Xenon Pure Confusion

[Gee-Lanty]

I’ve recently found a pair of Xenon headlights which I’m interested in. I cannot for the life of me work out the difference between xenon and bi-xenon and whether these would fit my car without wiring, coding etc.

I already have Xenons on my 2003 however they are absolutely knackered. On my current lights the high beams are a halogen H7.

The new pair I’m interested in also appear to use a H7, however I’ve read that some bixenon models use this solely as flash to pass and the xenons act as high and low beam through the use of a shutter.

What I want to know is, assuming these new lights use the H7 as flash to pass with a shutter controlling the xenon bulb (unlike my current ones which use the H7 as high beam without a shutter) will it be a simple plug and play swap?

Inside of the headlights I intend to purchase;

 

[x-driver]

I believe bi-xenon was standard on Z4s? I have a 3/2003 Z4 (early model) with bi-xenon which isn't mentioned in VIN equipment list. It just says Xenon light.

If you check here: http://bmwfans.info/parts-catalog/E85/Europe/Z4_3.0i-M54/L-N/mar2003/browse/lighting/headlight/ you'll see there is no "single" xenon option.

 

[Usel]

My belief, from reading about headlights a couple of years ago on the forums, is that if you have Halogen headlights you can swap easily between pre & post facelift. If you have Xenons you are stuck with what you have.

If you swap the light control module, wiring loom and ballasts I am sure it is possible to do.

 

[MKZ4000]

Have a read of this thread

https://z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=1739963#p1739963

 

[darich]

Bi xenon means that both dipped and high beam are xenon - usually there's a shutter which moves and blocks some light from high beam to give a dipped beam. If you're sitting stationary with the lights on, but engine off, you'll hear an audible click as the shutter moves if you flash the high beams.
xenon means that (usually) dipped is xenon and high is halogen
so for a car to have xenon, it would require two bulbs in the headlight unit. a Bi-xenon would have one bulb.

 

[Usel]

If you want the facelift lights to work in your car then this thread is worth a read:

https://z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=40547

 

[x-driver]

I understand that author doesn't look for FL headlights but just another PFL set which he believes is bixenon while his current headlights are not. My guess is both headlights are bixenon since there was no single xenon in E85 as far as I know.

E85 PFL uses bixenon + halogen. For flashing when xenon is off and always for high beam as well. The same you will find in e46 FL, e60 PFL, e90 PFL, etc. Later they dismissed the halogen and only bixenon stayed. Which is actually worse. Less light at all and less yellow light which works best in rainy conditions.

 

[kis]

As above bi-xenon is used in all Z4 headlights.

For pre facelift versions the bi-xenon element is just your usual dipped beam and flash to pass (activated with a shutter).

For post facelift versions the bi-xenon is for everything. As there is only one projector, the other side is a dummy which just illuminates as a single angel eye.

Essentially if you’re swapping from any pre facelift they will work. Just ensure it’s got the orange hockey stick indicator. If you’re moving to a post facelift (clear hockey stick) then you may have to do some coding work to get it all working properly. But by the looks of the photo you’ve got a H7 bulb for the full beam, so they’ll be a like for like swap.

Best of luck

 

[Gee-Lanty]

I was under the impression there was a type of pre facelift Xenon without the shutter. I was mistaken, I have them installed and everything is working fine.

 

[x-driver]

Great