Headlamp question (xenon)

Noggie · 02-22-2015, 12:17 PM

I have had several BMWs (euro), and all my cars have always had the low beams in the outer filament, and high beams in the inner filament.
My old e46 had bi-xenon with low and hi-beams In the outer filament, and a normal incandescent hi-beam in the inner filament.

Was sitting infront of a window with my -12 F11 today waiting for some people, I started to play with my light switch, noticed how the brightness of my halos changed from DRL and parking lights.
When I put on my hi-beams I was surprised that nothing happened to the inner filament and it appears not to be in use at all.
It looks like I have bi-xenon in the outer filament, and the inner one is just a "dummy" lamp with a halo around it.
Is this really the case? Did BMW scrap the old twin headlamp function on the F10/11 and just kept the visual appearance of 4 headlamps?

shawnsheridan · 02-22-2015, 01:18 PM

That is correct. The outside bulbs are bi-xenon for low-beam and high-beam. The inside bulbs are your cornering lights and they come on in reverse as well.

F10Msport · 02-22-2015, 06:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shawnsheridan

That is correct. The outside bulbs are bi-xenon for low-beam and high-beam. The inside bulbs are your cornering lights and they come on in reverse as well.

Have the same sets of Xenons (non-adaptive) tried various methods to get them on, but failed. Even by turning the steering.

r33_RGSport · 02-22-2015, 11:59 PM

@shawnsheridan, is it possible to code the cornering light to light up the fog light instead of the inner lights?
Like the F15 X5.
Cuz my '14 F10 got the LED foglight.

remmib · 02-23-2015, 04:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by r33

@shawnsheridan, is it possible to code the cornering light to light up the fog light instead of the inner lights?
Like the F15 X5.
Cuz my '14 F10 got the LED foglight.

Why, the cornering light is much better than the fog light to light up the road.

shawnsheridan · 02-23-2015, 05:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by F10Msport

Have the same sets of Xenons (non-adaptive) tried various methods to get them on, but failed. Even by turning the steering.

The Cornering Light function is part of the Adaptive Head Lights which you do not have.

shawnsheridan · 02-23-2015, 05:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by r33

@shawnsheridan, is it possible to code the cornering light to light up the fog light instead of the inner lights?
Like the F15 X5.
Cuz my '14 F10 got the LED foglight.

No, not possible.

Noggie · 02-23-2015, 06:28 AM

Thanks guys.

I dont have adaptive headlamps so I guess they are just dummies and will never be used, unless it can be coded.

I know there are normally US and Euro differences too. I.e on the e46 the inner fillament is DRL in the US, and the xenon is low and hi beams.

I would have liked to have lo and hi beams in the outer filament and an extra hi-beam in the inner like on the euro e46.

493263 · 02-23-2015, 08:53 AM

The cornering lamps turn on when you crank the wheel past a certain degree or turn on your blinker. I don't think it will turn on when you're in park.

It's definitely not a dummy light.

Noggie · 02-23-2015, 09:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 493263

The cornering lamps turn on when you crank the wheel past a certain degree or turn on your blinker. I don't think it will turn on when you're in park.

It's definitely not a dummy light.

Cornering lights is a US thing, only in the recent years have we started to see these here in Europe. Think Mercedes started this with turning on the fog lights.
As of today I have yet to see a BMW with this feature, though I'm sure you have had this on BMWs in the US for years.

I have never noticed any additional light when turning, with or without indicators on.
I have driven cars with adaptive lights, and they will turn the low beams in the direction of the front wheels.

Since I have a euro car I therefor believe that they have no function and a just a dummy to hold the inner halo.

remmib · 02-23-2015, 09:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Noggie

Cornering lights is a US thing, only in the recent years have we started to see these here in Europe. Think Mercedes started this with turning on the fog lights.
As of today I have yet to see a BMW with this feature, though I'm sure you have had this on BMWs in the US for years.

I have never noticed any additional light when turning, with or without indicators on.
I have driven cars with adaptive lights, and they will turn the low beams in the direction of the front wheels.

Since I have a euro car I therefor believe that they have no function and a just a dummy to hold the inner halo.

I have cornering light on my f10, but I've got adaptive xenon headlights.

493263 · 02-23-2015, 12:08 PM

I don't know when cornering lamps started. But as reference, my 1998 Lincoln Mark 8 had HIDs and cornering lamps.

