Xenon lights question (newbie!)

[Rossi1001]

Apologies if this is a really stupid question. I have searched the forum to try to clarify this, though I'm still not sure so will defer to the huge amount of expertise available here!

The dipped headlights on my early (March 2003) 2.5 Z4 are terrible and as we're heading into the longer nights, this is something I really need to fix. My car has xenon lights fitted, so I believe the part number for the bulb from RealOEM is 63217160806.

On the BMW official store on Amazon (link here - https://www.amazon.co.uk/BMW-Genuine-Xenon-Light-63217160806/dp/B00J4PKMLY) they want a staggering £91 per bulb!

Plugging the reg number into Halfords, they offered some cheap H7 bulbs (which I don't think are correct for this car), as well as these Osram D2S Xenarc Original Xenon HID at £31.49 a bulb and then some Osram D2S 85V 35W +200 percent Brighter Xenarc bulbs at £62.99 each (links below for both).

https://www.halfords.com/motoring/b...non-hid-single-pack-282494.html?buyAsPair=yes
https://www.halfords.com/motoring/b...ent-brighter-xenarc-282598.html?buyAsPair=yes

Are these the right bulbs for the car and is there really much difference between the two Osram bulbs and also the BMW one (which from pictures looks to be Osram too)?

My other family car is a Peugeot 3008 with LED headlights (and cornering lights), and the difference between driving the two cars at night is ridiculous. I appreciate the Peugeot is a modern (under 3 year old) car, though at the moment it feels like I'm driving the Z4 with a couple of torches attached to the car rather than headlights, they are awful!

Thanks in advance for help and apologies if I am asking very stupid questions here.

 

[Usel]

I am not doubting that you need new bulbs because over time they do dim.

However make sure the lens on the headlight is clear. Most headlights by this age if neglected will need a polish.
Also if you haven't done so already raise the height of the headlight beam pattern. I had to do this when I first got my car.
Maybe my headlight bulbs are not worn out yet, 2004, but they are one of the best headlights I have used.

Sorry I can't help with the part numbers as I have never changed my bulbs

 

[smorris_12]

The reflectors in the xenon burner degrade and go black too so a new bulb may not help.

However, as said, HID bulbs do get dimmer over time and there's a world of far cheaper D2S on eBay and Amazon that you can try for a few quid.

 

[thecremeegg]

It's likely the actual reflectors (assuming your headlight lenses are clear and not yellowed) as they get cloudy over time.
You can pick up a new set of much better reflectors in a kit for around £200 - something I keep meaning to do but don't as I never really drive it at night lol.

 

[Rossi1001]

The lights do need a polish / clean up on the outside, though it's not terrible (I had a machine polish chap restore the headlights last summer).

Looking into the headlights from the outside would I be able to tell if the reflector was knackered and if it is does that mean a new pair of headlights?

 

[smorris_12]

The reflectors are part of the HID assembly which can be removed from the headlight and replaced, which is what creamEgg was referring to. They're generic parts that may need a bit of fettling to fit but it's a damn sight cheaper than new headlights. No idea on details tho. Presume they can be found on ebay/Amazon/AliExpress.

 

[thecremeegg]

EM Tuning do a plug and play kit for the Z4, as do RetroFit lab. You can just buy the reflectors on their own but they will need a bracket or a bit of fettling to work, easier to buy a kit for the Z4 specifically.

 

[kis]

Getting quite confused myself with this. Are people who are taking about the reflector referring to the projector? Or are we talking about something else?

My recommendation is re-polish and seal the headlight lens. Followed by a polish (by hand, no compound) of the projector glass.

From what I can tell any DS2 bulb should fit. So I’d go with the Halfords ones, either option depending on how much you fancy spending. Then test out again before you go the whole hog and get a replacement projector kit.

Kis

 

[thecremeegg]

Yea the projector sorry!

 

[x-driver]

I did a projector swap in my Z4. Went with Aharon EvoX-R 2.0 from Retrofitlab. See the pictures...
Before, with 3 months old Tungsram bulbs.


After, with brand new Philips 85122+ bulbs.


Original projector bowl surface:


EvoX-R projector bowl surface:


You can change the projectors through the back cover of the headlight. The EvoX-R will fit on original screws, but the distance from front glass is different as the new projector is shorter. To position it as the original was, you'll have to rework the screws.

The sharp cut-off will take some getting used to it. Also expect some flashing from oncoming drivers :roll: