For an 02 e39, there are two types of headlights. Xenon and non-xenon. They both have projectors in them and angel-eyes. If I put my HID bulbs in the non-xenon lights, what will the effect be?

Don't do that. I'm not sure what will happen but I can't imagine it to be good. If you want to xenon color w/o HID projectors there are bulbs that you can buy.

The effect will be that they won't fit.

they wont fit and probably wouldnt work anyway. The xenons run off a much higher voltage.

You would need to change the harness, projectors and housings along with the bulbs... but sure it'd work. And add ballasts and ignitors (one unit)

they wont fit and probably wouldnt work anyway. The xenons run off a much higher voltage.

Not true, they run off the same 12v voltage that pretty much the whole car uses. You probably meant wattage, although you'd still be wrong because HID's use about half as much wattage as halogens.

guys, there are aftermarket HID kits out there made to fit in regular lamp housings. Like if your headlamp uses an H4 bulb, they make xenon kits for it. the xenon bulb will be shaped to fit in the H4 housing, and the kit will come with an ignitor/module unit that can be wired up and hidden or mounted on fender.

BUT, your dash indicator will be on indicating a burned out headlamp bulb.

Not true, they run off the same 12v voltage that pretty much the whole car uses. You probably meant wattage, although you'd still be wrong because HID's use about half as much wattage as halogens.


sorry boss, but you are wrong. They run at around 25000 volts from a transformer, like an ignition coil for a distributer cap. Just becasue the cars systems are on a 12v circuit doesnt mean everything runs at 12 volts.

sorry boss, but you are wrong. They run at around 25000 volts from a transformer, like an ignition coil for a distributer cap. Just becasue the cars systems are on a 12v circuit doesnt mean everything runs at 12 volts.

After some research, I stand humbly corrected.

Hat's off to you, sir.

After some research, I stand humbly corrected.

Hat's off to you, sir.


common misconceptions, im an engineer im supposed to know this stuff :cool

sorry boss, but you are wrong. They run at around 25000 volts from a transformer, like an ignition coil for a distributer cap. Just becasue the cars systems are on a 12v circuit doesnt mean everything runs at 12 volts.
the 25k vollts is contained within the system and occurs only at start up and for 200 ms or less, it strictly runs from the ballast/igniter to the bulb and is one way, so the system is in fact 12v.
most new ballast have wide operating range of 9-16V DC with 13V being normal.

The effect will be that they won't fit.
they will fit but he will need to get the car aligned to xenon, A.K.A reflash.
no special harness needed.
After some research, I stand humbly corrected.

Hat's off to you, sir.
technically you were right the first time.

the ballast system on the xenons produces 25000 volts at 200ms, and then runs at 13v avg, the original question was could you install HID bulbs in a non-xenon application. yes any bulb could be used for the rated voltage just like a 120v overhead light, but if you use the wrong ballast (starter) the bulb will not start properly. So technically AwesomeIsLuke is correct, but you are splitting hairs. The HID bulbs will NOT work (or fit) in the non-xenon application. What I am guessing (and i emphasize guessing, as i have never tried this, IF they fit) is that you will have a dim light that will burn out the socket or lamp in a short time period. That was the original question.

or 110v if your a land-lubber

the ballast system on the xenons produces 25000 volts at 200ms, and then runs at 13v avg, the original question was could you install HID bulbs in a non-xenon application. yes any bulb could be used for the rated voltage just like a 120v overhead light, but if you use the wrong ballast (starter) the bulb will not start properly. So technically AwesomeIsLuke is correct, but you are splitting hairs. The HID bulbs will NOT work (or fit) in the non-xenon application. What I am guessing (and i emphasize guessing, as i have never tried this, IF they fit) is that you will have a dim light that will burn out the socket or lamp in a short time period. That was the original question.

the original question was what would happen and will xenon fit and work in his car, the answer is a simple yes, they will and if he gets his car flashed for xenon (or learn to live with the error message on the dash) they would function properly as long as he got an h7 bulb and not a d2s(oe)

have you tried it?

They will work. The xenon vs. halogen projectors are different, but only slightly. MNsport528i has done it, and has a DIY:

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=836630

They will work. The xenon vs. halogen projectors are different, but only slightly. MNsport528i has done it, and has a DIY:

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=836630

crap, I was just about to link that :stickoutt

guys, it's simple. buy an aftermarket xenon kit. it will have a xenon bulb that fits into your headlight assuming you get the right kit. then, it comes with the ignitor unit that even a monkey could wire up.