Completed Bi-Xenon Projector Retrofit Upgrade

[John_Romanos]

Originally Posted by pungo

Yeah, that huge gap between the hood and the bumper is not normal so something is not right with the bumper. Just so you know, people don't report all accidents to their insurance company so you can't go by a clean record alone, you also need to do a proper inspection by someone that knows what to look for. With you being the 4th owner, who knows the complete history of this vehicle

The topic of this thread is about @3002 tii projector retrofit and since the discussion has has gone off topic, I'm done, unless people want to discuss Bi-Xenon projector retrofits.

Yeah I'll check it out, i know why its all scrambled up. Thanks for the advice. Still want some headlights, bumper would be nice but $700

[3002 tii]

Bump, I like this mod so much that I did this same upgrade today on my recently acquired coupe. This time around I opted for the D2S adapters instead of switching to the Volvo D2R igniters.

The advantage with the adapters is that you don’t have to “modify” the factory plug. However, the downside is the factory igniters need a new location as they still won’t fit in the back of the projector. Luckily there’s more than enough space to wedge it inside the headlight housing. Once you put the cover back on, there’s really no space for anything to move around. So pick your poison…

1. Volvo D2R igniters >>> Tidy install but need to modify plug
2. D2S adapters >>> No modification to plug but more stuff jammed inside headlight

Here’s how the adapter connects to projector and bulb retainer. Not shown but the other side (male) would plug into the Hella igniter that would normally hold the xenon bulb.

Lastly if you go this route, definitely affix harness, retainer clip and xenon bulb to projector first before installing the projector back into the headlight.

[pungo]

Originally Posted by 3002 tii

Bump, I like this mod so much that I did this same upgrade today on my recently acquired coupe. This time around I opted for the D2S adapters instead of switching to the Volvo D2R igniters.

The advantage with the adapters is that you don’t have to “modify” the factory plug. However, the downside is the factory igniters need a new location as they still won’t fit in the back of the projector. Luckily there’s more than enough space to wedge it inside the headlight housing. Once you put the cover back on, there’s really no space for anything to move around. So pick your poison…

1. Volvo D2R igniters >>> Tidy install but need to modify plug
2. D2S adapters >>> No modification to plug but more stuff jammed inside headlight

Here’s how the adapter connects to projector and bulb retainer. Not shown but the other side (male) would plug into the Hella igniter that would normally hold the xenon bulb.

Lastly if you go this route, definitely affix harness, retainer clip and xenon bulb to projector first before installing the projector back into the headlight.

Is this the type cable harness you used? Been having trouble finding these in the US.

[MarinerZ4C]

Hi 3002 tii,

If I order from RetroFitLab, are they sold as a pair, or priced each ?

[3002 tii]

Originally Posted by MarinerZ4C

Hi 3002 tii,

If I order from RetroFitLab, are they sold as a pair, or priced each ?

They come as pair.

[MarinerZ4C]

Thanks !

[07ImolaRot]

Thinking about doing this upgrade to my car. Is the EvoX R2 still the one to have?

[maupineda]

Thinking about this too but I don’t like the idea of stuffing loose components inside the headlight. But for sure my OE projectors are burned off. New bulbs and clear lenses made an improvement but the output is still a bit weak.

[3002 tii]

Originally Posted by 07ImolaRot

Thinking about doing this upgrade to my car. Is the EvoX R2 still the one to have?

Yep and be sure to replace the bulbs while you’re at it

Originally Posted by maupineda

Thinking about this too but I don’t like the idea of stuffing loose components inside the headlight. But for sure my OE projectors are burned off. New bulbs and clear lenses made an improvement but the output is still a bit weak.

If you go with the adapters, honestly there not much room if any at all for movement. Or you could go with the D2R igniters which is what I did first time around in my roadster, downside being slight modification to the adapter (equivalent to grinding down a nub). Point being I did both and have no regrets, despite wanting to keep my car as close to “oemplus” as possible.

[07ImolaRot]

Originally Posted by 3002 tii

Yep and be sure to replace the bulbs while you’re at it

which ones do you recommend? I was thinking The osram nightbreakers

[3002 tii]

Originally Posted by 07ImolaRot

which ones do you recommend? I was thinking The osram nightbreakers

The Nightbreakers are marginally brighter but it has a more yellow output so really comes down to preference. I went with the CBB and CBI in both my Z since they’re aesthetically more pleasing while still putting out ridiculous amount of light. And for my wife who doesn’t care about looks, she has the Nightbreakers.

Here’s some good review videos that may help

Also I’ve known the owner of Lightwerkz, really standup guy. I would not hesitate buying from them. They ship really fast and have great cs.

