xenon or halogen?

[chris323i]

I bought a used 2000 323i which I thought had halogen headlights. However, I have seen other BMW's with xenon headlights that look the same as mine. Is there anyway to tell if the headlights are xenon or halogen?

Thanks

[playdrv4me]

While there are other brands of cars that use Halogen Projectors, BMW only uses Projectors in conjunction with Xenon lamps in the 3 Series. The easy way to tell if you have true Xenon HIDs is by looking at my signature picture, if you have the projectors on the outside, and the reflectors on the inside, than you have HIDs.

Its possible (and quite common) that your previous owner put in Hyperwhite or blue "colored" halogen bulbs.

[chris323i]

I have reflectors on both the inside and outside... that's why I thought I had halogen. But I've seen BMW's (described as having xenon) without projectors.

[jefft325i]

Another way to tell - if your car does have the factory BMW Xenons, the outside lights will say 'xenon' on it if you look closely.

[TECH]

If you look behind the headlight assembly, you should see a metal box attatched to it, with a big wire going to the bulb. There would be a warning label indicating high voltage-if you have Xenon.
Maybe you've got those blue bulbs installed.

Xenons will come on and flash real bright when they first come on, and then quickly dim to the normal level.

[chris323i]

Originally posted by TECH@Jan 22 2004, 07:29 PM
If you look behind the headlight assembly, you should see a metal box attatched to it, with a big wire going to the bulb. There would be a warning label indicating high voltage-if you have Xenon.
Maybe you've got those blue bulbs installed.

Xenons will come on and flash real bright when they first come on, and then quickly dim to the normal level.

That's solves it. They must be halogen.

[playdrv4me]

Originally posted by chris323i@Jan 22 2004, 05:56 PM
I have reflectors on both the inside and outside... that's why I thought I had halogen. But I've seen BMW's (described as having xenon) without projectors.

Actually funny thing now that you mention it... I dont think BMW has EVER had a reflectorized HID setup in any US sold car. They were among the very first to have Xenons waaaaay back in 1995 with the 750iL redesign and THOSE were projectors. So I think its safe to say all BMW Xenons are projectors unless somehow retrofitted with another setup.

[bezor]

These are Xenon lights on my car.

[college_cars]

Well...you may have already found some xenons by now. But I bought some aftermarket bulbs that have been really great. They look awesome and have been working great since December. Here is some pics. I found them at: bmwxenon.com or Jimmy540i@aol.com. They cost $100.00.