Xenons

D

DeeCee

Member
What's the main difference with the Xenons over normal lights/bulbs?

Is it just a case of a different bulb i.e, could you change the bulbs then class your vehicle as having Xenons? (Seems too simple?)

(Although, all this said, I'm not sure what additional cost BMW charge to have Xenons over the normal lighting)
 
Completely different things. Xenon headlight unit is different from normal headlight unit (very high electricity voltage involved). You can't simply change bulb. I better let other experts to explain.

Xenon headlights are "must-have" option nowadays. They give better appearance and safety in the dark.
 
The light is more intense, but more focused. On high, you can see further, but I find on lowbeam regular halogens are better. Xenons take some getting used to, but what I like about them most is street signs are MUCH more visible. You can't just swap them out as ksher said. OEM have self-leveling housings and are much higher in voltage than halogens (but use less energy once you have them ignited).
 
As said totally different.

Halogen uses 12v to in effect heat a wire that glows white. It uses 2 filaments or 2 bulbs for low and high beam

Xenon is a gas filled capsule that uses 25k (approx.) to strike and then excite the gas to give a brilliant white glow (Not unlike a fluorescent tube). Low and main are created by shielding the throw of the beam.

Xenon is many times brighter and tends to be a whiter (higher temp) colour

Due to the intensity of light the UK law requires self levelling of suspension, washer jets and all sorts of other gizmos.

OK - so Ebay you can buy xenon bulbs - just a con!! It's a halogen bulb with a bit of xenon gas instead of normal inert gas such as argon. No better than normal.

Aftermarket xenon - basically fit a ballast to generate the high voltage and substitute the bulb. Some like it but it's strictly illegal in the UK. Quick cheap and effective way to get xenon lights

Convert to Xenon headlights - costs a lot, requires many parts and needs the LCM module programming, but the way to go

Hope this helps
 
I think xenon lights were a £750 option on the pre-facelift cars, or maybe £550. Not really cheap. I think a member recently did an upgrade with 2nd hand and new parts for about £600, and still had their old halogen lights and light control module etc for sale.

I rekon if you can get them on your car, then get them, but if you find a mint one with halogens then it's not a huge issue as halogens can be cheaply and effectively improved (which is essential, as standard old BMW H7 bulbs and alignment are a bit pants)

Dave
 
Mr Whippy said:
I think xenon lights were a £750 option on the pre-facelift cars, or maybe £550. Not really cheap. I think a member recently did an upgrade with 2nd hand and new parts for about £600, and still had their old halogen lights and light control module etc for sale.

I rekon if you can get them on your car, then get them, but if you find a mint one with halogens then it's not a huge issue as halogens can be cheaply and effectively improved (which is essential, as standard old BMW H7 bulbs and alignment are a bit pants)

Dave
Click to expand...

Yes - I did this conversion for a forum member about a year ago. They purchased a new LCM and then found a local Indy that could programme the old one and made it work :)

I think someone else has done it too more recently
 
As Mr.Whippy said, there are better halogen bulbs out there than OEM-Sylavania and PIAA are just two who offer them.
 
cj10jeeper said:
As said totally different.

Halogen uses 12v to in effect heat a wire that glows white. It uses 2 filaments or 2 bulbs for low and high beam

Xenon is a gas filled capsule that uses 25k (approx.) to strike and then excite the gas to give a brilliant white glow (Not unlike a fluorescent tube). Low and main are created by shielding the throw of the beam.

Xenon is many times brighter and tends to be a whiter (higher temp) colour

Due to the intensity of light the UK law requires self levelling of suspension, washer jets and all sorts of other gizmos.

OK - so Ebay you can buy xenon bulbs - just a con!! It's a halogen bulb with a bit of xenon gas instead of normal inert gas such as argon. No better than normal.

Aftermarket xenon - basically fit a ballast to generate the high voltage and substitute the bulb. Some like it but it's strictly illegal in the UK. Quick cheap and effective way to get xenon lights

Convert to Xenon headlights - costs a lot, requires many parts and needs the LCM module programming, but the way to go
Hope this helps
Click to expand...

So how much are we talking then?
 
You'd need xenon headlights that if new would come alone so need to add bulb, ballast and bulb holder, making about £2,500. Also need a new LCM at £200 or programme it.

Second hand it's pot luck what you pick up
 
Seems like too much hassle if you ask me. Might aswell just with the help of CJ ;) stick some angel eyes on my non xenon's.
 
ksher said:
Upgrade is not feasible. You better buy a car with factory fitted xenon headlights.
Click to expand...

I agree - I'm just laying out the prices to do it from scratch and properly.

Frankly it's something should have chosen when purchasing the car, or opt for one of the better bulbs or aftermarket xenon kits available. It wouild be cheaper to swap to a different Zed these days :)
 
Thanks guys..

I'm going from having Xenons on my Mini, to not having them on my Coupe (Tuesday).

I guess I'll soon find out if there is a considerable difference or not!
 
Ricey said:
Seems like too much hassle if you ask me. Might aswell just with the help of CJ ;) stick some angel eyes on my non xenon's.
Click to expand...


I plan on using CJ's "service's" when I get over there :D :poke: :thumbsup:
 
Upgrade is worth doing if you can't get the xenons on the car you want, but still want xenons... just the time/hassle, but it's probably less hassle than waiting months for the right spec car to come along, travelling to see them to realise they are crap etc etc.
 
if you want to know about retro-fit:
http://www.z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=8672&p=131684#p131684
 
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