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2017 Zoe ZE40 Headlights

5.2K views 11 replies 5 participants last post by  dparr59  
#1 ·
Hi

I recently purchased a 2017 Zoe ZE40 great car but the headlights are very poor for driving country roads

I have looked on Amazon and theres night vision, Lasers ,etc etc a lot of marketing guff

Can anyone please advise a good upgrade for Zoe ZE40 Headlights

Thank a Lot
Mylesm
 
#2 ·
After about 2 years I installed HIDs on my 2013 Q210, which are absolutely fantastic, but since it's a single light projector armature, there is no signalling, as the HIDs take 10-20 seconds to get up to meaningful brightness.

Just a week ago, on recommendation of another ZOE driver on the Dutch forum, I bought LEDs that are still to arrive. You need the bulbs, a set of converter rings and new, deep rubber covers. I am happy to report my personal results here when the job is done.

If you want the links I can dig them up. Total cost was around 60 euros.

Personally, I wouldn't muck around with "better" halogens. Basically they are over-driven and will fail quickly, though of course the installation job is easier.
 
#4 ·
Thanks for sharing - I've noticed the headlights are not as good as I'm used to in my van - was putting it down to vehicle size but look forward to hearing a review (although don't actually know what type of bulbs are currently fitted!).
 
#6 · (Edited)
Ok, in now for about a week. TLDR: fantastic. At least as bright as the HIDs and of course immediate response. Light pattern is good.

Mounting was a bit of a PIA. Because of the relatively large backside with the heatsink, and the horrific design in the ZOE headlight with the "click ring" instead of the more usual wire spring, you cannot fit the click ring. This was also a problem with the HIDs. The bulbs linked solve this with a mounting ring that is small enough to mount with the click ring into the headlight, then simply push in the bulb. It is held in place with 5 O-rings. It is a bit of a fiddly job, took me half an hour including carefully removing the HIDs, but doing it again would probably be 15 minutes. Most important thing to remember is: fit the mounting ring with the tube end facing the back of the car, slide over the click ring and align the notches, then fix it turning the click ring. If the mounting ring sits tight, simply firmly press in the bulb, thus self-sealing and self-seating it with the O-rings. Done.

Here are the links
Lamps (I took the 25000 LM [ahem...] ones. Order H7)
Deeper dust cover (75 mm)

The click ring is tricky. The one coming from the car is fine, but mine were cut because of the HID mounting. There are real nice sturdy plastic ones *) , but they can't stand the heat, stay away and use the flimsy steel ones. I don't have a UK/English link but this is what you need Click ring in Dutch These things are really the pits.

My only beef with the setup is that the fan of one of the two lamps has a tiny imbalance, so when it heats up and thus goes full speed there is this hum in the car. Not really noticeable while driving, but it is when parking. I am fairly sure it is a production problem with this single bulb; the other one does not have the issue. I have ordered another set for the old stinker. Assuming I am right, I will simply swap it, as that car is not driven that often.

Many thanks to Dutch forum user OlafH for the instructions. Pics here if you have an account: Lampen en matten - Pagina 15 - RENAULT-forum

*) Edit: these plastic ones are what is actually shown in the video up-thread. OlafH used those and they melted...... I would strongly advise against them even if they look and feel much better.
 
#7 ·
Ok, in now for about a week. TLDR: fantastic. At least as bright as the HIDs and of course immediate response. Light pattern is good.

Mounting was a bit of a PIA. Because of the relatively large backside with the heatsink, and the horrific design in the ZOE headlight with the "click ring" instead of the more usual wire spring, you cannot fit the click ring. This was also a problem with the HIDs. The bulbs linked solve this with a mounting ring that is small enough to mount with the click ring into the headlight, then simply push in the bulb. It is held in place with 5 O-rings. It is a bit of a fiddly job, took me half an hour including carefully removing the HIDs, but doing it again would probably be 15 minutes. Most important thing to remember is: fit the mounting ring with the tube end facing the back of the car, then fix it with the click ring. Then simply press in the bulb. Done.

