Headlights

[Ade33]

Thanks for clarifying on a subject that I profess I know little about.. With regards the photos I posted of the replacement complete units that you clarified are only for non Led bulbs, it begs the question why are these offering these and not a complete unit with LEDs which is what everyone wants and not some half way house offering some limited improved lighting

 

[Nodzed]

The legal bottom line for a Z3 (1996–2002)
Because every BMW Z3 was first used after 1 April 1986, converting its original halogen headlamp units to use LED (or HID/xenon) light sources is an MOT fail for “light source and lamp not compatible.”Swapping the internals (e.g., opening the housing and fitting bi‑LED projectors inside the factory lamp) voids the lamp’s type‑approval, so even if the beam looks good, it’s not road‑legal. UK guidance makes clear that headlamps are approved as a complete unit (outer lens + reflector + light source), not as mix‑and‑match parts. If you want LED or HID legally, the car must use a complete, E‑marked headlamp assembly designed and approved for that light source. For HID in particular, DfT expects compliance with UN ECE R98 (component) and R48 (installation), which brings in headlamp cleaning and automatic levelling where applicable

 

[Delk]

The legal bottom line for a Z3 (1996–2002)
Because every BMW Z3 was first used after 1 April 1986, converting its original halogen headlamp units to use LED (or HID/xenon) light sources is an MOT fail for “light source and lamp not compatible.”Swapping the internals (e.g., opening the housing and fitting bi‑LED projectors inside the factory lamp) voids the lamp’s type‑approval, so even if the beam looks good, it’s not road‑legal. UK guidance makes clear that headlamps are approved as a complete unit (outer lens + reflector + light source), not as mix‑and‑match parts. If you want LED or HID legally, the car must use a complete, E‑marked headlamp assembly designed and approved for that light source. For HID in particular, DfT expects compliance with UN ECE R98 (component) and R48 (installation), which brings in headlamp cleaning and automatic levelling where applicable

Makes a lot of sense. I had a look at the aftermarket projectors I have and they dont have any approval markings.

 

[motco]

It's not likely to happen, I imagine, since it would be expensive at every stage: design, mould manufacture, submission for approval (a soul destroying process for technological items with which I have first hand experience - intruder detection), and marketing for sales that would struggle reach ten thousand or possibly even one thousand. The only way forward as I see it is the optimise what you have by restoring the hazy plastic outers and fitting the best filament bulbs available.
My first car had headlights that used c.35 Watt ordinary filaments and on dip the nearside unit switched off, and the offside flipped the reflector down and left using a weedy solenoid which needed a thump on the headlight housing to activate. Luckily almost all other cars had similar headlights or perhaps double dipping more modern ones, but they were never used in town and even in the unlit roads when they were used they were pretty poor.
It's a bit like standing in the theatre to gain a better view. Okay while everyone else remains seated, but once they realise they all stand and you're back where you started but standing for hours!

 

[Nodzed]

I do wonder why people have issues with Z3 headlights, though dire with bad bulbs I fitted Night Breakers in my M and the headlights where good on both low and high beam. They wont ever be as good as Xenon or LED but I never thought them bad once I had decent bulbs fitted.

 

[Delk]

I do wonder why people have issues with Z3 headlights, though dire with bad bulbs I fitted Night Breakers in my M and the headlights where good on both low and high beam. They wont ever be as good as Xenon or LED but I never thought them bad once I had decent bulbs fitted.

I switched to Night breakers a few years ago and they are better. I spent a lot of time driving single lane back roads this winter when its been dark wet and misserable. The lack of light was noticable. Deer dont have headlights to shine back at you as a warning and after two near misses I thought it best to start looking at options.

I have ordered some NHK LED projectors as the price isnt near as bad as the Morimoto one. Once I get them I can shine them on the side of my garage and compare them with standard lights and also the set of aftermarket Z3 specific projectors to see how they stack up.