Not joined yet? Register for free and enjoy features such as alerts, private messaging and viewing latest posts and topics.
Headlamp low beam lights are anemic
- lfyost1
- Newbie
- Posts: 29
- Joined: Mon May 31, 2021 2:13 pm
- Location: Wisconsin, USA
Headlamp low beam lights are anemic
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?
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?
-
- Lifer
- Posts: 12723
- Joined: Sun Nov 30, 2008 1:03 pm
- Location: Liverpool
- Contact:
Headlamp low beam lights are anemic
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:
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
- lfyost1
- Newbie
- Posts: 29
- Joined: Mon May 31, 2021 2:13 pm
- Location: Wisconsin, USA
Headlamp low beam lights are anemic
Is the inboard lens supposed to be cloudy?
-
- Lifer
- Posts: 12723
- Joined: Sun Nov 30, 2008 1:03 pm
- Location: Liverpool
- Contact:
Headlamp low beam lights are anemic
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)…
This shows how the inner & outer lenses look…
…and finally what they look like when illuminated (albeit this photo with aftermarket xenon kit)…
- lfyost1
- Newbie
- Posts: 29
- Joined: Mon May 31, 2021 2:13 pm
- Location: Wisconsin, USA
Headlamp low beam lights are anemic
Thank you. How is the polishing accomplished?
-
- Lifer
- Posts: 12723
- Joined: Sun Nov 30, 2008 1:03 pm
- Location: Liverpool
- Contact:
Headlamp low beam lights are anemic
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.
- RedUn
- Senior Member
- Posts: 1108
- Joined: Sat Jun 16, 2012 7:33 pm
- Location: Hertfordshire
Headlamp low beam lights are anemic
You can polish them by hand, it'll just take longer, definitely safer though
IMOLA Z4///MR
-
- Member
- Posts: 877
- Joined: Sun Apr 26, 2015 7:16 pm
Headlamp low beam lights are anemic
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.
- lfyost1
- Newbie
- Posts: 29
- Joined: Mon May 31, 2021 2:13 pm
- Location: Wisconsin, USA
Headlamp low beam lights are anemic
I don't mind doing it by hand. What compound/ grit is appropriate? Do you polish both sides of the lens?
-
- Lifer
- Posts: 12723
- Joined: Sun Nov 30, 2008 1:03 pm
- Location: Liverpool
- Contact:
Headlamp low beam lights are anemic
I've no idea - and that's why I said I'd leave it to someone who knows what they're doing
There's probably a 'How To' either on here, or on other motoring fora.
- RedUn
- Senior Member
- Posts: 1108
- Joined: Sat Jun 16, 2012 7:33 pm
- Location: Hertfordshire
Headlamp low beam lights are anemic
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
IMOLA Z4///MR
- lfyost1
- Newbie
- Posts: 29
- Joined: Mon May 31, 2021 2:13 pm
- Location: Wisconsin, USA
Headlamp low beam lights are anemic
Is it just the outside of the lens, or the inside as well?
-
- Lifer
- Posts: 9538
- Joined: Sat Jun 13, 2015 9:09 am
- Location: South west Buckinghamshire
Headlamp low beam lights are anemic
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
Beige M sport seats, wood dash
Toyota MR2 NA 1995
Triumph GT6 1972 (project)
Land Rover Discovery 1994 TDI (Tow car)
Mini 1000 1981