Headlamps Query

T

TZ4

Member
Hi all........

I have a 2005 Z4 Roadster and the headlamps are standard ones as in they have the Amber reflector in them.
I am wondering if you can purchase a set of headlamps WITHOUT the Amber reflector inside the unit?
I'd want a set all chrome / clear or a black set.
What models would these lights come from as i have seen an all black set with clear Amber Reflector so when indicator is on the orange bulb is what makes it shine Amber!
Would older model lights be an issue or would they be able to just replace standard ones on the car now?

Any help appreciated :)

Kind regards

Tony
[email protected]
 
Tony,

I'll tray for the simple answer to get you started:

You need to stick with xenon or halogen, so don't try to swap without extensive further work
Stick to prefacelift lights on for your year. Post facelift will fit but not work
All prefacelift had amber indicators with the exception of some in 2005 that had clear.
3.0i had silver inners all lower engined derivatives had black

So if you want a silver inner clear indicator you need one from a 3.0i 2005

Be warned that there is a long line looking for clear indicator lights so you need to be lucky or wealthy - a clear xenon is £750 halogen £350 (each...)

You can check part numbers at http://www.realoem.com
 
Hi Cj10jeeper.........

Funny you should say this as i have a 3.0i 2005 model anyway but have the Headlamps with Standard Orange Reflector inside the lamps.
So i could be lucky and source some clear headlamps from an exact same model as mine but i'm guessing a later model?
 
You're just a bit unlucky as sometime in 2005, just before the facelift came out, they changed to a clear lens light for a few months.

Indeed oyu may be lucky but they are sought after as they update the look of the car.
 
Ok i've just had my mate look up the spec of my car and he has told me i have Halogen Headlamps.

But he said "On your model year there is the option to have the chrome but they still have orange indicators. There is however the normal ones without the orange lenses. Part nos: 63.12.7.165.675 / 63.12.7.165.673 (they retail at £380 each.)"
When it says Normal Ones do you reckon they are still Halogen ones or are they ones under the Halogen versions?
 
The confusing world of headlights!

I hope I've got this right... at launch there were three headlights all with amber indicators:
Xenon - silver (Chrome) internals
Halogen - black internals - for the models up to and including the mighty 2.5
Halogen - silver (Chrome) internals - for the 3.0 model

As CJ mentioned, BMW release the above with clear indicators for a few months.

For the facelift models they became clear indicators for all with changes to the internals - significantly so with the xenons.

There are a couple of ways to go from amber to clear indicators:
1. do as did, get very lucky and happen across some of the very rare 2005 pre-facelift lights Simple method here - I didn't actually realise what I'd bought, just gave it a go.
2. buy brokens lights (cheap option), split them and swap the internals. CJ pioneered this method I believe. Split method here Advantage here is that you can remove the amber around the indicator bulbs as well.

The 3rd option is to buy new from BMW which, unless you get a silly discount, isn't worth the money. IMO.

EDIT: Links added above.
 
I have a Mar 2005 2.2i,I fitted a pair of clear indicator chrome headlights part nos.63127165687 & 63127165688 to my z4 these work as normal.Paid £610- delivered from Joe @ Soper BMW Lincoln.Contact Joe to see if they fit yours.
 
Benji said:
I have a Mar 2005 2.2i,I fitted a pair of clear indicator chrome headlights part nos.63127165687 & 63127165688 to my z4 these work as normal.Paid £610- delivered from Joe @ Soper BMW Lincoln.Contact Joe to see if they fit yours.
Click to expand...

Well they would as they are a direct replacement and I assume halogen. Problem is few people will spend that much on replacement halogens. Xenon are nearer £750 each but after discount perhaps maybe £1,200 the pair :thumbsdown:
 
Just out of interest, what's required to convert a halogen to a xenon?
I'm not talking after-market HID kits, but proper Z4 units...
 
My Zed is registered September 2005 making it one of the last pre-facelifts I think. Has the orange lenses with chrome inner Xenons.

One question - did they ever do clear indicator xenons in 2004 on the 2.5?
 
inkey$ said:
My Zed is registered September 2005 making it one of the last pre-facelifts I think. Has the orange lenses with chrome inner Xenons.

One question - did they ever do clear indicator xenons in 2004 on the 2.5?
Click to expand...

Not as far as I'm aware. I thought it was just the run out models in 2005 pre facelift.

I'd be interested in build date - registation means little. Take a look on the NS inner front wing near the shock tower for a sticker
 
cj10jeeper said:
inkey$ said:
My Zed is registered September 2005 making it one of the last pre-facelifts I think. Has the orange lenses with chrome inner Xenons.

One question - did they ever do clear indicator xenons in 2004 on the 2.5?
Click to expand...

Not as far as I'm aware. I thought it was just the run out models in 2005 pre facelift.

I'd be interested in build date - registation means little. Take a look on the NS inner front wing near the shock tower for a sticker
Click to expand...

Just took a look. Built November 2004.
 
inkey$ said:
cj10jeeper said:
inkey$ said:
My Zed is registered September 2005 making it one of the last pre-facelifts I think. Has the orange lenses with chrome inner Xenons.

One question - did they ever do clear indicator xenons in 2004 on the 2.5?
Click to expand...

Not as far as I'm aware. I thought it was just the run out models in 2005 pre facelift.

I'd be interested in build date - registation means little. Take a look on the NS inner front wing near the shock tower for a sticker
Click to expand...

Just took a look. Built November 2004.
Click to expand...

There you go then. So really a late '04 car so built before the clear lens models of '05 and no doubt sat in a car park awiting it's first owner for nearly a year
 
Incredible really. Nearly a whole year. I wonder who holds the record for build date vs. registration date?

I'll start - 10 months :thumbsup:
 
Gonna seem an idiot here, but my car was sold as having Xenons. They certainly look like Xenons (pinky blue - bright_ light) but how can I tell for sure?
 
bmwangler said:
Gonna seem an idiot here, but my car was sold as having Xenons. They certainly look like Xenons (pinky blue - bright_ light) but how can I tell for sure?
Click to expand...

Many ways but the most obvious are to check for oem are:
yellow stickers under the bonnet.
Light switch with no manual beam adjuster
beam adjusters on the front and rear suspension
Remove the rear cover and look a the bulb connector Big cube = xenon

In your case where there my be aftermarket then the colour of beam, flicker on lighting may not be a good indicator.
 
cj10jeeper said:
inkey$ said:
Just took a look. Built November 2004.
Click to expand...

There you go then. So really a late '04 car so built before the clear lens models of '05 and no doubt sat in a car park awiting it's first owner for nearly a year
Click to expand...

Hmmm... not very good for the car then.
 
cj10jeeper said:
bmwangler said:
Gonna seem an idiot here, but my car was sold as having Xenons. They certainly look like Xenons (pinky blue - bright_ light) but how can I tell for sure?
Click to expand...

Many ways but the most obvious are to check for oem are...........................
Click to expand...

Phew, should be able to tell OK with that list.......thanks mate :thumbsup:
 
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