Stupid headlight question

Underwhere · 01-25-2008, 12:00 PM

So I'm about to buy a 328xi but have a quick question about the headlights. I'm a little unfamiliar with them.

If I get the Xenon headlights, I know they come with angel eyes.

If I don't get Xenon headlights, are they still projectors with angel eyes? I was considering doing an HID conversion kit and LUX replacement bulbs.

Sorry for the stupid question. Never owned a BMW before.

3onDubs · 01-25-2008, 12:04 PM

Get the xenon option. Don't think about not getting it, just get it.

shragon · 01-25-2008, 12:09 PM

if you do not get xenon, they will not be projectors and they will not have angel eyes.

3onDubs · 01-25-2008, 12:10 PM

Also, if you do not get xenon, you will regret it for the rest of your life.

Underwhere · 01-25-2008, 12:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 3onDubs

Get the xenon option. Don't think about not getting it, just get it.

The issue is that there are no Xenon cars available immediately. I have to wait at least 3-4 weeks for a Xenon equipped car and my car is being sold this weekend.

I thought I could save some time, and also some money by going with the non-hid setup...I just needed to confirm that they were projects and had angel eyes so i could put in an HID kit later on.

I don't want to put an HID kit on a reflector housing.

3onDubs · 01-25-2008, 12:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Underwhere

The issue is that there are no Xenon cars available immediately. I have to wait at least 3-4 weeks for a Xenon equipped car and my car is being sold this weekend.

I thought I could save some time, and also some money by going with the non-hid setup...I just needed to confirm that they were projects and had angel eyes so i could put in an HID kit later on.

I don't want to put an HID kit on a reflector housing.

Are there any other dealers in the area? There has to be another option....

The non-xenon equipped cars don't have projectors (as shragon said).

Underwhere · 01-25-2008, 12:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 3onDubs

Are there any other dealers in the area? There has to be another option....

The non-xenon equipped cars don't have projectors (as shragon said).

Hmmm.

Are the xenon headlights plug and play? I can grab some off ebay for pretty cheap.

Thanks for the help by the way. It would have taken me forever to get the info from the dealer.

remmib · 01-25-2008, 12:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Underwhere

If I don't get Xenon headlights, are they still projectors with angel eyes?

Big fat NO

3onDubs · 01-25-2008, 12:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Underwhere

Hmmm.

Are the xenon headlights plug and play? I can grab some off ebay for pretty cheap.

Thanks for the help by the way. It would have taken me forever to get the info from the dealer.

No...definitely not plug and play. The LCM (light control module) is programmed differently depending on if the car is equipped with xenons or halogens. You will have to reprogram it if you upgrade. I've read about various ways around this, but it's still an unnecessary hassle that will end up costing you more than the $800 the dealer is asking for.

nhhiep · 01-25-2008, 12:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 3onDubs

Also, if you do not get xenon, you will regret it for the rest of your life.

+1. Xenon is #1 on my option list. later, it will cost triple to have it

ElCapitan · 01-25-2008, 12:32 PM

I never read of someone saying: "Man I wish I went for the halogen headlights instead of xenon." I see the vice-versa on a regular basis though.

Underwhere · 01-25-2008, 12:37 PM

Understood. Thank you guys.

I didn't realize the car had to be re-programmed.

Again. BMW Newbie. I'm used to be able to modifying everything myself. No computers involved.

3onDubs · 01-25-2008, 12:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Underwhere

Understood. Thank you guys.

I didn't realize the car had to be re-programmed.

Again. BMW Newbie. I'm used to be able to modifying everything myself. No computers involved.

Yeah same here....I learned the hard way on my last bimmer. Halogen -> Xenon conversion on a bimmer is a nightmare.

importsrhot · 01-25-2008, 12:53 PM

you will regret it if you don't get xenons. i am glad i got it. to me, the xenon makes the 3 series sooooo much more agressive. i would not buy a 3 without xenons or any car in this class for that matter.

Roowah · 01-25-2008, 02:00 PM

The time you'll wait for a car with Xenons will be far less than the regret you'll have for not getting them.

canucklion · 01-25-2008, 03:06 PM

what's with the instant gratification? You have two options

1) get the car now, and not have to wait 3-4 weeks, and NOT fully enjoy your car that has no xenons, i.e. no angels and no proejctor for the duration of your ownership

2) wait 3-4 weeks, and enjoy your car for the duration of your ownership

Quote:

Originally Posted by Underwhere

The issue is that there are no Xenon cars available immediately. I have to wait at least 3-4 weeks for a Xenon equipped car and my car is being sold this weekend.

I thought I could save some time, and also some money by going with the non-hid setup...I just needed to confirm that they were projects and had angel eyes so i could put in an HID kit later on.

I don't want to put an HID kit on a reflector housing.

roofer · 01-25-2008, 07:07 PM

More than 1 way to skin a cat

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=109830

FirstClass · 01-25-2008, 07:19 PM

Get a coupe.

mikengo · 01-26-2008, 09:37 AM

Xenon keeps a brighter view while you're driving. The auto leveling is one of advantage too. The lifespan of the bulb is way longer than the ordinary halogen, which you won't need to worry probably in the next 5 years.

Xenon comes with option adaptive headlights. It turns according to your steer. This may or may not be useful depending on your country.

I've waited for my Xenon, Comfort Access, Active Steering for almost 6 months. I have NO REGRETS waiting that long!

