e90 LCI headlamp Bi-xenon

[bimmerdude]

i'm a bit lost here. any pics ar?? pre LCI and LCI?

 

[Schwepps]

What is it that you're lost about bro? You have a pre-LCI, so your arrangement should be like this:

1. 2 inner lamps which are reflector lamps with halogen bulbs - for flashing only.
2. 2 outer lamps which are projector lamps (round opaque lens in front) with xenon bulbs - called bi-xenons because one bulb gives both low and high beam.
3. 4 corona rings which are lit by halogen bulbs.

 

[fabianyee]

AFAIK, the bi xenon works by activation of a plate in the projector... Using only 1 and only bulb which is oso the dipped beam..

See this one for the E46
[video=youtube;jvxUWYKA3_Y]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jvxUWYKA3_Y[/video]

The movement of the plate alters the projection of the light beam...

 

[Schwepps]

Yes, that's correct. It works on projector optics as opposed to reflector optics. When the plate covers the lower half of the beam, the lens inverts it and projects the upper half as lower half on the road.

 

[Traveler]

1. 2 inner lamps which are reflector lamps with halogen bulbs - for flashing only.

Actually, for pre-LCI, the inner lamps (halogen/reflectors) are used for flashing and high beam.

So, based on alexkhoo's info on LCIs and adding my own, this should be the comparison between LCI and pre-LCI (someone correct me if this is inaccurate or if there are differences within LCI/pre-LCI models, thanks):

Light - LCI 323i | pre-LCI 325i

DRLs: Angel Eyes | Angel Eyes + Xenon/low (outer projector)
Low Beam: Angel Eyes (dimmed) + Xenon/low (outer projector) | Angel Eyes + Xenon/low (outer projector)
High Beam: Angel Eyes + Xenon/high (outer projector) | Angel Eyes + Xenon/high (outer projector) + Halogen (inner reflector)
Flash: Xenon/high (outer projector) | Halogen (inner reflector)

Difference in Xenon/low and Xenon/high would be the position of the plate in the projector light. In /low mode, the plate allows only a shorter throw for the light beam, while in /high mode, the plate allows a longer throw (ie further away) for the light beam, thus illuminating a longer distance away.

On LCI models, the inner projector is a dummy light.

Not so relevant to us here, but I remember reading in US E90 forums, about their DRLs, and I get the impression that for US pre-LCI models, their DRLs use the halogen inner reflector lights (at low power). Anyone else get the same impression?

 

[Schwepps]

Actually, for pre-LCI, the inner lamps (halogen/reflectors) are used for flashing and high beam.

It could be differences within the pre-LCIs based on model years. Mine is a 2008 pre-LCI.

Are the LCI coronas halogen or LED?

 

[Traveler]

It could be differences within the pre-LCIs based on model years. Mine is a 2008 pre-LCI.

Are the LCI coronas halogen or LED?

Oh boy.. now it's going to get confusing since it seems there are differences within each group (LCI/pre-LCI) depending on model year. Mine is a 2007 pre-LCI.

I saw a LCI 320d today, it appears that the coronas are halogen as they are a similar yellowish tint as halogen.

 

[David Yong]

My current ride is the same like the LCI models, the inner projector is a dummy light.

 

[Schwepps]

DY, are your coronas halogen or LED? AFAIK, the new 5 will introduce LED coronas, but just wondering whether the LCI E90 already has them, because someone mentioned LED DRLs in the DRL thread. Not that I want them...I prefer yellow coronas anytime!

Bimmerdude, have we clarified the lighting issue for you or is your head spinning more?

 

[David Yong]

mine halogen

 

[astroboy]

Mine looks filament bulb.. LCI corona rings definitely a lot brighter and very visible in broad day light compare to our pre-LCI, but I doubt they are on LEDs because their temperature color doesn't look LED at all.

 

[Schwepps]

A halogen bulb is also a filament bulb wat. Unless yours is a tungsten filament like a torchlight.

Astro, pls check it out - what bulb lights our coronas? I'm intrigued...

 

[astroboy]

Halogen bulb: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Halogen_lamp
The combination of the halogen gas and the tungsten filament produces a chemical reaction known as a halogen cycle (see below) that increases the lifetime of the bulb and prevents its darkening by redepositing tungsten from the inside of the bulb back onto the filament. The halogen lamp can operate its filament at a higher temperature than a standard gas filled lamp of similar power without loss of operating life.

There's 2 types of light rings bulb, neither is LED:

Pre-LCI: 12V10W

LCI: 12V35W

 

[Schwepps]

Ah-so! Thank you Astro. Now we know why the LCI coronas are brighter. And yours are also halogens mah. :top:

The new 5 should be launched around June, since the X1 has been launched now. It's supposed to have bright white LED coronas (yechh!)

 

[sharp]

the E92/3 LCI models also using white LEDs

 

[Schwepps]

Are you very sure they're LEDs bro? Halogens can also look very white. Halogens come in different colour temperatures.

 

[astroboy]

Something is not right in my earlier posting.. I search thru Philips website and it seems the 12V bulb that can fit into our light ring bulb holder is max out at 10W.

There is no 12V35W bulb and it doesn't make sense. Even the conventional brake light and turn signal is 21W only and conventional tail lamp is 5W. The 21W turn signal, brake light or reverse light is very hot and won't survive continuous operation. The 35W I got earlier was posted in e90post.com but I suspect that was the HID DIS wattage. The LCI light ring remain a mystery for now..

Wasn't specified in the part catalog as well..

Pre-LCI, item 9 is the corona ring marker:

LCI, no corona ring marker shown in the diagram :

 

[sharp]

er.. i took out my LCI ring bulb, wonder is the watts written there, u need me to check for u guys?

schweeps, i remember i reading somewhere it is

OT sikit, the W212 DRLs are bloody bright!!!

 

[astroboy]

er.. i took out my LCI ring bulb, wonder is the watts written there, u need me to check for u guys?

schweeps, i remember i reading somewhere it is

OT sikit, the W212 DRLs are bloody bright!!!

Yes please, take photo while u are at it.. we learn better with pictures.. :wink:

 

[Schwepps]

The coronas are the signature look of BMWs, and we don't even know what's what. Hahahaha!