Xenon headlamps on 1 Series - dipped only or dip & main?

[alant01]

I'm buying an 05-reg BMW 1 Series with "xenon" headlamps. I suppose this means only the dipped beams are Xenon but the main beams will just be regular halogen bulbs. Is this so? I understand that it's bi-Xenons which are both dipped and main.

If so, is it worth fitting high-intensity main beam bulbs, too? (e.g. Osram NightBreaker or Philips Xtreme).

I'd appreciate input from any 1 Series drivers with Xenon experience.

[M3Charlie]

1 Series are Dipped only

[M3Charlie]

And yes your right about the main beam, I think you will find you don't need a light upgrade with the main beam though, the standard Xenons are excellent and the mian beam is very good.

[alant01]

Hi M3Charlie,

Thanks for the useful info. Yes, I had supposed they'd be dipped beam only. I take delivery of the car on Friday, so I'll be out on familiar roads in the dark on Friday night! It's my first car with Xenons so it'll be interesting to see the difference over regular bulbs.

[Max M4X WW]

Will be interested in your thoughts on them.

My E39 is my first car with xenons and I don't find them that great. They have new bulbs too.

But as said, keep the standard bulbs in - they should be fine.

[greygoose]

I've got xenons on my 1 series and they are better than the previous ordinary lights on my Z4, having said that the xenons on my previous Focus ST were better than the 1 series and the main beam on the ST seemed to light up the next county .