Collection: Genuine Xenon Bulbs

Original Xenon: What is it?

HID (High Intensity Discharge) technology produces light through an electric arc in a mixture of xenon gas and metal salts — without a filament, unlike halogen bulbs. The result: light that is 3 times more powerful than halogen at the same consumption, with a white hue close to daylight.

Xenon has been factory-installed in premium vehicles since the 1990s: BMW 5/7 Series, Mercedes E/S Class, Audi A6/A8, Volvo S80/V70, Volkswagen Touareg/Passat, Peugeot 607/407, Citroën C5/C6, etc. The presence of headlight washers and an automatic leveling system on the vehicle is the best indicator of original xenon equipment.

D1S, D2S, D3S, D4S: What are the differences?

Four original standards coexist, each with its own base and electrical architecture:

• D1S — ballast (igniter) integrated into the bulb base. Voltage 85 V, power 35 W. Contains mercury.
• D2S — ballast separated in the headlight. The most common standard on early xenon generations. Voltage 85 V, 35 W. Contains mercury.
• D3S — modern version of D1S, mercury-free (Euro 6 standard). Voltage 42 V, 35 W. Ecological replacement for D1S.
• D4S — modern version of D2S, mercury-free. Equips modern Toyota and Lexus vehicles.

R variants (D1R, D2R, D4R): versions with an integrated reflector in the form of a silver coating — used in dual-function projector headlights. Important: the letter S and the letter R denote different optical architectures — they are not interchangeable.

Why stick with original xenon?

A common temptation: replacing an HID xenon with LEDs. Bad idea, for two reasons:

• Legally: converting HID to LED requires a complete replacement of the optics, headlight washer system, and leveling system. Without this modification, the installation is illegal on the road and will result in a failed technical inspection.
• Optically: a headlight designed for xenon has specific optics (reflector shape, focal point position). Installing an LED in it will disorient the light beam and dazzle other drivers.

The simple, legal, and economical solution: replace a used xenon bulb with a xenon bulb of the same reference. Lifespan 2,500 to 3,000 hours (10 years in normal use).

Finding your D1S or D2S reference

The reference is written directly on the bulb, usually on the base or the glass ("D2S 85V 35W"). If the bulb is inaccessible, consult the vehicle manual or contact your dealer with the vehicle's serial number. Note: it is highly recommended to replace both bulbs at the same time, as they age in parallel — if one burns out, the other will soon follow.