Understanding the Xenon Headlights - Please Help

[knbizzle]

I just purchased the 2008 328i sedan and have the xenon headlights. I have noticed on the road that some other bmw cars have the xenon "rings" and they are in a much different color than my xenons. they seem to be after market xenons and i think they look much better. the color can only be described as a very very white light with a bluish tint. i feel it looks better than my regular xenons and i was wondering if i'm crazy and mine is the same or if someone did something after market.

I also don't understand the difference between xenons and the regular bulbs that my last car (old jeep) had. Are they bulbs? Can xenons be replaced? If so, any suggestions on what to replace with?

Any advice would be appreciated!

 

[Big Daddy]

Please do not keep posting this, if you have a little patience someone will attempt to get you an answer. Yes Xenon's can be replaced they are very similar to regular Halogen lamps just different makeup. Try googling "xenon".

 

[MrElussive]

Xenon headlights are much more expensive than regular Halogen headlights. They are ignited by a ballast behind both headlight bulbs and produce a very bright blue/white illumination. They are much more costly than typical Halogen bulbs because they last much longer and they produce two to three times more illumination than standard bulbs.

Xenon headlights from the factory come at a temperature rating of 4300K. You can install 5000K, 6000K, 8000K, and even 10,000K xenon headlights, the higher you go, the more of a blue effect you get. 10,000K Xenon headlights actually look purple. But once you go with bulbs that are higher in color temperature, you lose lighting output. The higher you go, the less light output you get.

As for the rings around your headlights, that has nothing to do with the Xenon headlights. That is just a styling cue that BMW uses on all of its new cars these days. I believe these rings are LED lights and they are in a yellow color to provide a nice contrast while the headlights are on.

 

[Big Daddy]

See I told you someone would answer your question, thanks Emile.