Front foglights. Replace, repair or remove?

Skysurfer

Dedicated Member
British Zeds
Joined
Apr 15, 2025
Points
28
Location
Welwyn, Hertfordshire, UK
Model of Z
3.0 si E86
Hi all. Pretty sure this question has come up plenty on every Z4 forum known to man but I need a lowdown. Hope that's okay.
Apologies for any misinformation here, feel free to correct me as needed.

I bought my 2006 E86 (facelift) two weeks ago. When viewing the car, I paid attention to some issues I knew were common to the model, one of those was the foglight water/condensation ingress issue.
I noticed it immediately but it was never going to put me off as I'd always thought I would hopefully spend time restoring smaller issues and the E86 seemed like a good place to start (simplicity > economy, I'm no mechanic but I want to work on this car).

I've seen many posts talking about the foglights and, to be honest, I'm happy to try replacing them, restoring them or, if necessary, do the M conversion. My question is more to try and understand what the overall consensus among the group is. Whatever route is best, I want to put in the hard yards and do the best job, so will likely lean on the forum for more info as I progress.

All suggestions welcome!
 

lucky jim

Zorg Legend
British Zeds
Joined
Feb 14, 2016
Points
70
Location
blaby
Model of Z
z3
Hi i have the same car & the same problem i came to the conclusion they are just a bad design made of rubbish materials also how often do you use fog ? lights on ebay found flexible cob lights with adhesive same size as front lens so can not see fog lamp. now i use them as daytime running lights with cob lights & 2 male H7 plugs cost about £10 & i must say look good switch on or off ..if you spend £200 good chance thy will go the same way.
 

Ianmc

Zorg Guru (IV)
British Zeds
The M44 Massive
Joined
Oct 12, 2014
Points
165
Location
New Forest
Model of Z
Z3 (M44)
Don't think I have used front fog lamps "in anger" for many years. My MC didn't have them and I drove it over 200K miles in all weathers without problem. :)
 

Skysurfer

Dedicated Member
British Zeds
Joined
Apr 15, 2025
Points
28
Location
Welwyn, Hertfordshire, UK
Model of Z
3.0 si E86
Don't think I have used front fog lamps "in anger" for many years. My MC didn't have them and I drove it over 200K miles in all weathers without problem. :)
Cheers Ian.

I hear what you're saying, I don't use them either. It just messes with my OCD seeing all that water in the lights every time I walk up to the car. :wtf:
 

Ianmc

Zorg Guru (IV)
British Zeds
The M44 Massive
Joined
Oct 12, 2014
Points
165
Location
New Forest
Model of Z
Z3 (M44)
Cheers Ian.

I hear what you're saying, I don't use them either. It just messes with my OCD seeing all that water in the lights every time I walk up to the car
I think you can get blanking inserts which could help with OCD!! :)
 

lucky jim

Zorg Legend
British Zeds
Joined
Feb 14, 2016
Points
70
Location
blaby
Model of Z
z3
Hi is this pick ok? i donot know what i doing just keep pressing buttons i will see if can get more info.
 
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