searched but cant find a post or thread, are the headlights on the new cars Bi-Xenon? I know they are not on my R53, but I cannot locate a second bulb for high beams on R56. clarification plz, thanks

 

R56 optional Xenons are bi-xenons. A bargain at $500.

 

yeah, I ordered them for my R56 because my nite vision aint what it used to be, and I love them on my R53 despite the bonnet-mount jitters. So Bi-Xenon means that the high beams are xenon as well? thanks

 

Yes they are. Instant high beam xenon.

 

thanks all, Im already visualizing a lot of pissed-off oncoming drivers!

 

They are bi-xenon, all in one optical unit. The output power and the optics in the unit change when you activate the high beam!

 

I never get flashed except a couple of times when cresting a hill.

 

I love 'em, and seldom get flashed by oncoming traffic. I get a kick of the self leveling activity when you turn them in while in the garage...

 

yes, and you also have to love how easy is to manually adjust the optics as well!

 

I have them on my '08 MCSa and they are well worth it.

 

Me to, it's always a novelty especially if I have someone new riding in my car.

 

Poo! I want Bi-Xenons in my R53.

 

+1

 

just wondering. Xenon bulbs need to warm up to temp. So if it's the same bum for the low and high beam, what happens when we flash someone when the lights are on the 'Off' position? Will that reduce the lifespan of the bulb?

 

No. The optics are motorized and change shape when you hit the high-beam switch. The light output never changes in a bi-xenon system, just gets re-focused.

 

Er. thanks for the prompt reply.
But i was asking more in the lines of when the lights are off, and if flashing the headlights will will reduce the lifespan on the xenon bulbs.

my understanding is that the xenon bulbs need time to heat up to operating temp. Thus flashing the headlights during the 'off' position will mess with the heating up precedure.

 

My mistake, I missed the "Off" position part of your question! I would expect that the life of the bulb would be diminished if you have a habit of toggling the high-beams on and off repeatedly. They will also soak up lots of power during that high-beam flash, as the HID's have to "spark" to get started before leveling out the voltage.

Interesting related story: The Mercedes-Benz Safety car in Formula 1 has a flashing system hooked into it's HID headlights as part of the safety strobes. I have no idea how often the bulbs need changing but it would be an interesting statistic!

 

It a motorize shield that block the upper portion of the light to create low beam and when you active high beam the shield move out of the way.

 

Then i guess having the 'Auto Light' ON would actually reduce the effective life of the expensive xenon bulbs.... especially for me as i enter into loads of basement carparts!

 

on my girl friends 2002 330i we leave the lights on auto mode 100% of the time and even after 6 years the bulb is working just fine the light comes on every time the car is started in the garage but does not shut off as soon as we exit the garage. it takes about 10seconds or so before it shuts off.

 

Do you know what model Xenon bulb that E46 had? The R56 Mini uses the more expensive D1s.

 

D2 they didn't offer bi-xenon back then on the 3 series.

 

D2 are definately cheaper then the D1s.

I think i shall try the "Auto Light" feature. If they blow..... PIAAs!

 

I've always wondered how the elements in the light unit works when switching between hi and low beam. Is there a iris that widens for hi beam and does the lens move as well?

 

What I've heard is that the life of the igniters is shortened by flashing your lights from the off position. I've also heard that they are expensive to replace. Xenons are also a little slow to fire up, so don't make a very good flasher. If you like to flash your lights, run them on low beam during the day and flash to high beam.

My understanding is that a mask is mechanically moved into the optical system of the Xenons for low beams. This is sort of like having a 35mm slide in a projector -- for those of you who are old enough to remember film photography.

I was talked into getting Xenons, and don't like them for low beam driving on dark country roads. They are too bright in the area they cover, and have a very sharp cutoff at the top. So, your eyes adjust to the overly bright area just in front of your car, making the area beyond seem pitch black. The brightness gives sense great visibility when distance vision is actually quite limited.