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Headlight trauma

Discuss problems you have had or are having with your Z4
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Spiderbadger
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Headlight trauma

Post by Spiderbadger » Fri Jan 11, 2019 8:27 pm

I've recently purchased my 1st Z4, (had a Z3 and loved it) and I'm utterly shocked at how poor the headlights are
I cannot see a ruddy thing. Reading various pages on the web, people suggesting Xenon upgrades etc.

My question is, which is the best, easiest way to go, to make them usable.
I think they're standard at the min, the car is on a 55 plate, it's the 2.0ltr model.

Thanks in advance

Dave

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ben g
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Headlight trauma

Post by ben g » Fri Jan 11, 2019 8:48 pm

Firstly, raise the beam level, using the left adjuster in this photo:
pic-7238802582100280556-1600x1200.jpeg
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And then purchase some decent halogen bulbs. I went for GE sport ultra bulbs and they are great.
sketch-1547236077811.png
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Red Soft-top Sterling grey 3.0i - Z4M Front, Eibachs, Polybushed, Clear headlights, Triple clear spot rear lights, Shadow Chrome 107's, Sport MFSW, ZHP.

firebobby
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Headlight trauma

Post by firebobby » Fri Jan 11, 2019 9:14 pm

Welcome to the forum, we want photos of your Zed
:worthless:
BMW Z4 30i 2003 auto 107's Whippy Toledo Blue
Beige M sport seats, wood dash
Toyota MR2 NA 1995
Triumph GT6 1972 (project)
Land Rover Discovery 1994 TDI (Tow car)
Mini 1000 1981

Spiderbadger
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Headlight trauma

Post by Spiderbadger » Fri Jan 11, 2019 11:03 pm

Ok here we go then
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20181216_112025.jpg (400.97 KiB) Viewed 925 times

firebobby
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Headlight trauma

Post by firebobby » Fri Jan 11, 2019 11:10 pm

Very nice..apart from the dirt :poke: :wink:
I like the way the light catches the wheels :thumbsup:
BMW Z4 30i 2003 auto 107's Whippy Toledo Blue
Beige M sport seats, wood dash
Toyota MR2 NA 1995
Triumph GT6 1972 (project)
Land Rover Discovery 1994 TDI (Tow car)
Mini 1000 1981

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Mr Tidy
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Headlight trauma

Post by Mr Tidy » Fri Jan 11, 2019 11:18 pm

firebobby wrote: Fri Jan 11, 2019 11:10 pm Very nice..apart from the dirt
Nothing wrong with some dirt - it washes off!

Much better than SORNing it to keep the wood dry! :P

But to answer the OPs question the Halogen headlights aren't great - but after-market Xenons are probably not a great idea with the latest change to the MOT Test, and you need headlight washers if you have Xenons.

So a tweak on the vertical alignment and upgraded bulbs is probably the simple answer.
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Spiderbadger
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Headlight trauma

Post by Spiderbadger » Fri Jan 11, 2019 11:38 pm

Ben G, is this the kind? And do i need to uprate anything else too make them work?

[url]https://m.ebay.co.uk/itm/GE-Sportlight- ... 523609/url]

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NickDE
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Headlight trauma

Post by NickDE » Fri Jan 11, 2019 11:44 pm

I use Philips X-Treme bulbs on main and dipped beams
Darkness gone, go Darknes2, go Frozen, go Tronic

andyf1140
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Headlight trauma

Post by andyf1140 » Sat Jan 12, 2019 1:17 am

+1 upgrade the bulbs and adjust the beam height

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ben g
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Headlight trauma

Post by ben g » Sat Jan 12, 2019 12:11 pm

Spiderbadger wrote: Fri Jan 11, 2019 11:38 pm Ben G, is this the kind? And do i need to uprate anything else too make them work?

[url]https://m.ebay.co.uk/itm/GE-Sportlight- ... 523609/url]
Thats the ones :thumbsup: I also used Philips crystal vision before those, which were great. I put them on my wife's A class when I bought the GE bulbs and they are also very good in her car too.

They fit perfectly. It's a standard H7 Halogen fitting inside your headlamp.

The main thing to do first is bring the headlight beam level up. Try that and see how you get on. I think I adjusted mine up 1 brick level on my house (I used the mortar in between the bricks as a guide) and it made a huge positive difference in night time driving on unlit country lanes.

Let us know how you get on. It's really simple and won't take you more than a few minutes.
Red Soft-top Sterling grey 3.0i - Z4M Front, Eibachs, Polybushed, Clear headlights, Triple clear spot rear lights, Shadow Chrome 107's, Sport MFSW, ZHP.

firebobby
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Headlight trauma

Post by firebobby » Sat Jan 12, 2019 6:51 pm

Mr Tidy wrote: Fri Jan 11, 2019 11:18 pm
firebobby wrote: Fri Jan 11, 2019 11:10 pm Very nice..apart from the dirt
Nothing wrong with some dirt - it washes off!

Much better than SORNing it to keep the wood dry! :P

But to answer the OPs question the Halogen headlights aren't great - but after-market Xenons are probably not a great idea with the latest change to the MOT Test, and you need headlight washers if you have Xenons.

So a tweak on the vertical alignment and upgraded bulbs is probably the simple answer.
No point getting the wood wet Mr T :poke:
BMW Z4 30i 2003 auto 107's Whippy Toledo Blue
Beige M sport seats, wood dash
Toyota MR2 NA 1995
Triumph GT6 1972 (project)
Land Rover Discovery 1994 TDI (Tow car)
Mini 1000 1981

no fit state
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Headlight trauma

Post by no fit state » Sat Jan 12, 2019 6:54 pm

They look like aftermarket headlights to me.
Z4MC Imola red

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ben g
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Headlight trauma

Post by ben g » Sat Jan 12, 2019 10:19 pm

no fit state wrote: Sat Jan 12, 2019 6:54 pm They look like aftermarket headlights to me.
They are, but I imagine you should still be able to adjust the beam level in the same way?
Red Soft-top Sterling grey 3.0i - Z4M Front, Eibachs, Polybushed, Clear headlights, Triple clear spot rear lights, Shadow Chrome 107's, Sport MFSW, ZHP.

Sidders96
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Headlight trauma

Post by Sidders96 » Thu Jan 24, 2019 10:28 pm

Spiderbadger wrote: Fri Jan 11, 2019 11:03 pm Ok here we go then
Hi spider badger just browsing forums and came across this and noticed that you're in the b&q in my town... kings lynn?!
I have a similiar problem with my z... if you're based in kings Lynn could.meet up or something at somepoint!
Sam

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