E39 Xenon lights

[to3m]

I've been looking for an E90, but I spotted a couple of E39s when going through Autotrader with a "manual gearbox & 3+ litre engine & saloon/touring' search, and checked the specs of each one.

Here's one that apparently has no Xenons: http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017... (look at pic 3)

Here's one that supposedly does have Xenons: http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017... (look at pic 1 or pic 2)

Wait! I can't even tell the difference! They look the same... I think??

Also no Xenons: http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017... (look at pic 2 or pic 3)

Also no Xenons: http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017... (look at pic 1 or pic 5)

Aagh! They look like the Xenons one!

But here's a non-Xenon one that even I can spot: http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017... (look at pic 11)

What's the deal? E90 halogen vs Xenon is much easier to spot from a front photo.

(This is mainly out of interest... I don't know if I'd want any of these, especially the V8 ones, since they're all probably about two steps away from crumbling into a pile of rust, and the prices of the V8 ones are a bit much. But then again, I bet if you drive one of the V8 ones and floor it in 4th gear, it's absolutely astounding...)

[Triumph Man]

Externally (with the lights off!) they will look the same. Most of the E39s you've posted there are facelift cars which all had projector headlamps (can't remember if PFL cars did - I'm sure someone will confirm). You'd have to check the build sheet or, if it's comprehensive, the advert to be sure. I'm not sure if having auto lights and headlamp washes is a giveaway either as I'm sure some cars with halogens had these as well.

ETA - Hang on - are you looking at the "angel eyes" because from the factory facelifted E39s with xenons still had yellowy angel eyes.

[njw1]

As above, it's nigh on impossible to tell just by looking at the front of the light, if you can see the rear of the light it will have a square metal box on it which is the inverter for the xenon bulb. The big giveaway though is if the car has a headlight height adjuster next to the fog light switch, if it has a height adjuster then you don't have xenons, a little blanking plate next to the fog light switch and it does have xenons as the lights on these are self-levelling. If you know the chassis number this website will show what options the car has; https://www.bmwvin.com/

From what I can tell car 1 doesn't have xenons, car 2 does, car 3 doesn't, car 4 doesn't and car 5 I can't tell.

Also, if you're not set on a V8 car then I would probably go for an e90, they are pretty much on par with an e39 with regards to build quality, just as spacious inside and they drive very nicely indeed. An e39 is a car that's going to be 'needy' nowadays (I'm actually just about to change the broken viscous fan and perished top hose on mine!) although you are correct in that a V8 at full chat is an awesome thing!

Edited by njw1 on Monday 2nd October 11:59