Does my car use HIDs?

[mmret]

Odd question I know.

So I bought a used 2007 Z4 3.0si. Car came to me with halogens.

This struck me as kind of odd, given the following pieces of evidence:

1. The low beam headlamp housing has a "foggy grey" look to it that matches the HID projector look on my Acura TSX.

2. The low beams have a really really sharp cutoff, ala-HIDs.

3. The housing says "H7" on the highbeam side, but "D2S H7" on the lowbeam side.


So my question is, should the car actually have HIDs in it? (The bulbs in there right now are DEFINITELY not HIDs) If so can I just plug an HID bulb or will I have to make sure the ballast kit is in there still? ???

Thanks

[chickdr]

Originally Posted by mmret

Odd question I know.

So I bought a used 2007 Z4 3.0si. Car came to me with halogens.

This struck me as kind of odd, given the following pieces of evidence:

1. The low beam headlamp housing has a "foggy grey" look to it that matches the HID projector look on my Acura TSX.

2. The low beams have a really really sharp cutoff, ala-HIDs.

3. The housing says "H7" on the highbeam side, but "D2S H7" on the lowbeam side.


So my question is, should the car actually have HIDs in it? (The bulbs in there right now are DEFINITELY not HIDs) If so can I just plug an HID bulb or will I have to make sure the ballast kit is in there still? ???

Thanks

You should be able to get the spec list from BMW if you don't have the original window sticker. That would be the best route to find out.

[BU Z4]

Halogen heads only have one set of wiring that is attach right under the back cover, but HID has an additional connector (or plug) in the bottom of the headlight assembly where the ballast is located.

[mmret]

Originally Posted by BU Z4

Halogen heads only have one set of wiring that is attach right under the back cover, but HID has an additional set of wiring harness attach to the bottom of the headlight assembly right next to the ballast.

Interesting, I will take a look.

Does this mean, however, that I can just get the bulb+ballast conversion kit and I don't need a new headlamp housing to get a proper HID cutoff? (ie: the halogen and HID projector housing is the same)

[BU Z4]

1st picture shows the bottom view of the halogen headlight and 2nd one shows the xenon (HID).

[mmret]

I assume you mean the little plug inside the oval looking part right in the middle.

So if I put a HID bulb inside, I just have to plug the wires into that instead of where they are currently? Sorry noob here :P

[BU Z4]

Thats where the ballast plug in to.

[mmret]

Ok, I'll look for those plugs. Thanks!

EDIT:
Okay, so its late and dark and I don't want to go digging around right now, but in the case that I have the regular H7 halogens then what are my options for getting HIDs?

What's the best kit to get and should I get the D2S or the H7 version?
Also will I end up blinding everyone?...hoping not since I'm already getting a sharp cutoff with the halogens...

[CFoote]

You should really find yourself a set of Xenon lenses and go about it that way... check EBay, you should be able to find a good set to use.

You can put in a HID Kit with your halogen lenses, but be sure to adjust them so that you don't blind oncoming traffic. Again, the xenon lenses will disperse the light better and give you a much better cut-off on the beam. Plus, if your current lenses are pitted from rocks/debris, its a great way to fix that problem too.

Chris