B6 Headlight Questions

[IndianaS4]

My S4 was recently involved in an accident that resulted from someone trying to start the car in gear right in front of a house. I don't recommend it. Anyway, the front end is in rough shape. The passenger side headlight is ruined. Due to the damage, I've decided now is as good a time as ever to see if I can find some headlights I like better than OEM, and hopefully get a few questions answered in the process. To begin: What exactly does "bixenon" mean? Does the B6 S4 come with bixenon headlights? I've seen ecode headlights in various pictures, and those are the ones I like the best. How does light output compare with ecodes vs OEM? Build quality? Can you buy bixenon ecodes? Lastly, the price variation. I've seen sets online from as low as 300 dollars, all the way up to 1200+. Are these differently priced items the same product?
Any help is greatly appreciated!

[Hyde]

Bixenon refers to the fact the HID bulb is used in both the low and high beam in each headlamp. The ecode headlamps you like are usually had in the $500 and up (used) range or $1000+ if you're buying OEM. Anything priced lower than that usually isn't either OEM or bixenon. The stock headlamps on all B6/B7 S4s are bixenon from the factory except the MY2004. I'm not sure where the split occurs because I've heard that a few MY2004 S4s are running around out there with bixenons. Also, you can get genuine OEM ecodes in either bixenon or single xenon. If I recall correctly, the beam cutoff is sharper with the single xenons.

Output on ecodes is generally regarded as better than the US spec DOT approved ones, but I didn't notice much of a difference. What you will notice is the beam pattern—some light is thrown up and right to better illuminate road signs. If you're looking for the best deal, you can search ebay.de, but whatever you do, don't get the UK variants as the beam pattern will be reversed, and you'll blind oncoming traffic.

[IndianaS4]

Thanks for the info! Is there much of a difference between OEM ecodes vs non-OEM besides the brand? For example, what would the quality be like on these? Do you lose light output or build quality vs OEM headlights?

http://www.urotuning.com/mobile/prod...FROAaQodnkAAQQ

[krew53]

Personally I would stick with oem.. Those look so cheap.

They are also Halogen fyi

[blai76]

Bixenon refers to the fact the HID bulb is used in both the low and high beam in each headlamp. The ecode headlamps you like are usually had in the $500 and up (used) range or $1000+ if you're buying OEM. Anything priced lower than that usually isn't either OEM or bixenon. The stock headlamps on all B6/B7 S4s are bixenon from the factory except the MY2004. I'm not sure where the split occurs because I've heard that a few MY2004 S4s are running around out there with bixenons. Also, you can get genuine OEM ecodes in either bixenon or single xenon. If I recall correctly, the beam cutoff is sharper with the single xenons.

Output on ecodes is generally regarded as better than the US spec DOT approved ones, but I didn't notice much of a difference. What you will notice is the beam pattern—some light is thrown up and right to better illuminate road signs. If you're looking for the best deal, you can search ebay.de, but whatever you do, don't get the UK variants as the beam pattern will be reversed, and you'll blind oncoming traffic.

bixenon = dual filament bulbs. When high beam is used, the second filament will alight along with the first. In lo-beam-only operation, only the first filament will alight. A metal cutoff plate with actuators physically moves in the headlight housings during hi-beam operation to open up the light pattern for high beam.

xenon = two separate bulbs are used, one for lo beam, one for hi beam. A physical cutoff plate without actuators is stationary usually, and when hi beam is operated, the second bulb is lit, pre-positioned to throw light higher.

[blai76]

Personally I would stick with oem.. Those look so cheap.

They are also Halogen fyi

Don't bother with non-OEM headlights, if you ask me. First, they look cheap, and second, you really want OEM ballasts. Aftermarket ballasts just won't last as long, will have inferior lighting characteristics, and may even throw VAG codes without additional fiddling with resistors to customize the voltage. They'll do things like flicker a lot, or have inconsistent lighting levels. Don't cheap out on headlights; get OEM for sure!

[Hyde]

bixenon = dual filament bulbs. When high beam is used, the second filament will alight along with the first. In lo-beam-only operation, only the first filament will alight. A metal cutoff plate with actuators physically moves in the headlight housings during hi-beam operation to open up the light pattern for high beam.

xenon = two separate bulbs are used, one for lo beam, one for hi beam. A physical cutoff plate without actuators is stationary usually, and when hi beam is operated, the second bulb is lit, pre-positioned to throw light higher.

