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Best way to improve xenon headlights?
- Tcochrane92
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Best way to improve xenon headlights?
The light output from the standard halogen bulbs is poor. The light output from the standard xenon bulbs is better, but still poor.
What's the best solution for improving the xenon headlights for usable light output?
From a bit of research I think these bulbs will be best:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/OSRAM-Xenarc ... SwdnZaCfSo
Does anyone have any experience with these or other aftermarket bulbs?
Is it possible to do some of other upgrade? e.g. change the ballast too?
Cheers
What's the best solution for improving the xenon headlights for usable light output?
From a bit of research I think these bulbs will be best:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/OSRAM-Xenarc ... SwdnZaCfSo
Does anyone have any experience with these or other aftermarket bulbs?
Is it possible to do some of other upgrade? e.g. change the ballast too?
Cheers
Current: Imola Red 400bhp 640d & Ocean Blue BMW S1000XR Sport SE
Past: Silver Grey Z4MR, Silver Grey Z4C & Titan Silver Z4 3.0i
Past: Silver Grey Z4MR, Silver Grey Z4C & Titan Silver Z4 3.0i
- cj10jeeper
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Best way to improve xenon headlights?
Changing bulbs won’t help much at all. The Zed issue is the low level they are set at
You are right sticking to 4-5k as they give the most usable light for human Vision, albeit not as white as some like, however with the ones you link to but I doubt it makes any real difference to light output
You could
Adjust the lights up slightly but not to dazzle
go to 50w xenon but from memory they are illegal
You are right sticking to 4-5k as they give the most usable light for human Vision, albeit not as white as some like, however with the ones you link to but I doubt it makes any real difference to light output
You could
Adjust the lights up slightly but not to dazzle
go to 50w xenon but from memory they are illegal
Jaguar F-Type 3.0 Supercharged V6 S, Stratus Grey, LSD, Active Exhaust, CF wheels, Performance brakes, Sports seats and mods ongoing
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Gone but not forgotten Z4 3.0i SE Roadster ///M front, Red ///M leather seats, Aero sills
- philbo909
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Best way to improve xenon headlights?
I struggle to see how the xenon output is poor, full beam isn't really needed with the lights my zed. Go any brighter and you start dazzling other drivers imo
Sapphire black z4 coupe 135,000miles young
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Best way to improve xenon headlights?
I'd imagine stripping and cleaning the projector housing and glass would exhibit the biggest improvement, considering they'll be at least 9 years old by this point, possibly up to 14. I'm running those Osram bulbs and they're better, but still feel quite lacking compared to other OEM xenons in different cars, BMW and others.
- bradz
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Best way to improve xenon headlights?
Your best bet is...
Leaving the headlight on the car, take the lamp out and you can undo a few nuts and remove the projector, you will find it is covered in a dirty film.. This will improve the light output.
Leaving the headlight on the car, take the lamp out and you can undo a few nuts and remove the projector, you will find it is covered in a dirty film.. This will improve the light output.
Z4M Coupe, E92 M3, E46 M3 Track car
- Tcochrane92
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Best way to improve xenon headlights?
Thanks guys, I think my best bet is to clean the projector lens as mjennings23 & bradz says, then install the osrams. That's my Christmas project sorted
Current: Imola Red 400bhp 640d & Ocean Blue BMW S1000XR Sport SE
Past: Silver Grey Z4MR, Silver Grey Z4C & Titan Silver Z4 3.0i
Past: Silver Grey Z4MR, Silver Grey Z4C & Titan Silver Z4 3.0i
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- Lifer
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Best way to improve xenon headlights?
I hadn’t noticed how ‘dim’ my xenons had become as they’d gradually changed over 10 years and 145,000 miles.
One had started giving errors, so I decided to replace the pair, and whilst I (DLV) was in there we removed the projector lenses and cleaned the crud off them.
The combination of both has made night driving less of a chore as I can see the edges of the carriageway more easily, and can pick out signs, rocks, potholes & and critters from further away.
The only thing left to do on my lights is to get the plastic lenses polished as they’re a bit ‘frosty’ from all the accumulated stone chips.
