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Now that the sunrise is occurring closer to noon here in the Pacific Northwest (alright, so I exaggerate), I use my high-beams every day when I leave for work for perhaps four or five miles. The factory Xenon lights use Xenon low-beams, for sure, but the high-beams are halogen, just like on the Corvette. (At least Porsche uses self-levelling low beams; GM didn't.) Our Benz and Bimmer use all Xenon, and they sure do look better. Two questions:
1. Why so little bitching about this in prior threads? Everyone is happy spending $1K only to get half of a Xenon solution?
2. Why does Porsche call these "bi-xenon" when they clearly aren't? Oh, there may be a re-aiming of the low-beams going on, but so what? This isn't standard terminology.
All I know is, compared to my non bi-xenon vehicle, that driving the CS with low beams at night it looks like daylight, hit the hi-beams and it's like the sun exploded. Maybe that's why there is little bitching...
My 2008 headlights have a flap that moves up when the high beams are "on", and down when off. The same xenon lamps are used for both.
Yes, this is how they work. There is an auxillary Halogen bulb that works when you "Flash to Pass" by pulling the stalk. This is used because Xenon takes too long to illuminate for quick flashing.
But the Bi-Xenons are the real deal when you turn on the high beams (not just flash them).
That makes sense. During our caravan down to CrocFest last week, there were a few times I had to quickly flash the cars up front to let them know if we left someone behind or we needed to pull into a rest area. This was still at dusk so my headlights weren't on yet.
Knowing how long it takes for the Xenons to "warm-up", I was surprised at the instant response and refection off the cars ahead of me. A separate halogen bulb would explain this!
__________________ Pete
2008 Meteor Grey CS, PASM, Chrono, Sport Seats, Sport Shifter, Sport steering wheel, Xenon, Fire Extinguisher, Auto Climate and clear bra!
2007 Blue Slate Infiniti G35s 6-speed
Last edited by PistolPete13; 10-08-2008 at 03:40 PM.
Yes, this is how they work. There is an auxillary Halogen bulb that works when you "Flash to Pass" by pulling the stalk. This is used because Xenon takes too long to illuminate for quick flashing.
But the Bi-Xenons are the real deal when you turn on the high beams (not just flash them).
Not true on my 2008. Those halogens *are* the high-beams. I sat with them aimed at a wall in the parking garage after driving for 5 miles, and I'm looking at a combination of xenon and halogen, just like on the C6.
There is an axillary Halogen bulb that works when you "Flash to Pass" by pulling the stalk. This is used because Xenon takes too long to illuminate for quick flashing.
But the Bi-Xenons are the real deal when you turn on the high beams (not just flash them).
Grant is right. Xenons take time to reach full bright. They would be useless as passing lights. Because of that, there are halogen bulbs in our lights for use as passing lamps. If you have bixenons, when you use your high beam, you are using both the Xenon bulb with an electro-mechanically controlled reflector, and the halogen bulb. Pull the passing lights at night with the lights on, look closely and you will see that your high beams are a little more yellow than your low beams. This is because the halogens are firing too.
They are BiXenons + halogens. Nothing to complain about.
If you're not seeing xenons for your high beams (when pointing at a wall as you stated) then maybe you've got a problem with your switch. The Cayman does have both high/low beams in xenon with the additional halogen bulb for flashing.
__________________
Scott
2006 Cayman S
2008 MINI S
Not true on my 2008. Those halogens *are* the high-beams. I sat with them aimed at a wall in the parking garage after driving for 5 miles, and I'm looking at a combination of xenon and halogen, just like on the C6.
Our cars have TWO highbeams....given that you have the bi-xenon package. Hit the stalk and xenon shines brighter but you might not be able to notice it due to the color of the halogens being on. Take your hand and cover the lens where the halogen bulb is....try it again and you will see the xenon illuminate higher
__________________
2004 BMW 745Li (Sterling Grey)
2006 Porsche Cayman S (Seal Grey)
Your question made me check my '08. There is a halogen bulb that is there for flashing when the xenon's are off. It also comes on with the high beams to for that little extra I guess. But if you cover this halogen bulb there is still a distinct difference in pattern going from low to high with the xenons. Warm up time wouldn't enter into it since it's the same xenon bulb that stays lit. Just some flaps or other motion changing the pattern.
Whatever is done it works. Excellent lights for night driving so no complaints here.
Wifey traded her Boxster for a 2008 RS60 Spyder. 