Some of this info may be true for other cars, but for the B6 (and I'm fairly certain the B7) there is only one HID bulb per headlamp. And HID bulbs do not use filaments.

I agree, don't bother with non-OEM headlamps. You'll be able to swap over all of your hardware (ballasts/bulbs) to the ecode headlamp housings except for the turn signal bulbs. Your North American spec signal bulbs are dual filament, but the ecode signals are a single filament type as they do not illuminate in conjunction with the low beam unless the signal is active.

[blai76]

Some of this info may be true for other cars, but for the B6 (and I'm fairly certain the B7) there is only one HID bulb per headlamp. And HID bulbs do not use filaments.

I agree, don't bother with non-OEM headlamps. You'll be able to swap over all of your hardware (ballasts/bulbs) except for the turn signal bulbs. Your North American spec signal bulbs are dual filament, but the ecode signals are a single filament type as they do not illuminate in conjunction with the low beam unless the signal is active.

Yea, my bad. Got confused in my head about dual filament bulbs like those used in our turn signal housings for the US DOT headlamps, and bi xenon. Yeah, no filaments in HID; it's the gas that alights. The wiring present is just to transfer the electricity to the gas.

[blai76]

On the single xenon B6 housings, there are no DRLs, right? That housing would have to be used for the hi-beam instead? Or do you lose the city lights?

[Hyde]

On the single xenon B6 housings, there are no DRLs, right? That housing would have to be used for the hi-beam instead? Or do you lose the city lights?

Actually no B6s have DRLs (bah, who needs 'em). And the US spec B6 headlamps don't have city lights—you gain them by going to ecodes whether single or bi, though. The surrounding reflector housing is used as the high beam on the single xenon housing.

EDIT:

Single Xenon US DOT


Bixenon US DOT


Single Xenon Ecodes


Bixenon Ecodes (shameless post of my car)

[IslandHydro]

Anyone know what a good source for Bixenon Ecodes is?

[Spike00513]

Actually no B6s have DRLs (bah, who needs 'em). And the US spec B6 headlamps don't have city lights—you gain them by going to ecodes whether single or bi, though. The surrounding reflector housing is used as the high beam on the single xenon housing.

Wrong. US B6's DO have city lights. You flip the switch one click to the right (Just like you would with e-codes) or something, and it turns on the front amber corners, so that your car is visible in a dark parking garage or something. These are also called parking lights, for that reason. So while the E-codes turn on the little H6W in the high-beam bowl (or whatever it is) and rear tail, the US-specs do the SAME exact thing, but using the amber corner lights.

But yes, no DRL's. When you turn on the car, unless you turn on lights, nothing is on. Whereas say, the MK4 VW Jetta, turns on DRL's no matter what, if you turn on the car.
Is that good? I don't know. But If I'm in a situation where I want people to see me more, I try to turn on the parking/city lights. For example, if it starts to get dark outside, but not so dark that headlights light up the road. Not sure if this even does anything - maybe their visiblity is no match for having the full headlights actually on? I don't like to waste the projector bulb life, they're expensive.

bixenon = dual filament bulbs. When high beam is used, the second filament will alight along with the first. In lo-beam-only operation, only the first filament will alight. A metal cutoff plate with actuators physically moves in the headlight housings during hi-beam operation to open up the light pattern for high beam.

Not true...It is not dual-filament...It is the exact same as single-xenon. Same exact bulbs. The only difference is, the cut-off shield flips open when you hit the high beams. So while single-xenons ONLY turn on the H7 high-beam, the Bi-Xenon turns on the H7 high-beam AND allows more light to shoot out from the projector, because the cut-off shield flips open..

Since the passenger side headlight is ruined, is the projector reflector bowl at least intact?

Please do not just throw away the entire thing. I need that bowl. Mine is burned because PO used too hot of a bulb. Specifically, passenger side, they're shaped differently.
It's held in by 4 torx bolts. It's easy to remove. It has to be 3" Bi-Xenon, which is exactly what you have..

