Z4 E86 - Halogen to Xenons?

J

jglocke

Member
Hello All,

I am new to this forum and Z4's but have recently purchased (picking up in a week) a 2006 BMW Z4 3.0 si Sport with 54,000 miles on the clock.

The car was a great price for the miles and has some good extras like the professional hi-fi stereo unit with speakers behind the seats and is in decent condition.

One thing I really wanted but couldn't justify the extra expense for was Xenon headlights. Is there a way to get them on the car without massive expense that would make it not worth it? I have looked at conversion kits, however, apparently they are not road legal, and have looked at buying complete replacement headlight units second hand, which come up now and again for around £150 all inc for both units. However, I am informed that the wiring harness may need changing then as the connections are different etc... which would be a big expensive job. Any suggestions? Or would I be best just sticking with the halogens and trying to get brighter and whiter bulbs?

The only other things I would like to do to the car would be at some point replace the brushed aluminium on the dash and centre console with leather - but finding a car that had a nice colour combination for the leather dash wasn't easy so we opted to get a cheaper car without it. Any suggestions?

I had looked at a mod website as well which seemed to have extras which I wouldn't mind like the cruise control - a doable fit?

Car has sat nav so I have already purchased the update CD so hope that works fine.

Excited to pick up my new Zed!!!

Jonathan
 
Welcome Jonathan!

Sadly, I don't think bi-xenon upgrade and cheap go hand in hand.

May be worth keeping your eye out for a car with rear end damage, allowing you to take out all you need to get it working.

Short of that, the aftermarket kits (though as you're aware of the pitfalls) is your only real option.
 
These might be of interest if you don't want to get the full xenon conversion

http://www.halfords.com/motoring/bulbs-blades-batteries/car-bulbs/halfords-xenon-hid-style-4400k--30-percent-477-upgrade-pack
 
If you are looking for better light output upgrade bulbs will give a negligible difference and the cost is pretty high. A HID kit will give you Xenon output for less than double the cost of most bulbs and the ongoing costs are much cheaper.
 
HID kits looked really good but then it seemed they are borderline illegal, e.g. if they would pass the MOT or not due to light spillage. It seems that xenon effect halogen bulbs are the best option for now, and as for Angel Eyes, seems the only way is to cut open the headlights to fit them!

Looking forward to getting the car now!!!
 
Welcome and good choice. :thumbsup:

jglocke said:
One thing I really wanted but couldn't justify the extra expense for was Xenon headlights. Is there a way to get them on the car without massive expense that would make it not worth it? I have looked at conversion kits, however, apparently they are not road legal, and have looked at buying complete replacement headlight units second hand, which come up now and again for around £150 all inc for both units. However, I am informed that the wiring harness may need changing then as the connections are different etc... which would be a big expensive job. Any suggestions? Or would I be best just sticking with the halogens and trying to get brighter and whiter bulbs?
Click to expand...

If you are after bi-xenons for the performance and not just appearance, you can try replacing the H7s with brighter, whiter bulbs and turning the headlight angle up a couple of turns. This is done via white plastic screws on top of the headlight units. For me this settled my concerns re. the weak halogen beam - just remember to wind them back down again prior to an MOT.

The only other things I would like to do to the car would be at some point replace the brushed aluminium on the dash and centre console with leather - but finding a car that had a nice colour combination for the leather dash wasn't easy so we opted to get a cheaper car without it. Any suggestions?
Click to expand...

You could get your current dash (or a spare) finished in piano black, which is a popular OEM finish. Costs about £150 for a decent spray + clearcoat job.

14wfxvc.jpg


2pqmd08.jpg


Carbon leather trim sets from the Z4M come up for sale occasionally, but they would be a significant % of the cost of your car!

I had looked at a mod website as well which seemed to have extras which I wouldn't mind like the cruise control - a doable fit?
Click to expand...

Yes. Time-consuming, but inexpensive and not massively complicated. :)
 
jglocke said:
HID kits looked really good but then it seemed they are borderline illegal, e.g. if they would pass the MOT or not due to light spillage. It seems that xenon effect halogen bulbs are the best option for now, and as for Angel Eyes, seems the only way is to cut open the headlights to fit them!

Looking forward to getting the car now!!!
Click to expand...

The beam cutoff with my lights is sharp and there isn't any glare - they have passed an MOT with no issues but I do have headlamp washers.
If you fit genuine Xenon headlights and want to make them 100% legal then you'll need the washers and levelling sensors anyway. You don't technically need a new headlamp switch as you can code bi-xenon to work with the current one.
Upgrade bulbs really are a waste of money, the will look whiter but won't put out much more usable light and are not short of the HID kit cost.
You will need to cut to fit AEs or you can get an aftermarket set. The quality of those regarding misting is hit and miss though.

Cruise is a very worthwhile mod - not difficult but time consuming to take the trim off and fit. For less than £100 it's well worth doing, depending on where you are I can help you with all of these mods.
 
Thanks for the replies, you guys have all been great!!

Steve, I live near weybridge, Surrey, not sure how far that is from you? I think cruise control would be really nice to add, and if Angel eyes can be done then fantastic... Just a little scared of cutting open the lights!

From looking at the car I think that painting the callipers would also be nice...

Thanks again and love the photos PT

The dash will be ok for now but for sure I would like it to look better than in my opinion the aluminium does. Ideally I'd have it in black stitched leather.
 
Happy to put cruise in at some point if you like, trouble is finding the time as I'd have to combine with a weekend when I'm up in London.
I've not split any lights so good luck with that, you'll be better off looking for a set to chop.
Extended leather or cf leather don't seem to come up very often and are pretty pricey, you might get lucky at a breakers but probably better to go to an upholsterer. Trouble is, if I started with a bit if leather on the dash I'd want the rest done too, door cards ect.!
 
Agree Steve, would likely end up doing more leather than just the dash, unless I did it in black stitched leather to match leather in rest of car... Upholsterer sounds like the way to go when I can.

If you are able to pop by when you are near London that would be amazing! When's your next venture down?
 
I'm pretty busy but might have a day spare at some point, if Aylesbury isn't too far a stint could happily work on your motor while doing things to mine. Drop me an email and I'll see what dates I'm coming up.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom