Any headlights that work on the e85?

wigwig · 03-17-2024, 12:46 PM

My passenger headlight is in pretty bad shape, the plastic is cracked all over and the other day the low beams just stopped working. I looked around online, and it seems like buying replacement oem headlights is quite expensive ($1500 for new ones and 800 for used), so I was wondering if any off other cars are the same or close enough that I could wire them up? I’m not great at DIY but I’m sure I could figure it out if there is a pair that would need wires changed up or something

Our03z4 · 03-17-2024, 12:51 PM

You can buy headlights from Amazon, $300 for a pair. Just be prepared to do wiring as they come wrong from the factory quite a bit of the time. Quality isn't great but they'll work on a budget. Other option is a junk yard or from eBay or such.

07ImolaRot · 03-17-2024, 01:26 PM

You can get the clear lenses on ebay or amazon and swap them over. You can also replace the projectors while youre at it.

wigwig · 03-17-2024, 01:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 07ImolaRot

You can get the clear lenses on ebay or amazon and swap them over. You can also replace the projectors while youre at it.

It’s not the lenses that are the problem, the back part of the assembly is cracked so water can leak in, I took it apart earlier and I’m pretty sure that’s why it won’t fire up the lights

07ImolaRot · 03-17-2024, 01:37 PM

How did it crack like that? old age and heat or previous accident? Sounds like its not salvageable. Its better to get a used OEM one than these cheap aftermarket chinese ones that will have poor output and probably leak or fade in no time. A new one can be had for less than $1500 for sure but you're still paying just over a grand. Look on car-parts.com to see if there is one at a junkayrd close to you. Or have a junkayrd ship you one directly which should be cheaper than a used one on ebay as sellers price them higher to offset the insane ebay/paypal fees.

pungo · 03-17-2024, 04:00 PM

Headlights from "other cars" will not fit the Z4, fact. Aftermarket headlights suck. Just bite the bullet and either fix the existing headlight or find a good used one. JB Weld is awesome to fix cracks in plastic.

wigwig · 03-17-2024, 04:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pungo

Headlights from "other cars" will not fit the Z4, fact. Aftermarket headlights suck. Just bite the bullet and either fix the existing headlight or find a good used one. JB Weld is awesome to fix cracks in plastic.

I was afraid that would be the case, oh well. Looks like I get to do some DIY after all, thanks for the advice!

Steeler · 03-17-2024, 05:30 PM

The Z4 does not share its headlights with other platforms.
As others have said, its aftermarket or used OEM.

Reach out to danbmw1 he is a good source for used bits for Z4's

CJW2OO4 · 03-17-2024, 08:22 PM

Wonder if 3D printing housings would be possible?

wigwig · 03-17-2024, 08:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CJW2OO4

Wonder if 3D printing housings would be possible?

Hmm, that sounds like it could be fun, the xenon’s wouldn’t get too hot though would they? I don’t know much about how they work, but I’ve heard some people say they get pretty warm.

cbpip · 03-17-2024, 09:02 PM

Car-part.com is a national junk yard search data base,
Should have your light.
https://www.car-part.com/cgi-bin/search.cgi

03-17-2024, 12:46 PM	#1
wigwig Enlisted Member 5 Rep 35 Posts Drives: 2003 BMW Z4 3.0i Join Date: Nov 2023 Location: NC, United States iTrader: (0)	Any headlights that work on the e85? My passenger headlight is in pretty bad shape, the plastic is cracked all over and the other day the low beams just stopped working. I looked around online, and it seems like buying replacement oem headlights is quite expensive ($1500 for new ones and 800 for used), so I was wondering if any off other cars are the same or close enough that I could wire them up? I’m not great at DIY but I’m sure I could figure it out if there is a pair that would need wires changed up or something
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03-17-2024, 12:51 PM	#2
Our03z4 Captain 1692 Rep 685 Posts Drives: 2008 BMW Z4 3.0si Coupe, Join Date: Nov 2016 Location: USA iTrader: (0)	You can buy headlights from Amazon, $300 for a pair. Just be prepared to do wiring as they come wrong from the factory quite a bit of the time. Quality isn't great but they'll work on a budget. Other option is a junk yard or from eBay or such.
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03-17-2024, 01:26 PM	#3
07ImolaRot Private First Class 130 Rep 102 Posts Drives: 07 Z4M, 05 M3, 13 M3 Join Date: Sep 2022 Location: CA iTrader: (0)	You can get the clear lenses on ebay or amazon and swap them over. You can also replace the projectors while youre at it. __________________ 2007 Imola Red Z4M 2005 Phoenix Yellow M3 6MT 2013 Interlagos Blue M3 6MT ZCP CF roof
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03-17-2024, 01:37 PM	#5
07ImolaRot Private First Class 130 Rep 102 Posts Drives: 07 Z4M, 05 M3, 13 M3 Join Date: Sep 2022 Location: CA iTrader: (0)	How did it crack like that? old age and heat or previous accident? Sounds like its not salvageable. Its better to get a used OEM one than these cheap aftermarket chinese ones that will have poor output and probably leak or fade in no time. A new one can be had for less than $1500 for sure but you're still paying just over a grand. Look on car-parts.com to see if there is one at a junkayrd close to you. Or have a junkayrd ship you one directly which should be cheaper than a used one on ebay as sellers price them higher to offset the insane ebay/paypal fees. __________________ 2007 Imola Red Z4M 2005 Phoenix Yellow M3 6MT 2013 Interlagos Blue M3 6MT ZCP CF roof
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03-17-2024, 04:00 PM	#6
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]	Headlights from "other cars" will not fit the Z4, fact. Aftermarket headlights suck. Just bite the bullet and either fix the existing headlight or find a good used one. JB Weld is awesome to fix cracks in plastic.
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03-17-2024, 05:30 PM	#8
Steeler Colonel 2429 Rep 2,704 Posts Drives: Built not Bought 04 Z4 VF Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Kitchener Ontario Canada iTrader: (2)	The Z4 does not share its headlights with other platforms. As others have said, its aftermarket or used OEM. Reach out to danbmw1 he is a good source for used bits for Z4's __________________ W2A Intercooled Vortech V3Si, custom ducting, Alpha N, 60# Bosch,2.62 pulley, multi port WMI, Severn Tuning(pokeybritches), Tial, magnaflow,SS race muffler, 42 design,3.91LSD, H&R, Hotchkis,ST coils,Konis, Megan camber arms, AKG SS, Nylon mounts, Poly bushings, Carbon interior, CF Aero.APEX
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03-17-2024, 08:22 PM	#9
CJW2OO4 Major 148 Rep 1,100 Posts Drives: E86M,M2,F13 E86&E85M,E86,2E46 Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Boston iTrader: (4)	Wonder if 3D printing housings would be possible?
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03-17-2024, 09:02 PM	#11
cbpip Private First Class 151 Rep 198 Posts Drives: BMW Z4C 3.0si 3 pedal Join Date: Nov 2020 Location: MD iTrader: (0) Garage List 2007 BMW E86C [0.00]	Car-part.com is a national junk yard search data base, Should have your light. https://www.car-part.com/cgi-bin/search.cgi
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