Headlights

[Delk]

Like most I suffer from the dismal headlights in the winter. I tried some aftermarket ones with the halo rings and was still not impressed so I am back to my standard lights with decent bulbs.

A guy in the states is making brackets to fit the existing housings with good quality projectors. I have a spare set of older lights with the tango indicators so may have a go and see what I think. But I have several questions and not sure if anyone here can help.

First is the lights his kits are made for are Morimoto Bi-LED 20 Projector PR352 made in the States. Nice lights but a bit pricy for a trial. Does anyone know if there are any standards to projector lights and if I can find something similar here in the Uk at a lower cost for a trial?

Next question has probably been asked and answered in the past but if I have the lights open whats my option for removing the orange indicators? Currently I have facelift clear ones in the car and want to stick with similar. If I have the old lights open I was hoping I could do something simple with the orange lenses.

Z3 headlight retrofit brackets & covers

Z3 Headlight retrofit Brackets designed for DIY installation of Morimoto Bi-LED 2.0 projector PR352 (not included) with 3D printed weather covers* with integrated LED driver mounting (all kits are sold in PAIRS to accomplish a pair of Z3 headlights). *weather cover/LED driver mount clearance...

www.paypal.com

 

[Eddie Zedder]

I have no idea on the projector lights but it's easy to remove the indicator lenses once you have split the lights and put in silvered orange bulbs. The only other option is to get some clear lenses but you probably won't find any without having to buy another pair of headlights.

 

[KASPar]

https://www.philips.co.uk/c-p/12496SVB2/silvervision

I have these on my Z3 https://2xcite.co.uk/collections/an...el-eye-headlights?_pos=1&_sid=28e626fd5&_ss=r

@mwpe has the silver version

 

[shera25]

I’m no expert, but most projectors are similar in size, so you might find cheaper bi-LED ones in the UK to try.
For the orange indicators, people usually remove or paint the lens clear when the lights are open simple way to test it.

 

[Lee]

You can buy clear lenses to replace the orange ones from the states. Many moons ago I bought a kit from the states where you fit a projector to the lense of the existing Z3 headlight, very good kit, came with a template and hole saw sizing.

 

[Delk]

If I can just remove the lenses and go with silver bulbs that would be great.

The brackets come with a drilling jib for the front lens.

 

[RickyBobby]

Mine is fitted with the LED running lights from Zedonist that double up as indicator lights.

Hard to show in a photo but I've been very impressed with the light output they provide

Angel Eyes - Z3 - Indicator Daytime Running Light LED | ZEDonist

BMW Z3 Angel Eyes - Indicator (Switchback) VersionThis part fits all BMW Z3 models.Ultra bright and ultra white 7000k LED DTM style angel eyes.These angel lights can flash yellow along with your indicators. Alternatively, do not connect the turn signal wire to not use this option.These angel...

www.zedonist.com

 

[Ade33]

Mine is fitted with the LED running lights from Zedonist that double up as indicator lights.

View attachment 356559

Hard to show in a photo but I've been very impressed with the light output they provide

Angel Eyes - Z3 - Indicator Daytime Running Light LED | ZEDonist

BMW Z3 Angel Eyes - Indicator (Switchback) VersionThis part fits all BMW Z3 models.Ultra bright and ultra white 7000k LED DTM style angel eyes.These angel lights can flash yellow along with your indicators. Alternatively, do not connect the turn signal wire to not use this option.These angel...

www.zedonist.com

I was under the impression thats a fail on the MOT fitting LED's (as much as i'd like to on my Z3!)

 

[Delk]

I was under the impression thats a fail on the MOT fitting LED's (as much as i'd like to on my Z3!)

Hmmm. Anyone have any thoughts on this. Don't want to have to swap lights every year just for the mot. They are right hand drive with the correct pattern so not sure.

 

[RickyBobby]

Hmmm. Anyone have any thoughts on this. Don't want to have to swap lights every year just for the mot. They are right hand drive with the correct pattern so not sure.

The lights were fitted by the previous owner and never mentioned on previous MOT tests. I took if for this years MOT last week and again no mention

 

[AntStark]

DRLs can be LED as long as you haven’t replaced the other main bulbs for LEDs. LED indicators are ok too as long as they don’t hyper flash. Think Zedonist does a relay conversion to stop that too.

 

[Ade33]

Sorry I was unfamiliar with the term DLR and now understand it stands for Day Time Running Light and apparently after 2011 in the UK they became a requirement by law on new cars...So for Z3s we are talking parking lights if I'm correct??..So they don't actually do anything as far as improving the drivers view of the road ahead when driving (thats the role of the dip and main beams which are pretty poor on the Z3 by modern standards)...

