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Headlamp low beam lights are anemic

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lfyost1
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Headlamp low beam lights are anemic

Post by lfyost1 » Sat Jun 12, 2021 5:58 pm

My low beam lights are not the least bit bright... high beams are fine.
The inboard lens covers are very cloudy whereas the outboard are bright and clear. I'm suspecting the inboard ones should be clear, too.
Are these clean/ polishable. or is this a replacement situation?

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Headlamp low beam lights are anemic

Post by mmm-five » Sat Jun 12, 2021 6:08 pm

There is no bulb in the inner housing.

The high beam / dipped beam is done from the same bulb via a flap - aka ‘bi-xenon’.

The Z4M xenon s are not the brightest when on dip mainly due to them being set quite low in the first place, so sticking to the allowable angles it doesn’t throw the beam very far.

The best you can do, and what I did, is:
  • Adjust them to their uppermost legal limit
  • Take off the headlights to remove any dust build up on the projector lens
  • Polish the headlight lenses whilst they’re off
Trigger’s Z4MC
Some bits now over 163,000 miles, some less than 1,000 miles.
Individual Ruby Black, Individual extended champagne leather, plus many options

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lfyost1
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Headlamp low beam lights are anemic

Post by lfyost1 » Sat Jun 12, 2021 6:27 pm

Is the inboard lens supposed to be cloudy?

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Headlamp low beam lights are anemic

Post by mmm-five » Sat Jun 12, 2021 7:07 pm

lfyost1 wrote: Sat Jun 12, 2021 6:27 pm Is the inboard lens supposed to be cloudy?
i
It shouldn’t be cloudy…that would indicate either moisture in there or something causing uneven wear on the outside of the lens.

However, you shouldn’t expect to see any light from the inside housing, other than the angle eye ring.

This photo indicates how the external lenses can look cloudy (left side) and what they can look like when original or polished (right side)…
Image

This shows how the inner & outer lenses look…
Image

…and finally what they look like when illuminated (albeit this photo with aftermarket xenon kit)…
A6B80812-CA52-4554-A216-54A89604D169.jpeg
A6B80812-CA52-4554-A216-54A89604D169.jpeg (52.43 KiB) Viewed 607 times
Trigger’s Z4MC
Some bits now over 163,000 miles, some less than 1,000 miles.
Individual Ruby Black, Individual extended champagne leather, plus many options

Image

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lfyost1
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Headlamp low beam lights are anemic

Post by lfyost1 » Sun Jun 13, 2021 4:24 pm

Thank you. How is the polishing accomplished?

mmm-five
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Headlamp low beam lights are anemic

Post by mmm-five » Sun Jun 13, 2021 6:44 pm

lfyost1 wrote: Sun Jun 13, 2021 4:24 pm Thank you. How is the polishing accomplished?
There are kits available with varying levels of polishing compound and a DA polisher...but I'd not risk doing it myself unless I was confident in using polishing equipment, as if you damage them you'll be looking at £1000 each to replace.
Trigger’s Z4MC
Some bits now over 163,000 miles, some less than 1,000 miles.
Individual Ruby Black, Individual extended champagne leather, plus many options

Image

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Headlamp low beam lights are anemic

Post by RedUn » Sun Jun 13, 2021 9:03 pm

You can polish them by hand, it'll just take longer, definitely safer though :thumbsup:
IMOLA Z4///MR

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Headlamp low beam lights are anemic

Post by warmasice » Sun Jun 13, 2021 9:37 pm

mmm-five wrote: Sat Jun 12, 2021 6:08 pm
..not the brightest when on dip mainly due to them being set quite low in the first place, so sticking to the allowable angles it doesn’t throw the beam very far.

The best you can do, and what I did, is:
  • Adjust them to their uppermost legal limit
Totally agree with the above. Had the same issue on my E89 (reading around I learnt that others had the same problem).

I couldn't believe how poor the xenon's were. I had them adjusted while in for a service to the highest legal limit and it's like driving a different car and totally transformed night-time driving.
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Headlamp low beam lights are anemic

Post by lfyost1 » Mon Jun 14, 2021 2:32 am

I don't mind doing it by hand. What compound/ grit is appropriate? Do you polish both sides of the lens?

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Headlamp low beam lights are anemic

Post by mmm-five » Mon Jun 14, 2021 9:52 am

lfyost1 wrote: Mon Jun 14, 2021 2:32 am I don't mind doing it by hand. What compound/ grit is appropriate? Do you polish both sides of the lens?
I've no idea - and that's why I said I'd leave it to someone who knows what they're doing :P

There's probably a 'How To' either on here, or on other motoring fora.
Trigger’s Z4MC
Some bits now over 163,000 miles, some less than 1,000 miles.
Individual Ruby Black, Individual extended champagne leather, plus many options

Image

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Headlamp low beam lights are anemic

Post by RedUn » Mon Jun 14, 2021 1:47 pm

lfyost1 wrote: Mon Jun 14, 2021 2:32 am I don't mind doing it by hand. What compound/ grit is appropriate? Do you polish both sides of the lens?
Have you got a pic of the lights?

If it's literally the outside, pick up some Meguiars plastx from Halfords or amazon etc and a few decent microfibres, take your time and it'll come up lovely. I've used this for years for various plastics and it's always done me well.

You can use more aggressive compounds but I wouldn't risk it if its your first time :thumbsup:
IMOLA Z4///MR

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lfyost1
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Headlamp low beam lights are anemic

Post by lfyost1 » Tue Jun 15, 2021 3:59 am

Is it just the outside of the lens, or the inside as well?

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Headlamp low beam lights are anemic

Post by firebobby » Tue Jun 15, 2021 5:49 am

Put on a photo of your lights
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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