If you could PM me how much you want for it, please let me know..Thanks

----------------------
You can buy bi-xenon ecodes. Your best price may very well be from Europe. Whether you find them on a european forum such as audi-sport.co.uk, or a european ebay, is up to you. Such as, ebay.de, ebay.nl, ebay.pl, and so on. You have to search in their language.

The e-codes use the same reflector bowls, but a different clear lens and cutoff, to meet their standards. I'm not sure what is better. But people seem to mainly desire e-codes because they "look cooler" without the amber corners, which doesn't matter to me personally.

I completely forgot about UK reversed beam pattern.

How do you tell? I assume the cutoff is angled to the left, instead of to the right like everywhere else in the world?

[daad729]

Im having a hard time seeing a physical difference between the single xenon US and the Bi-Xenon US.

[Hyde]

Wrong. US B6's DO have city lights. You flip the switch one click to the right (Just like you would with e-codes) or something, and it turns on the front amber corners, so that your car is visible in a dark parking garage or something. These are also called parking lights, for that reason. So while the E-codes turn on the little H6W in the high-beam bowl (or whatever it is) and rear tail, the US-specs do the SAME exact thing, but using the amber corner lights…

Well I said that in conversation with a B7 driver who is used to having a separate city light bulb. US B6s don't have that extra bulb, but gain a BAX9S H6W 64132 bulb when installing to ecodes. As you said, they do retain city light functionality by using dual filament signal bulbs. So yeah, I wasn't specific and therefore wasn't entirely accurate.

…How do you tell? I assume the cutoff is angled to the left, instead of to the right like everywhere else in the world?

Exactly, if by "everywhere else" you mean not one of these blue countries.

Im having a hard time seeing a physical difference between the single xenon US and the Bi-Xenon US.

The projector lens is smaller on the single xenon headlamps compared to the bixenon ones.

[Slow4]

Bixenon Ecodes (shameless post of my car)

twinsies...

[Hyde]

twinsies...

Yeah ... Except I have #avantenvy

And you have ... new timing components.

[IndianaS4]

The reflector bowl was shattered, so it probably won't be much use, sorry. Wish I could help.

[luvsspeed]

Anyone know what a good source for Bixenon Ecodes is?

http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...ights-B6-A4-S4

[blai76]

twinsies...

Are those amber bulbs in your turn signal housings without the OEM chrome mirror surface, or just a trick of the sun hitting it in the right (wrong) way? That's a strong eggdrop effect; almost seems like you have amber housings, but I know you don't.

[Hyde]

Are those amber bulbs in your turn signal housings without the OEM chrome mirror surface, or just a trick of the sun hitting it in the right (wrong) way? That's a strong eggdrop effect; almost seems like you have amber housings, but I know you don't.

Slow, you should get these, like me. autolumination.com/titaniumseries.htm

[Slow4]

Are those amber bulbs in your turn signal housings without the OEM chrome mirror surface, or just a trick of the sun hitting it in the right (wrong) way? That's a strong eggdrop effect; almost seems like you have amber housings, but I know you don't.

Amber bulbs.

[blai76]

Slow, you should get these, like me. autolumination.com/titaniumseries.htm

When I ordered my ecodes earlier in 2014, I didn't know that it shipped with OEM bulbs in every socket except HID. The OEM bulbs that it came with are high quality chromed amber bulbs.

Not knowing it came with bulbs, I ordered a set of the chromed ones from autolumination, and they came with fingerprint stains and other permanent defects in the chrome. I informed them, and they were kind enough to send me another set, which also looked like sh*t. Not wanting to make a fuss over the $10-$15 it cost for them shipped, I didn't pursue it further. Good thing that the ecodes came with nice bulbs, but glad you had a difference experience with them :)

[rjpiselli]

Wrong. US B6's DO have city lights. You flip the switch one click to the right (Just like you would with e-codes) or something, and it turns on the front amber corners, so that your car is visible in a dark parking garage or something. These are also called parking lights, for that reason. So while the E-codes turn on the little H6W in the high-beam bowl (or whatever it is) and rear tail, the US-specs do the SAME exact thing, but using the amber corner lights.

But yes, no DRL's. When you turn on the car, unless you turn on lights, nothing is on. Whereas say, the MK4 VW Jetta, turns on DRL's no matter what, if you turn on the car.
Is that good? I don't know. But If I'm in a situation where I want people to see me more, I try to turn on the parking/city lights. For example, if it starts to get dark outside, but not so dark that headlights light up the road. Not sure if this even does anything - maybe their visiblity is no match for having the full headlights actually on? I don't like to waste the projector bulb life, they're expensive.