[07ImolaRot]

Originally Posted by 3002 tii

The Nightbreakers are marginally brighter but it has a more yellow output so really comes down to preference. I went with the CBB and CBI in both my Z since they’re aesthetically more pleasing while still putting out ridiculous amount of light. And for my wife who doesn’t care about looks, she has the Nightbreakers.

Here’s some good review videos that may help



Also I’ve known the owner of Lightwerkz, really standup guy. I would not hesitate buying from them. They ship really fast and have great cs.

Nice thank you ! The philiphs bulbs look good too. Did you use OEM ballasts?

[3002 tii]

Originally Posted by 07ImolaRot

Nice thank you ! The philiphs bulbs look good too. Did you use OEM ballasts?

Correct

[rsw1273]

Considering doing this mod as well...

anyone consider using the Morimoto D2S 5.0 with a bracket rather than the EvoX-R?
would the D2S adapter along with OEM ballast work with this combo?

[pungo]

Originally Posted by rsw1273

Considering doing this mod as well...

anyone consider using the Morimoto D2S 5.0 with a bracket rather than the EvoX-R?
would the D2S adapter along with OEM ballast work with this combo?

Is the Morimoto bolt pattern and other dimensions even compatible with Z4 headlight assembly? I put the Morimoto D2S in my Chevy truck, but never compared it to see if they'd fit in the Z4. I'm sure the D2S adapter and stock ballast would work, but the projector itself may not Whereas the EvoX-R for sure bolts right in.

[rsw1273]

Originally Posted by pungo

Is the Morimoto bolt pattern and other dimensions even compatible with Z4 headlight assembly? I put the Morimoto D2S in my Chevy truck, but never compared it to see if they'd fit in the Z4. I'm sure the D2S adapter and stock ballast would work, but the projector itself may not Whereas the EvoX-R for sure bolts right in.

leaning toward the evox-r just due to the bolt in nature...
however, I had seen someone who had used the D2S 4.0 in the stock headlight with adapter...which made me curious about using the 5.0 version...

There are adapters that allow you to fit the D2S 5.0 to fit the bolt pattern of the E55 style lights (which the EvoX-r is)

Dimensionally the DS2 is actually smaller in size than the EVOX-R...

EvoX-R
Width: 108mm
Height: 96mm
Depth: 157mm

DS2 5.0
Width: 101mm
Height: 88mm
Depth: 143mm

[maupineda]

Height and depth are too far off and can be a problem to achieve the right light output and pattern. Stick to E55 design

[3002 tii]

Minor update - I recently swapped out my DRLs and had a chance to revisit my install. If I were doing this install again, I would recommend going with the adapter cables. I noticed the stock wiring in the headlights are beginning to show its age, where some of the wire sheath is slightly exposed or frayed. I guess this is to be expected after 15 years. I recall e39 and e46 owners experiencing the same at some point. The igniter cable is actually one of the more thicker and durable ones so that was actually fine. But it’s just one less thing you need to worry about.

maupineda FWIW there is definitely no slack or moving pieces if you use the adapters. I confirmed this during my DRL swap. With the cable folded neatly and stock igniter wedged in, the outside cover is tight (in a good way), even before you secure the retaining clip.

[solo the lad]

Originally Posted by John_Romanos

Nah, that's just lighting. Had the bumper redone because of previous owners (clean title). Original color is titanium silver but was respirated gray for some reason. So now I'm going to go for a fade. Bumper is in crap condition just about because of previous owners scraping on speed bumps and stuff. I have all the info, just not worried about paint right now

Here is a better pic for color

The bumper has some very slight adjustability, if yours is like mine. Just loosen those top bolts and push the top lip back as much as u can, should give u maybe a few mm. Not much but it might do the trick for u

[OneFastMac]

I've looked and looked and this post keeps coming up as the most comprehensive lighting upgrade for E85/86 Z4 but I can't help but notice all the pics are of the "M" and facelift specific headlamps. Will this projector upgrade also fit the standard E85 Roadster bi-xenon headlamp design?

[pungo]

Originally Posted by OneFastMac

I've looked and looked and this post keeps coming up as the most comprehensive lighting upgrade for E85/86 Z4 but I can't help but notice all the pics are of the "M" and facelift specific headlamps. Will this projector upgrade also fit the standard E85 Roadster bi-xenon headlamp design?

The Bi-Xenon headlights are the same for all facelift E85/E86, nothing different about the M vs non-M.

[OneFastMac]

Originally Posted by pungo

The Bi-Xenon headlights are the same for all facelift E85/E86, nothing different about the M vs non-M.

Good to know. Since the lights on the E85 non-M roadster only have a single projector lens rather than two lenses in each housing, I wasn't sure if the internal design would be the same.