Here are the links
25.34US $ 41% OFF|H7 LED Headlights 25000LM D1S LED 360 CSP Chips HID D2S D3S D4S H4 H1 H11 H8 H9 9005 9006 HB3 HB4 Canbus Error Free 6000K White|Car Headlight Bulbs(LED)| - AliExpress (I took the 25000 LM [ahem...] ones. Order H7)
0.97US $ 31% OFF|2Pcs Car LED Light Dust Cover Inner Dia Rubber Housing Seal Cap Dust Cover for Car LED Headlight|Car Light Accessories| - AliExpress (75 mm)

The click ring is tricky. The one coming from the car is fine, but mine were cut because of the HID mounting. There are real nice sturdy platic ones, but they can't stand the heat, stay away and use the flimsy steel ones. I don't have a UK/English link but this is what you need https://www.topledverlichting.nl/we...webshop/led-verlichting-auto/adapters/detail/374/skoda-vw-led-adapters-set.html These things are really the pits.

My only beef with the setup is that the fan of one of the two lamps has a tiny imbalance, but when it gets warm and thus full speed there is this hum in the car. Not noticable while driving, but it is when parking. I am fairly sure it is a production problem if this single bulb; the other one does not have the issue. I have ordered another set for the old stinker. Assuming I am right, I will simply swap it, as that car is not driven at night that often.

Many thanks to Dutch forum user OlafH for the instructions. Pics here if you have an account: Lampen en matten - Pagina 15 - RENAULT-forum
Great info - many thanks for the detailed info, much appreciated!

A question if I may, I have seen that quality brands such as Osram and Philips also have H7 Leds.
Will these not work with a Zoe? (Any particular reason?)
(I guess they are a bit more expensive, but I live in sweden and you often have to pay custom fees and VAT when ordering from AliExpress/China, so probably not that much cost difference..)
 
#9 ·
Since we needed better head lights now in our Zoe (really dark roads in sweden this time of year) I decided to try the Osram night breaker, +150%, halogen H7, put them in this weekend. The result was surprisingly good, a large improvement over the old (I guess standard) H7 halogens!
Remains to be seen how long they last though.. :)
 
#10 ·
Hi

I recently purchased a 2017 Zoe ZE40 great car but the headlights are very poor for driving country roads

I have looked on Amazon and theres night vision, Lasers ,etc etc a lot of marketing guff

Can anyone please advise a good upgrade for Zoe ZE40 Headlights

Thank a Lot
Mylesm
While I agree with you about the Osram/Philips exaggerated marketing, I still decided to try the osram full monty marketing name (night breakers laser turbo whatever, +150%, H7 halogen), put them in this weekend and it was actually a large improvement!
So they seem to work well with Zoes lamp house design (tried an older osram version on an old Volvo a couple of years ago and there was only a small difference so it seems to be hit or miss..?)
 
#11 · (Edited)
I tried some other Leds about 18 months ago but changed them to bosch Giga 200 plus and they are no better.

So i just Purchased the Leds ( List Below ) mentioned by yoh-there taken from Dutch forum user OlafH
and they are great plenty of light and beam patten is the same and no ones flashed me yet.
Now i can see the road alot better.
All Zoe's should have had these fitted from day one.

Bullvision H7 LED Headlight 25000LM 360 Degree :

Image
Image
Image


H7 LED headlight Holders :

2Pcs 75mm LED Headlight Dust Proof Waterproof Rubber Housing Seal Cover Caps :

Not legal for Mot in the UK

Here is the Link to the Dutch forum ( Use Chrome to Translate )
 
#12 · (Edited)
The Led bulbs I posted above are excellent but you have to mess around a bit with the metal H7 fitting to get them tight and using glue is not a option for me.

So I looked around and found these below where you can just directly swap out the collar.
( see photo below )
Image

And also found a H7 adapter that fits on the the Led headlight ( also below)

Image

Have yet to test them yet in the car yet.
So I am not sure if these are as good as the bull vision ones I have in the Zoe at the moment which are excellent.
But fitting them in place should now not be a problem ( fingers crossed )

The problem with most H7 led bulb kits for the Zoe ZE 40 is getting the right fitting that actually fits tightly and won't move.

And this adapter does fits nice and tight.

The adapter above fits without a problem take the existing collar off make sure to line up the grooves on the side .( twist and pull off).
Then take the new collar adaptor line up with grooves and push firmly down and twist.