What are BMW xenon headlights?

BMW HID. The HID stands for High-Intensity Discharge and is basically BMW Xenon lights. They produce light by creating an electric arc between two electrodes in a glass filled with xenon. This helps create much brighter light then Halogens and at the same time are very efficient and durable.

Can I change my BMW headlights to xenon?

Simply unplug the old light bulb and you are half way there. I have replaced before the entire light housings to upgrade from a standard BMW headlight to a xenon, but this is a much bigger process and much more expensive.

How do I know if my BMW have halogen or xenon headlights?

Turn your car on, turn the high beams on, stand in front of one headlight and stare straight into it for 10 seconds. If you are only partially blind, its a halogen. If you are completely blind, its xenon.

Are xenon headlights legal?

Xenon HIDs are only road legal if the headlight unit is correctly E marked. There are only two ways for a HID kit to qualify as road legal: If the whole headlight unit is replaced with one specifically designed for HID.

Why are xenon bulbs so expensive?

Why are they so expensive? Xenon HID bulbs are more expensive than halogens due to the different technology and gases used to produce the bulb but on the flip side they do last a lot longer than halogen bulbs.

Are xenon headlights worth it?

We’ve already mentioned a few of the benefits of xenon lights: they are brighter and can last longer. Far and away the biggest benefit, however, is safety. Xenon headlights are typically around two to three times brighter than halogen headlights, allowing them to shine significantly further ahead of your car.

Are Xenon lights illegal?

Those bright bluish-looking headlights in your rearview mirror may be from a high-end luxury car that came equipped with such lights. But they may also be a sign of an aftermarket modification that’s technically illegal, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says.

Which is better LED or Xenon headlights?

LEDs last longer than either halogens or xenon light, though they become dimmer as they age. LEDs are becoming the dominant type of headlight because they use less energy than other types of lights, they last longer and they keep getting cheaper to manufacture.

Do xenon headlights need washers?

How do xenon headlights work? Cars equipped with xenon headlights are required to have headlight washers to keep them clean. This is necessary because dirt and dust can scatter the light and blind other motorists. The cleaning system usually consists of a high-pressure jet of screenwash, but can even use small wipers.

Can I replace xenon bulbs myself?

High-intensity discharge, or HID, xenon headlamps use a higher voltage than ordinary halogen lights. When replacing them, the entire bulb assembly needs to be replaced rather than just the bulb. However, if you have an after-market HID xenon kit installed, you can replace the bulbs yourself.

How does bixenon headlights work on a BMW E46?

The outer xenon projector housings function as low beams with the headlight stalk in the normal position. When pushing the headlight stalk forward the xenon bulbs turn off and the inner halogen bulbs activate for high beams. The high beams are a non-projector type housing for the halogen bulbs.

What kind of light bulb does BMW E46 use?

BMW E46 vehicles with optional high intensity discharge (HID) or xenon headlights utilize a special high voltage bulb and control unit for low beam headlights. Conventional halogen bulbs are used for high beams.

Are there any BMW E46 headlights left in stock?

Only 8 left in stock – order soon. . Only 3 left in stock – order soon. . Only 15 left in stock – order soon. . Only 5 left in stock – order soon.

How does the xenon projector work on a BMW E46?

The outer xenon projectors function as low beam with the headlight stalk in the normal positions and as high beam when pushing the headlight stalk forward. There is a gate inside the housing that partially obscures the light output for low beam, and it flips out of the way for high beam.