One had started giving errors, so I decided to replace the pair, and whilst I (DLV) was in there we removed the projector lenses and cleaned the crud off them.
The combination of both has made night driving less of a chore as I can see the edges of the carriageway more easily, and can pick out signs, rocks, potholes & and critters from further away.
The only thing left to do on my lights is to get the plastic lenses polished as they’re a bit ‘frosty’ from all the accumulated stone chips.
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Best way to improve xenon headlights?
The biggest difference would be to change the Fresnel lense projector for clear ones. Also never buy bulbs from ebay/Amazon because there are a lot of fakes. Use powerbulbs or autobulbs.
- Ducklakeview
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Best way to improve xenon headlights?
As mmm-five mentors above, the fresnel lenses ARE actually clear, once you clean them!
Mike
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Best way to improve xenon headlights?
Is it much of a chore to remove the projector to clean? Considering giving it a go over the Christmas with a couple of other jobs!Ducklakeview wrote: ↑Sun Dec 17, 2017 8:49 pmAs mmm-five mentors above, the fresnel lenses ARE actually clear, once you clean them!
Mike
- dhobbs
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Best way to improve xenon headlights?
mjennings23 wrote: ↑Mon Dec 18, 2017 12:31 amIs it much of a chore to remove the projector to clean? Considering giving it a go over the Christmas with a couple of other jobs!Ducklakeview wrote: ↑Sun Dec 17, 2017 8:49 pmAs mmm-five mentors above, the fresnel lenses ARE actually clear, once you clean them!
I'll be interested in this too.
I've polished the outer lense and replaced the xenon bulbs but still think it could be improved.
Mike
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Motor in boot. Bilstein B8 dampers. New radio, much better sounds
- Ducklakeview
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Best way to improve xenon headlights?
4x7mm nuts. Can be done without removing the headlamp.mjennings23 wrote: ↑Mon Dec 18, 2017 12:31 amIs it much of a chore to remove the projector to clean? Considering giving it a go over the Christmas with a couple of other jobs!Ducklakeview wrote: ↑Sun Dec 17, 2017 8:49 pmAs mmm-five mentors above, the fresnel lenses ARE actually clear, once you clean them!
Mike
Mike
- Tcochrane92
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Best way to improve xenon headlights?
Wheel off job I'd imagine, Mike?Ducklakeview wrote: ↑Mon Dec 18, 2017 1:03 pm4x7mm nuts. Can be done without removing the headlamp.mjennings23 wrote: ↑Mon Dec 18, 2017 12:31 amIs it much of a chore to remove the projector to clean? Considering giving it a go over the Christmas with a couple of other jobs!Ducklakeview wrote: ↑Sun Dec 17, 2017 8:49 pm
As mmm-five mentors above, the fresnel lenses ARE actually clear, once you clean them!
Mike
Mike
Current: Imola Red 400bhp 640d & Ocean Blue BMW S1000XR Sport SE
Past: Silver Grey Z4MR, Silver Grey Z4C & Titan Silver Z4 3.0i
Past: Silver Grey Z4MR, Silver Grey Z4C & Titan Silver Z4 3.0i
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Best way to improve xenon headlights?
Well that's simple. Think I'll make a day of it anyway and take the full light out, that way I can give it a sand back and polish the outer lens too. They're not bad but I have the free time after this week, thanks to the office shutting down for 2 weeks...
- Chris_D
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Best way to improve xenon headlights?
Is it bumper off to replace xenon ballast mike? me right one's gone pop. it's def the ballast and not the bulb sadly.Ducklakeview wrote: ↑Mon Dec 18, 2017 1:03 pm4x7mm nuts. Can be done without removing the headlamp.mjennings23 wrote: ↑Mon Dec 18, 2017 12:31 amIs it much of a chore to remove the projector to clean? Considering giving it a go over the Christmas with a couple of other jobs!Ducklakeview wrote: ↑Sun Dec 17, 2017 8:49 pm
As mmm-five mentors above, the fresnel lenses ARE actually clear, once you clean them!
Mike
Mike
Was going to clean up the lenses on both while i'm at it....
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'Always different, always the same.' John Peel on The Fall.
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