Low Beam Headlight Problem - HIDs

[KickIt]

My 2004 (pre-facelift) 166 has a problem with the low-beam lights, which are the Xenon HID type.  On starting, they come on with a bright, bluish light but immediately drop down to a much dimmer light.  On the road at night, cars behind me cast a much longer light than mine.   They've always been this way since I bought the car in April '11.  (For a long time I thought it was me getting older & inept at night driving, I was relieved when my mechanic confirmed there's a problem  )

My mechanic confirmed there is a problem, that they're really weak, but doesn't know a lot about HID lights.  He has someone looking into it but I'm wondering if anyone here has had a similar problem or can shed some light ( ) on the problem?

[colcol]

Sounds like a poor connection or a poor earth or fuse, i hear these Xenon HID have a relay controller that can cause problems, don't know much about these, have a look at some overseas Alfa 166 Forums, Colin.