Brighter Headlights - Update

[Scooba_Steve]

The new LEDs will still give you the same problem. The reason is the blub check - LEDs draw less current than the W5W bulbs, the indicator coming on is to show you what side the bulb error is on.

You've got two options:

1. Get 'CANBUS compatible' LEDs or fit inline load resistors. These will both have the effect of drawing 5W thus 'fooling' the car into thinking there is no issue. I wanted lower power consumption so didn't see the point in this. For the cheap eBay jobs it's probably the point of failure which makes them not last particularly long.

2. Code out the blub check, the following options need to be made "nicht_activ":
CC_STANDLICHT_LINKS
CC_STANDLICHT_RECHTS
KALTUEBERWACHUNG_SL_LI
KALTUEBERWACHUNG_SL_RE
WARMUEBERWACHUNG_SL_LI
WARMUEBERWACHUNG_SL_RE

I believe, but am not sure, that this also disables the checks for the rear but have not checked.
Don't ask me how I did it - it was a while ago and I've not tried getting coding working on my new tablet, but there are guides online. You can use NCS Expert but I found it easier to download the trace as a text file and edit it.

Be warned - if you muck it up, you can make your car into a very expensive paperweight!

 

[nb67]

Would these be better than Nightbreakers and similar H7 bulbs?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/221705131216?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

 

[Marlon]

Thanks Scooba & nb67. Got my money back from Halfords, may just leave side lights as standard.

Here's the Nightbreakers in action.

There seemed to be a slight improvement in visibility and whiteness - certainly worth doing for £14.99. Lets see how long they last now

 

[nb67]

That actually looks like quite a decent 'white' light they emit there Marlon in truth.

Let us know how you get on at night with them.

 

[jakblade]

I've had Nightbreakers for some time now. Definite improvement over standard bulbs but still not the best.

 

[Marlon]

Would these be better than Nightbreakers and similar H7 bulbs?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/221705131216?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

According to the website those are not compatible with my Z4

 

[JINGLE]

ive had nightbreakers on my old corsa C i gave to my mum, still going strong after 4 years.....

 

[Marlon]

ive had nightbreakers on my old corsa C i gave to my mum, still going strong after 4 years.....

That's reassuring

Edit: erm, she does drive at night doesn't she?

 

[JINGLE]

yea the headlights do get use lol, i used it for 3 of those years myself until i bought my Z and gave it to her for xmas (she had to sell her car to go to Oz to see my brother)

 

[Scooba_Steve]

I've had upgrade bulbs in reflector lenses before and they make a bit of difference. HIDs will output at least double the amount of light though so there's no comparison even if they are drawing the same wattage.,

 

[Marlon]

I use these:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/LEDriving-Retrofit-interior-2850WW-02B-consumption/dp/B0085M0XDE

They match well with my 4300 K HIDs though they are slightly more yellow but that sort of makes it look more OE.
I did code out the sidelight blub check however - I didn't see the point of running a 1W LED and having to use a 4W resistor to fool the car, plus I can leave the parking lights on overnight without worrying.

I was told I need a Can-bus LED light to solve the problem of the error report on BMWs.
Are the Osram LED's in your link can-bus - will they work without 'coding out' the sidelight bulb check?

 

[Scooba_Steve]

I was told I need a Can-bus LED light to solve the problem of the error report on BMWs.
Are the Osram LED's in your link can-bus - will they work without 'coding out' the sidelight bulb check?

They are not CANBUS so it's either a resistor or code out. I don't think any of the big brands (Osram, Philips etc.) make CANBUS LEDs so if you don't want to code I'd suggest sourcing your own decent quality resistors and wiring them in.

 

[Marlon]

I was told I need a Can-bus LED light to solve the problem of the error report on BMWs.
Are the Osram LED's in your link can-bus - will they work without 'coding out' the sidelight bulb check?

They are not CANBUS so it's either a resistor or code out. I don't think any of the big brands (Osram, Philips etc.) make CANBUS LEDs so if you don't want to code I'd suggest sourcing your own decent quality 4W resistors and wiring them in.

Cheers Scooba

 

[Roundozo]

Would these work? I still have yellow sidelights now that ive installed an HID kit and it looks pants.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2-x-501-CANBUS-CREE-LED-XENON-SUPER-WHITE-BULBS-T10-W5W-ERROR-FREE-SIDELIGHTS-/131495129101?fits=Car+Make%3ABMW%7CModel%3AZ4&hash=item1e9db8700d:g:bAAAAOSwPgxVOiEs

 

[Marlon]

Looks like they are compatible.

EDIT: actually just entered my Zed details and it says:
This item does not fit BMW Z4 2008 E85 [2003-2015] Convertible 3.0 SI.

 

[Roundozo]

In this topic,

http://www.z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=82184&start=15

On page two it was suggested that these work.

http://www.xenonbulbs.co.uk/canbus-leds/Canbus-LEDS-Sidelight-Bulbs/CANBUS-LEDS-Wedge-Bulbs-501-W5W-PROJECTOR

 

[Roundozo]

I've just bought some as they are only £5

 

[JINGLE]

they look like the 1s i have, single led inside a dome and they look a lot whiter and as there sealed, im hoping they wont suffer from flickering like the other cheap led sidelights i got before (been in bout 2 months so far, so already lasted longer than they did haha)

 

[Marlon]

In this topic,

http://www.z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=82184&start=15

On page two it was suggested that these work.

http://www.xenonbulbs.co.uk/canbus-leds/Canbus-LEDS-Sidelight-Bulbs/CANBUS-LEDS-Wedge-Bulbs-501-W5W-PROJECTOR

I will have some of that - will buy a pair too, thanks

 

[Scooba_Steve]

There will be a hefty dose of "I told you so" if these fail :lol:

Hope they don't though