I've searched for this in the forums and now am even more confused. I believe there are three types of headlights, Halogen, Bi-Xenon and Adaptive. Did BMW switch from Bi-Xenon to Adaptive in a certain year or is there three options when you buy the car.

If you have a headlight in front of you is there anyway to tell if they are bi-xenon or adaptive? or if I look at the crashed car is there anway to tell (like a special knob or button on the inside of the car)

I saw a crashed E60 and offered a low ball amount for a pair of Xenons, now I have a pair of these and realized that the connectors are totally different than my 07 525i Halogens. I didn't have the time to check the forums but now I know this is not plug and play (when I bought them I thought it was).

I'll try do a retrofit but if I'm unsuccessful I'll probably turn around and sell them. Thx

 

I'd like to know this too..

 

My adaptive headlights have written around the main light units inside the headlight in a circle but inside the angel eyes something like BMW Adaptive headlight. Mine is an LCI though so they are adaptive and bi-xenon. The outside lights are projector lamps and have the writing around the lens and the inside light units have a lens over the front but only light up one side at a time when driving slowly and turning a corner(to light up the side area where the car is going like an area light).

 

On my first 2003 E60 I had the Xenons without the active set up. On my current 2005 car they are the active type. In my honest opinion they are just a gimmick. The best active headlights I have seen are fitted to the Land Rover Discovery. When you turn the wheel not only do the headlights swivel but an additional lamp lights up the road at the side of the car.

 

The '08 active headlights do have an additional light on slow speed turns. It works well pulling into a driveway or on street corners.
I don't think the active lights are a gimick. On a twisty country road, they help you see around the turns quite well. Although the effect is more pronounced in my '06 X3.

To the OP, I believe there are retrofit kits that add the necessary parts and connectors to fit the new Xenons to non-xenon equipped cars. I don't recall who or where I've seen this. I do recall some folks have managed the conversion.

 

I think I got this one. Since I have owned an 04 with Adaptive Bi-Xenon. On the headlight itself, on the silver part on the projector lamp, you should be able to read, Adaptive Bi-Xenon. On a regular Bi-Xenon one, like on my current E60, it doesn't say anything but IT IS bi-xenon; you can check the Bi-Xenon by turning on the Hi-Beam once connected to the car, as for Halogen, I assume you can tell, it doesn't have the projector lamps. I think, if you have Xenon, there's a good chance, its Bi-Xenon. To test, just turn on the Hi-Beam, flashing won't turn on the bi-xenon tho, need to push lever away from you. thats it. I think i'm 100% accurate on this one. As for the connectors, the Halogen and Xenon are very different as I understand from many members trying to retrofit xenon. Also adaptive xenon require an extra module I think.

 

Adaptive Xenon Lights will say Adaptive Xenon or something to that effect right on the eyeball itself. I believe if you have Xenon, they are Bi-Xenon. At least in my case. Not sure if Bi-Xenon was an option or not in 2004. But I do have Adaptive Bi-Xenons in my 04 545i. I believe 525iSE said it best.

 

The window sticker for my 05 525i indicates bi level adaptive xenons as an option on my car.
You may want to check your window sticker or a brochure. ? I believe they are standard on 545 and 550s.
Martin

 

ukamath, You don't tell us what year your cars is... but from you location we may be able to help.

In the US I believe there are only two lights, Bi-Xenon with adaptive function and Halogen. There as a change to the DLR(daytime running lights) and the addition of cornering lights with the introduction of the LCI E60.

The Bi-Xenon also has an igniter that I do not believe is part of the headlight assembly itself.