Xenon Bulb upgrade/replacement

[JPMo]

So finally got to drive my car at night was disappointed with the light output. I have the AL headlights so the burnt bowls shouldn't be an issue but I found the output to be very weak and non xenon like, almost like my old mitsubishi lancer (haha). Im hoping I just need to replace the bulbs so what do you suggest?

Also I'm curious about angel eyes. I like them in the newer cars but I've found in the E46 they tend to look out of place. Which brand or style looks the most factory?

thank you

[Adi]

Apparently the AL bowls can also be burnt, it is just not nearly as common as the ZKW. If this is the case, then here is one option to replace the projectors: https://www.retrofitlab.com/en/xenon...jectors-1.html

You can also buy used AL projectors on ebay quite easily, and also retrofit FX-R projectors - www.lightwerkz.net and www.theretrofitsource.com

As far as replacement bulbs go, my favourite are the OSRAM Cool Blue Intense as they give a modern looking white colour, but still have great light output.

If you are purely looking for light output, then the Osram XNB are a good option. See here for a comparison of CBI to the predecessor of the XNB, the SVS: https://www.hidplanet.com/forums/for...20#post1010220

[Vas]

Apparently the AL bowls can also be burnt, it is just not nearly as common as the ZKW. If this is the case, then here is one option to replace the projectors: https://www.retrofitlab.com/en/xenon...jectors-1.html

You can also buy used AL projectors on ebay quite easily, and also retrofit FX-R projectors - www.lightwerkz.com and www.theretrofitsource.com

As far as replacement bulbs go, my favourite are the OSRAM Cool Blue Intense as they give a modern looking white colour, but still have great light output.

If you are purely looking for light output, then the Osram XNB are a good option. See here for a comparison of CBI to the predecessor of the XNB, the SVS: https://www.hidplanet.com/forums/for...20#post1010220

You actually linked the wrong website for Lightwerkz.

Correct link below:

https://www.lightwerkz.net/

If your car has AL headlights, the projector lens is frosted vs a clear lens on the zkw. It is a common mod to replace the frosted unit with a clear lens to get more of a crisp output.

As far as bulbs, if you want the best bang for your buck, look into these http://www.lightwerkz.net/index.php/...d2s-bulbs.html

Otherwise a popular bulb option is the Osram bulbs but those come with a hefty price tag.
http://www.lightwerkz.net/index.php/...d2s-bulbs.html

[Adi]

You actually linked the wrong website for Lightwerkz.

Correct link below:

https://www.lightwerkz.net/

My apologies, thank you for the correction.

[az3579]

Apparently the AL bowls can also be burnt, it is just not nearly as common as the ZKW.

I've never heard of this...

[JPMo]

Thanks for the info guys!

[Adi]

I've never heard of this...

Neither had I until recently. I found this posted on TheRetrofitLab's youtube video for AL-Bosch projector replacement:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OA_7vAVA7PY

"The BMW 3 E46 OEM xenon headlight suffers sometimes from burned projectors. Most of the times it's the ZKW headlight that has burned projectors, but also the AL Bosch Automotive Lighting headlight has this problem. The reflective coating can be burned away complete."

I realise that this could be just their claim to promote sales of their replacement projectors, so I have actually emailed them to ask for more information. I will post their reply. I suspect it is exceedingly rare, unlike the ZKW.

[az3579]

"The BMW 3 E46 OEM xenon headlight suffers sometimes from burned projectors. Most of the times it's the ZKW headlight that has burned projectors, but also the AL Bosch Automotive Lighting headlight has this problem. The reflective coating can be burned away complete."

I realise that this could be just their claim to promote sales of their replacement projectors, so I have actually emailed them to ask for more information. I will post their reply. I suspect it is exceedingly rare, unlike the ZKW.

I would agree with the bolded statement. ZKW is the one everyone talks about, so whatever failures that may occur with the ALs is probably so insignificant (number of failures) that it's not even worth thinking about. It's kind of like how every once in a while you'll hear of a transmission needing replacement, but doesn't necessarily mean that the transmissions are known failure items.

Let us know what they say! Oddly I came across a pic with the title "burnt FX-R projector bowl"... I didn't visit the site, but I found it very strange for that to even be possible at this time, considering they're not that old.

[WOLFN8TR]

Hey BP. "Cut off Line" LoL

[az3579]

Hey BP. "Cut off Line" LoL