headlight gone

R

RLiu

Member
 Birmingham/Oxford
After the initial panic to see a warning light come on the dash, i realised it was the passenger front main beam has stopped working. anyone know how to fix it or how much its going to cost the fix it at bmw? how long do they normally last?
 
IMG_0107.jpg


not sure It the main headlights the outer of the 2 headlights
 
If it's a headlight (ie dipped beam) the quickest way to tell if you have HIDs or halogens is to look at your light switch. If you have a beam height adjustment next to the interior light dimmer then you have halogens and a bulb is cheap. If you do not have manual headlamp beam angle adjustment then you have HIDs and a bulb is not likely to be the cause (more likely a failed ballast) either way more expensive than a halogen bulb.

You could also lift the bonnet and see if you have the yellow high voltage warning stickers above your headlights indicating HIDs.

Good luck.
 
I would check to see if you have the manual dimmer dial by the headlight switch.

I think pre-facelift xenons came with the same front of light housing at halogens?
 
Must be halogen because xenons have no inner main beam lamp, only the wimpy angel eye. Or is that just sun reflection?
 
cj10jeeper said:
RichIbizaSport said:
Those headlights are halogen :)
Click to expand...

Curious as to how you know that from the photo without other knowledge of the car given it has headlight washers?
Click to expand...

Well it's a coupe, so it's face lift. If it was pre face lift it wouldn't be possible to tell. The headlight is slightly different between the halogens and xenons. Xenons have a second ridge around the lamps for the angel eyes.

like so:

Face lift xenon
ergonomics_bi_xenon.jpg


Halogen. But if the indicator was orange it could also be a pre face lift xenon.
Z4%20Chrome%20Headlamp%20Deal.jpg


You can't tell by head lamp washers alone. :thumbsup:
 
You must have bloody good eyesight as I can't make out any detail in the photo. I'm not saying your wrong though.
 
Not doubting your diagnosis, but to SR's comment I could not tell with enough certainty to advise someone from that photo. Was only looking on a iPad so limited zoom.
 
I'm 100% certain. I'll happily eat my hat if I'm wrong :D

The xenons have a matt chrome interior finish too. Rather than reflective chrome.

This one shows the difference clearer:
bmw_z4_m_coupe_speed-t2.jpg


IMG_0107.jpg





small print: unless someone has added an aftermarket HID kit and fitted it to the non xenon headlamp :P
 
Sounds like a five minute job if they're halogens. You may as well take the opportunity to upgrade both sides to something like Philips Xtreme Vision or Osram Nightbreakers. I usually go with whatever has won this year's Auto Express bulb test. Well I did, but now I have HIDs on both cars.
 
I think they are halogens but will post some photos tomorrow when it is light and i can take close ups...next questions where are these access panels and is it a hard job to the totally mechanically useless?
 
So update...

I decided they were halogens and BMW quoted me £36 to fix them and replace the bulb :headbang: . I my infinite wisdom i decided i didn't want to pay that so took my car to halfords to get them fixed tonight in the dark cos i knew they were late opening. Up stepped a shop assistant that looked 16 with a screwdriver and i thought to myself bugger me, he is going to cause so much damage with that screw driver i am going to have to replace the entire wheel ache and headlamps. :headbang:

But to my surprise he knew exactly how to access the bulb and was extremely efficient in undoing everything! he then informed me that the bulb was actually just loose and when he pushed it back in the headlight came on! I gave him a fiver for his trouble and left without having to replace anything. :D

If i took it to BMW they probably would have replaced it and charged me! the saving i made i have just treated my housemates to a lovely nandos. :D

However now i know the headlamps are halogen the zeditis is getting itchy again :cry:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom