Halogen to Xenon headlight upgrade ?

djlogan33 · 10-16-2012, 02:39 PM

I installed the "smoke" Lamin-X precut headlight film over my headlights.
The "smoke" color is not that dark, but my headlights, even on high-beam, are not bright enough for me.

It's my understand that there really isn't a way to increase brightness unless you are going from Halogen to Xenon which would require a conversion kit.

Can anyone give me any advise.

Thank you in advance.

3002 tii · 10-16-2012, 02:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by djlogan33

I installed the "smoke" Lamin-X precut headlight film over my headlights.
The "smoke" color is not that dark, but my headlights, even on high-beam, are not bright enough for me.

It's my understand that there really isn't a way to increase brightness unless you are going from Halogen to Xenon which would require a conversion kit.

Can anyone give me any advise.

Thank you in advance.

One advice would be to remove that film. Headlight films are known for causing overheating issues which may lead to cracks in the housing/glass.

There are plenty of aftermarket HID kits available that you could purchase.

dubsesd · 10-16-2012, 02:58 PM

Judging from your signature info...you already have hid headlights. They came standard on z4m's

inTgr8r · 10-16-2012, 03:19 PM

^This

pungo · 10-16-2012, 10:36 PM

Tinted film is sunglasses for your headlights, it's going to reduce the output. I never understood the idea, except maybe on a show car that never gets driven at night.

3002 tii · 10-17-2012, 10:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pungo

Tinted film is sunglasses for your headlights, it's going to reduce the output. I never understood the idea, except maybe on a show car that never gets driven at night.

Some racecars have the yellow film, I think it helps reduce any blinding light to the driver in front while maintaing your ability to drive through inclement weather.

pungo · 10-17-2012, 09:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DSC_OFF

Some racecars have the yellow film, I think it helps reduce any blinding light to the driver in front while maintaing your ability to drive through inclement weather.

I was referring to the "smoked" film. I can see special purpose yellow for inclement weather. Europe does allow yellow headlights.

djlogan33 · 10-19-2012, 02:58 PM

My Z4 M-Coupe already has Xenon headlights.

I was informed that my current 4300K is the brightest color, and the Philips (factory BMW bulb) and Osram D2S bulbs are the brightest you can get.
After about 4 or 5 years HID bulbs have lost about 40-60% of their initial brightness and they continue to lose brightness until they finally fail.
So just replacing them with new bulbs is going to improve light output significantly.

dubsesd · 10-19-2012, 04:09 PM

philips 85122.

30% brighter over osram 3 year old bulbs

10-16-2012, 02:39 PM	#1
djlogan33 Private First Class 13 Rep 116 Posts Drives: BMW Z4 M Coupe Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Landen/Maineville, Ohio, USA iTrader: (0)	Halogen to Xenon headlight upgrade ? I installed the "smoke" Lamin-X precut headlight film over my headlights. The "smoke" color is not that dark, but my headlights, even on high-beam, are not bright enough for me. It's my understand that there really isn't a way to increase brightness unless you are going from Halogen to Xenon which would require a conversion kit. Can anyone give me any advise. Thank you in advance. __________________ Currently own: - Z4 ///M Coupe with Black BBS CH-wheels Previously owned: - Z4 Coupe 3.0si, Z3 ///M Coupe S54, Z3 ///M Coupe S52, ///M6, 635csi, 533i, 323i, F25 X3 with ///M Sports Package
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10-16-2012, 02:58 PM	#3
dubsesd #dubspec 6337 Rep 5,201 Posts Drives: G05 X5/ 2016 F80 M3 INDVL Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Ottawa iTrader: (2)	Judging from your signature info...you already have hid headlights. They came standard on z4m's __________________ LCI ///F80 M3 Individual Atlantis Metallic / Black Full / Carbon Cermics / 6MT MPE / M Performance & Carbon package / KW v3 / 20" HRE R101LW / 20" HRE 527s / Michelin PSS / 20% tint / 3d Design / Streckenn splitters / OEM GTS hood / EAS Carbon seatbacks / Carbon RKP sideskirt / Bootmod3 / M Performance Tri color alcantara / AWE S Flow instagram: @ dubsesd
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10-16-2012, 03:19 PM	#4
inTgr8r Lieutenant General 2432 Rep 11,667 Posts Drives: M2 Comp Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Toronto iTrader: (10)	^This __________________ '21 M2C Hockenheim Silver '18 718 Cayman S Lava Orange (sold) '13 E92 M3 Santorini Blue (sold) '07 Z4 M Coupe Alpine White (sold)
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10-16-2012, 10:36 PM	#5
pungo Colonel 880 Rep 2,547 Posts Drives: Z4MC-X3-35i-525i, Corrado G60 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: MD iTrader: (5) Garage List 2011 BMW X3 x35i [0.00] 2001 BMW 525i [0.00] 2007 BMW Z4 M Coupe [8.76]	Tinted film is sunglasses for your headlights, it's going to reduce the output. I never understood the idea, except maybe on a show car that never gets driven at night.
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10-19-2012, 02:58 PM	#8
djlogan33 Private First Class 13 Rep 116 Posts Drives: BMW Z4 M Coupe Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Landen/Maineville, Ohio, USA iTrader: (0)	Xenon 4300k lights My Z4 M-Coupe already has Xenon headlights. I was informed that my current 4300K is the brightest color, and the Philips (factory BMW bulb) and Osram D2S bulbs are the brightest you can get. After about 4 or 5 years HID bulbs have lost about 40-60% of their initial brightness and they continue to lose brightness until they finally fail. So just replacing them with new bulbs is going to improve light output significantly. __________________ Currently own: - Z4 ///M Coupe with Black BBS CH-wheels Previously owned: - Z4 Coupe 3.0si, Z3 ///M Coupe S54, Z3 ///M Coupe S52, ///M6, 635csi, 533i, 323i, F25 X3 with ///M Sports Package
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10-19-2012, 04:09 PM	#9
dubsesd #dubspec 6337 Rep 5,201 Posts Drives: G05 X5/ 2016 F80 M3 INDVL Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Ottawa iTrader: (2)	philips 85122. 30% brighter over osram 3 year old bulbs __________________ LCI ///F80 M3 Individual Atlantis Metallic / Black Full / Carbon Cermics / 6MT MPE / M Performance & Carbon package / KW v3 / 20" HRE R101LW / 20" HRE 527s / Michelin PSS / 20% tint / 3d Design / Streckenn splitters / OEM GTS hood / EAS Carbon seatbacks / Carbon RKP sideskirt / Bootmod3 / M Performance Tri color alcantara / AWE S Flow instagram: @ dubsesd
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