How do I tell ...

B

Bootlegdj

Member
 East Sussex
A) if my Z is fitted with run flats? The foolish owner before me has replaced the rear corner with a cheapo make and the other 3 are Bridgestone Potenza's. Could the three be run-flats and the one cheap replacement be standard... hence the slightly juddery drive?

B) I'm looking to replace my front headlamps with clear versions and by the looks of things the price differs quite a lot depending on wether they are xenon or halogen. How do I tell which I have? They look like xenon to me but lots of lights have the bluish tint to them these days. Is it written on the lamps anywhere or would there be a visable difference?
 
A) Potenza is runflat most likely as they are the OEM ones. Could you post what the other tyre is?
B) Xenon MUST have headlamp sprayer on the bumper. Xenon does NOT have height adjustment on the light switch, and if you open the bonnet, it states "Warning - high voltage" label near the lights themselves.
 
To steal a quote from another poster on this forum....

It's easy to tell the difference - with Xenons you CAN see in the dark. I have halogens.... :headbang:
 
I can't remember if they say RFT or not. There IS a symbol printed on there that means RFT. Also, if there is a STAR on the sidewall, they are BMW spec so RFT.


Was that confusing enough??? :)


Now, to Halogen vs Xenon. When you FIRST turn them on, the xenons are really dim-takes a few seconds to get to full power. They are very focused so the outer edge of the beam, especially on "low" is very, very sharp--when you are driving, it drops off dramatically and takes some getting used to.
 
A) RFTs have a circular symbol with the letters RSC. Check the owners manual for a picture.

B) You have xenons if you blind oncoming drivers :poke:
 
Another tell tail of Xenons if your not sure is turn them on against the garage door in the dark if the beam goes down then back up they are Xenon, thats the self leveler getting it's bearings which it does every time you turn the lights on.. :wink:
 
My none xenon E46 did the up and down thing.

You should know if you have xenons! Basically you won't have the height adjustment wheel by the light switch - but you will know by looking.
 
Andrew_Morris said:
To steal a quote from another poster on this forum....

It's easy to tell the difference - with Xenons you CAN see in the dark. I have halogens.... :headbang:
Click to expand...

x2
 
pvr said:
A) Potenza is runflat most likely as they are the OEM ones. Could you post what the other tyre is?
B) Xenon MUST have headlamp sprayer on the bumper. Xenon does NOT have height adjustment on the light switch, and if you open the bonnet, it states "Warning - high voltage" label near the lights themselves.
Click to expand...

Alpina's have Xenon as standard but no headlamp wash. Might just be an Alpina thing.
 
alex85 said:
My none xenon E46 did the up and down thing.

You should know if you have xenons! Basically you won't have the height adjustment wheel by the light switch - but you will know by looking.
Click to expand...


Height adjustment wheel???? You mean the interior dimmer wheel? My xenon equipped Z4 has it. :scratchhead:
 
He means the headlamp angle adjuster, it usually has four settings 0,1,2 and 3. Xenon equipped cars have a self leveling system built in and don't require the manual adjuster.
 
Smokin said:
alex85 said:
My none xenon E46 did the up and down thing.

You should know if you have xenons! Basically you won't have the height adjustment wheel by the light switch - but you will know by looking.
Click to expand...


Height adjustment wheel???? You mean the interior dimmer wheel? My xenon equipped Z4 has it. :scratchhead:
Click to expand...

No the European spec cars (all makes/models far as I saw) have a headlight level adjuster. It will actually lower the headlights till they point at like 45 degrees down (rough guess). A friend had rented a mercedes van and we couldn't see s**t in front of it at night, maybe about 5 feet in total. So we pulled over and scoured the dash board, I found that little knob and turned and voila headlights go up!
I think it's supposed to be for foggy conditions, but i'm not sure.
 
Aebous said:
I think it's supposed to be for foggy conditions, but i'm not sure.
Click to expand...

More to offset a large weight in the boot that pushes the nose up and could then dazzle on coming drivers :D
 
Curtis said:
Alpina's have Xenon as standard but no headlamp wash. Might just be an Alpina thing.
Click to expand...


You sure? I thought all cars equipped with xenons needed the washer? There's been lots of discussion on fitting after market Xenons and how they are illegal as you wouldn't have the washers. Plus a potential MOT failure in the UK.

J.
 
Curtis said:
He means the headlamp angle adjuster, it usually has four settings 0,1,2 and 3. Xenon equipped cars have a self leveling system built in and don't require the manual adjuster.
Click to expand...


Must be an exclusive for your side of the pond. We don't have it. Interesting.........Is it due to different country's requirements??
 
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