I have a 04 MCS with Xenons. Someone’s backed into me and one of the headlamps was a casualty (among other things). Now that I have MrQ back from repair, the replaced headlamp doesn’t quite look “right”. Is there some what I can tell if it is a Xenon just by looking at it

Here’s why it doesn’t look quite right to me:
The original headlamp is a bright blue-white, and the new one is more a yellow-white. The headlamps are two distinctly different colors of light

Here’s why I’m not sure:
When I turn on the headlamps, they go through the regular flicker and up action. I think both headlamps are behaving the same, but that all happens in an instant.

Other thoughts I have had:
Could they have just used the wrong bulb?

I haven't driven on a dark enough road yet to notice if one side of the road is lit more than the other.

all thoughts appreciated. TIA

 

All I know is that the color will change over time. So the new bulb may not look exactly like the old and vice versa due to usage. The new bulb may need some time to wear in. if that is not the case make sure that the people who did the replacement used the right "degree k" bulb (6400k, 8000k etc.) which will dictate the color of light. I think we use 6400K? I'm not 100% sure. Or you could try to ask them to replace both so they do match, especially if it wasn't your fault.

 

Oh, if you want to take a quick look a what temp the bulb is you can remove it from the housing. It should be stamped on the base of the bulb.

 

Does the new headlamp assembly have the "D" shaped pop out for the washer jet?

 

D2S bulbs need to be changed at the same time. Assuming they have used the correct color temp bulb.Their color changes as they age. Nothing you can do but change the other bulb. Do it soon or else you'll never be able to get them to match!

 

Oem bulbs are 4300k. As a xenon bulb burns in, it will shift from a yellower hue to a more blue hue. Give it some time and it will go away as the new bulb burns in. For it to be yellow and be the wrong bulb temp, it would have to be VERY yellow...

this is a 3000k bulb(the next step down in color temp from the oem bulbs)

 

so how muchtime is "some time." ? My headlights are on everytime the car is running day or night.

 

it's not an overnight thing... may take a month or so

 

On an '04 MCS the daytime running lights are actually the halogen high-beam bulbs. The xenons don't come on until you turn your headlights on all the way.

 

I don't have DTR.

I just turn on my headlamps when I drive. Early on I was always being moved over on while driving, or run out of my lane. Once I started driving with my headlights on that seemed to not happen as often.

 

If it was me I'd pull the bulbs and verify that they are the same. If not, I'd go back to the shop and ask to make it right. If they are the same I'd wait a month and see if they "burn in" to the right color. Seems like anything else would be a waste of time.

 

thanks for all your inputn on this. I talked with my local Mini dealer late yesterday and they were kind enough to take a look at MrQ this morning.

Their 5 minute diagonosis is either a bad bulb, wrong bulb or a bad igniter.

back to the shop it does goeth

 

a bad igniter won't cause the bulb to illuminate the wrong color...


pull the bulb out, and read the number on it... likely to be a phillips 81522