Not true...It is not dual-filament...It is the exact same as single-xenon. Same exact bulbs. The only difference is, the cut-off shield flips open when you hit the high beams. So while single-xenons ONLY turn on the H7 high-beam, the Bi-Xenon turns on the H7 high-beam AND allows more light to shoot out from the projector, because the cut-off shield flips open..

Since the passenger side headlight is ruined, is the projector reflector bowl at least intact?

Please do not just throw away the entire thing. I need that bowl. Mine is burned because PO used too hot of a bulb. Specifically, passenger side, they're shaped differently.
It's held in by 4 torx bolts. It's easy to remove. It has to be 3" Bi-Xenon, which is exactly what you have..

If you could PM me how much you want for it, please let me know..Thanks

----------------------
You can buy bi-xenon ecodes. Your best price may very well be from Europe. Whether you find them on a european forum such as audi-sport.co.uk, or a european ebay, is up to you. Such as, ebay.de, ebay.nl, ebay.pl, and so on. You have to search in their language.

The e-codes use the same reflector bowls, but a different clear lens and cutoff, to meet their standards. I'm not sure what is better. But people seem to mainly desire e-codes because they "look cooler" without the amber corners, which doesn't matter to me personally.

I completely forgot about UK reversed beam pattern.

How do you tell? I assume the cutoff is angled to the left, instead of to the right like everywhere else in the world?

Maybe I am misunderstanding here, but my b6 does have DRL. There is a knob next to the headlight switch labeled DRL and when turned on leaves the fog lights and two small bulbs in the headlight housing on all the time. Definitely a factory switch.

[Mr.Wrong]

Maybe I am misunderstanding here, but my b6 does have DRL. There is a knob next to the headlight switch labeled DRL and when turned on leaves the fog lights and two small bulbs in the headlight housing on all the time. Definitely a factory switch.

^that was a B7 option, never seen such thing in a B6 before. B6s just have one knob next to headlight switch and that's your coming home feature(fog lights stay on for little bit when you lock the car or unlock it). Could you snap a picture of that knob and also how your lights look when it's on?

[Slow4]

^that was a B7 option, never seen such thing in a B6 before. B6s just have one knob next to headlight switch and that's your coming home feature(fog lights stay on for little bit when you lock the car or unlock it). Could you snap a picture of that knob and also how your lights look when it's on?

Yup, B6 has

Auto
Parking lights (which turns off headlamp and illuminates the ambers)
Lights

[rjpiselli]

^that was a B7 option, never seen such thing in a B6 before. B6s just have one knob next to headlight switch and that's your coming home feature(fog lights stay on for little bit when you lock the car or unlock it). Could you snap a picture of that knob and also how your lights look when it's on?

how in the heck do I put the pic in here?

[Mr.Wrong]

Third option from the last in the row of editing options right above the window where you type your response. It has to be hosted though.

[blai76]

www.imgur.com will host your photo without even an account, no strings attached.

[PetrolDave]

^that was a B7 option, never seen such thing in a B6 before. B6s just have one knob next to headlight switch and that's your coming home feature(fog lights stay on for little bit when you lock the car or unlock it). Could you snap a picture of that knob and also how your lights look when it's on?

+1

Having had 3 previous B6s factory ordered from new between 2003 and 2006, I'm pretty confident that DRLs was never an option.

Sounds like a previous owner has fitted a B7 light switch.

[rjpiselli]

I don't think so. I mean all the wiring is uncut and factory so if that is the case they did a fantastic job. Mine does have the two knobs for drl and I belive exit lighting, and DRL turns on tiny bulbs in the headlights and the fog lights. Seems to me like that would require some wiring beyond a switch install. Plus in auto mode the DRLs turn off. So it def seems like it was like this from Audi. It's also a 2004 so not even like its on the cusp of being b7.

[rjpiselli]

I don't think so. I mean all the wiring is uncut and factory so if that is the case they did a fantastic job. Mine does have the two knobs for drl and I belive exit lighting, and DRL turns on tiny bulbs in the headlights and the fog lights. Seems to me like that would require some wiring beyond a switch install. Plus in auto mode the DRLs turn off. So it def seems like it was like this from Audi. It's also a 2004 so not even like its on the cusp of being b7.

