Xenons and HIDs the same??
 

Sorry for my ignorance, but are our xenon head lights considered to be "HID" head lights?? Just wondering if it was two names for the same animal.

Xenon is the type of HID light used, Xenon gas is used.

did you check this link ?

OK, next question. Why when you turn them on do they seem to "raise up" once they light (which by the way looks pretty darn cool)??

Most people use the term "xenon" to describe H.I.D. lighting. Even car manufacurers use this term, ie. bi-xenon

your X5 has auto leveling head lights.

I know I love this feature as well, self leveling adaptive lights, it is cool :D

I love my auto leveling lights, try accelerating hard(ish), you`ll see the lights adjust as you do it.

I wondered if that is why the adjust up when they light up.

When you turn the lights on, they adjust from bottom to top (max) and then down to a pre determined level point, from then on when you dip or raise the front of the car, the lights will auto level. This is why people with auto leveling lights dont have the usual load switch in the car. I.e. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5.. In my previous cars, if you had a heavy load in the back (mother in law) then you`d alter the load level switch. with ours, you dont need it.