[Roki_014]

How do inner headlights light up, is it only when turning?

[LousyShot]

It depends on which headlight configuration you have. If you have xenons then they light up when you pull the turn signal stalk towards you to "flash" someone. If you don't have xenons then they act as daytime running lights until you turn the headlights on, then they act as highbeams.

[340driver]

Originally Posted by LousyShot

It depends on which headlight configuration you have. If you have xenons then they light up when you pull the turn signal stalk towards you to "flash" someone. If you don't have xenons then they act as daytime running lights until you turn the headlights on, then they act as highbeams.

That's not quite right. If you have xenons, the inners are BLANK.

[Roki_014]

Ita a 335, i have xenons, high beams are through outter ones as well, so whats there purpose than?

[Naambezet]

Originally Posted by Roki_014

Ita a 335, i have xenons, high beams are through outter ones as well, so whats there purpose than?

The angel eyes would look weird if there's nothing in the inner one.

[tores]

I have a F31 with xenon, same here. It was the same on my 2009 E 91 aswell. I asked one of the BMW dealers in Olso for the purpose of the inner lights but they could not answer.

[LousyShot]

Originally Posted by 340driver

That's not quite right. If you have xenons, the inners are BLANK.

You are correct. I had xenons on my E90 and thought the F30s worked the same but they don't. I just went out and checked and the F30 does use the outer xenons to "flash". The E90 had halogen bulbs for the inner lights for the flash function because it wasn't considered to be good for the xenons to go through rapid on/off cycles. Guess they figured out a way to make it work.
I humbly apologize for the misinformation.

[Roki_014]

thanks guys, i honestly thought something was wrong with mine until I started reading, and just wanted to confirm, it would have been cool if they both worked but still they are the brightest ones on the road

[Elk]

Originally Posted by Roki_014

Ita a 335, i have xenons, high beams are through outter ones as well, so whats there purpose than?

Four round headlights are a BMW design cue. At some point BMW will probably drop them, to howls of protest from the cognoscenti.

When high beams are invoked, a little shutter in front of the bulb moves out of the way and allows more light to pass. This is why switching between high and low beam is instant and there is no warm-up time when going to high beam.

[AVIMAX]

On my old 3 and my current 5, and I think the new 3 is the same, the inner headlights are cornering lights. Left lights up when you turn left or turn on the left turn signal, right when you turn right and both light up if you put the car in reverse.

[Elk]

The inner lights are blanks, merely taking up space. The fogs perform the role of turning lights.

[SamS]

Originally Posted by Elk

The inner lights are blanks, merely taking up space. The fogs perform the role of turning lights.

What if you have M-sport (no fogs).

[Elk]

Then no turning lights. The inner pair remain inert.

[Tacoma]

Originally Posted by 340driver

That's not quite right. If you have xenons, the inners are BLANK.

Originally Posted by LousyShot

You are correct. I had xenons on my E90 and thought the F30s worked the same but they don't. I just went out and checked and the F30 does use the outer xenons to "flash". The E90 had halogen bulbs for the inner lights for the flash function because it wasn't considered to be good for the xenons to go through rapid on/off cycles. Guess they figured out a way to make it work.

Or it was to save cost.

[Elk]

Bi-Xenon are a great deal cheaper than separate high beam housings.