Headlights - useless!

Definitely not factory HID. Could have an after market HID kit, or is seeing the halogen projector lens and is simply confused. Regardless, they don't work very well and have some sort of non-moisture fogging effect. People have taken apart headlight assemblies out of desperation, then glued them back together. They are not meant to be disassembled. Don't do this unless you feel it is so bad you have no choice, and are willing to buy a replacement if the surgery fails.

First thing to do is make sure they are aimed correctly.
 
mac27040 said:
Bing said:
Do you have sidelight bulbs at the bottom of the inner high beam lamps ? If so, as said above, you have halos. The reason they look like xenons is the 'projector' lense... which is a bit of an oxymoron really :roll:

Mine was billed as having xenons when I bought it, soon realised it doesn't... So what you need to do is wind the lights up 1.5-2 turns (white plastic screw on the top of the light unit under the bonnet) and buy brighter bulbs. All of which will ensure you can just about see the tree / deer / parked car / other object that kills you befiore it does :P
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My old xenons (pre-facelift) had side light bulbs at bottom of inner high beam lamp !!!
Xenon lamp is the outer lamp.
If you have xenons them you will have headlight washers, stickers in engine bay and only one wheel on LCM for dash brightness.
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Balls, forgot about the difference between pre and post facelift :oops:
 
If you put the last 7 digits from your VIN into this it will tell you the ex-factory spec http://www.rubmw.ru/vincode/eng/
 
Definitely NOT Xenons, thanks for that. RSE! Bings tip helped, I'll get round to upgrading the bulbs, though at the price, I may as well just get a Xenon after marker kit, I reckon.
 
Geezah said:
Definitely NOT Xenons, thanks for that. RSE! Bings tip helped, I'll get round to upgrading the bulbs, though at the price, I may as well just get a Xenon after marker kit, I reckon.
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A word of warning that aftermarket kits can result in MOT failure given you don't have self leveling headlights or washer jets.
 
Hi how about these.
H7 HID CONVERSION KIT XENON BULBS HEADLIGHT 6000K BMW Z4 03-08 CANBUS
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/261360556878?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649
 
Geezah said:
Definitely NOT Xenons, thanks for that. RSE! Bings tip helped, I'll get round to upgrading the bulbs, though at the price, I may as well just get a Xenon after marker kit, I reckon.
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The bulbs aren't that expensive - aren't they only about £18 for two on eBay ? :?
 
Mine just sailed an MOT with an aftermarket xenon kit. The same feature that caused your original confusion (ie the projector lenses) mean that we still get away with it 99% of the time as they can't see the bulbs. the pattern ends up fine anyway and won't glare other drivers. Definitely the #1 mod for the car as I agree the standard halogens with standard bulbs are properly dangerously bad!
 
Vast Improvement! Took the car to a local indy garage, recommended by a forum member. He took one look at the headlights, pulled out a polishing machine and some cream, masked up the areas around the headlights gave them both a quick polish, took about 10 mins all told.

Result! Total charge....he wouldn't take anything for it. Guess where I'll be going for any work to be done.

Thanks for the recommendation scotty597 and thanks to Barry at Barry Yacomini Car Services, Broughty Ferry.

On Bings recommendation, bought some brighter bulbs. I went for Ring, 100% Xenon gas filled bulbs, claimed to be 120% brighter. I can see where I'm going now.

So.... Adjusted headlights, polished the headlight plastic covers and brighter bulbs. Job done.

Thanks all for your very helpful inputs. :D
 
Geezah said:
Vast Improvement! Took the car to a local indy garage, recommended by a forum member. He took one look at the headlights, pulled out a polishing machine and some cream, masked up the areas around the headlights gave them both a quick polish, took about 10 mins all told.
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Single or double cream?

Seriously though - good result. :thumbsup: Thinking of doing some tweaking myself now since I've been surprised by standing water a couple of times recently!
 
Hi if anyones looking for the hight adjustment screws on the head lights heres a good link. Not sure if its a Z4 but it is in the same place.
http://www.f30post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=742204
 
That's not a Z4, but it's in a similar position. There is no cap on the screw on our cars, and when looking down you can see two - it is the upper one you need, the lower one is for left/right adjustment.

Tell you what, I need to go do mine so I will take a pic in a bit :thumbsup:
 
NeilP said:
Geezah said:
Definitely NOT Xenons, thanks for that. RSE! Bings tip helped, I'll get round to upgrading the bulbs, though at the price, I may as well just get a Xenon after marker kit, I reckon.
Click to expand...

A word of warning that aftermarket kits can result in MOT failure given you don't have self leveling headlights or washer jets.
Click to expand...

Incorrect, bulb type is not part of the MOT, as long as the beam meets the requirements it's fine, regardless.

I have OEM xenons fitted aftermarket, so I still have the adjuster wheel, no self levellers and no headlight washers. MOT guy mentioned it but said he couldn't fail on it (although it is apparently illegal)
 
The white plastic screw is just to the right of the air box in this pic, turn anti-clockwise to raise the beam :

4efb57980d1fd00aad5455822a359fd3_zps0cccb5e5.jpg
 
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