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Thread: Xenon lights brightness

  1. #1
    Join Date
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    Xenon lights brightness

    So I have a question for the forum...

    I have noticed my stock xenon lights are not the brightest. Matter of fact the daytime brights are much brighter, tested by pulling the light lever back...

    How are your xenon lights on your e46? Very bright? As bright as the daytime highs?

  2. #2
    Join Date
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    03 zhp, 97 e36m3, 04 zhp
    AL made housings are pretty good, ZKW on the other hand suffer from melting reflector issue which makes HID perform worse than halogen. Your bulbs could be old too, that does make a difference.

  3. #3
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    OP, what year is your car?

  4. #4
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    06/2004

  5. #5
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    Take a look at the headlight bowls to see if they’ve deteriorated. As noted, ZKW provided some xenon lights to BMW. I think that there was a recall on them. Call the dealer and provide the car’s VIN to see if there’s an active recall on the car.

  6. #6
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    Xenon lights brightness

    Ok thanks. I know i have checked / asked bmw in regards to recalls and had them resolve all of the issues to date: rear brake light grounds, airbags, 4k dip etc..

    Headlights were not listed in any recalls when i asked however i never specifically asked about headlight or ZKW recalls.

    I will ask them today.
    Last edited by RobertDenali; 01-17-2019 at 12:34 PM.

  7. #7
    Join Date
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    ZKW will have a logo on the front, ZKW in a circle.
    Was a 4K dip an official recall? I believe there was a SIB only.

  8. #8
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    Thanks.

    You are correct the 4k dip was an SIB.

    So if the dishes have deteriorated does anyone have an aftermarket fix?

    My guess is they are dull due to limited reflection.

    I will probably take the lights out of the car this weekend to inspect them.

  9. #9
    Join Date
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    Xenon lights brightness

    Based on the ZKW keyword i found some very insightful threads.

    One of them being

    http://www.zhpmafia.com/forums/archi...hp/t-9810.html

    Thanks for the help on this...

    I now know what to do next..

    Also this link is very informative and probably what my ZHPs issue is

    https://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sh.../552978?page=4

    And the cheaper fix:

    https://www.theretrofitsource.com/co...kw-repair.html
    Last edited by RobertDenali; 01-17-2019 at 10:11 PM.

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Jan 2017
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    E21, E46
    I confirmed today I unfortunately have the ZKWs and the lightbulb bowls are burnt.

    I ordered the 5.0 kit from retrofit source. I will reply back with the results.

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