Fitting DRLs to Z3

[Brian4]

This all started after a car nearly pulled out on me on one of the local country roads (Fosse Way) , which has trees each side in places so can be a bit gloomy. Anyway I think as a lot of cars now have DRL a lot of people expect to see lights coming and slao the Z3 is low so decided to fit some to the zed.
Personal choice but I didn't want to fit the replacement headlights with the halos and @t-tony had fitted some to his Z4 and Z3 which looked quite good. I wanted to keep the front of the zed as original as possible so didn't want them on show as I discussed with @Russell O . I have managed to hide them behind the lower grille.

Set about making brackets but I didn't want to drill/cut any holes in the bumper so taken me a few days head scratching and I came up with these.
More to follow as I get them fitted and wired in.

Started with this. (free offcut)

Then turned it into the bracket.

Trial fitting still got to be painted blue.I have powered them up temporarily and show up pretty well.

 

[t-tony]

Nice job Brian, the ones on my Z3 and on Steve's are stuck to the grill slats with double sided tape so easily removable. I couldn't find anywhere suitable on the Z4 which was horizontally flat so I had to drill 4 X 3mm holes for self tappers. Nice idea mounting them behind the grille though.

Tony.

 

[Antm72]

Nice job brian

 

[Brian4]

All fitted and working now. On with ignition in accessory and run and off when lights are on.

Brackets all painted up.

Control box fitted to it's bracket.

[

View of brackets and lights

looks bright enough in the daylight.

 

[Mint]

Great job Brian, looking good

 

[t-tony]

Top job Brian.

Tony.

 

[Antm72]

Nice work

 

[Redline]

Nice job Brian. Will have a look to see if you could fit some behind the lower grill on the Z4. It's either that or under the fog lights.
Sports cars are less easy to see, or, I guess because they are lower they somehow seem further away to some numpties who can't be bothered to look properly, but, I've had the same recently in the LR, both on the A5 within 5 minutes of each other.
I think you could sell your fitting kit - looks very professional.

 

[Brian4]

Thanks @Redline the brackets are from scrap bin so will see if there is any more, and I had to modify the wiring that came with the lights. Will have a look where they can be fitted to yours. Tony has fitted some but screwed onto the lower grille area.

 

[Alan W]

If you want dlr's and want to keep the car looking original as possible I have seen replacement fog lights for Z3 for sale on eBay that have dlr led's built in for around £80 a pair..

 

[oldcarman]

In Canada it's law that DRL be installed on all vehicles past a certain build date. I simply put my headlights on low beam while driving so why not just wire your lows to come on with ignition? JIM

 

[Zeti]

Same in my country. If the DRL isn't fitted in the factory, you must use the low beam; any adaptation will bring you a big penalty and the car registration removed...

 

[Alan W]

I never use my car in crap weather so I wonder what the legality would be of me converting the front fogs to come on as per DLR's?