Z in the dark
- Thread starter Busterboo
- Start date
Alas for the last 8 years I've owned my Z I've had this very same problem. I work 18 miles away so drive on country A and B roads so get this all the time in the Winter months. I do find it's getting worse now though, Xenon's were (still are) bad but these new LED's are aweful :thumbsdown:
But the icing on the cake is when someone flashes me even though I'm on dipped beam!!
But the icing on the cake is when someone flashes me even though I'm on dipped beam!!
My drive home down dark country lanes a pain.
I can't afford to live were i work out in the countryside so on the drive home are the wealthy in huge wide 4x4 dominating the road coming the other way. Plus lorries taking short cut using gps, plus now a diversion.
I am now tempted to take a back common road only the dog(ing) walkers know.
I make sure the screen is fully cleaned to reduce star effect. Seems to go greasy quick.
It was one reason my colleague got rid of her Zed and went for a taller Merc.
I can't afford to live were i work out in the countryside so on the drive home are the wealthy in huge wide 4x4 dominating the road coming the other way. Plus lorries taking short cut using gps, plus now a diversion.
I am now tempted to take a back common road only the dog(ing) walkers know.
I make sure the screen is fully cleaned to reduce star effect. Seems to go greasy quick.
It was one reason my colleague got rid of her Zed and went for a taller Merc.
I often suspect the regs regarding headlamps is such that testing no longer required, but just a declaration it meets a standard.
We had this with traffic lights.
We had them tested for approval at BSI, Hemel Hempstead.
When i asked who came up with the standard i was told they just liked one manufacturers design and that became standard.
Then we had to follow EU regs, which basically said we could just declare it met the standard, En16500 or something.
So almost anything goes.
We had this with traffic lights.
We had them tested for approval at BSI, Hemel Hempstead.
When i asked who came up with the standard i was told they just liked one manufacturers design and that became standard.
Then we had to follow EU regs, which basically said we could just declare it met the standard, En16500 or something.
So almost anything goes.
My Tesla Model Y recently had an over the air software update that introduced matrix headlights and I have to say they are amazing. Prior to that I used to have loads of drivers flashing me but not anymore since the update and you can see the beam projection adjusting based on the road ahead and oncoming traffic.
Have to say I love the over the air software updates from Tesla it's just a shame the car has no soul. So for night time photo shoots it has to be the Zed :wink:
Have to say I love the over the air software updates from Tesla it's just a shame the car has no soul. So for night time photo shoots it has to be the Zed :wink:
Gwest44 said:
I get totally mesmerised by the light upgrade on the Tesla when I'm driving, it's actually really impressive isn't it! Super competent car, but agreed. With regards to the Z, I'm blinded out of the front too with oncoming lights, and can't see a thing out of the rear with the coupe :rofl: At least if the Z has xenons, you cast some light on the road a little, the halogens should never have made it past testing!
matsmith749
Active member
All of our e89 headlights are a minimum of 8 years old at this point - some 15 years old.
The xenons age over time, losing something between 5% & 10% of output per year (depending on whose analysis you want to beleive) - but all testers agree that they reduce output over time.
My rule of thumb is:
First 5 years - great & light up the night like the sun
5-10 years - ok but not incredible, feel like they used to be much better
>10 years - are they even on?
So - maybe they just reached their lifespan, and a change back to new bulbs of the same spec will give you your lights back?
I did mine last winter (7 years old) - and they were a revelation. Just replaced with stock new bulbs, cost about £100.
The xenons age over time, losing something between 5% & 10% of output per year (depending on whose analysis you want to beleive) - but all testers agree that they reduce output over time.
My rule of thumb is:
First 5 years - great & light up the night like the sun
5-10 years - ok but not incredible, feel like they used to be much better
>10 years - are they even on?
So - maybe they just reached their lifespan, and a change back to new bulbs of the same spec will give you your lights back?
I did mine last winter (7 years old) - and they were a revelation. Just replaced with stock new bulbs, cost about £100.
Didn't they change the MOT regulations a couple of years ago regarding Led upgrade headlight bulbs? because they are not E or BS marked. I read this a while back,
'Please note that since January 2021, the MOT Inspection manual has been updated to include LED bulbs. Section 4.1.4 now states the following: Existing halogen headlamp units should not be converted to be used with high intensity discharge (HID) or light emitting diode (LED) bulbs. If such a conversion has been done, you must fail the headlamp.' This is a brand new update that seems to only focus on headlights. There are no mentions to fail other LED bulbs such as brake lights, tail lights or reversing lights.'
'Please note that since January 2021, the MOT Inspection manual has been updated to include LED bulbs. Section 4.1.4 now states the following: Existing halogen headlamp units should not be converted to be used with high intensity discharge (HID) or light emitting diode (LED) bulbs. If such a conversion has been done, you must fail the headlamp.' This is a brand new update that seems to only focus on headlights. There are no mentions to fail other LED bulbs such as brake lights, tail lights or reversing lights.'
The headlight 'issue' is a big part of why I am changing my F31 to a new Audi with matrix LEDs.
My F31 has halogens and I am fed up with being the 'poor relation' when it gets dark and being blind every time a vehicle with LEDs comes the other way. It is becoming dangerous IMO.
So, the moral of the story is "if you can't beat them, join them."
Modern LED headlights are brilliant (literally) if YOU have them, terrible if they are coming toward you.
I find it more irritating and blinding when people with LED brake lights (which is nearly of them now) sit at lights or in traffic with their foot on the brake pedal at night.
My F31 has halogens and I am fed up with being the 'poor relation' when it gets dark and being blind every time a vehicle with LEDs comes the other way. It is becoming dangerous IMO.
So, the moral of the story is "if you can't beat them, join them."
Modern LED headlights are brilliant (literally) if YOU have them, terrible if they are coming toward you.
I find it more irritating and blinding when people with LED brake lights (which is nearly of them now) sit at lights or in traffic with their foot on the brake pedal at night.
Pondrew said:
A lot of that is the auto hold on these cars, including mine.
great bit of tec, but when sat with auto hold on, rear brake light is on, but its convenient, and most will not turn off auto hold and apply the electronic hand brake, so brake light is on when you come to a halt.
