[Swoosh]

My car is almost here, I should have it on the 18th or 19th (Black 325i, sport package, sunroof, steptronic), but now I'm wondering about the Xenon option.

Note that while I think they're cool, the angel eyes (daylights) is something I really don't need or the the lights that can angle on turns.

But I am concerned that the non-Xenon lights look very different from Xenon lights (even when the lights are off)? Some pictures seem to make the the non-Xenons look quite different.

I just wanna make sure the look of the car isn't dramatically different with the regular lights versus Xenons (aside from when the Angel Eyes are turned on).

[HRC]

If your looking for it, it's a pretty big difference. Even with the lights off, projectors look alot different than halogens. But from a distance, lights turned off, you don't notice it as much.

Danny

[Swoosh]

That's a 325i of a fellow forum member ... I don't think those are Xenons, it's simply a 325i w/sunroof according to his spec list.

If that's what it looks like, I'm fine with that.

If I wanted to change my order, would they have to send the car back or could they switch to Xenons at the dealership?

[HRC]

Those are xenon projectors, sorry to say. I have heard from here that retofit kits are available on ebay but it's ebay...

Danny

[HRC]

here is a pic with halogen...



Danny

[Swoosh]

Hrm, that looks very different.

But I don't want to have to cancel my car order to reorder one with Xenons. If I do that I'll probably have to wait till September or later and miss out on the entire summer

[Spaceman]

Originally Posted by Swoosh

Hrm, that looks very different.

But I don't want to have to cancel my car order to reorder one with Xenons. If I do that I'll probably have to wait till September or later and miss out on the entire summer

I know. you are in a tough situation. I got xenons, and the cosmetics of having angel eyes is a 'must' for me. It just looks way cool. If it were me, I wouldn't mind waiting for a couple more months of agony to get the perfect car I want to keep for at least 4 years. Will post pix with xenon for you to salivate on my next post.
Good luck with your decision!

[Swoosh]

I don't really care about the "angel eyes" (with the halogen glow), I just don't want my car to look very different because I didn't order the Xenon package

Maybe my dealership can switch them on the lot.

[Spaceman]

well, you will just have to judge how different xenon and non-xenons look like with the lights on. Here's a pic of the xenons on. I don't think people will notice if your lights are off. But with daylight running lights or night, it will be more noticeable.

Again, for me, the xenons look impeccable at night. It almost "commands" the road as cars seem to give way more often to me. Then again, it could be my imagination.

[Swoosh]

Are these Xenons as well?

[Spaceman]

Looks like it. If I am not wrong, non-xenons ie regular halogen's enclosure has less definition. You won't get the round rings around the lights. It will look more like a round slightly opague light box. You will still get the 2 lights on each side look, shape will be pretty much the same, just less "lines" around the lights.

[JBOO]

There is clearly a difference in the apprearance of the red car without xenons and the other cars with xenons. I don't understand why BMW did this?

My E60 without Xenons does not look quite so different from the cars with xenons (until the lights are on obviously)

[HRC]

Originally Posted by Swoosh

Are these Xenons as well?

Yes. Do you see the projector lense? That's how to tell the difference(along with the halos, i.e. angel eyes). Halogens do not have this.

Danny

[HRC]

Originally Posted by JBOO

There is clearly a difference in the apprearance of the red car without xenons and the other cars with xenons. I don't understand why BMW did this?

My E60 without Xenons does not look quite so different from the cars with xenons (until the lights are on obviously)

The halogens are only standard on the 325i, and xenons are an option. For the 330i, xenons are standard. The red e90 above is a 325i without the xenon option.

Danny

[Swoosh]

So is it possible to get Xenons installed at the dealer or am I looking at having to re-order the car (noooooo) or going aftermarket (not ideal).

This sucks.

[HRC]

Try to have your dealer locate the same car as your order, only witht he xenon option, otherwise reorder is what I would do.

Danny

[Spaceman]

Originally Posted by HRC

Try to have your dealer locate the same car as your order, only witht he xenon option, otherwise reorder is what I would do.

Danny

I concur

[E90Fleet]

These are the non-Xenon lights on a USA car

[E90Fleet]

And on a Euro car

[Swoosh]

Out of curiosity though, are there generally a lot of aftermarket light mods for 3 series'?

The E46 had "angel eye" mods, right?

[LEDZEP]

Like everything, it comes down to choices. I had Xenon's on my '03 Passat W8 and they were nice, but didn't feel it was worth hundreds to add to my 325i. The Xenons do improve the appearence of the car but I don't think the halogens are "ugly" either. All a matter of choice and budget.

[130meow]

Are you from Canada? Here in Canada 325i comes with xenons standard. Only adaptive headlights are optional for 325i

http://www.bmw.ca/automobiles/model_...D=2&seriesID=3

I'll be getting mine on the 18th as well