Life Expectancy Of Xenon Headlights?

Roowah · 04-22-2009, 09:25 PM

I was wondering today, approximately what the expected life is of the xenon headlights? I realize it's a hard question to answer exactly, but I have heard that they tend to last quite a bit longer than standard halogens. When they fail, is it just the bulb that needs to be replaced, or is it a completely sealed unit? What approximately would be the cost of the repair?

Richbot · 04-22-2009, 09:47 PM

Typically the bulbs and ballasts have similar life expectancies. Both are replaceable separately, both are $100+ each to replace with OEM parts, and both should last past 100k miles.

StanfordF15 · 04-22-2009, 10:33 PM

I've heard that they fail sooner if they are cycled on and off a lot. I park in a garage at my house and they turn on every time I start up or drive into it. I've been curious if this would precipitate a failure.

noro · 04-22-2009, 10:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stanford335

I've heard that they fail sooner if they are cycled on and off a lot. I park in a garage at my house and they turn on every time I start up or drive into it. I've been curious if this would precipitate a failure.

Don't worry by that time you'll be on your 7th fuel pump and will eventually dump the car in distaste.

frahuang · 04-22-2009, 11:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by noro

Don't worry by that time you'll be on your 7th fuel pump and will eventually dump the car in distaste.

DarkAngel922 · 04-23-2009, 12:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by noro

Don't worry by that time you'll be on your 7th fuel pump and will eventually dump the car in distaste.

quagmire · 04-23-2009, 12:30 AM

The first Xenon burned out at 65,000 miles on our E46. You can tell when it is on its last legs.

StanfordF15 · 04-23-2009, 12:36 AM

Still on my original HPFP - 11,500 miles. Just passed the halfway point on my lease, so I'm cautiously optimistic.

Quote:

Originally Posted by quagmire

The first Xenon burned out at 65,000 miles on our E46. You can tell when it is on its last legs.

I've noticed one of my bulbs flickering orange for a few seconds as it first comes on. Is that one of the signs of impending failure?

quagmire · 04-23-2009, 12:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stanford335

Still on my original HPFP - 11,500 miles. Just passed the halfway point on my lease, so I'm cautiously optimistic.

I've noticed one of my bulbs flickering orange for a few seconds as it first comes on. Is that one of the signs of impending failure?

It might be. On the E46, it would not be at its full brightness compared to the still good one. Early on, I believe it did eventually be equal color/brightness, but as its death got closer it would start to flicker to a half then normal beam to full and back and forth. Then it finally died.

It has been awhile since that happened. So my memory is not all that great. But, I do remember it giving signs of its impending doom.

VTECaddict · 04-23-2009, 12:48 AM

HID bulbs turn pink when they go bad.

but flickering when turning on shouldnt happen either.

-=Hot|Ice=- · 04-23-2009, 04:51 AM

Xenon lights turn purple when they need replacing. I just did a research project on this and they are expected to last 10+ years give or take.

LiKWiD335xi · 04-23-2009, 10:58 AM

It's hit or miss with them depending on manufacturer. Typically they should last a long time, longer than you have the car. I've seen a 06 Maxima bulb go out in 15,000 miles. On the other hand, I converted my E46 to HID (aftermarket) at 10,000 miles and sold it at 96,000 miles with no problems. The kid who has the car is still using them with 102,000 miles.

Also had family members with 80,000+ miles on their cars with no problems. If a light is flickering or turning different colors, something is wrong.

Bobble · 04-23-2009, 11:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by quagmire

The first Xenon burned out at 65,000 miles on our E46. You can tell when it is on its last legs.

Wow I have 140K plus on the original bulbs on my E46 but do not have the auto headlights so it's either on in the dark or off, mostly off. I tend to believe the cycling has an issue with longevity, did you have auto headlights on the E46?

Jurisprudent · 04-23-2009, 11:11 AM

Not to stray too far off the OPs topic, but does anyone know the scientific reason why the lights seem to be very blue at first but gradually whiten after a few seconds? I've always assumed they were simply heating up or something of that nature, but curious to know what the real chemical reason is.

golf4501 · 04-23-2009, 11:23 AM

I never had to replace a xenon bulb in my '01 330ci, delivered in September 2000 retired December 2007

noro · 04-23-2009, 11:23 AM

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Headlam..._light_sources

iheartsole · 04-23-2009, 11:27 AM

i would guess a long time. unless, you put an aftermarket bulbs

quagmire · 04-23-2009, 02:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bobble

Wow I have 140K plus on the original bulbs on my E46 but do not have the auto headlights so it's either on in the dark or off, mostly off. I tend to believe the cycling has an issue with longevity, did you have auto headlights on the E46?

Yeah, so they would turn on and off whenever the vehicle went into or out of the garage or any shaded area.

E92-Lighting · 04-23-2009, 02:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roowah

I was wondering today, approximately what the expected life is of the xenon headlights? I realize it's a hard question to answer exactly, but I have heard that they tend to last quite a bit longer than standard halogens. When they fail, is it just the bulb that needs to be replaced, or is it a completely sealed unit? What approximately would be the cost of the repair?

are your xenons out already?

Roowah · 04-23-2009, 03:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by E92-Lighting

are your xenons out already?

