How the bi-xenon headlights work?

[rogerkiu]

Hi all! I just bought a 08/2004 made 4.8is. It equips adaptive xenon headlights. However, each time I flash high beam when the vehicle is parked, only the halegon lights flash, not the xenon light flash. I have not tried to test high beam when the vehicle is moving. The adaptive function works ok, it only turns to left (the passenger side) when the vehicle is not moving. I have below questions:

1. Does the bi-xenon only work when the car is moving?
2. Does the adaptive function turns right (the driver side) only when the car is moving?
3. Does the E53 X5 adaptive headlight has the function of range control base on the driving speed?

In Hong Kong, we adopt right hand drive only. Thanks for help!

[TwinsPoppa]

Originally Posted by rogerkiu

Hi all! I just bought a 08/2004 made 4.8is. It equips adaptive xenon headlights. However, each time I flash high beam when the vehicle is parked, only the halegon lights flash, not the xenon light flash. I have not tried to test high beam when the vehicle is moving. The adaptive function works ok, it only turns to left (the passenger side) when the vehicle is not moving. I have below questions:

1. Does the bi-xenon only work when the car is moving?
2. Does the adaptive function turns right (the driver side) only when the car is moving?
3. Does the E53 X5 adaptive headlight has the function of range control base on the driving speed?

In Hong Kong, we adopt right hand drive only. Thanks for help!

Congrats!

IIRC its designed that way. Its meant to warn/flash someone. When you use the stalk to flash someone its just the halogens. The flasher is just that - a flasher not high-beam mode.

The Bi-xenons have a lid that covers it in low-beam mode. When you actually engage the high-beam mode the lid retracts - that is why its called bi-xenon.

If I'm not mistaken, the adaptive function uses the steering sensor to aim the light - so it should move even when the car is sitting still.

I don't believe the adaptive function is based on any speed variables other than the steering sensor.

[Phr3d]

adaptive should not function sitting still, at least in US model, and does indeed 'adapt' based upon computer input about speed, brake, yaw, etc. from the computer.

There is a Great article about them, pdf I believe, that I read recently, but my hella-handicapped search skills cannot locate it.

[TwinsPoppa]

Originally Posted by Phr3d

adaptive should not function sitting still, at least in US model, and does indeed 'adapt' based upon computer input about speed, brake, yaw, etc. from the computer.

There is a Great article about them, pdf I believe, that I read recently, but my hella-handicapped search skills cannot locate it.

I'm not saying you're incorrect on the computer taking input on brake, yaw, etc. BUT I'm pretty confident the adaptive headlights work while the X is not moving. I'm going to have to double-check. I'll have to check on mine. It does make sense that the computer takes other things into acct as it does self-level too.

Also, IIRC, the adaptive only works when its in the auto mode of the light switch. I have to double-check that too.

My memory is not as good as before.

EDIT: Here's someone with a video showing the adaptive while in park.
http://www.xoutpost.com/243449-post5.html

[Yii]

someones Sig here on the forums shows off their bi xenons moving from one end of the garage to the other and he was parked. pretty sure it was the real thing

[TwinsPoppa]

Originally Posted by Yii

someones Sig here on the forums shows off their bi xenons moving from one end of the garage to the other and he was parked. pretty sure it was the real thing

Yeah, I think I posted the link as you typed this.

I think we are talking about the same vid.

[rogerkiu]

Originally Posted by TwinsPoppa

Congrats!

IIRC its designed that way. Its meant to warn/flash someone. When you use the stalk to flash someone its just the halogens. The flasher is just that - a flasher not high-beam mode.

The Bi-xenons have a lid that covers it in low-beam mode. When you actually engage the high-beam mode the lid retracts - that is why its called bi-xenon.

If I'm not mistaken, the adaptive function uses the steering sensor to aim the light - so it should move even when the car is sitting still.

I don't believe the adaptive function is based on any speed variables other than the steering sensor.

So how can I make the xenon works as high beam?

[Phr3d]

Originally Posted by TwinsPoppa

I'm not saying you're incorrect on the computer taking input on brake, yaw, etc. BUT I'm pretty confident the adaptive headlights work while the X is not moving. /snip/

apologies, quoting from an article is always a danger.. and trusting my memory moreso. I -thought- BMW stated that there was too much danger to traffic or similar ('made ya look' factor).

[TwinsPoppa]

Originally Posted by rogerkiu

So how can I make the xenon works as high beam?

The same stalk you used for the flasher is multi-functional. There are a lot of other neat functions so read the manual.

You pull towards you for the flasher.

You push away for the highbeam.

To engage the adaptive function turn your headlight switch to the auto-mode. The mode has a little "A" on the dash.

[Nik]

Xenon as High beam works when the Low beams are turned on, so if you want to flash them only, it won't fire up xenons each time so it doesn't degrade it's life...