BMW E46 325i HID (Bi-Xenon) Headlamps Auto-Level, Flash to Pass and High Beams

Another video of the headlamps in my 2002 325i. First the headlamps auto-level, then the first two flashes are the halogen "flash to pass" feature (pull the turn signal stalk backwards), then the xenon high beams (push it away), then another flash to pass and another full high beam.

Video taken on the top floor of the ASU Stadium parking structure with the Wells-Fargo in the background... go Devils!

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

Tags:

• HID
• xenon
• bixenon
• auto-level
• BMW
• 325
• 325i
• headlight
• headlamp
• E46
• Series

[Johncarson9113]

Hey dont you think the BMW Xenon headlights on the 2002-2005 BMW 3 series are a bit yellow sometimes on the street? Is it because the Xenons begin to wear off over time or do they illuminate just as bright as when they where first put on the car? I have seen some 3 series with Factory Xenon headlights but they seem to look like more whitish yellow Hue when compared to other cars with factory xenons that are much whiter in color.

[cconant13]

@Johncarson9113 This car had factory bulbs. They're the same as most factory HIDs, around 4300K. Same as my friends' 2006 X5, 2008 528xi, 2008 Boxster, and 2003 325Ci.

American HIDs seem to be slightly whiter (bluer), but that throws less useable light on the road for the perceived whiteness.

Xenons don't really "wear," they just flicker then die completely without changing color over time. If yours aren't the OEM bulbs, you could just have a lower color temperature.

[cconant13]

@FREESTLE760 2001 model year E46s did not have bi-xenons. The first car to come with them was the 2001 Merc CL, followed in 2002 by the E46 sedans and the 7-Series. What you found out is in in line with what came from the factory. 328iKid is right on with the description of bi-xenons.

I never thought this video would have 8,500+ views, wtf?

[328iKid]

@FREESTLE760 Well I'm not too sure, but in my set up which is aftermarket since my car had halogen for low and high, I just replaced the lows with xenon. But if you do have OEM you likely have what is shown in this video. Basically what "bi-xenon" (in other words dual xenon, there however is not 2 different bulbs) means is that your low beam projectors have a solenoid inside that switches postion of the cutoff shield inside of the projector housing, which raises the light cutoff higher.

[FREESTLE760]

@328iKid i found out mine have HID's for lows but halos for high

so i have xenons? and bixenons are xenon xenon not xenon halo?

[328iKid]

@FREESTLE760 If it has projector light housings it likely has HID headlights, and besides that it should be easy to tell if it does not have them just by judging light output. if they are bright, light up more of the road compared to most other vehicles on the road and appear a sort of bluish white colour then they are likely HID. judging by the model I can tell you right now it is not likely yours has HID lights, they seem to be rare in sedans, but are common in the coupes/convertibles.

[FREESTLE760]

Just got a 01 325i for my everyday car i currently own a supra but im JDM so i know nothing about BMW's but does my 01 e46 325i sport have hids? like this?