Headlight upgrade

[Broaders]

Those with non Xenon headlights might like to have a look at the following link. I have just upgraded my headlight to these before the onset of winter. They make quite a difference. Obviously not as good as xenon but a decent improvement for £30. Just my 2p!
http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/produc...cessory_of_the_year_philips_xtreme_power.html

 

[powerontap]

looks like a really nice quality bulb but Philips.com doesn't mention the Kelvin rating, do you know what it is? (3,500 yellowish, 4,500 super white or 6,000 bluish?)

 

[donaldschen]

the url you give its H4, is it for Z4?
But I found some one on Euro Parts, its H7.(www.eurocarparts.com--- PHILIPS XTREME POWER H7 477 BULBS TWIN BOX H7 BULBS XTREME POWER H7 Headlamp Bulb 26pounds)

 

[cj10jeeper]

Interestingly even on their own website they do not quote the kelvin, but I suspect they upped it from OEM as the brighter white looks better even if it reduces useful light / vision.

IMHO these type of bulbs are very good but have limited lifespan. If they are legal at 55w then they work by thinning the filament, so it glows hotter, which can equate to less lifespan. I used different makes similar to this on Jeeps but frankly they died under competition conditions very quickly.

For sure they will be better than an OEM halogen and for a reasonable price.

 

[X-S-Z]

I've finally ordered a set of Philips X-treme bulbs after everyones positive comments so I look forward to seeing the difference...

 

[srhutch]

I have some of these sitting on my desk at home H7's with 80% more light, just got to fit, will let you know if they make a difference.

 

[ElegantSpoon]

Please do

How easy is it to change the bulbs? I know it can be difficult with some cars!!

Which do we need H7 or H4 for the normal dipped headlights?

Thanx!

 

[Broaders]

Its the H7 type for the Z4, sorry the link suggests H4. It was just meant to show the bulb.

The bulbs are reasonably easy to fit the bulb, the manual has decent diagrams. Turn the wheel to face the direction of the light you wish to change.

 

[donaldschen]

Just bought a pair from EuroCar Parts which is the PHILIPS XTREME POWER H7 (26pounds+5pounds VAT= 31pounds)
Is it difficult to change bulbs? I think the bumper should be remove first.
So the H7 is Dipped Beam and H4 is Full Beam ? Or H9 for full beam? Where can buy H9?
Finally, I found it is useless to change bulbs for my 54-reg Z4. Because the lense is not clear, there is no obviously increasing. Just changed the H7 for a 04-reg Mini Cooper, seems as same sa before.

 

[donaldschen]

how you guys thinking about it?

 

[srhutch]

you access the bulbs through the wheel arch, no need to remove bumper, just turn the wheel in one direction and access the headlamp from the arch behind the flap

 

[ElegantSpoon]

Donald are you saying you've fitted them and they are no better?

 

[cj10jeeper]

Finally, I found it is useless to change bulbs for my 54-reg Z4. Because the lense is not clear, there is no obviously increasing. Just changed the H7 for a 04-reg Mini Cooper, seems as same sa before.

I don't understand this comment? Not that I have any intention of changing as I have xenon but the lens (projector lens in front of the bulb) is identical on the halogen and xenon. It's perfectly clear but such a shape as it may appear opaque if you try to look through it. All it does is gathers the light inverts it as it focusses it thought the front of the light unit instead of a traditional lens (Frenzel?) built into the front of the light.

On some Zed headlights, US facelift IIRC, they have no inner flash to pass/main bulb as that is a blanking lens with just an AE look ring illuminated around it.

 

[BlackSapphireZ]

only way to really upgrade the lighting is do what I did, Bi-xenon projectors with HID upgrades

mine was halogen prior. no LCM recoding needed for me

 

[RustyZ4]

Yep already done mine with them, big difference

 

[chariszzzz]

only way to really upgrade the lighting is do what I did, Bi-xenon projectors with HID upgrades

mine was halogen prior. no LCM recoding needed for me

What make HID did u purchase? i would be also interested!

 

[X-S-Z]

Phillips x-treme bulbs fitted over the weekend and driven the car a few times at night since. They do make a difference but I wouldn't say they're "80% brighter". Marginally brighter would be my description. I tried them with one in and one OEM bulb, in a "spot the difference" the x-treme bulbs look brighter and whiter... At a fraction of the cost of even an aftermarket xenon kit I'd recommend them for a slight improvement but you can't expect miracles from bulbs alone at £25.99!

I have photos if anyone is really keen...

 

[DannyBoy]

XSCZ, seeing as youve taken them, it may be an idea to post pics in order to highlight the potential gains available. I for one would be most interested in seeing the benefits availabe.

 

[powerontap]

anyone ever tried Bimmian.com's Xenoflo retrofit? They're on sale now and look like good like a decent set.

 

[X-S-Z]

XSCZ, seeing as youve taken them, it may be an idea to post pics in order to highlight the potential gains available. I for one would be most interested in seeing the benefits availabe.

OK apologies for the dirty car but I'd just driven 230 miles in the crap weather... And I know these are headlight facing photos rather than looking at the headlight spread but it wasn't dark enough for that! You get some sort of idea...

OEM bulbs left and right

Phillips X-treme bulb left

Phillips X-treme bulb left, OEM bulb right

Phillips X-treme bulb left and right

And just because I took it... the tallest structure in Hampshire