E86 Pathetic headlights

coupedan · Post by **coupedan** » Thu Nov 08, 2018 1:12 pm

Ah ok if they are aftermarket then no idea - OEM bulb holders are metal and the projector is glass so no chance in melting.

Unfortunately, if they are plastic holders then yes, you will be out of luck.

fd3chris · Post by **fd3chris** » Thu Nov 08, 2018 1:48 pm

ben g · Post by **ben g** » Thu Nov 08, 2018 2:15 pm

I have halogens in mine and since adjusting them to point up a little more, it's been fine driving in the dark.

MalNCH · Post by **MalNCH** » Thu Nov 08, 2018 5:45 pm

I have to say mine are pi$$ poor, going to try changing them as they are probably 14 years old and have deteriorated.

Wildfire · Post by **Wildfire** » Fri Nov 09, 2018 12:14 am

fd3chris wrote: ↑Thu Nov 08, 2018 12:29 pm I've been told that the headlamps are not designed for hids and the heat will melt the bulb holders. I will have a look for the height adjusters and see if I can raise the lights a little thanks.
Edit. Just looked and I have no height adjusters on my headlamps as they are after market so looks like I'm buggered.

One mine it was actually the ignigter pack that melted.

andyf1140 · Post by **andyf1140** » Fri Nov 09, 2018 6:51 am

I had similar problems with my focus. As others have said some decent +150% bulbs and some adjustment fixed it. I have some night breakers to go in the zed because the bulbs that are in it are like two camdles!

The biggest issue I find is with SUVs with the latest LED search lights they are blinding!

Sidewaze Samm · Post by **Sidewaze Samm** » Fri Nov 09, 2018 10:57 am

andyf1140 wrote: ↑Fri Nov 09, 2018 6:51 am The biggest issue I find is with SUVs with the latest LED search lights they are blinding!

and those wanna-have DRL drivers, who think it's ok to use foglights instead

and the Mini Countryman DRLs in general!

Gjm91 · Post by **Gjm91** » Fri Nov 09, 2018 1:45 pm

Sidewaze Samm wrote: ↑Fri Nov 09, 2018 10:57 am
andyf1140 wrote: ↑Fri Nov 09, 2018 6:51 am The biggest issue I find is with SUVs with the latest LED search lights they are blinding!
and those wanna-have DRL drivers, who think it's ok to use foglights instead
and the Mini Countryman DRLs in general!

-haha -apart from Z4 e85 foglights - cant actually tell when there on - Agree with the Countryman comment -wife has a countryman with the led DRL's and there brighter than the headlights on the Z

dhobbs · Post by **dhobbs** » Fri Nov 09, 2018 8:27 pm

Here’s an image I nabbed off the forum years ago

Gazza51 · Post by **Gazza51** » Fri Nov 09, 2018 9:05 pm

Mine are poop also.

ULTRAVOX · Post by **ULTRAVOX** » Sat Feb 01, 2020 6:25 pm

My headlights are awful as well. I have been trying different bulbs but I am thinking of replacing both units. What are the best to go for?
Thinking of something like this:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/292789091241
Or:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/293295272579
Which might be better considering they have the adjustment motors built in.
Any thoughts?
Also would these have a better light out put than the original lights fitted to my 2007 E86 Z4 coupe 3.0 si. ?

lucasxdiniz · Post by **lucasxdiniz** » Sat Feb 01, 2020 7:20 pm

ULTRAVOX wrote: ↑Sat Feb 01, 2020 6:25 pm My headlights are awful as well. I have been trying different bulbs but I am thinking of replacing both units. What are the best to go for?
Thinking of something like this:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/292789091241
Or:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/293295272579
Which might be better considering they have the adjustment motors built in.
Any thoughts?
Also would these have a better light out put than the original lights fitted to my 2007 E86 Z4 coupe 3.0 si. ?

I doubt those will be much better than your OEM units if you're using the same bulbs. Try an LED/HID kit first, much more affordable. For £350 you can do this and get a fair change.

Have a look at this thread as well.

Major · Post by **Major** » Sat Feb 01, 2020 7:25 pm

Try driving a 1998 Honda Integra Type R with normal bulbs at night in a country road. You guys are bloomin lucky

I had no option but to eat carrots and drink carrot juice

Spriteracer · Post by **Spriteracer** » Mon Feb 03, 2020 10:57 am

I fitted the Morimoto 5 xenon system to my 2007 all H7 E86 over the weekend. The Morimoto unit is a more or less straight swap for the H7 part in Coupedan's picture above. Note the fitting plate needs some minor modification to fit the 4 studs. Also fitted a splitter cable to the inner H7 high beam bulb wiring so the main beam also operates the shutter on the Morimoto. H7 nightbreaker bulbs on the inner main beam and LED sidelight bulbs. As my car was all H7 I did not have the ballast / ignitor and so had to buy those as well. I got the whole kit including the modification from Trups at EM Tuning as recommended in other threads. I have to say the result is truly amazing when compared with the original. Bright, great projection and very sharp cut off on dip. I have headlight washers but these not required pre 2009 for MOT. I do not have the auto adjust system but reading the MOT rules, these only have to work if fitted as far as I can see. They don't seem to mandatory. The whole lot cost around £450 incl the modification and postage. £100 less if you don't need the ballasts. The car is now useable at night ! Money well spent in my opinion...

baconJazz · Post by **baconJazz** » Mon Feb 03, 2020 11:32 am

Fitted Phillips "Xtreme"+ 130% H7 to my e86 . Dipped is marginally better but high beam is considerably better. Happy with the result and it's now something I can live with. Relatively cheap fix at about £50 for 2 sets of bulbs (4 bulbs). The Phillips "Racing" are better still @ 150% but only have a life span of 220 hours as opposed to the Xtreme @ 450 hours.

Z4-forum.com

Z4-forum.com