HID / Non-HID Headlights How to tell?

snowmirage · 01-14-2013, 03:10 PM

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.

dubsesd · 01-14-2013, 04:53 PM

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

djoutcry · 01-16-2013, 11:52 AM

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

E85fan · 01-16-2013, 04:46 PM

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

E85fan · 01-16-2013, 04:46 PM

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

E85fan · 01-16-2013, 04:46 PM

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

E85fan · 01-16-2013, 10:17 PM

Whoa phone glitched out lol triple post. Mods please delete

djoutcry · 01-17-2013, 09:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by E85fan

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.

E85fan · 01-17-2013, 01:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by djoutcry

Quote:

Originally Posted by E85fan

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

E85fan · 01-17-2013, 01:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by djoutcry

Quote:

Originally Posted by E85fan

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

E85fan · 01-17-2013, 01:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by djoutcry

Quote:

Originally Posted by E85fan

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

psygnosis · 01-17-2013, 02:07 PM

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

snowmirage · 01-19-2013, 07:13 PM

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.

djoutcry · 01-19-2013, 08:48 PM

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

01-14-2013, 03:10 PM	#1
snowmirage Enlisted Member Drives: 2003 BMW Z4 3.0i Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Baltimore / D.C. area Posts: 49 iTrader: (0)	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, 04:53 PM	#2
dubsesd Lieutenant Colonel Drives: M coupe / 328xi LCI Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: ottawa Posts: 1,529 iTrader: (1)	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 __________________ 2006 ///M Coupe TiAg / IR -- H&R coilovers/RPI exhaust/ZHP knob/19" Morr vs8.2 hand brushed/Stoptech 355mm 6/4 BBK/Turner strut bar/polished diagonal braces/m tower caps/tekarbon 2x2 coil cover/Michelin PSS/gloss black kidneys/painted gloss black roof/mstache 2 front lip/AFE dry intake/RPI forced induction/colormatch corners/black chrome //M badges/rear diffuser/aeroskirts/rogue mounts/DKF adjustable hangers/22%tint/euromode lighting/LED interior & plate lighting Last edited by dubsesd; 01-14-2013 at 05:00 PM.

01-17-2013, 02:07 PM	#12
psygnosis Captain Drives: '04 Z4 3.0i Sport Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: WA Posts: 817 iTrader: (0)	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 __________________ Straightaways are for fast cars, Corners are for fast drivers.

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01-16-2013, 11:52 AM	#3
djoutcry Why so serious? Drives: 2004 BMW z4 3.0i Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Toronto Posts: 146 iTrader: (0)	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

01-16-2013, 10:17 PM	#7
E85fan Enlisted Member Drives: 2004 Titanium Silver Z4 Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Vancouver Posts: 30 iTrader: (1)	Whoa phone glitched out lol triple post. Mods please delete

01-19-2013, 07:13 PM	#13
snowmirage Enlisted Member Drives: 2003 BMW Z4 3.0i Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Baltimore / D.C. area Posts: 49 iTrader: (0)	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.

01-19-2013, 08:48 PM	#14
djoutcry Why so serious? Drives: 2004 BMW z4 3.0i Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Toronto Posts: 146 iTrader: (0)	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