e90 LCI headlamp Bi-xenon

[glock_8]

i just realized for the lci, the flash beam is produced by the bi-xenon lamp. the second projector is a dummy.i liked the hid flash since its very bright. On the pre-lci, as depicted from the wiki "The four lamp Bi - Xenon systems on some cars (BMW for example) use beam deflection on one pair of HID Xenon lamps for main and high beams. The second pair of lamps contain standard halogen bulbs for the headlamp flash function"as such, for the pre-lci flash function produces amber light instead of white hid light like the LCI. However, the normal HID lamps take a few seconds to reach full output and their service life is seriously reduced by flashing on and off, for these reasons they are not currently used for any flash function on the pre lci. Does the LCI HID a new version that can withstand constant flashing without reducing the service life or is BMW msia try to cut cost the way they remove the passenger seatbelt sensor?if it is true that a new version of HID is introduced, i'd love to install that on my halogen flash light!!!

 

[Traveler]

Pre-LCI E90 has:
Low Beam: Bi-Xenon HID projector light (outer lights)
High Beam: Bi-Xenon HID projector light (with increased coverage) + halogen reflectors (inner light)
"flashing": halogen reflectors only

I have recently ordered Xenesis H7 bulbs (halogen, whitish HID-like light) to try out in my high beams, alternatively I am also considering Osram Nightbreakers or Philips XtremePower halogen bulbs which are supposedly the brightest halogens you can get (all are 55W). Perhaps you can also consider this as an alternative to HID.

 

[3er]

Use the horn instead.

 

[glock_8]

Use the horn instead.

thanx traveler for the tips...i'll check that out if it suit me...

3er, the horn effect will be too late when u are cruising at 200km/h on the highway...it will be too close before the hogger realised it....the HID white n bright flash light is more intimidating imho

 

[Schwepps]

Bro Traveller, your inner lights are also HID Xenons meh? Is it because yours is a CBU?

Mine is Pre-LCI CKD and the Wiki statement is true: "The four lamp Bi - Xenon systems on some cars (BMW for example) use beam deflection on one pair of HID Xenon lamps for main and high beams. The second pair of lamps contain standard halogen bulbs for the headlamp flash function"

 

[Traveler]

Bro Traveller, your inner lights are also HID Xenons meh? Is it because yours is a CBU?

Mine is Pre-LCI CKD and the Wiki statement is true: "The four lamp Bi - Xenon systems on some cars (BMW for example) use beam deflection on one pair of HID Xenon lamps for main and high beams. The second pair of lamps contain standard halogen bulbs for the headlamp flash function"

No they are not HID, my car is CKD. What I meant was on my car, when activating the high beam function, not only are the halogens (inner light) activated, but the bi-xenons (outer light) also increase their coverage area. Perhaps I am not using the right terminology, but it's as if a shutter that limits the throw of the xenons (when in low-beam beam), is lifted when switching to high-beam, hence the xenons' throw increases when activating high-beam.

When just "flashing" the high-beam (lights are off), only the halogens will flash.

 

[Schwepps]

Still a bit different from mine. When I activate high beam, the inner halogens are not activated. They're only flashers.

Outer lights: Low and high beam HID Xenons
Inner lights: Halogen flashers

 

[glock_8]

Still a bit different from mine. When I activate high beam, the inner halogens are not activated. They're only flashers.

Outer lights: Low and high beam HID Xenons
Inner lights: Halogen flashers

mine works exactly like urs. But the LCI only uses the outer projector lamp (hid) for all 3 functions i.e low beam, high beam and flash. the inner projector is just a dummy.

it works wonder to see the main beam hid flashes instantaneously that pierce into my eyes even on bright day light when we do a sprint test on MEX highway...

 

[David Yong]

But the LCI only uses the outer projector lamp (hid) for all 3 functions i.e low beam, high beam and flash. the inner projector is just a dummy.

same here with e92 335i :top:

 

[Schwepps]

It's a bit strange to use HID Xenons for flashing. Arc-ing them on and off repeatedly would reduce their service life considerably. Cheaper halogens for flashing is better IMO. After all, the point of flashing is to alert, not to blind.

Maybe 3er's right...use your horn instead of flashing your bi xenons.

 

[glock_8]

It's a bit strange to use HID Xenons for flashing. Arc-ing them on and off repeatedly would reduce their service life considerably. Cheaper halogens for flashing is better IMO. After all, the point of flashing is to alert, not to blind.

i reckon thats the original intention..but with the new flash hid...i guess that will send the message right to their brains

 

[Schwepps]

What are 'new' flash HIDs? What's different about them?

 

[astroboy]

The problem with HID is it takes time to heat up and achieve its optimal brightness. That makes HID not suitable for flashes as its less effective, not bright enough.

 

[alexkhoo]

On our LCI 323i;

Daytime lights (angel eyes)
Low beam (angel eyes too, but dimmed down from the daytime lights)
High beam (Outer projector, HID)
Flash (Outer projector, HID)

The inner projector is just a dummy, like what glock_8 said.

 

[Schwepps]

BMW is getting strange, giving lights which are dummies!

Maybe the outer lights are called tri xenons...low beam, high beam and flasher?

 

[glock_8]

The problem with HID is it takes time to heat up and achieve its optimal brightness. That makes HID not suitable for flashes as its less effective, not bright enough.

not with the lci headlight..their HID flash are really BRIGHT and EFFECTIVE...which is i thought might be the latest invention....unlike the conventional HID which really takes time to heat up

 

[viewfinder]

Yeah, why dummy light?! What about the F10 or next 3-series? Well maybe the law enforcement vehicle owners will be happy because now they can make use of the dummy to install blue/red siren light. Gone are the non-aerodynamic enclosure on top of the roof...

 

[Schwepps]

not with the lci headlight..their HID flash are really BRIGHT and EFFECTIVE...which is i thought might be the latest invention....unlike the conventional HID which really takes time to heat up

BMW Tri Xenons!

Actually it doesn't take long for the Xenons to arc up, even in my pre-LCI. Virtually instantaneous. The issue is that switching discharge lamps on and off quickly (as you would in flashing) will considerably reduce their service life. There are a few processes involved in moving to and from plasma state.

 

[3er]

3er, the horn effect will be too late when u are cruising at 200km/h on the highway...it will be too close before the hogger realised it....the HID white n bright flash light is more intimidating imho

Oh yeah, light travels faster than horn... even at warp speed.

Another suggestion - leave the lights on at warp speed. Then flashing HIDs isnt an issue.

 

[sharp]

i tot the inner ones are suppose to be the cornering lamps?