Why are Z4 headlights so expensive?

A

Ag51bye

Member
Having Just recently purchased a E86 I noticed that the lesser engined E85 has black headlights - much nicer to my eyes.

After doing some digging, it seems even second hand halogens (what I’m after) change hands for £250ish each?!

What the hell is that about? For instance e46 xenon headlights are worth around £150.

Think il ditch the idea unless I can open mine up easy enough and paint them.
 
There's a few people on here that have got after market headlights that are around the £350 mark for the pair I think. Can't comment on how good they are though. I did think about getting some a while ago but ended up just sorting out my originals.
 
lucasxdiniz said:
Supply and demand. E46s are far more common.
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I maybe wrong, but surely still hundreds if not thousands of Z4s around and plenty of headlights for sale so not sure that’s the case.

My previous car was an E30 M3 and even brand new genuine Hella headlights didn’t cost that much!

Big Andra said:
There's a few people on here that have got after market headlights that are around the £350 mark for the pair I think. Can't comment on how good they are though. I did think about getting some a while ago but ended up just sorting out my originals.
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Thankfully nothing wrong with mine I’m just changing for the sake of change!
For me would need to be the genuine facelift black lights - the aftermarket ones don’t look right to me and most have halos unfortunately :fuelfire:
 
lucasxdiniz said:
Supply and demand. E46s are far more common.
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Simply this. Several years ago I had to shell out nearly £200 for one rear light cluster for a MK1 Mazda3 Sport. I only paid £1500 for the car, so that hurt. They only made the car with those lights for 1 year. Hen's teeth is expensive. :wink:
 
buzyg said:
lucasxdiniz said:
Supply and demand. E46s are far more common.
Click to expand...
Simply this. Several years ago I had to shell out nearly £200 for one rear light cluster for a MK1 Mazda3 Sport. I only paid £1500 for the car, so that hurt. They only made the car with those lights for 1 year. Hen's teeth is expensive. :wink:
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But it seems to be that cost for any type of Z4 headlight - that’s the confusing bit for me!

Maybe best offering mine up for a swap.
 
There are 3 letters stamped on all parts, headlights included - "BMW". Those 3 letters automatically kite the price of any such part. Stands for "Big Money Worries".
 
Ag51bye said:
I maybe wrong, but surely still hundreds if not thousands of Z4s around and plenty of headlights for sale so not sure that’s the case.
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You are wrong, it took me a year to find a replacement silver Xenon, and I had to pay £350 secondhand.
 
There are 10s of thousands of e85/6 Z4 (compared to millions of e46).

There are less in RHD form.

There are less that are 2nd hand and in good condition.

Then there are different headlights for pre/post facelift, and halogen/xenon.

Not many (if any) aftermarket options for e85/6 - versus lots for e46.

You can find them easily if you don’t mind paying £££lots.

Just be grateful you don’t need xenon one - a BMW want over £1000 each.
 
... and remember, post facelift lights attract a double wammy premium because many in post facelift cars are after the clear hockey sticks.....
 
Ag51bye said:
buzyg said:
lucasxdiniz said:
Supply and demand. E46s are far more common.
Click to expand...
Simply this. Several years ago I had to shell out nearly £200 for one rear light cluster for a MK1 Mazda3 Sport. I only paid £1500 for the car, so that hurt. They only made the car with those lights for 1 year. Hen's teeth is expensive. :wink:
Click to expand...

But it seems to be that cost for any type of Z4 headlight - that’s the confusing bit for me!

Maybe best offering mine up for a swap.
Click to expand...

Hope you don’t want any M Sport seats as well. You can buy a whole E46 interior for a lot less than the price of a pair of seats for the Z4.
 
There are a few Z4 parts that are really expensive "with no reason". The windshield cowl for example, brand new is about 250€ for the Z4 while for the E46 it's just 80€...
I'm also looking to change my headlights, I like the chrome ones with orange blinkers.
 
SloanRH4 said:
There are a few Z4 parts that are really expensive "with no reason". The windshield cowl for example, brand new is about 250€ for the Z4 while for the E46 it's just 80€...
I'm also looking to change my headlights, I like the chrome ones with orange blinkers.
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As with the other items it will be linked to volume produced.
 
As everyone's been saying its simple supply and demand economics coupled to low volume/short production runs. This is then further compounded by the fact the aftermarket (the likes of Euro/GSF) don't stock things like headlights for zeds unlike other models so its Main Dealers or used and for the in demand juicey bits it leaves your feeling like you've been through a divorce. The zed tax just seems to be getting worse as the cars age. I've seen older posts on here before my time with brand new M Sport wheels costing a few hundred from Dealers and headlights and seats changing hands for what would now be seen now as really silly cheap. I remember when I got my zed 4 years ago now, I was undecided about paying £500 for a set of heated/electric M Sport seats thinking if I waited I could potentially get them cheaper. Fortunately for me I didn't, the prices only went north and back then you could get £300 for a good set of heated/elec SE seats meaning my cost to change was about £250 all in. Fast forward a year or so and I'd learnt my lesson so when a pair of facelift xenons came up with a set of rear lights included for £300 I was like a whippet and snapped them up!
 
I’m hoping the downside will not become Zed’s stolen more frequently
 
Ag51bye said:
Having Just recently purchased a E86 I noticed that the lesser engined E85 has black headlights - much nicer to my eyes.

After doing some digging, it seems even second hand halogens (what I’m after) change hands for £250ish each?!

What the hell is that about? For instance e46 xenon headlights are worth around £150.

Think il ditch the idea unless I can open mine up easy enough and paint them.
Click to expand...
no wonder my very slightly faulty pair of headlights were grabbed for a 100 quid :rofl:
 
my new ones
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-Z4-E84-E85-2003-2008-BLACK-PROJECTOR-LED-HALO-ANGEL-EYE-HEADLIGHTS-E-MARK/400815371352?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649
 

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Ag51bye said:
Think il ditch the idea unless I can open mine up easy enough and paint them.
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Whoa, hold on there... whereabout are you? I might be interested in swapping my black headlights for your silver ones...
 
Jembo said:
I’m hoping the downside will not become Zed’s stolen more frequently
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if they do they will bring 'em back cus they can't get the parts.. :rofl:
its all part of the deal of having a rarer car, if you want easy parts buy a mondeo.. :lol:
 
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