B5 Headlight Conundrum

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ABRAD
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B5 Headlight Conundrum

Post by ABRAD » Tue Nov 21, 2017 8:09 pm

Hi

Might seem a stupid question - but does anyone know why the inner headlights in the UK B5's lack a bulb unit and that the Hi-Beam is incorporated in the outer Xenon unit's?

I thought that it might be due to the added supercharger but it appears (looking on the register photos) that the Far Eastern and European Cars come with said unit - presume it is the highbeam??

Just curious.
Current Cars
2010 Alpina B3s Cab (233/Deep Sea Blue)
2002 Alpina B10 V8s (96/Avus Blue)
2008 Alpina B5s (453/Sapphire Black)
2007Alpina D3 MT (348/Titanium Silver)
2009 Honda S2000 (Black/Red Leather)
1999 F355 F1 Spyder (Black/Beige Leather - US Spec)
1988 BMW E28 M5 (Black/Natur Leather - US Spec)
1988 Volkswagen Golf GTI MK2 8V - looking sad for itself and to be renovated!!

Previous Cars
Renaultsport Clio 172
Volkswagen Scirocco
Vauxhall Cavalier SRI
Various Vectras, Laguna's, 406's etc - for work

Metrics
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Re: B5 Headlight Conundrum

Post by Metrics » Wed Nov 22, 2017 12:32 pm

ABRAD wrote:Hi

Might seem a stupid question - but does anyone know why the inner headlights in the UK B5's lack a bulb unit and that the Hi-Beam is incorporated in the outer Xenon unit's?

I thought that it might be due to the added supercharger but it appears (looking on the register photos) that the Far Eastern and European Cars come with said unit - presume it is the highbeam??

Just curious.
Headlights are a complex topic!

On LCI/facelift (2007 on) E60 series cars the xenon unit is a bi-xenon, which essentially means the bulb has a cap over the top section, when high beam is activated the cap is lifted, giving the full high beam. This means the inner lamp is redundant and so appears black given empty location.

If the car was specified with Visibility Pack, the the beams adjust according to steering angle (adaptive lights) and come with high beam assist. On these lamp units the inner lamp location has a bulb in it (so appears silver not black), and the bulb is activated at low speeds to assist with low speed maneuvers, so called kerb lights.

Chances are the cars you've seen pictures of have Visibility Pack. I've noticed the same - UK cars mainly only have standard Xenon, European cars have Visibility.

On pre-LCI Xenon headlamps, I think the inner lamp still has a halogen high beam bulb in it, but I could be wrong. But I'm certainly clear on the E60 LCI version though.

HTH. I'll get my coat...
2019 G31 B5 Biturbo No.299
2012 F10 D5 Biturbo No.13
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WINNE1
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Post by WINNE1 » Wed Nov 22, 2017 8:59 pm

My B5 2006 56 has the inner lamp with a halogen high beam bulb in it.
B6 convertible 4.4 black with silver decals .
B5 saloon 4.4 black with silver decals .

PhillV8S
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Post by PhillV8S » Thu Nov 23, 2017 12:42 am

My 2008 B6s has no inner halogen fitted.
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E64 B6s #100 Cabriolet (Now Sold)
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ABRAD
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Post by ABRAD » Fri Nov 24, 2017 7:41 pm

Thanks chaps.

Wierd how they are all different.

Ours hasn't even got the high-beam assist and definitely no Visibility Pack- so that will explain it.

The weather must just be worse in Japan and Europe!!!
Current Cars
2010 Alpina B3s Cab (233/Deep Sea Blue)
2002 Alpina B10 V8s (96/Avus Blue)
2008 Alpina B5s (453/Sapphire Black)
2007Alpina D3 MT (348/Titanium Silver)
2009 Honda S2000 (Black/Red Leather)
1999 F355 F1 Spyder (Black/Beige Leather - US Spec)
1988 BMW E28 M5 (Black/Natur Leather - US Spec)
1988 Volkswagen Golf GTI MK2 8V - looking sad for itself and to be renovated!!

Previous Cars
Renaultsport Clio 172
Volkswagen Scirocco
Vauxhall Cavalier SRI
Various Vectras, Laguna's, 406's etc - for work

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