My Journey Begins!

[JonLeeper]

Having had aftermarket (sonar) headlights twice previously, my advice would be to try to restore the oem ones.

The aftermarket ones I've had weren't bad but they weren't perfect by a long shot, and both suffered from condensation - the second pair I purchased new and spent a fair while making extra sure they were sealed and they still fogged up!

Most of the time I believe the oem ones suffer from the seals getting gunked up and letting by. A proper clean and drying/dehumidifying should sort them out.

Thanks. Do I need to take the bumper off to get them out or do they come out easily enough with it on?

 

[Ed Doe]

No worries - yes you will have to remove the bumper to remove the headlights I'm afraid!

 

[kis]

There are no xenon aftermarkets afaik. Stuck with oem.

If the roadster ones work fine I'd personally use them. Provided they're xenon too of course.
You can then try fix the others or refect the problem in the price when you sell.

 

[JonLeeper]

There are no xenon aftermarkets afaik. Stuck with oem.

If the roadster ones work fine I'd personally use them. Provided they're xenon too of course.
You can then try fix the others or refect the problem in the price when you sell.

I was thinking that I could use the time to strip the ones off the roadster and then get them cleaned and condensation free before fitting them to the Coupe.

 

[kis]

Just make sure they're both xenon. If you're swapping, even if only temporarily. Not sure you can just swap between xenon and halogen. Must be some sort of compatibility issues.

If they need attention then take them off (the car) and can dry out inside the house near a radiator? I think it's often covers not correctly installed, then water gets in, but can't get out.

 

[JonLeeper]

Just make sure they're both xenon. If you're swapping, even if only temporarily. Not sure you can just swap between xenon and halogen. Must be some sort of compatibility issues.

If they need attention then take them off (the car) and can dry out inside the house near a radiator? I think it's often covers not correctly installed, then water gets in, but can't get out.

thankfully both xenon. I'll just have to take the bumper off the roadster to get those lights out before I take the Coupe in.

 

[JonLeeper]

So I'm getting the lights off the detailer when they remove the front bumper for a respray. I'll try and dry them out off the car and will order some new backs. Whilst I have them off what are the best bulbs to fit? I may as well replace them whilst I have the chance to do it in comfort and with the headlights off the car.

Thanks,

Jon

 

[Jembo]

I found my pre-facelift were much better than my post facelift ones, helped by the main beam having bulbs rather than dummy ones.

There’s a good thread here how to upgrade the lenses FYI https://z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=109573

 

[Jl-c]

As above, one word Morimoto

 

[JonLeeper]

I found my pre-facelift were much better than my post facelift ones, helped by the main beam having bulbs rather than dummy ones.

There’s a good thread here how to upgrade the lenses FYI https://z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=109573

OK. So I need 4 of these?

https://www.theretrofitsource.com/bi-xenon-morimoto-mini-d2s-5-0-projectors.html

I think ill also need bulbs and angel eyes?

 

[JonLeeper]

As above, one word Morimoto

These https://www.theretrofitsource.com/bi-xenon-morimoto-mini-d2s-5-0-projectors.html?

 

[Jembo]

I found my pre-facelift were much better than my post facelift ones, helped by the main beam having bulbs rather than dummy ones.

There’s a good thread here how to upgrade the lenses FYI https://z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=109573

OK. So I need 4 of these?

https://www.theretrofitsource.com/bi-xenon-morimoto-mini-d2s-5-0-projectors.html

I think ill also need bulbs and angel eyes?

Just 2 - Pre facelift have halogen main beam, post have no wiring or bulb... both have outside Xenon reflector dip where fitted

 

[JonLeeper]

I found my pre-facelift were much better than my post facelift ones, helped by the main beam having bulbs rather than dummy ones.

There’s a good thread here how to upgrade the lenses FYI https://z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=109573

OK. So I need 4 of these?

https://www.theretrofitsource.com/bi-xenon-morimoto-mini-d2s-5-0-projectors.html

I think ill also need bulbs and angel eyes?

Just 2 - Pre facelift have halogen main beam, post have no wiring or bulb... both have outside Xenon reflector dip where fitted

I'm either just stupid or I'm confusing myself!

The D2S projectors are the fittings and I need bulbs to go inside. These will be either 35 or 50 watt and come in a variety of colours, kelvin ratings.

There are one of these in each side. There are also two angel eye bulbs in each side, but I cannot find them anywhere.

I think that when I get the headlights out of the car I'll be able to remove the projectors that are currently fitted and dry out the condensation. I should then be able to refit the new projectors and then I'll need new backing plates. BMW dealer for those?

 

[Jl-c]

OK. So I need 4 of these?

https://www.theretrofitsource.com/bi-xenon-morimoto-mini-d2s-5-0-projectors.html

I think ill also need bulbs and angel eyes?

Just 2 - Pre facelift have halogen main beam, post have no wiring or bulb... both have outside Xenon reflector dip where fitted

I'm either just stupid or I'm confusing myself!

The D2S projectors are the fittings and I need bulbs to go inside. These will be either 35 or 50 watt and come in a variety of colours, kelvin ratings. YES

There are one of these in each side. There are also two angel eye bulbs in each side, but I cannot find them anywhere.BLACK PLASTIC COG SHAPED HOLDERS OSRAM Light Bulb 12V 20 W H20W BA9S 10W original, 20W brighter.

I think that when I get the headlights out of the car I'll be able to remove the projectors that are currently fitted and dry out the condensation. I should then be able to refit the new projectors and then I'll need new backing plates. BMW dealer for those? YES

 

[JonLeeper]

Just 2 - Pre facelift have halogen main beam, post have no wiring or bulb... both have outside Xenon reflector dip where fitted

I'm either just stupid or I'm confusing myself!

The D2S projectors are the fittings and I need bulbs to go inside. These will be either 35 or 50 watt and come in a variety of colours, kelvin ratings. YES

There are one of these in each side. There are also two angel eye bulbs in each side, but I cannot find them anywhere.BLACK PLASTIC COG SHAPED HOLDERS OSRAM Light Bulb 12V 20 W H20W BA9S 10W original, 20W brighter.

I think that when I get the headlights out of the car I'll be able to remove the projectors that are currently fitted and dry out the condensation. I should then be able to refit the new projectors and then I'll need new backing plates. BMW dealer for those? YES

Cool, that's great, I'm not as daft as I think. Another question is do i need 35 or 50 watt bulbs or can I choose? Oh and whats the UK standard temperature?

 

[Jl-c]

if you use 35W bulbs you use original ballast units 50W will need new after market units. I use 5000K or 6000K google them for colour properties. Both bright white, lower = yellow, higher = bluer

 

[Jl-c]

ABD have a sale on at present if of any use. No code required.

 

[JonLeeper]

So projectors and bulbs purchased! Imm take some pictures as I go and see what happens.

Thanks for the advice. More to follow I'm sure.

 

[Jembo]

So projectors and bulbs purchased! Imm take some pictures as I go and see what happens.

Thanks for the advice. More to follow I'm sure.

Be interested in a side by side comparison after fitting sometime in April

 

[JonLeeper]

So projectors and bulbs purchased! Imm take some pictures as I go and see what happens.

Thanks for the advice. More to follow I'm sure.

Be interested in a side by side comparison after fitting sometime in April

I'm goi g to try and take pictures and do a fitting guide.