The X Men · 02-23-2015, 12:13 PM

I think the Audi A8 had corning lights since 1994.

Noggie · 02-23-2015, 01:10 PM

First euro cars I saw with this was on MB E and C class after 2005.
They had this function on the fog light, I remember I thought they had a busted lamp for a while, before I found out what it was.

First car I ever saw it on was an imported Ford Taurus wagon of the -92 to -95 body style. It had them fitted on the side of the front bumper.

r33_RGSport · 02-23-2015, 02:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by remmib

Why, the cornering light is much better than the fog light to light up the road.

I dunno about that, with my F15 X5, the fog light (it is LED) acting as the cornering light and it is very bright.
Also, the other thing is, the cornering light on the F10 is just regular bulb.
Oh well, it is not possible anyway as shawnsheridan stated.

The X Men · 02-23-2015, 02:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by r33

I dunno about that, with my F15 X5, the fog light (it is LED) acting as the cornering light and it is very bright.
Also, the other thing is, the cornering light on the F10 is just regular bulb.
Oh well, it is not possible anyway as shawnsheridan stated.

What if you already have your fog light on?

493263 · 02-23-2015, 02:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by r33

I dunno about that, with my F15 X5, the fog light (it is LED) acting as the cornering light and it is very bright.
Also, the other thing is, the cornering light on the F10 is just regular bulb.
Oh well, it is not possible anyway as shawnsheridan stated.

You don't need crazy bright lights for cornering lamps as it only needs to project about 20 ft or less. LEDs are nice but not that necessary. They will definitely never use HIDs for cornering lamps as it takes too much V and A to start it.

The cornering lamp is better than the fog lights because it's sitting at a higher angle. Higher angles isn't affected by terrain imperfection and elevation changes causing shadowy affects.

Fog lights are mounted low because fog usually hover 12-18 inches off the ground. So it doesn't have to hit the fog and blind you like how your high beam and low beam does. But it will cause shadowy affects if the road is not smooth. Plus fog lights are usually aimed across rather than down. A cornering lamp would aim down giving you better visibility of what's immediately in front of you.

Since the X5 sits much higher than a 5, the fog light can be used as cornering lamps. It won't be effective in a 5.

r33_RGSport · 02-23-2015, 02:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The X Men

What if you already have your fog light on?

Well, if the fog light is on, then it will not function as the cornering light.
That is the case with my F15 X5.

Quote:

Originally Posted by 493263

You don't need crazy bright lights for cornering lamps as it only needs to project about 20 ft or less. LEDs are nice but not that necessary. They will definitely never use HIDs for cornering lamps as it takes too much V and A to start it.

The cornering lamp is better than the fog lights because it's sitting at a higher angle. Higher angles isn't affected by terrain imperfection and elevation changes causing shadowy affects.

Fog lights are mounted low because fog usually hover 12-18 inches off the ground. So it doesn't have to hit the fog and blind you like how your high beam and low beam does. But it will cause shadowy affects if the road is not smooth. Plus fog lights are usually aimed across rather than down. A cornering lamp would aim down giving you better visibility of what's immediately in front of you.

Since the X5 sits much higher than a 5, the fog light can be used as cornering lamps. It won't be effective in a 5.

You probably right.

Anyway, on the '14 and up, the F10 fog light is LED from the factory already.
I believe on my E60, BMW was using the fog light for the cornering lamp also. But I might be wrong, it has been a while since I sold it.

493263 · 02-23-2015, 02:52 PM

I'm pretty sure the E60 cornering lamp is in the headlight housing.

The X Men · 02-23-2015, 02:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by r33

Well, if the fog light is on, then it will not function as the cornering light.
That is the case with my F15 X5.

I think it is another cost saving move by BMW to put the cornering light on the fog. With my F10, even when my LED fog lights are on, I still get additional lighting from my cornering lights.

cdmulders · 02-24-2015, 08:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 493263

I don't know when cornering lamps started. But as reference, my 1998 Lincoln Mark 8 had HIDs and cornering lamps.

Off topic, but I had a Mark VIII. Awesome car, until it wasn't! Pre-LCI headlights sucked, though.

Bbb34 · 02-24-2015, 09:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by remmib

I have cornering light on my f10, but I've got adaptive xenon headlights.

Correct, same here. I looked at the specs and this seems to be of S524A (Adaptive Headlights) + S522A (Xenon Light) option.

Is/was this "optional", I was under impression that all F10s would come with adaptive headlights ?

