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kurichan K I've seen references to bi-xenon here and there, but I don't remember that being an option. Is this aftermarket? If regular xenons are "mono" xenon, what part is and what part is not xenon? Or are all xenons "bi?" #1 · May 13, 2004 I've seen references to bi-xenon here and there, but I don't remember that being an option. Is this aftermarket? If regular xenons are "mono" xenon, what part is and what part is not xenon? Or are all xenons "bi?" Sort by Oldest first Oldest first Newest first Most reactions #2 · May 13, 2004 The original Xenons where "mono-xenon" in that they were only used as the regular driving lights. The flash-to-pass and the high beams were done with the halogens. The latter Xenons are "bi" because they are now used for both the regular drving lights and the high beams. This is done via a mechanical flap in the light housing that is down for the regular lights and raised for the high beams. The flash-to-pass is still done with the halogens. BTW, the flash-to-pass is done with the halogens because they react faster (eg get to full brightness) faster than the xenons. HID lights like the xenons are better for steady state usage rather than quick on-off usage. #3 · May 13, 2004

operknockity said: The latter Xenons are "bi" because they are now used for both the regular drving lights and the high beams. Click to expand...

So my '04 ZHP will come with bi-xenons then? (I ordered the xenon option) #4 · May 13, 2004

kurichan said: So my '04 ZHP will come with bi-xenons then? (I ordered the xenon option) Click to expand...

I'd guess that it will, but you should check your paperwork to see if it specifically says "bi". #5 · May 13, 2004

kurichan said: So my '04 ZHP will come with bi-xenons then? (I ordered the xenon option) Click to expand...

Yes it will - and they light up the road nicely. Enjoy! #6 · May 13, 2004

operknockity said: The latter Xenons are "bi" because they are now used for both the regular drving lights and the high beams. This is done via a mechanical flap in the light housing that is down for the regular lights and raised for the high beams. Click to expand...

The technology guide in the back of the 3 sedan brochure has a diagram that seems to show the opposite. That is, when the flap is up, you have low-beams, and when the flap is down, you have high (because of the rays coming off the reflector dish). #7 · May 13, 2004

FenPhen said: The technology guide in the back of the 3 sedan brochure has a diagram that seems to show the opposite. That is, when the flap is up, you have low-beams, and when the flap is down, you have high (because of the rays coming off the reflector dish). Click to expand...

I could quite possibly have it backwards, but the bi-xenon concept was the important part. #8 · May 13, 2004

operknockity said: I could quite possibly have it backwards, but the bi-xenon concept was the important part. Click to expand...

On low beam, a spring loaded restriction plate (aka shutter) partially obstructs the beam output. This creates a sharp horizontal beam, slightly upswept toward the road shoulder. On high beam, a solenoid pulls the shutter down, removing the horizontal cutoff and letting more light out the bottom. I believe the effect is upsidedown because of the ellipsoid projector lens (aka "eyeball"). On flash to pass, the inner halogen beams will illuminate, but not the xenons. The xenon bulb takes a couple of seconds to reach full intensity, too long to satisfy the regulators/bureaucrats. Hence the halogen is used. #9 · May 13, 2004 Self leveling? Are the "regular" xenons self-leveling also or is that only the bi-xenons? #10 · May 13, 2004 My understanding is that there is only one xenon option for 2004 E46s. You don't choose between mono or bi xenons. When you order the xenon option, in a 2004 model E46, you get self-leveling, bi-xenons. Is that correct? #11 · May 13, 2004

donutello said: Are the "regular" xenons self-leveling also or is that only the bi-xenons? Click to expand...

Regular are also self leveling. #12 · May 13, 2004

kurichan said: My understanding is that there is only one xenon option for 2004 E46s. You don't choose between mono or bi xenons. When you order the xenon option, in a 2004 model E46, you get self-leveling, bi-xenons. Is that correct? Click to expand...

Yup. #13 · May 13, 2004

Scott ZHP said: The xenon bulb takes a couple of seconds to reach full intensity, too long to satisfy the regulators/bureaucrats. Click to expand...

...or the engineers. #14 · May 13, 2004

Nbtstatic said: Regular are also self leveling. Click to expand...

But the bi-Xenons swing both ways when leveling. #15 · May 13, 2004

kurichan said: My understanding is that there is only one xenon option for 2004 E46s. You don't choose between mono or bi xenons. Click to expand...

Not exactly... The E46 sedan and M3 have the bi xenons, and the E46 coupe has the adaptive xenons :thumbup: But with regards to bi versus solo... all you can get now is the bi xenons #16 · May 13, 2004

The Roadstergal said: But the bi-Xenons swing both ways when leveling. Click to expand...

:yikes: :rofl: #17 · May 13, 2004

ajt819 said: The E46 sedan and M3 have the bi xenons, and the E46 coupe has the adaptive xenons Click to expand...

Meaning, the beams that follow the steering wheel? Would love to have those... #18 · May 14, 2004

Scott ZHP said: On flash to pass, the inner halogen beams will illuminate, but not the xenons. The xenon bulb takes a couple of seconds to reach full intensity, too long to satisfy the regulators/bureaucrats. Hence the halogen is used. Click to expand...

When I did ED last month, my ED "CA" told me that when BMW first came out with xenons, they were used for flash-to-pass, but the bulbs wore out prematurely because they were not built for quick on-and-off usage -- hence the halogens for flashing. Could be BS.... :dunno: #19 · May 14, 2004

cronimi said: When I did ED last month, my ED "CA" told me that when BMW first came out with xenons, they were used for flash-to-pass, but the bulbs wore out prematurely because they were not built for quick on-and-off usage -- hence the halogens for flashing. Could be BS.... :dunno: Click to expand...

HIDs take longer to come to full brightness and do work better in steady state applications than quick on/off applications. I don't know if they will actually wear out faster when cycled quickly like that. You have insufficient privileges to reply here.

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