135i High-beam flasher = epic failure

Jeef Beef · 10-30-2009, 07:58 AM

So I just realised today that my coupe uses the XENON to do the high-beam flash (pulling indicator stalk towards you) when the lights are off. I know that the car uses a bi-xenon system, where the low beam and high beam are from the same light source.

However, I always thought BMWs (like my dad's E46) had a halogen bulb installed on the inner headlights specifically for this function, in order to not activate the xenons during flashing and hence preserve their longevity. Also, xenons take a couple of seconds to start up, which defeats the 'flash' effect.

Well, looks like that'll be a function I won't be using from now on.

sparoz · 10-30-2009, 08:11 AM

No delay on my 'flash'???

Jeef Beef · 10-30-2009, 08:15 AM

My car doesn't have adaptive headlight system, so there's no actual bulb in the inner two light housings (the ones closest to the grille). It uses the main xenons to do the high-beam flash, which take a couple of seconds to reach max intensity.

Also, car's an 09 model.

d3syd · 10-30-2009, 08:29 AM

Yes JB you're right about the Xenons being used to flash contrary to expectations. However there is a globe in the inner lamps if you look closely. All the appears to do is illuminate the "angle eyes" of both lamps.

I find my 1er's high beam to be very feeble as a result of the inner lamps not being used for high beam as in other xenon equipped vehicles. Dumb.

Jeef Beef · 10-30-2009, 08:39 AM

Yes, I realised the inner lights house an H8 globe with a radial beam that illuminates the angel eyes. And like you said, they don't really do anything else.

Definitely form over function in this case.

MickyD · 10-31-2009, 04:12 PM

have you actually tried flashing them? it's not a couple of seconds really, yes xenons take a moment to warm up, but for the purposes of flashing someone they are fine.

10-30-2009, 07:58 AM	#1
Jeef Beef Lord Captain Commander 110 Rep 3,093 Posts Drives: a sleeper Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Sydney, Australia iTrader: (0)	135i High-beam flasher = epic failure So I just realised today that my coupe uses the XENON to do the high-beam flash (pulling indicator stalk towards you) when the lights are off. I know that the car uses a bi-xenon system, where the low beam and high beam are from the same light source. However, I always thought BMWs (like my dad's E46) had a halogen bulb installed on the inner headlights specifically for this function, in order to not activate the xenons during flashing and hence preserve their longevity. Also, xenons take a couple of seconds to start up, which defeats the 'flash' effect. Well, looks like that'll be a function I won't be using from now on. __________________ E82 135i M-sport: SGM/6MT/Black
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10-30-2009, 08:11 AM	#2
sparoz Brigadier General 191 Rep 4,848 Posts Drives: VO 1///M; Macan Turbo Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Sunshine Coast iTrader: (0)	No delay on my 'flash'??? __________________ Macan S Diesel - Carrera White Macan Turbo - White 1///M - Valencia Orange
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10-30-2009, 08:15 AM	#3
Jeef Beef Lord Captain Commander 110 Rep 3,093 Posts Drives: a sleeper Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Sydney, Australia iTrader: (0)	My car doesn't have adaptive headlight system, so there's no actual bulb in the inner two light housings (the ones closest to the grille). It uses the main xenons to do the high-beam flash, which take a couple of seconds to reach max intensity. Also, car's an 09 model. __________________ E82 135i M-sport: SGM/6MT/Black
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10-30-2009, 08:29 AM	#4
d3syd Major 50 Rep 1,474 Posts Drives: 135i MT, LMB, ProNav Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Scamander, Tasmania iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 135i Coupe [0.00]	Yes JB you're right about the Xenons being used to flash contrary to expectations. However there is a globe in the inner lamps if you look closely. All the appears to do is illuminate the "angle eyes" of both lamps. I find my 1er's high beam to be very feeble as a result of the inner lamps not being used for high beam as in other xenon equipped vehicles. Dumb. __________________ Fun Car: 135i Manual LeMans Blue / Beige Leather / Grey Poplar / pro nav / euro plates. Delivered 24 June 08 Family Car: Land Rover Discovery 4 SDV6 Spare Car: Volvo V70 Sydney Car: MB 420SEL
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10-30-2009, 08:39 AM	#5
Jeef Beef Lord Captain Commander 110 Rep 3,093 Posts Drives: a sleeper Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Sydney, Australia iTrader: (0)	Yes, I realised the inner lights house an H8 globe with a radial beam that illuminates the angel eyes. And like you said, they don't really do anything else. Definitely form over function in this case. __________________ E82 135i M-sport: SGM/6MT/Black
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10-31-2009, 04:12 PM	#6
MickyD (Damned or Belated) 10 Rep 497 Posts Drives: Le Mans Blue 120D M Manual Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Seaford, Vic. iTrader: (0)	have you actually tried flashing them? it's not a couple of seconds really, yes xenons take a moment to warm up, but for the purposes of flashing someone they are fine.
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