02-22-2015, 12:17 PM	#1
Noggie Captain 285 Rep 634 Posts Drives: E31 850i,i3s Join Date: May 2014 Location: Norway iTrader: (0)	Headlamp question (xenon) I have had several BMWs (euro), and all my cars have always had the low beams in the outer filament, and high beams in the inner filament. My old e46 had bi-xenon with low and hi-beams In the outer filament, and a normal incandescent hi-beam in the inner filament. Was sitting infront of a window with my -12 F11 today waiting for some people, I started to play with my light switch, noticed how the brightness of my halos changed from DRL and parking lights. When I put on my hi-beams I was surprised that nothing happened to the inner filament and it appears not to be in use at all. It looks like I have bi-xenon in the outer filament, and the inner one is just a "dummy" lamp with a halo around it. Is this really the case? Did BMW scrap the old twin headlamp function on the F10/11 and just kept the visual appearance of 4 headlamps?
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02-22-2015, 01:18 PM	#2
shawnsheridan General 10440 Rep 40,753 Posts Drives: 2018 Alpina B6 650ix GC Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Houston, TX iTrader: (0) Garage List 2018 F06 Alpina B6 ... [8.35]	That is correct. The outside bulbs are bi-xenon for low-beam and high-beam. The inside bulbs are your cornering lights and they come on in reverse as well. __________________ 2018 F06 Alpina B6 650ix GC; Space Grey; Vermillion Red Nappa Leather; Executive; B&O; Driving Assistant 2017 F15 X5 xDrive50i MSport; Glacier Silver Metallic; Black Dakota Leather; Executive; B&O; Driving Assistant; RSE
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02-22-2015, 11:59 PM	#4
r33_RGSport General 12966 Rep 18,713 Posts Drives: G09 XM, G05 X5 40, 991.2 T Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: So. Cal iTrader: (6)	@shawnsheridan, is it possible to code the cornering light to light up the fog light instead of the inner lights? Like the F15 X5. Cuz my '14 F10 got the LED foglight. __________________ Email:sales@rgsport.com \| IG:RGSport_USA \| Web:RGSportShop.com PM for Everyday DEALS!! MSS • iSweep • RaceChip • Sterckenn • AutoTecknic • Akrapovic • Vossen Wheels • Eventuri Active Autowerke • KW • H&R • Ohlins • Remus • and more...
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02-23-2015, 06:28 AM	#8
Noggie Captain 285 Rep 634 Posts Drives: E31 850i,i3s Join Date: May 2014 Location: Norway iTrader: (0)	Thanks guys. I dont have adaptive headlamps so I guess they are just dummies and will never be used, unless it can be coded. I know there are normally US and Euro differences too. I.e on the e46 the inner fillament is DRL in the US, and the xenon is low and hi beams. I would have liked to have lo and hi beams in the outer filament and an extra hi-beam in the inner like on the euro e46.
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02-23-2015, 08:53 AM	#9
493263 Lieutenant 71 Rep 510 Posts Drives: 2011 550i xDrive Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: DC iTrader: (0)	The cornering lamps turn on when you crank the wheel past a certain degree or turn on your blinker. I don't think it will turn on when you're in park. It's definitely not a dummy light.
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02-23-2015, 12:08 PM	#12
493263 Lieutenant 71 Rep 510 Posts Drives: 2011 550i xDrive Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: DC iTrader: (0)	I don't know when cornering lamps started. But as reference, my 1998 Lincoln Mark 8 had HIDs and cornering lamps.
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02-23-2015, 12:13 PM	#13
The X Men Colonel 99 Rep 2,323 Posts Drives: 2013 X3 35i Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: MA iTrader: (0)	I think the Audi A8 had corning lights since 1994.
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02-23-2015, 01:10 PM	#14
Noggie Captain 285 Rep 634 Posts Drives: E31 850i,i3s Join Date: May 2014 Location: Norway iTrader: (0)	First euro cars I saw with this was on MB E and C class after 2005. They had this function on the fog light, I remember I thought they had a busted lamp for a while, before I found out what it was. First car I ever saw it on was an imported Ford Taurus wagon of the -92 to -95 body style. It had them fitted on the side of the front bumper.
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02-23-2015, 02:52 PM	#19
493263 Lieutenant 71 Rep 510 Posts Drives: 2011 550i xDrive Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: DC iTrader: (0)	I'm pretty sure the E60 cornering lamp is in the headlight housing.
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