bosch vs zkw

[m3f_bmw4life13_0098c1d2b1]

Which headlights are better, Bosch or zkw? :hmm: Both are projectors and should have similar output but I'm not sure. I know that Bosch & Hella are original equipment for the e36 while zkw is an oem product (not original equipment). Does that mean anything in terms of quality? Which one would you choose?

[m3f_Sirius_880bd69485]

ZKW and Hella are OEM. I don't think Bosch is...:hmm:



I think ZKW's are the only ones with the light pattern that ticks up.

[m3f_bmw4life13_0098c1d2b1]

ZKW and Hella are OEM. I don't think Bosch is...:hmm:



I think ZKW's are the only ones with the light pattern that ticks up.

what do you mean by "ticks up"?

[m3f_salty_80d4b8491b]

ZKW and Hella are OEM. I don't think Bosch is...:hmm:



I think ZKW's are the only ones with the light pattern that ticks up.

From my research on Ebay Germany, most of the OE (used) headlights for sale are Bosch or ZKW. The fact that my Bosch have vertical adjusting stepmotors also leads me to believe they are OE, as I doubt the aftermarket would bother with this.

[m3f_Sirius_880bd69485]

Ahhh. The US didn't have the leveling feature.

[m3f_bmw4life13_0098c1d2b1]

so the question remains...ZKW or Bosch? which is better and why?

[m3f_fivefreshfish]

what do you mean by "ticks up"?



I think he means this:

[m3f_Ty Vil_fe6451789c]

Go with the ZKW so much easier to get here and for cheaper and they're essentially the same thing.

[m3f_Sirius_880bd69485]

I think he means this:



Exactly. .

[m3f_M3AN_5f4dc0ba80]

BOSCH are most certainly BMW factory, I have them in my car and they have a BMW part number.



They're only available on the Euros with horizon adjustment (or "vertical adjusting stepmotors" which sounds pretty flash). This basically allows you to adjust the height of the focal point of the beam from inside the car.



If you have a US M3 and use the BOSCH units you'll end up with gear you don't need or can't use, hence the recommendation for ZKW as an upgrade to the US lamps I believe.



The BOSCH units have "tick ups" just like the ZKW's and, for that matter, so do all Euro lights.



As for quality, I have no idea as I've never compared them. Suffice to say, I'm completely happy with my BOSCH units.

[m3f_astan100_7ef66fbe89]

My Bosch lights don't have that tick thing. I expected that they would too, but they don't. I clearly don't need it because with HID's they are the brightest things I've ever seen in my life.

[m3f_Sirius_880bd69485]

Actually, the tick up is quite nifty, and I have grown to like it. Lights up street signs along the right of the road very well.



Probably blinds the hell out of the people in the lane next to you though.. but....http://members.cox.net/morpheus91/images/icons/boid.gif to them.

[m3f_astan100_7ef66fbe89]

Yeah, see...the weird thing is that Ican light up signs really really far away with mine too. It seems to cover up and to the right amazingly well even without that tick.

[m3f_Sirius_880bd69485]

You should get a beam pattern shot if you can on a wall sometime. :thumbsup:

[m3f_astan100_7ef66fbe89]

It pretty much looks like this ------O-------- -----------O-------------



except that the drivers side light is up a little higher.



There is a definite horizon you can see though.