[BMWE90fan]

I have a 06 330i with adaptive xenons or bi xenons; not sure but I know there adaptive and the inner is my DRL's and flash to pass. I thought bi xenons were low and high in the outer light. I am asking because I am looking online to replace my fading headlight housings. So I am looking on ECS tuning and an they show a housing that looks like mine but have one under bi xenon and one under xenon that both look like mine. Can someone chime in on what I have and clarify if my high n low beams come out of the outer lights on my car? Just a tad bit confused and before I make a expensive purchase I need to get this right; lol. Also and feedback on the brands? I was looking and see brands like valeo, hella, ZKW and of coarse BMW. Thanks for any help!

[ki_soarer]

You are correct in that the outer lens is the low beam and high beam. It may simply be that one brand called it xenon and the next brand calls it bi-xenon. BMW headlamps are all made by either ZKW or Valeo. If you look in the bottom corner of your lens you should see what brand your car has. I would just stick with what you have now so you don’t have to worry about any of the components not fitting perfectly when swapping.

Have you tried having the lenses polished? Lots of members here have had great results sanding and clear coating their headlamps.

[Efthreeoh]

Bi-xenon means there are shutters in the xenon light (outer lens) that direct the light from low-beam to high-beam. Adaptive Xenon means the outer light (bi-xenon) shifts left and right to aid in lighting the road in corners. All USA market E9X have bi-xenon adaptive headlights if ordered as an option in the 325i/328i or standard in the 330i and 335i. E9X models were sold in other markets, including Canada, with non-adaptive bi-xenon lights.

ZKW is the OEM of the headlight unit. Hella also makes a version. The new light units come without the bulb, HID igniter, and the controller. All have to be switched over from the old light. A new headlight prices out around $750.

There is a aftermarket replacement outer headlight lens cover, which requires heating the headlight unit up to liquify the glue/sealant to remover the old lens cover.

I had to replace one of my headlights last year, the on-line autoparts recyclers sell used units for around $350 - $500. Most of them are crap IMO and it's just better to by the ZKW replacement new unit.


My 2 cents.

[BMWE90fan]

Thanks you so much for the help. Efthreeoh, would you happen to have a part number for the the ZKW left and right housings for my 330i. Just asking because I am looking at ECS tuning and the ones listed by ZKW for my car say xenon pre lci models; while they list the same looking housing for lci models as bi xenon. Just wanted to make sure this is correct as they list it. thank you I appreciate the help!

[Efthreeoh]

Originally Posted by BMWE90fan

Thanks you so much for the help. Efthreeoh, would you happen to have a part number for the the ZKW left and right housings for my 330i. Just asking because I am looking at ECS tuning and the ones listed by ZKW for my car say xenon pre lci models; while they list the same looking housing for lci models as bi xenon. Just wanted to make sure this is correct as they list it. thank you I appreciate the help!

Go to realoem.com. Put in the last 7 digits of your VIN. The go to "lighting" and you'll find the part numbers. All the pre-LCI HID's are the same.

[BMWE90fan]

will do. Thanks.

[BMWE90fan]

ki_soarer; yes I have tried the lense polish kit with the sandpaper and so on. They came out a lot better but still only got so good. Only the passenger side is the one that is not the best so to speak. I have even considered doing a laminex light smoke film.

[DSteele41]

Efthreeoh

I had a minor collision and need to replace my

" There is a aftermarket replacement outer headlight lens cover, which requires heating the headlight unit up to liquify the glue/sealant to remover the old lens cover. "

this maybe an option for me as the outer lens broke but the headlight itself stills works... I had no idea those headlights where $$$ 600.00 -750.00

do you know where to get them and the process of installing new after you liquify glue sealant to get old off ??

Regards and Thanks,

DSteele41

[fazman]

Originally Posted by DSteele41

Efthreeoh

I had a minor collision and need to replace my

" There is a aftermarket replacement outer headlight lens cover, which requires heating the headlight unit up to liquify the glue/sealant to remover the old lens cover. "

this maybe an option for me as the outer lens broke but the headlight itself stills works... I had no idea those headlights where $$$ 600.00 -750.00

do you know where to get them and the process of installing new after you liquify glue sealant to get old off ??

Regards and Thanks,

DSteele41

I think i saw something about it here:
https://youtu.be/r0L62JYwcOA
https://www.bimmerjakes.com/en/headlight-lens-plastic-covers-for-bmw-3-e90e91-2005-2011/42-79-bmw-3-series-e90-e91-new-headlight-lens-plastic-cover-xenon-880802572062.html#/114-left_right-pair

[worels]

I know im a bit behind but im new and this is my first post.
I just bought an E90 from auction without headlights and am looking desperately to figure out which ones it came with so i can order the whole housings. Again, i dont have the originals, didnt come with the car. I have used the VIN but it still gives me the option to choose whether they are Xenon and or adaptive.
any help Please?
vin: WBAPH53569A438330

[ki_soarer]

Does not show bi-xenon in the options list when I looked up the vin. Hope that helps.

[vester86]

doesn't show any Xenon option, so probably "just" halogen lights.

[Efthreeoh]

Originally Posted by worels

I know im a bit behind but im new and this is my first post.
I just bought an E90 from auction without headlights and am looking desperately to figure out which ones it came with so i can order the whole housings. Again, i dont have the originals, didnt come with the car. I have used the VIN but it still gives me the option to choose whether they are Xenon and or adaptive.
any help Please?
vin: WBAPH53569A438330

The VIN look ups on the internet are not always accurate. But your solution is easy. First off you have a 2009 328i, so adaptive HIDs were an option, which means there is a 50/50 chance the car came with standard halogen headlights. Now all you need to do is look at the headlight connectors (assuming they are still on the car). The 2009 328i uses separate low beam and high beam projectors, but both projectors use a H7 55W halogen bulb. The H7 is a simple twin-blade connector. So just look at the headlight harness and if you find two (2) of the same twin-blade connectors, then the car came with the standard halogen headlights.

H7 bulb connector image for reference:

[worels]

thank you so much. that is all good info. I will look later this morning at my connectors.

[worels]

Thanks again to all that answered. I just installed the replacement for Halogen and they were plug and play.