Nope, but I'm planning on buying my car off its lease very shortly, and I heard that the lights aren't covered by the CPO warranty. It just got me wondering about the life expectancy and the cost of the replacement.

Richbot mentioned it was about $100. Not horrible, but more expensive than a halogen. Although if it lasts such a long time, it probably evens out.

carve · 04-23-2009, 04:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roowah

Richbot mentioned it was about $100. Not horrible, but more expensive than a halogen.

I heard they were considerably more than that. Call your dealer and let us know. To maxamize life, minimize on/off cycles. I use the switch so they don't turn on every time I enter/exit my garage.

Roowah · 04-23-2009, 05:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by carve

I heard they were considerably more than that. Call your dealer and let us know. To maxamize life, minimize on/off cycles. I use the switch so they don't turn on every time I enter/exit my garage.

I'm actually going to be at the dealer on Monday. I'll have to remember to ask them and report back.

04-22-2009, 09:25 PM	#1
Roowah Captain 28 Rep 811 Posts Drives: 2006 E90 330i 6MT Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Cambridge, MA iTrader: (0)	Life Expectancy Of Xenon Headlights? I was wondering today, approximately what the expected life is of the xenon headlights? I realize it's a hard question to answer exactly, but I have heard that they tend to last quite a bit longer than standard halogens. When they fail, is it just the bulb that needs to be replaced, or is it a completely sealed unit? What approximately would be the cost of the repair? __________________ 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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04-22-2009, 09:47 PM	#2
Richbot Major General 2760 Rep 5,483 Posts Drives: Jerez Black E90 Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: STL iTrader: (5)	Typically the bulbs and ballasts have similar life expectancies. Both are replaceable separately, both are $100+ each to replace with OEM parts, and both should last past 100k miles. __________________
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04-22-2009, 10:33 PM	#3
StanfordF15 PIC 7 Rep 135 Posts Drives: 2015 X5 5.0i Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Seattle, WA iTrader: (0)	I've heard that they fail sooner if they are cycled on and off a lot. I park in a garage at my house and they turn on every time I start up or drive into it. I've been curious if this would precipitate a failure. __________________ Monaco 335i E90, 6AT, ZSP, ZPP, ZCW, PDC, iDrive, 6FL.
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04-23-2009, 12:30 AM	#7
quagmire I am Gundam 186 Rep 1,211 Posts Drives: 2017 Camaro 2SS Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: USA iTrader: (0)	The first Xenon burned out at 65,000 miles on our E46. You can tell when it is on its last legs.
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04-23-2009, 12:48 AM	#10
VTECaddict Where'd my VTEC go? 481 Rep 6,067 Posts Drives: 06 330i 6MT Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Seattle, WA iTrader: (4)	HID bulbs turn pink when they go bad. but flickering when turning on shouldnt happen either. __________________ AW/Terra \| ZSP \| ZPP \| ZCW \| iDrive \| CA Mods: BC BR coilovers \| Blacklines \| M-tech rear \| dual exhaust \| M3 steering wheel \| BMW SSK \| ZHP shift knob \| High-kick CF spoiler \| NBT Retrofit M3 front control arms \| M3 rear guide rods \| Manzo rear toe and camber links \| Monroe rear shock mounts \| Varrstoen ES1 19x9.5+20 Front, 19x11+25 rear
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04-23-2009, 10:58 AM	#12
LiKWiD335xi Anthony 10 Rep 274 Posts Drives: '08 E90 335xi Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Central NJ iTrader: (1)	It's hit or miss with them depending on manufacturer. Typically they should last a long time, longer than you have the car. I've seen a 06 Maxima bulb go out in 15,000 miles. On the other hand, I converted my E46 to HID (aftermarket) at 10,000 miles and sold it at 96,000 miles with no problems. The kid who has the car is still using them with 102,000 miles. Also had family members with 80,000+ miles on their cars with no problems. If a light is flickering or turning different colors, something is wrong.
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04-23-2009, 11:11 AM	#14
Jurisprudent Second Lieutenant 21 Rep 226 Posts Drives: '15 335i M-Sport Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Coastal SC iTrader: (0)	Not to stray too far off the OPs topic, but does anyone know the scientific reason why the lights seem to be very blue at first but gradually whiten after a few seconds? I've always assumed they were simply heating up or something of that nature, but curious to know what the real chemical reason is. __________________
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04-23-2009, 11:23 AM	#15
golf4501 Lieutenant 106 Rep 587 Posts Drives: 2020 M2C Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: chicagoland iTrader: (0) Garage List 2020 BMW M2C [0.00]	I never had to replace a xenon bulb in my '01 330ci, delivered in September 2000 retired December 2007
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04-23-2009, 11:23 AM	#16
noro Colonel 90 Rep 2,707 Posts Drives: '91 M3, '04 E46 ZHP, '72 2002 Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Boston iTrader: (0)	http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Headlam..._light_sources __________________ zhpregistry.net - ZHP stats and free classifieds.
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04-23-2009, 11:27 AM	#17
iheartsole Brigadier General 85 Rep 4,929 Posts Drives: 08 335i coupe Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: San Diego iTrader: (2)	i would guess a long time. unless, you put an aftermarket bulbs
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