Except in the case of HIDs
 

If you have HID headlights in your X3, the inboard halogens are DRLs only. Once you turn on the HIDs (or they come on automatically when it gets dark) the inboard halogens turn off automatically.

:iagree:

That's mine works too with dual xenons. And I think there is no way you can turn the inner lights off if the engine is running unless the xenons are on.

Speaking about the automatic turn on functionality... Anyone know for sure how does that work and what is measured? I think there are two sensors used: the rain sensor and a light sensor. If it rains the xenons are automatically turned on. Or if it gets dark enough the lights again are turned on.

However the latter does not seem to be logical. Some days my xenons turn on at 4pm even when the sun is shining and no clouds in the sky. The next day they turn on at 7pm when the sun is going down.

I must be too sensitive guy since in addition to my wipers being too sensitive, also the automatic light function turns them on too early. Need to get the sensitivity to be adjusted from sensitive to normal I guess...

- p

Do X3's not utilize the "flash to pass" hi-beams? On the X5 the DRL also act as hi-beams if you simply put the lever towards the driver and not towards the dash.

I agree. The X3's use the inner halogen beams for the high beam flash. So, with the xenon option, the inner halogen beams are depowered for DRL and full powered for flash to pass.

You're correct. When I stated they act as DRL's only, what I meant was that they don't function as low or high beams. They do, however, also act as passing lights as you state.

Your dealer can set the sensitivity of the lights. There is 3 settings that the dealer can pick from. So you can ask your dealer to make your autolights less sensitive to light.

There are many factors here. Which way the car was facing (towards the sun or away). Ambient light around the car (parked objects, buildlings, etc... that could reflect light). Road texture & color (some sparkly, how black the tar on the road really is). How clean your car is (maybe dirt is covering the sensors).

All i am trying to say is that you are looking at two scenarios and expecting the same results. Something which is impossible with all the variables the system has to deal with.