ZKW Headlights (SOLD)... Retrofitted the E90 way

[JupiterBMW]

Well, I think the majority of you are familiar with my E46/E90 retrofit setup I did on my OEM lights.

Well, I've decided to keep the AL lights I purchased and sell these instead.

The retrofit is complete and works great.

Pics are below.

Asking $400 + shipping... If this is completely unreasonable, I am willing to entertain offers/discussion...

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[Johnmadd]

Hmmmm, do you have pics of the light projection?

[JupiterBMW]

I suppose I could install and take them... I suppose that would give me a chance to do the alignment procedure on them too...

[JupiterBMW]

Also, to mention, am willing to take trades for a turner clear light package. RCR tails, corners, and sides... :biggrin

[NorCalZman]

after all that work why did you decide to go with AL over these?

[JupiterBMW]

I have two sets of lights, no need to keep both. The bixenon shutter assembly design looks to be a little more robust on the AL lights, so I chose those as I frequently use high beams. That does not mean the design is no good on the ZKWs, I just prefer the one on the AL lights.

[328ioc]

Good luck with the sale Jon.

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 2

[cakM3]

Good luck with the sale Jon.

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 2

^
+1

:thumbsup

[JupiterBMW]

Here is a shot to show you the output in my garage and the cutoff. It's the best I can do until nighttime. But, the lights are installed and I will align/take pics tonight.

http://img.tapatalk.com/4c6ed06a-55e8-d225.jpg

http://img.tapatalk.com/4c6ed06a-5622-c7dd.jpg

[JupiterBMW]

Hmmmm, do you have pics of the light projection?

Went out, aligned them this evening and took this pic, just for you. :biggrin

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[danewilson77]

Another pic...

http://i1015.photobucket.com/albums/af278/nicee46/Other%20cars/IMG_1174.jpg

[JupiterBMW]

Dane, that pic is actually an older one. Its a good pic though because it shows the retrofit on the drivers side as compared to the original look before the retrofit on the passenger side. Thanks though! :thumbsup

UPDATE I decided to include the outer lens. I was going to keep them, but the heck with it. New owner gets everything in the pics... Lens, silver bezel, rubber eyelid trim, etc..

Help me out here!

[Sockethead]

Im interested... how do I tell if I have ZKW or AL?

[cakM3]

Rob,

If you look at your headlights, at the pointy bottom corner you will either see AL or a small circle with ZKW. That's how you can tell. Also if you open the Xenon cover in the back, if you have ZKWs and they are the original set that came with your ZHP, they should be burned like this:

http://i395.photobucket.com/albums/pp37/macdctr/ScreenShot2011-11-11at101329PM.png

These were mine when I started my projector retrofit DIY....
http://i395.photobucket.com/albums/pp37/macdctr/20-BurnedDriversZKWProjectorBowl.jpg

You can see the circled ZKW symbol better in this pic:
http://i395.photobucket.com/albums/pp37/macdctr/02-UnscrewHeadlights.jpg

The AL projectors won't be burned out like the pics I showed here...

[Sockethead]

Yep, I got the shitty ones...:crying

You know, I can't see shit at night... I thought it was just because I was getting old :scratchinghead

[JupiterBMW]

Yeah, I was going to say, the easiest way is to look at the lower, inboard corner of the lens, you'll either see ZKW in an oval or the AL logo. Lemme know your thoughts.

[cakM3]

Yeah, I was going to say, the easiest way is to look at the lower, inboard corner of the lens, you'll either see ZKW in an oval or the AL logo. Lemme know your thoughts.

Yeah but you can't be 100% sure until you open up the Xenon cover in back of the headlight assembly to look at the upper back portion of the projector assembly. Who's to say that the headlight lenses have been changed with the AL one? There is a possibility of this happening (since the AL headlight lenses are cheaper) but its much more difficult to change out the projector assembly....At least you can be sure when you look here...

[JupiterBMW]

Yes Charlie, I agree. I posted more info and some pics in my other thread in the lighting forum. I was just saying, the quickest and easiest way... :)

[cakM3]

:word

[Johnmadd]

That looks great!
On a scale 1-10, can you give your opinion of the light output of all 3 different sets?

[JupiterBMW]

... 3? I only have 2... The OEM AL and the retrofitted ZKW. As for preference I honestly don't know yet. Tonight will be my first night with both AL lights in the car. I will align tonight and compare.

[Johnmadd]

... 3? I only have 2... The OEM AL and the retrofitted ZKW. As for preference I honestly don't know yet. Tonight will be my first night with both AL lights in the car. I will align tonight and compare.

The third set would be zkw pre retrofitted :)

[JupiterBMW]

The third set would be zkw pre retrofitted :)

Oh geezus, I don't even consider those lights. Seriously, they were that bad. Please do excuse the pun, but it was like 'night and day' between the pre and post retrofit. Pics of combined AL lights to come tonight.

Pre retrofit passenger side
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Post retrofit drivers side (ZKW)
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[danewilson77]

I don't think these will be around.....but if they are still available on October 1st.....I am willing to pay $400.00 cash (via Paypal :))

Going this way would save me about $1000.00.

I need these lights bad.

Any history on bowl life regarding the e90 bowls? Just curious.

My lights now....are dismally weak.

I trust your build and am confident the output and cutoff will be acceptable.

[Johnmadd]

^ hmmmm...

[JupiterBMW]

Well, the bowls are the same metal that the AL bowls are made of. I haven't read any info about issues with other lights. Then again, have any of us read anything other than how the ZKW bowls are crappy?? :shifty

Anyway, if they're here in October, sounds good. I hope not, but you know... Money talks!

[JupiterBMW]

Sold! DW, can you update thread title? Thanks homie!

[danewilson77]

Went out, aligned them this evening and took this pic, just for you. :biggrin

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Congrats brutha! Done.