Unless i'm missing something why convert the DLRs and indicators on a Z3 to LED as the standard ones do what they are supposed to do...

 

[Kenhayes247]

Like most I suffer from the dismal headlights in the winter. I tried some aftermarket ones with the halo rings and was still not impressed so I am back to my standard lights with decent bulbs.

A guy in the states is making brackets to fit the existing housings with good quality projectors. I have a spare set of older lights with the tango indicators so may have a go and see what I think. But I have several questions and not sure if anyone here can help.

First is the lights his kits are made for are Morimoto Bi-LED 20 Projector PR352 made in the States. Nice lights but a bit pricy for a trial. Does anyone know if there are any standards to projector lights and if I can find something similar here in the Uk at a lower cost for a trial?

Next question has probably been asked and answered in the past but if I have the lights open whats my option for removing the orange indicators? Currently I have facelift clear ones in the car and want to stick with similar. If I have the old lights open I was hoping I could do something simple with the orange lenses.

Z3 headlight retrofit brackets & covers

Z3 Headlight retrofit Brackets designed for DIY installation of Morimoto Bi-LED 2.0 projector PR352 (not included) with 3D printed weather covers* with integrated LED driver mounting (all kits are sold in PAIRS to accomplish a pair of Z3 headlights). *weather cover/LED driver mount clearance...

www.paypal.com

Delk - Forget about the DRL comment at the moment as it has nothing to do with your question.

From experience i went with brighter bulbs, there are plenty of recommendations on here if you just search "Bulb replacement".

Bear in mind that some brighter bulbs may produce more heat, that can lead to yellowing and cracking of the lens. If you are going to separate the headlight for the indicators you may as well check to see whether you have plastic or glass lenses. Glass lenses are preferable and I believe were standard on older cars, I swapped my plastic lenses for glass from an older car, i have a 2001 Z3 and got the lenses from a 98.

As far as I am aware LED headlight bulbs are an MOT fail in the UK. If you wanted LED headlights you would have to buy a headlight unit that was manufactured as a LED headlight and not just with LED bulbs.

Classic coachworks seem to have lot of old headlights, maybe check there for a cheap set with the glass lense if yours is plastic and swap them over.

 

[Delk]

I am not looking at LED bulbs. I am looking at a full set of LED projectors like what's used in modern cars.

Morimoto M out of the States or cheaper NHK both make nice Bi Led complete units with much better patterns and light output.

I had upgraded bulbs in both the preface lift lights with the glass lenses and new facelift ones with the plastic. The preface lights are much better but still not great.

I have one light completely disabled and still thinking about what to do. These are spare lights so not pressed for time or anything.

If I went with the Bi Led they have a high and low function in one unit. The brackets mount this in place of the low beam. But that leaves the question of what to do with the high beam location.
You can get a single function Led projector for the low beam and separate for the high. This would cost about the same and solve the issue of having two lights in the one housing. But the high and low beam are adjusted as single unit making it difficult if you fitted two separate after marker items. With my luck I would get the low beam adjusted correctly but the high beam would turn into the bat signal and point at the sky.
I could also go with the single high and low projector and fit a devil's eye in the high beam spot. Probably far to blingy boy racer for me.

 

[Delk]

View: https://youtu.be/G9IdZlWbnSw?si=HumbjIvjZJx81ZaM

 

[Ade33]

For the slow on uptake (that's me by the way!)

How would these physically fit in the Z3 recesses that the cars have once the existing light units are removed.. ? The existing units are obviously made to a size to fit and bolt into the recess purpose designed for the car..

If there is something out there that would do that and look good I'm sure we would all jump at the opportunity of replacing the current candle light assisted units

 

[Lee]

They look like this with the new projector fitted. You can buy a kit.

 

[Ade33]

Thanks Lee

With regards the bit I've circled

Does this mean they are led bulbs (included)

On my 02 I'm assuming it doesn't have xenons ??

 

[Delk]

Thanks Lee

With regards the bit I've circled

Does this mean they are led bulbs (included)

On my 02 I'm assuming it doesn't have xenons ??

I picked up a used set of those a few years back. They use standard bulbs and I personally didn't feel they were very good quality.

 

[Delk]

The brackets I am looking at replaces the low beam bulb and bolt the Led projector in place.

I am also looking at some others where they have threaded ends that bolt in place of the bulb. There is enough room in the housing but want to make sure they are stable. I have not found anyone that says otherwise and are used in the off road industry.