Day light running lights

[Tim Palmer]

I'm looking to add day time running lights to my dark blue Z3 as I currently run with full lights on. Any suggestions. There is a blank space next to the fog lights. Does anyone manufacture an amended fog light cluster with day running lights. Or has anyone fitted halogen lights to the grill.

 

[GazHyde]

@Rha has installed DRLs himself on his Z3, along with a few others (possibly @t-tony, certainly has on his Z4 but not sure on his old Z3). Most people will have done their own thing, I don't think I've seen an after market solution specifically designed for the Z3. You could replace the current fog lights with blanks from a Z3 which doesn't have them fitted, and then modify the blanks with some LED strips.

 

[Bozzy]

@Mint has fitted some d.r.l's on his zed in the small blanking plates you mentioned.
Hopefully he'll be on later to give you some info.

I have some fitted courtesy of @t-tony and @Rha on the lower front grill,which are discreet untill they're illuminated.

Steve

 

[Nodzed]

@Mint has fitted some d.r.l's on his zed in the small blanking plates you mentioned.
Hopefully he'll be on later to give you some info.

I have some fitted courtesy of @t-tony and @Rha on the lower front grill,which are discreet untill they're illuminated.

Steve

Yep seen @Mint DRLs and they look real smart, near OEM I think.

 

[t-tony]

@Rha has installed DRLs himself on his Z3, along with a few others (possibly @t-tony, certainly has on his Z4 but not sure on his old Z3). Most people will have done their own thing, I don't think I've seen an after market solution specifically designed for the Z3. You could replace the current fog lights with blanks from a Z3 which doesn't have them fitted, and then modify the blanks with some LED strips.

I did for them to my Z3 and I was lucky to buy some which were a good fit between the grille slats. I just used a good quality double sided adhesive tape to mount them.

Tony.

 

[Rha]

Mounted mine vertical on my DIY S/S grill, they're plated and bolted at the rear but what a pig of a job. Not quite legal though as they're a couple of centre metres in too far from the extreme outer edge of the car, but so far the mot testers haven't measured them . (Tony You didn't read this)

RHA.Roy.

 

[t-tony]

View attachment 61686 Mounted mine vertical on my DIY S/S grill, they're plated and bolted at the rear but what a pig of a job. Not quite legal though as they're a couple of centre metres in too far from the extreme outer edge of the car, but so far the mot testers haven't measured them . (Tony You didn't read this)

RHA.Roy.

Absolutely nothing to do with a tester mate! I would guess the Police have much better things to do these days than measure boy racers DRL's so don't you worry.

Tony.

 

[Brian4]

I used the same lights but hid them further back.

 

[Rha]

Absolutely nothing to do with a tester mate! I would guess the Police have much better things to do these days than measure boy racers DRL's so don't you worry.

Tony.

Never really worried about it Tony but thanks for the info, now how much faster does it make me???????.

 

[t-tony]

@Tim Palmer these are my efforts with front DRL's on my old Z3 and my Z4.

They were a little trickier to mount in the top of the Z4 mouth as it's curved, but I think they turned out good.

Tony.

 

[Tim Palmer]

Thanks everyone interesting. Hadn't thought about the 'boy racer'! But still young at heart. Good pics. It was more presivation as a dark blue is difficult to see for some and after a close in counter I been running with main lights on and thought the DRL would be better. Have read the DofT leaflet and it talks about when these should be used and should be stamped with RL but no mention of distance from side of car or hight from ground.
Did you fit with a seperate switch or direct to ignition. Tim

 

[Mint]

Yes, I've fitted some DRLs to the blanks beside the fog lights. The problem is that it's a compound angle, facing out and down. I mounted mine using some threaded brass rod. I've wired them in so they extinguish when I switch on my lights as per regs. I'll get some photos up later when I'm on the PC.

 

[roadvoyager1]

. It was more presivation as a dark blue is difficult to see for some and after a close in counter I been running with main lights on and thought the DRL would be better.

I also run with headlights on for the same reason. My car is silver and seems to be almost invisible to some drivers. I think it is because it is fairly low and people are not expecting it to be there.

@t-tony/@Mint where did you source you lights from? They look both look great.
@Mint can you share details of wiring mods for your DRLs please.

 

[Mint]

As promised this is what I fitted:

@roadvoyager1, This is the type of DRL controller I used - http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/DRL-LED-D...-Switch-NEW-/140962028408?hash=item20d1fddb78

 

[Tim Palmer]

Those look good fitted next to fog but don't seem as bright as the bar type fitted to the grill. Unless the weather on the pic reduced there brightness.
Found these but not sure as they talk about the small lights are 'parking'. Have asked company but no reply. https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/s//ref=mw_dp_a_s?ie=UTF8&k=V-MAXZONE+LIGHTS

 

[Bozzy]

Those look good fitted next to fog but don't seem as bright as the bar type fitted to the grill. Unless the weather on the pic reduced there brightness.
Found these but not sure as they talk about the small lights are 'parking'. Have asked company but no reply. https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/s//ref=mw_dp_a_s?ie=UTF8&k=V-MAXZONE+LIGHTS

It's hard to get the full effect in a photo but when @Mint has been behind me,those little d.r.l's are very bright.

 

[Low Rider]

As promised this is what I fitted:
View attachment 61756

@roadvoyager1, This is the type of DRL controller I used - http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/DRL-LED-D...-Switch-NEW-/140962028408?hash=item20d1fddb78

Those look great Dave

 

[mid life crisis]

Just wondering about wiring a DRL controller into the front fog lights & disconnecting them as fog lights can't think of a situation where I've ever needed them.
what are the legal implications?, don't think front fogs are tested as part of the MOT @t-tony
Could even put some brighter LED bulbs in

 

[t-tony]

No front fog lights not testable item unless they are broken and have sharp projections.. Even if fitted they don't have to work. When I bought my DRL' s they came with fitting dimensions etc. Including relay to dim them when dip beam is on. I will find a link later.

Tony.

 

[Mint]

...but don't seem as bright as the bar type fitted to the grill...

This was today after she had been cleaned:

The guys that I have followed say they are bright with a slight blue tinge.