**correction, in auto mode the drls turn off when headlights come on. When it's light enough for the headlights to be off, the drls stay on.

[Aundrealti]

**correction, in auto mode the drls turn off when headlights come on. When it's light enough for the headlights to be off, the drls stay on.

I'm new here and came on just because of this reason, I just got my 05 b6 s4 an and my lights are on all the time once the car is running, when it gets dark I turn the switch to the on position and the lights just become brighter..
My mechanic says it drl's but I beg to differ because the actual xenon balasts/ bulbs are lit up and the tails are on and the license plate lights and side front amber lights are on... anyone has this issue?
could it be because the car has aftermarket taillights?
If I don't figure it out I may take it to the dealer.. Also could the sensors in the rearview mirror stem be bad?

[PetrolDave]

I just got my 05 b6 s4 an and my lights are on all the time once the car is running, when it gets dark I turn the switch to the on position and the lights just become brighter.

Before DRLs were separate lights some manufacturers, most notably Volvo, fitted a system called dim-dip where the headlamps are on all the time but dimmed until you turn the light switch to on when they go to full brightness. This sounds like what you have - which on a late B6 (which yours is) might have been what the factory fitted.

[Aundrealti]

Before DRLs were separate lights some manufacturers, most notably Volvo, fitted a system called dim-dip where the headlamps are on all the time but dimmed until you turn the light switch to on when they go to full brightness. This sounds like what you have - which on a late B6 (which yours is) might have been what the factory fitted.

Ill look it up.. I've never seen drls with the tails lit up also..
I also called the dealer and service told me that this option is only on Canada models.. I mean the little icon is on on the dash to show the lights are on.. Ill research dim-dip it could possible be that.. just boggles me that they will have the rears, corners, license plate.. all thos lit up.. will just burn them out prematurely..
either way thanks for the input..

[blai76]

Ill look it up.. I've never seen drls with the tails lit up also..
I also called the dealer and service told me that this option is only on Canada models.. I mean the little icon is on on the dash to show the lights are on.. Ill research dim-dip it could possible be that.. just boggles me that they will have the rears, corners, license plate.. all thos lit up.. will just burn them out prematurely..
either way thanks for the input..

I'd bet, if this is all OEM, that you could probably VAGCOM it into different modes. An Audi tech or a friend could help you out. Could go to regional forums and post for a helping hand, even.

[Aundrealti]

I'd bet, if this is all OEM, that you could probably VAGCOM it into different modes. An Audi tech or a friend could help you out. Could go to regional forums and post for a helping hand, even.

Kool.. Will look into this..

[IslandHydro]

Most of you probably know this, but to make this thread complete: I've got my fogs coded to act as drls, did it with the vagcom, set to rest of the world. I leave my lights in auto mode, so when it's daylight, the fogs are on, when it gets dark they go off and my main headlights come on. I did the 65 watt retrofit on my fogs (http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...rofit-into-h11) so they are pretty bright.

[Aundrealti]

Most of you probably know this, but to make this thread complete: I've got my fogs coded to act as drls, did it with the vagcom, set to rest of the world. I leave my lights in auto mode, so when it's daylight, the fogs are on, when it gets dark they go off and my main headlights come on. I did the 65 watt retrofit on my fogs (http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...rofit-into-h11) so they are pretty bright.

That's the look I want... I'm going to try and figure out where I can get this vagcom program...
Btw.. Did your tails and side markers come on before as drls??

[blai76]

That's the look I want... I'm going to try and figure out where I can get this vagcom program...
Btw.. Did your tails and side markers come on before as drls??

Tails on = parking lights. Strange they would be on, in Auto mode, during the day. Side markers should never stay lit, from my experience. I've only seen them flashing? But that's on my B7. I tried different lighting options before settling on ROW (rest of world). Can also fiddle with brightness levels on several housings, including tail lights and fogs.

[Spike00513]

I'm not concerned with exterior looks. Does anybody know what the best performing setup is?

Funny enough, B6'ers in Europe, are retrofitting US-spec parts, such as lights and trunk lids (different plate-holder size).