Halogen/Xenons - how can you tell the difference?

[L40JRC]

Hil, excuse my ignorance but how can you tell what sort of headlights a Z4 has got just by looking at it? :?

Thanks
John

 

[ben g]

halogen lights have a self adjuster inside the car where you turn them on. xenons don't.

 

[ocrx8]

No beam height adjustment next to the lights switch on the dash. Additionally, on a facelift, if both units within the lens are projector-style, it has xenons.

 

[Maniac]

If the lights are on.. Halogen=dim yellow and Xenons=crisp bluey white

 

[L40JRC]

Thanks folks much appreciated

 

[KWSN_Men]

Also check for washers on the bumper.


Sent from my iPhone 4s using Tapatalk

 

[slick]

Wait till its dark , start the engine......switch the headlights on watch the headlights adjust downwards then raise up to the correct beam height, works best if parked behind another car , wall or anything for the lights to illuminate ........ and doesn't involve leaving the driving seat

 

[Bing]

Wait till its dark , start the engine......switch the headlights on watch the headlights adjust downwards then raise up to the correct beam height, works best if parked behind another car , wall or anything for the lights to illuminate ........ and doesn't involve leaving the driving seat

This happens with halos too as they re-set their height when you turn them on as well. In the dark it is the crispness / brightness of the lights, and the very sharp cut off at the top of the beam. Washers have to be present when the lights are xenon by law, but they are also present on cars with halos - like mine - if they were spec'd. Think they were part of the auto wipers / auto lights pack.

The twin projector lenses, no sidelight bulb and lack of a manual height adjustment that are the sure fire signs of xenons. Wish I had known when I bought mine

 

[markeg]

The twin projector lenses, no sidelight bulb and lack of a manual height adjustment that are the sure fire signs of xenons. Wish I had known when I bought mine

pre-facelift have a single projector lens (for Xenon main beam), and a halogen H7 for high beam, Bing. Additionally they have a sidelight built in the non-projector lens.

For me, easiest way to tell is switch the lights on at night. If you can see more than 5 foot in front, you have Xenons

 

[slick]

Wait till its dark , start the engine......switch the headlights on watch the headlights adjust downwards then raise up to the correct beam height, works best if parked behind another car , wall or anything for the lights to illuminate ........ and doesn't involve leaving the driving seat

This happens with halos too as they re-set their height when you turn them on as well. In the dark it is the crispness / brightness of the lights, and the very sharp cut off at the top of the beam. Washers have to be present when the lights are xenon by law, but they are also present on cars with halos - like mine - if they were spec'd. Think they were part of the auto wipers / auto lights pack.

The twin projector lenses, no sidelight bulb and lack of a manual height adjustment that are the sure fire signs of xenons. Wish I had known when I bought mine

Crikey Bing , I thought it was just the xenons that did it .......every days a school day

 

[Bing]

slick, exactly - just been educated by mark too... It's like a global virtuous circle of learning on here

 

[markeg]

Yep, what goes around, comes around...... And not just on the knowledge

(After Perry and Ade's responses on exhaust tips, I'll now finally be satisfied that they don't come off on the Alpina versions..... )


Tapatalking...

 

[AndrewP]

Washers have to be present when the lights are xenon by law, but they are also present on cars with halos - like mine - if they were spec'd. Think they were part of the auto wipers / auto lights pack.

I think they're standard on the 3.0si, mine has them and it has bugger all options :lol:. The law isn't totally clear, but for the MoT self-levelling and washers just have to work if they are present, being there isn't a requirement.

 

[NeilP]

Washers have to be present when the lights are xenon by law, but they are also present on cars with halos - like mine - if they were spec'd. Think they were part of the auto wipers / auto lights pack.

I think they're standard on the 3.0si, mine has them and it has bugger all options :lol:. The law isn't totally clear, but for the MoT self-levelling and washers just have to work if they are present, being there isn't a requirement.

pretty sure I saw si's sans xenons

 

[AndrewP]

Washers have to be present when the lights are xenon by law, but they are also present on cars with halos - like mine - if they were spec'd. Think they were part of the auto wipers / auto lights pack.

I think they're standard on the 3.0si, mine has them and it has bugger all options :lol:. The law isn't totally clear, but for the MoT self-levelling and washers just have to work if they are present, being there isn't a requirement.

pretty sure I saw si's sans xenons

Sorry, I meant washers and auto-lights are standard on 3.0si, xenons are indeed just an option. Essentially the same effect with a £60 HID kit for me fortunately .

 

[Anonymous]

After reading this topic I'm wondering if I've made an error with my front replacements..

Replaced front units as follows;

Main beam -Philips Blue Vision Ultra H7
High beam -Philips Blue Vision Ultra H7
Sides -Philips Blue Vision Ultra W5W

Model is E85 with manual height adjustment next to interior light switch so I thought it didn't have any xenons in the front units?

Lights seem better non the less with a much whiter look although not quite LED quality