With the LCI ypu can't tell if it has xenons with the lights switched off, they all look the same. It seems like you doesn't have them since you have no washers, they are required by law on cars with xenon.

 

I heard somewhere the headlight washers are required due to the intensity of the xenons. The lens covers need to stay as clean as possible to reduce refracted light that would result if they were dirty and could cause damage due to excessive heat.

 

I'm afraid you don't have xenons, that's why you are finding the light output poor. On the pre-LCIs it was very clear, as in the picture posted above - xenons had the main beam ellipsoidal lens but halogens just had a kind of empty shell very much like the secondary bulb (main beam) in that same picture above. These units looked pretty cheap and the angel eyes did not show up very well which is why I opted for the xenons plus the fact they give fantastic light output on dip and main beam (just like daylight - well almost).

On the LCI models such as yours they improved the look of the standard halogen units by giving the main beam the "xenon look" with the ellipsoidal lens. The second main beam bulb unit is again the empty shell just like the pre-LCI xenon unit (picture above). I'm willing to bet that is what you have.

You can tell the LCI xenons by the headlight wash, no manual leveling wheel on the dashboard, ignition type switch-on, warm up delay and self leveling procedure on switching on. The second main beam bulb is also different on the LCI being of a complex lens structure ie. the lens unit is not clear that you can see inside including the bulb, the glass is kind of patterned as in the old fashioned headlights before clear lenses became fashionable.

So, in summary, you have halogens but luckily have the look of xenon which I guess BMW felt that the 5 series deserved even if everyone wasn't willing to spend the rather large sum on getting xenons as an option.

Enjoy your new car - they're great machines even down to the entry level engined 520d which we both have. Did you get the revised 2.0d engine with the increased power, better economy etc?

 

So, I have Xenon 'look-a-like' low beams, that actually have halogen bulbs? Bizarre.

At least I can upgrade the bulbs to some higher output ones mentioned elsewhere in the forum. Have done this on previous E46 with great results.

Unfortunately my car doesn't have the new engine - only 163BHP. Am saving up for a trip to DMS!

 

If yr car is 520i/523i LCI + no washer - then you dont have bulbs xenon lights. only the headlights look like from the exterior & in it normal halogen bulbs.
But in yr case ( as you have already the xenon form headlight), you can simply add an aftermarket xenon bulbs + its adaptor & kits . . . .

 

Add on aftermarket Xenon bulbs are not allowed in Europe from my knowledge for good reasons. Furthermore I would speculate how to get a highbeam with aftermarkets in the lamp housing. From my understanding original Xenons have a mechanical reflector that diverts part of the light for low beam down where it is not visible and allows the full flow of light on high beam by close that bypass duct mechanically.