I am in Canada and I just replaced my bulbs.( Xenon tipped). I also found out that there is no difference in intensity when I put on the head lights. Now I am worried that these bulbs may be burnt very soon if they are on all the time.
I have also seen here that it is the high beam(H7) that comes on as a day time running light with a lower intensity. Is that right?

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I am in Canada and I just replaced my bulbs.( Xenon tipped). I also found out that there is no difference in intensity when I put on the head lights. Now I am worried that these bulbs may be burnt very soon if they are on all the time.
I have also seen here that it is the high beam(H7) that comes on as a day time running light with a lower intensity. Is that right?

Thanks

I am not sure on the 99+ E38 models but on the 95 - 98 models they have the headlights programmed to come on while the car is running for DRL (Daytime Running Lights). This is only on cars that were brought into Canada. This is programmed by BMW into your car. If you install Angel Eyes and had them wired to come on while the key is on you might be able to get the dealer to program your car to leave the head lights off when the car is started and just use the Angel Eyes as your DRL.

I just changed the bulbs and have not installed the angel eyes. But I bought these from UK. They are supposed to be xenon tipped. All I know is that they are much brighter than the ones you get here. But since it is on all the time, I am worried that it.
I am also confused a bit as I had other American cars and their day time driving lights and night time driving lights seem to be different in brightness.
Is this the same for the BMW as well?
Any info on this would be much appreciated.

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I have rechecked other vehicles. My Audi A6, changes the intensity of the lights when I switch on the night lights from the day time running lights. But on my bmw, nothing changes at all. The day time running lights and the low beam remains the same intensity. Is this the way it is supposed to be or there is something wrong?

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I have been told by the dealership that the intensity of the day time running lights and low beam should be different. Any idea why mine is not different?
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I have been told by the dealership that the intensity of the day time running lights and low beam should be different. Any idea why mine is not different?
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Yes the newer BMW's use a lower power to the highbeam bulbs (or a separate bulb in the highbeam reflector housing) as the DRL's. On our year of BMW they did not have that option and so they just programed the car to turn on the low beam lights at full power when ever the car is started. If the cars were heading to the USA then the cars were programmed to keep the headlights off. I am not 100% sure but I do believe the newer E38 had a small low power bulb in the highbeam reflector and used it as DRL. When you have your headlights disassembled to install the angle eyes you will see the hole in the highbeam reflectors for this DRL bulb that would be installed in the newer E38. I hope that this helps you out.

Thanks a lot. It sure helps knowing that what is happening is what is supposed to happen. Maybe I will install angel eyes and get it connected to the day time driving lights then.
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Thanks a lot. It sure helps knowing that what is happening is what is supposed to happen. Maybe I will install angel eyes and get it connected to the day time driving lights then.
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No problem magic. I hope that your bimmer treats you well.

P.S. I am sure that there are not to many E38 bimmers around your area as I am originally from the Maritimes and I never seen to many high end cars there. Most people drove little puddle jumpers. Cheers......

The closest dealership is in Halifax. I have not been there as it is almost 8 hours to drive and back. I have seen a couple of 3 series and one older 7 series. (pre 95). The dealership told me as far as they know mine is the only 7 series where I live. It is difficult to service as no one had ever seen one. This forum has been of immense help to me in doing DIY stuff at home. I have also ordered the Peake Research code reader and it is on its way.

By the way Project, which part of the Maritimes are you from?

Cheers and have a good day.
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