E86 Pathetic headlights

noiseboy72 · Post by **noiseboy72** » Wed Nov 07, 2018 8:17 pm

I had the same issue with the hopeless halogens. Mine now have 80w Osram blue tinted lamps and I actually feel like I can see a little further ahead now.

I've also adjusted the aim a little higher to get the beam further down the road and polished the headlamps. Taking the headlights out to clean the projectors is a pain, but if I am still not happy, that's the next step.

The fog lights are about as much use as indicators on an Audi. Why did they even bother fitting them??

stupot1 · Post by **stupot1** » Wed Nov 07, 2018 8:43 pm

I guessed my way home in the dark and rain the other week, didn't enjoy that at all
Halogens are shocking

ph001 · Post by **ph001** » Wed Nov 07, 2018 8:53 pm

As already mentioned, adjusting the beam up slightly is the key to getting anything remotely useful out of them. Just make sure it’s not too high as to dazzle oncoming drivers.

Wildfire · Post by **Wildfire** » Wed Nov 07, 2018 9:06 pm

How easy is it to clean the projectors from the wheel well? I don’t fancy stripping the front of the car.

buzyg · Post by **buzyg** » Wed Nov 07, 2018 9:30 pm

LordOxygen wrote: ↑Wed Nov 07, 2018 8:09 pm I must be the only person here who thinks the Xenons are excellent, they are on my 2003 e85 anyway. A powerful white light.

No your not. I find them really good.

Mr Tidy · Post by **Mr Tidy** » Wed Nov 07, 2018 11:17 pm

LordOxygen wrote: ↑Wed Nov 07, 2018 8:09 pm I must be the only person here who thinks the Xenons are excellent, they are on my 2003 e85 anyway. A powerful white light.

Not quite - I said the Xenons on my 1st E86 were brilliant.

Especially compared to the Halogens on my current E86.

Beedub · Post by **Beedub** » Wed Nov 07, 2018 11:20 pm

find the lights on my z4 to be brilliant...

Adam D · Post by **Adam D** » Thu Nov 08, 2018 8:27 am

No problem with my HID lamps, suspect they may have lost a little light output due to being 11 years old now. Aiming them properly made a big difference initially so rule that out first if your beam isn’t picking up signs or reaching far down the road.

coupedan · Post by **coupedan** » Thu Nov 08, 2018 9:11 am

Wildfire wrote: ↑Wed Nov 07, 2018 9:06 pm How easy is it to clean the projectors from the wheel well? I don’t fancy stripping the front of the car.

Pretty easy, jack the front end up to give you more room, remove the wheel or put it on full lock so you have lots of access.

Remove the light access panel, remove lamp cover and remove your bulb.

There is 3 or 4 nuts (can't remember exactly from memory) but undo these and remove projector lamp unit.

It's a little fiddly but the first took me about 30 mins to remove whilst I figured out what I needed to do
The second took about 10 mins.

Refitting is the reverse and shouldnt take all that long.
Think total work took me a little over an hour.

coupedan · Post by **coupedan** » Thu Nov 08, 2018 9:15 am

This is what the unit looks like out.

fd3chris · Post by **fd3chris** » Thu Nov 08, 2018 9:38 am

I've got aftermarket halogen headlamps in mine which were awful. The beam pattern was all over the place and the output very weak. I changed to the new nightbreaker bulbs and I've now got slightly brighter output all over the place. Can't upgrade to hids as they will melt and can't adjust up as no motor in the headlamps. Any ideas to help? Thanks.

BMWZ4MC · Post by **BMWZ4MC** » Thu Nov 08, 2018 10:44 am

Beedub wrote: ↑Wed Nov 07, 2018 11:20 pm find the lights on my z4 to be brilliant...

Mine too

1000rr · Post by **1000rr** » Thu Nov 08, 2018 10:52 am

My Xenons where pants until I adjusted them. 1.5 turns anti clockwise, and they light up far down the road.

coupedan · Post by **coupedan** » Thu Nov 08, 2018 11:32 am

fd3chris wrote: ↑Thu Nov 08, 2018 9:38 am I've got aftermarket halogen headlamps in mine which were awful. The beam pattern was all over the place and the output very weak. I changed to the new nightbreaker bulbs and I've now got slightly brighter output all over the place. Can't upgrade to hids as they will melt and can't adjust up as no motor in the headlamps. Any ideas to help? Thanks.

HID's don't melt, not if you get a decent set..

I've been running HID's for over 5 years with daily use and they are still running great.
Had the bulbs out recently to clean the inside of the lamp and they are still in one piece.

You can adjust the beam using the adjuster screws in the engine bay above the lamp units. Haven't a picture handy but you should find one online somewhere.

fd3chris · Post by **fd3chris** » 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.

Z4-forum.com

Z4-forum.com