adaptive headlights

[tyler]

I have an 04 330ci with sept production date and got the car last Friday . I did not order the bixenon adaptive lights but just the standard halogen . This morning I noticed that the headlights move when I turn. Does anyone else with halogen headlights have the adaptive function ?

 

[MrElussive]

Should have gotten the Bi-Xenons !!!!
The standard Halogen Headlights are free-form headlights, so the light is spread very evenly, but nothing Adaptive about them, so they shouldn't be moving when you turn.

 

[Tom]

Did they move up and down? If so maybe its self-leveling and BMW might of incorporate those in the standard lights now.

 

[tyler]

i have not checked if they move up and down, but I will tonite. The casing of outer light is similar to the 3 pic on this thread.

http://bmwboard.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1594

If it is standard halogen, would the casing be different ? Also on the pic the casing shows Dynamic Xenon, I have not checked mine yet on what it shows.

 

[elvis46018]

new ci does rock

 

[MrElussive]

Maybe you have the Bi-Xenons and you don't even know it !! You can determine this by looking at the color of the light while driving at night. Xenon headlights illuminate the road in a white/blue color, whereas standard Halogens are very yellow/orange.

 

[MyHarley]

Ok, I'm confused.........my car sheet says Bi-Xenon Headlights, adder of $700.00........are you telling me that I have the lights that move, I know they raise up when I turn the car on, but what other movements am I to look for.........

 

[Tom]

Ok, I'm confused.........my car sheet says Bi-Xenon Headlights, adder of $700.00........are you telling me that I have the lights that move, I know they raise up when I turn the car on, but what other movements am I to look for.........

Yeah they are also supposed to move side-to-side depending on where you are steering.

 

[MyHarley]

I dont think we have enough curving in the roads to really notice...........

 

[Tweet227]

MyHarley: Adaptives weren't available until the '04 models and on your invoice would be $800 not $700. Bi-xenons move up and down at startup but dont actually move while driving.

Tyler: You don't need very windy roads to know if you have adpatives. First clue is at startup, the lights would move up and down (exactly like bi-xenons) if you had them. If your lights don't move you don't have them (you can't miss them moving either). If your lights do move and you want to see these puppies in action, just take a regular turn a little faster then you normally would and cut the wheel a little sharper. Look straight ahead and try to find the center of your lights before you turn and (right before your eyes) right in the middle of turning you will see your lights actually move to the side to light up the road ahead of you. Any time you quickly turn the wheel in either direction, you will notice your lights move to the side. Its really cool

 

[MrElussive]

I thought projector Xenons on BMW's also move up and down while driving...such as when you accelerate, they point down, and when you brake, they point up. [???1]

 

[MyHarley]

I'm impressed....$700.00 for them to move at start up.....

 

[PuShAkOv]

Do they "move" by themselves or is there some sort of electrical switch? The only thing I connected is the actual power cable to the ballasts.... haven't seen any switch for the the "adjuster"

 

[bmwrocks]

Xenons on BMWs have been auto-leveling since they were first introduced. This would be up and down movement. All BMW xenons (bi or not) have this.

The adaptive feature (steerable left,right,up,down) is only on the March '03 and after production date (the '04 model) vehicles with the xenon option. Also the adaptive feature is only active when the light switch is in the A position. In the ON position only auto leveling is active.

Tyler if your light looks like the one in the thread you referenced, then you have the adaptive xenons. Check your sticker cause I am reasonably certain BMW gives no free lunches.

BTW, I have noticed that my halogen hi-beams are auto-leveling.

 

[Average Jae]

I thought projector Xenons on BMW's also move up and down while driving...such as when you accelerate, they point down, and when you brake, they point up. [???1]

hmm, i just thought the bouncing light was due to the bumpy road..

do they auto level only at start up, or do they continuously monitor to keep the light level? (cool tech, but as my dad would say, just another cool tech part to fail in couple years.. *sigh*)

 

[tyler]

I checked my headlights guys and they do move left to right and turning and up and down at start-up but they are halogen lights only. I did not order the xenon lights and it in not in the options list when I got the car. Though the halogen lights are bright I feel now that I should have added xenon. My initial decision of not getting xenon is basically the adaptive feature which I think might be another part that would break. But if my headlight is adaptive but with halogen then I should have ordered xenon. Only thing is i have to pay for that option.

Is there a way to change my headlights to xenon then ?

 

[bmwrocks]

You can change them to xenon, but it is an expensive endeavor after the fact. I thought the adaptive feature was only for the xenons, your car confuses the matter.

The auto-leveling is a continouous thing to keep the headlights level. Again I thought only the xenons were auto-leveling due to the fact that they can blind oncoming vehicles if they are not level.

Tyler, your headlights are a freak of nature!!!!

 

[Tweet227]

I could be wrong, but I really don't think the regular halogens move. My sisters '03 325 has halogens and they don't move at all.

Your car may be posessed

 

[outpost22]

First post virgin newbie here. Just picked up my new '04 330 CI with the "adaptive, turning, bobble-head" lights . Drove home from the dealer last night in the dark, and it takes a little getting used to having the lights turn corners WITH you. I've spent too many years driving without this feature, and it will take time for the old brain to adapt. Maybe I should give it some time...the car only has 30 miles on it

 

[MrElussive]

outpost22, welcome to the forum. You should post pics of your brand-new baby.

bmwrocks, aren't your high-beams the Xenon headlights? Bi-Xenons are supposed to be like this...when you have your lights on, your Xenons are running. When you flash the high-beams or turn your high-beams on, the same xenon bulbs just stick out more and don't have that cut-off point anymore. But when you are driving around with your Xenon headlights off (let's say during the day) and you flash your high-beams, it should be the two inner Halogen bulbs doing the flashing...this is because it is not good to "cycle" your xenons on and off...it hurst the life of the xenons significantly.