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      01-14-2013, 02:10 PM   #1
snowmirage
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HID / Non-HID Headlights How to tell?

I've been considering a set of the lights mentioned in this thread

http://www.zpost.com/forums/showthre...ghlight=spyder

There are HID
and
non-HID versions

( HID = high intensity discharge for anyone like who needed their memory refreshed)

From what I can gather the E85 Z4 could come with HID or non-HID headlights from the factory? If so what was the determining factor? Did just the Z4M have HID headlighs? Was it part of the face lift in the later years? A factory option?

I am also getting the impression that if you have non-HID lights you can't simply blot on a set of HID lights correct? And I'm under the impression that its due to more than just a different physical plug for each headlight.

I'm fairly confident that my 2003 Z4 3.0i has non-HID lights but I am basing that mostly on the fact that they don't seem to provide much light.

Can I tell for sure based on year or by inspection?

Just wanted to make sure I am understanding correctly before spending the money, and I hadn't seen it covered specifically in the other threads I've read.
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      01-14-2013, 03:53 PM   #2
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turn on your car and see if they are HID (they will look blue and color change into a white color)...if you hjave a 3.0 it probbaly has HID. the headlights you are planning on buying are far worse quality than your oem units
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Last edited by dubsesd; 01-14-2013 at 04:00 PM..
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      01-16-2013, 10:52 AM   #3
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I had mine determined using my VIN number because I was in the same boat as you, and was considering the exact same set of headlights. I decided against getting the cheap ones. I am still using my stock headlights, and plan on getting custom headlights this summer.

Stay away from those headlights
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      01-16-2013, 03:46 PM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by djoutcry
I had mine determined using my VIN number because I was in the same boat as you, and was considering the exact same set of headlights. I decided against getting the cheap ones. I am still using my stock headlights, and plan on getting custom headlights this summer.

Stay away from those headlights
Where did you check with your vin. I'm also interested in checking I have a 04 2.5i sport package
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      01-16-2013, 03:46 PM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by djoutcry
I had mine determined using my VIN number because I was in the same boat as you, and was considering the exact same set of headlights. I decided against getting the cheap ones. I am still using my stock headlights, and plan on getting custom headlights this summer.

Stay away from those headlights
Where did you check with your vin. I'm also interested in checking I have a 04 2.5i sport package
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      01-16-2013, 03:46 PM   #6
E85fan
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Quote:
Originally Posted by djoutcry
I had mine determined using my VIN number because I was in the same boat as you, and was considering the exact same set of headlights. I decided against getting the cheap ones. I am still using my stock headlights, and plan on getting custom headlights this summer.

Stay away from those headlights
Where did you check with your vin. I'm also interested in checking I have a 04 2.5i sport package
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      01-16-2013, 09:17 PM   #7
E85fan
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Whoa phone glitched out lol triple post. Mods please delete
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      01-17-2013, 08:24 AM   #8
SwissArmy
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Quote:
Originally Posted by E85fan View Post
Where did you check with your vin. I'm also interested in checking I have a 04 2.5i sport package
A fellow zpost member looked it up for me. I will dig through my inbox and contact him on behalf of you.

Check your PM.
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      01-17-2013, 12:45 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by djoutcry
Quote:
Originally Posted by E85fan View Post
Where did you check with your vin. I'm also interested in checking I have a 04 2.5i sport package
A fellow zpost member looked it up for me. I will dig through my inbox and contact him on behalf of you.

Check your PM.
Thanks
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      01-17-2013, 12:45 PM   #10
E85fan
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Quote:
Originally Posted by djoutcry
Quote:
Originally Posted by E85fan View Post
Where did you check with your vin. I'm also interested in checking I have a 04 2.5i sport package
A fellow zpost member looked it up for me. I will dig through my inbox and contact him on behalf of you.

Check your PM.
Thanks
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      01-17-2013, 12:45 PM   #11
E85fan
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Quote:
Originally Posted by djoutcry
Quote:
Originally Posted by E85fan View Post
Where did you check with your vin. I'm also interested in checking I have a 04 2.5i sport package
A fellow zpost member looked it up for me. I will dig through my inbox and contact him on behalf of you.

Check your PM.
Thanks
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      01-17-2013, 01:07 PM   #12
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It's not that hard to tell, if your headlights have a line light this, and turning on the brights just raises a shutter then you have Xenon lights

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      01-19-2013, 06:13 PM   #13
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Has anyone come across a close up picture of each headlight? After finally getting home and looking at them in person I'm 80% sure I don't have the HID option, but I'd like to be sure before spending the money.
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      01-19-2013, 07:48 PM   #14
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Can you open up the wheel well cover and check if there's an HID ballast there? I believe that would be a quick and easy way
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