that a go as well.

In the meantime, I've also ordered a couple of pairs of these:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/OSRAM-Night- ... 0005.m1851

Thanks chaps!

Thermaltake · Post by **Thermaltake** » Tue Nov 06, 2018 8:00 pm

I have the night eye h7 LED's, Theres loads of room for the back cover. Its not even remotely close.
Much better than any halogen. I wouldnt even think about going back to halogens, Especially when every other modern car has high mounted laser beams installed directly into your eye.

G600 · Post by **G600** » Fri Nov 16, 2018 6:50 pm

Take out the projector assembly (4 nuts) and give it a clean, I was surprised how much fine dust there was on the lens

Silverzedtom · Post by **Silverzedtom** » Fri Nov 16, 2018 9:22 pm

Another vote for nightbreakers here although I found I still needed to adjust the beam angle upwards. I put them back for mot day just incase...

kis · Post by **kis** » Fri Nov 16, 2018 9:26 pm

Are your lenses clear? With age they discolour and get slightly cloudy. You can restore them with kits that are easily available

Langers · Post by **Langers** » Sun Nov 18, 2018 3:24 pm

I bought the Philips X-tremeVision (+130), they've made a big difference. Fairly well priced on Amazon too:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00 ... UTF8&psc=1

I've also bought a headlight restore kit, but haven't got to that yet.
Also Amazon..
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00 ... UTF8&psc=1

NickDE · Post by **NickDE** » Sun Nov 18, 2018 8:52 pm

I'm also on the Philips X-tremeVision (+130), make a big difference for my two hour commute only mainly unlit country roads.

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