Get the Xenon. In fact, get ALL the options available. You will not drive another car anymore!

BMWalltheway · 01-26-2008, 01:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 3onDubs

Get the xenon option. Don't think about not getting it, just get it.

+1

Quote:

Originally Posted by 3onDubs

Also, if you do not get xenon, you will regret it for the rest of your life.

+1

rrandyy · 01-26-2008, 05:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikengo

The auto leveling is one of advantage too.

Auto leveling is really only needed if you have an SUV and you tow stuff. That way, when the weight on the back of the car increases your cars headlights point further down to not blind people. Otherwise, not much use.

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikengo

Get the Xenon. In fact, get ALL the options available. You will not drive another car anymore!

You will not drive another car because you wont have any money....

dmz · 01-26-2008, 06:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rrandyy

Auto leveling is really only needed if you have an SUV and you tow stuff. That way, when the weight on the back of the car increases your cars headlights point further down to not blind people. Otherwise, not much use.

You will not drive another car because you wont have any money....

or when you have 2 adult passengers in the back, or when you carry something heavy in the trunk

01-25-2008, 12:00 PM	#1
Underwhere New Member 0 Rep 5 Posts Drives: 328xi Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: MA iTrader: (0)	Stupid headlight question So I'm about to buy a 328xi but have a quick question about the headlights. I'm a little unfamiliar with them. If I get the Xenon headlights, I know they come with angel eyes. If I don't get Xenon headlights, are they still projectors with angel eyes? I was considering doing an HID conversion kit and LUX replacement bulbs. Sorry for the stupid question. Never owned a BMW before.
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01-25-2008, 12:04 PM	#2
3onDubs You live by the sword... 216 Rep 8,244 Posts Drives: M4 Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: OC iTrader: (3) Garage List 2007 328i [0.00]	Get the xenon option. Don't think about not getting it, just get it.
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01-25-2008, 12:09 PM	#3
shragon Moderator 497 Rep 27,441 Posts Drives: BMW Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Bay Area, CA iTrader: (7)	if you do not get xenon, they will not be projectors and they will not have angel eyes. __________________ www.cardomain.com/id/shragon
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01-25-2008, 12:10 PM	#4
3onDubs You live by the sword... 216 Rep 8,244 Posts Drives: M4 Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: OC iTrader: (3) Garage List 2007 328i [0.00]	Also, if you do not get xenon, you will regret it for the rest of your life.
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01-25-2008, 12:32 PM	#11
ElCapitan Lieutenant Colonel 38 Rep 1,762 Posts Drives: 2007 E91 328xi & 2008 E90 335i Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: North Bay, ON iTrader: (2)	I never read of someone saying: "Man I wish I went for the halogen headlights instead of xenon." I see the vice-versa on a regular basis though. __________________ *2008* E90 335i \| Silver Grey \| Terra \| Piano Black \| ZSP \| ZKO \| ZAT \| ZKI \| ZPL \| ZKL \| *2007* E91 328xi \| Black Sapphire \| Terra \| ALuminium \| ZKO \| ZKI \| ZPL *Past Cars:* 2004 ///M3, 2002 E46 330xi, 2003 GTI 1.8T, 1996 Neon
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01-25-2008, 12:37 PM	#12
Underwhere New Member 0 Rep 5 Posts Drives: 328xi Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: MA iTrader: (0)	Understood. Thank you guys. I didn't realize the car had to be re-programmed. Again. BMW Newbie. I'm used to be able to modifying everything myself. No computers involved.
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01-25-2008, 12:53 PM	#14
importsrhot Private 3 Rep 85 Posts Drives: E90 330i Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Atlanta, GA iTrader: (0)	you will regret it if you don't get xenons. i am glad i got it. to me, the xenon makes the 3 series sooooo much more agressive. i would not buy a 3 without xenons or any car in this class for that matter. __________________ '06 330i - Alpine White - Terra - Premium
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01-25-2008, 02:00 PM	#15
Roowah Captain 28 Rep 811 Posts Drives: 2006 E90 330i 6MT Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Cambridge, MA iTrader: (0)	The time you'll wait for a car with Xenons will be far less than the regret you'll have for not getting them. __________________ 2006 E90 330i 6MT: TiAg\|Black Leather\|Poplar Trim\|Premium Package\|Cold Weather Package 2003 E46 325i 5MT: Retired - The beginning of my BMW obsession!
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01-25-2008, 07:07 PM	#17
roofer Lieutenant 21 Rep 584 Posts Drives: 335D M Saloon Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Essex iTrader: (0)	More than 1 way to skin a cat http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=109830
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01-26-2008, 09:37 AM	#19
mikengo Enlisted Member 2 Rep 48 Posts Drives: 323i Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Macau iTrader: (0)	Xenon keeps a brighter view while you're driving. The auto leveling is one of advantage too. The lifespan of the bulb is way longer than the ordinary halogen, which you won't need to worry probably in the next 5 years. Xenon comes with option adaptive headlights. It turns according to your steer. This may or may not be useful depending on your country. I've waited for my Xenon, Comfort Access, Active Steering for almost 6 months. I have NO REGRETS waiting that long! Get the Xenon. In fact, get ALL the options available. You will not drive another car anymore! __________________ 2007 323i E90 - Sparkling Graphite - Black Interior - CA - AS - BX - PDC
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