2004 330i Headlight Replacement

[conradgoetsch]

Our family has a 2004 BMW 330i (US spec - M Sports Package) that has very weak headlights. The car was sitting outside at a family members house for ~8 years and rarely was used. The lights seem to be very dim and it's hard to see outside at night time. We replaced the module already thinking that was the primary issue, but it was not this. So, we have been recommended to replace the whole headlight assembly. I have been looking online to see what headlights to get, but most of the posts that I find are ~10 years old.

What headlights would you recommend? I've been looking at options from ECS Tuning and a couple other sites, but I'm not sure what lights would fit. Thank you for your help!

[All2kool]

It's really going to depend on what Headlight you have now. If they're Bi-Xenon and you want to replace both complete units, the price will shock you. If the lenses are still clear, just replace the bulbs - regardless of headlight model.

You can enter your VIN here to see which model you have.

[justinca540i]

Kinda sounds like burnt ZKW bowls

[conradgoetsch]

Thank you for your response. I didn't see this answer in here until now. Here's the details that I was able to find based on the link you gave me:

Type: EV53
Dev Code: E46 (4FL)

I'm not really sure what these mean except the E46 part. I've tried replacing the bulbs and they still have the same output. I'll see if I can get some photos as well to show what I have.

[conradgoetsch]

Thank you for the recommendation. I'll post some photos soon to show what it looks like currently.

[bpde328i]

Currently awaiting new bulbs that I ordered, for the same reason that you posted. Experiencing low output with current halogen bulbs. I did order new bulbs from Vision X. They are VX-HH7, 100W, white light. I am told that they will be brighter and will project a further distance than my current bulbs. Vision X is located I think in Oregon. You may want to research further.

[dworthy]

If you have the H7 bulbs, these are really good: Amazon.com: Philips H7 X-tremeVision Upgrade Headlight Bulb with up to 100% More Vision, 2 Pack: Automotive

I've had to point the lights down a little as when I first put them in, kept getting flashed by other drivers.

[bpde328i]

Just an update. Received my new Vision X HH7 100W bulbs. They are installed, aimed properly, and very much improved over my original halogen bulbs. Light is brighter, whiter, and with the proper height adjusted, are more piercing into the darkness. Feeling very satisfied!

[MarcoZandrini]

What is the wattage of the factory halogen low beam bulbs? I ask as BMW specs wire that’s designed to handle the wattage of the factory bulbs. That is, if a bulb is 50 watts the wiring for the bulb is designed to reliably handle 50 watts and not much more. Why did BMW do this? Weight and cost. I recommend you check out LED bulbs. The light they emit is bright and well focused. Plus they use a small fraction of the power that is used by a halogen bulb. Make sure the LED bulbs have a fan at the rear of the “bulb” to keep the electronix cool. I bought a pair for the wife’s Accord and she loves them. Try Amazon.

[bpde328i]

The bulbs that I replaced were 50 watt. Right now just planning to keep the new 100 watt bulbs since they do appear to be brighter. The aim was off slightly and hence adjusted.

[MarcoZandrini]

I highly recommend that you don’t use 100 watt bulbs in place of the 50 watt factory bulbs. You could damage the wiring and/or other electrical components. Basically, you are doubling the electrical current running through the low beam headlight system. Btw, I served in the US Navy’s advanced electronics program for 25 years. And I’ve been wrenching on bimmers since 1974 when I bought a used 1971 2002.

[bpde328i]

Thanks for the info Marco. Rather than potentially fry the wiring, I'm going with Philips H7 Extreme Vision in both low and high beam. They claim to be brighter and whiter.

[dworthy]

Thanks for the info Marco. Rather than potentially fry the wiring, I'm going with Philips H7 Extreme Vision in both low and high beam. They claim to be brighter and whiter.

I would just do the low beams first, as you can just use the stock bulbs for the high beams.

[MarcoZandrini]

LEDs ftw!

[dworthy]

LEDs ftw!

Some of those will not fit in the buckets properly as how the connectors are made to hold the bulb. I have seen a lot of LED's that had cooling fans on the back of them, and how the H7's are designed, cannot accept them without allowing moisture into the lamps.

So OP if you do decided to go with LED, be sure to look very close at how they mount, and what the connection looks like.