Would you buy a used car without Xenon lights? - Page 2

SARAFIL · 07-10-2008, 09:43 AM

I have horrible vision, especially at night... I have gotten used to having xenons in my past few cars, and whenever I drive a MINI or anything else without them I have a hard time driving at night. So yes, it is a must have option for me in anything that I drive.

FC · 07-10-2008, 09:50 AM

Don't wanna speak for lemming, but he mentioned to me that he is very happy that his new MCS has Xenons.

I'm sure some Halogens are great, but xenons are consistently great in my experience. Maybe the effect varies depending on people's eyesight?

*clyde* · 07-10-2008, 09:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nick M3

The price difference between new OEM at the dealer, the same bulb elsewhere, and somewhat used takeoffs makes it worth using the takeoffs, IMHO.

Buying stolen goods FTW!

SCA · 07-10-2008, 09:58 AM

I prefer xenons as I have terrible night vision, but if I was purchasing a used car and it was exactly what I was looking for and could be purchased at a fair price it would not deter me from buying it.

Theo · 07-10-2008, 11:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Josh (PA)

The zkws with halogens on my e36 were just as good as the xenons on my e39. The halogens were far better after the autoleveling mechanism on the xenons broke and they drooped towards the ground.

I have the zkw's on my e36 as well and I think they are better then the xenon's my e46 had.

JST · 07-10-2008, 11:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Theo

I have the zkw's on my e36 as well and I think they are better then the xenon's my e46 had.

Agreed. The ZKWs on my E36 were excellent. However, the current line-up of halogens, while much better than the stock E36 halogens, do not compare to the E36 ZKWs.

BahnBaum · 07-10-2008, 12:11 PM

Like Nick said. I did silverstars on the jeep and it's fine.

Alex

wdc330i · 07-10-2008, 12:35 PM

Thanks for all the replies. The one thing I noticed when I bought my second e46 with xenons (first did not have them), was that they gave much better side to side illumination. And they actually gave less straight ahead illumination, because in 2002 BMW angled the Xenons down a bit due to complaints from other drivers about their brightness. The early days of the technology.

I too have lousy vision these days--a symptom of my encroaching old age. So, I wonder. The other catch about this car is it does not have either BMW Assist or the premium package, and thus does not have Bluetooth. I am presuming this can also be retrofit when I get around to it. I have a slimline hands-free device that I use currently in my 330i and it works just fine.

I'm really drawn to the idea of getting my next BMW used, with the extended warranty and about $12,000 savings off new. I'm very fatigued at the idea of spending $45,000-plus for something brand new. BUT, I'm also very particular, and annoyed at the idea of buying a car that isn't speced exactly as I want it. Ack!

operknockity · 07-10-2008, 12:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wdc330i

Thanks for all the replies. The one thing I noticed when I bought my second e46 with xenons (first did not have them), was that they gave much better side to side illumination. And they actually gave less straight ahead illumination, because in 2002 BMW angled the Xenons down a bit due to complaints from other drivers about their brightness. The early days of the technology.

I suppose you knew that you could manually re-aim the up/down and side-to-side angles of the xenons to "fix" that issue

wdc330i · 07-10-2008, 01:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by operknockity

I suppose you knew that you could manually re-aim the up/down and side-to-side angles of the xenons to "fix" that issue

D'oh!

07-10-2008, 09:43 AM	#11
SARAFIL I like BMWs Join Date: Oct 2003 Carmudgeonly Ride: X5 M50 / M550 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 5,797	I have horrible vision, especially at night... I have gotten used to having xenons in my past few cars, and whenever I drive a MINI or anything else without them I have a hard time driving at night. So yes, it is a must have option for me in anything that I drive. __________________ 2020 X5 M50i -- Alpine White / Coffee Leather 2020 M550i -- Carbon Black / Beige Leather

07-10-2008, 12:11 PM	#17
BahnBaum Tilting Rocinante Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Havre de Grace, MD Posts: 6,244	Like Nick said. I did silverstars on the jeep and it's fine. Alex __________________

07-10-2008, 09:50 AM	#12
FC Solving problems Join Date: Oct 2003 Carmudgeonly Ride: M5 / 718 GTS / Cooper S / GTI / LR4 Location: Metro Boston Posts: 25,307	Don't wanna speak for lemming, but he mentioned to me that he is very happy that his new MCS has Xenons. I'm sure some Halogens are great, but xenons are consistently great in my experience. Maybe the effect varies depending on people's eyesight?

07-10-2008, 09:58 AM	#14
SCA Jaded Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 9,158	I prefer xenons as I have terrible night vision, but if I was purchasing a used car and it was exactly what I was looking for and could be purchased at a fair price it would not deter me from buying it.

07-10-2008, 12:35 PM	#18
wdc330i dogged Join Date: Dec 2003 Carmudgeonly Ride: '22 M440 xDrive GC Posts: 13,378	Thanks for all the replies. The one thing I noticed when I bought my second e46 with xenons (first did not have them), was that they gave much better side to side illumination. And they actually gave less straight ahead illumination, because in 2002 BMW angled the Xenons down a bit due to complaints from other drivers about their brightness. The early days of the technology. I too have lousy vision these days--a symptom of my encroaching old age. So, I wonder. The other catch about this car is it does not have either BMW Assist or the premium package, and thus does not have Bluetooth. I am presuming this can also be retrofit when I get around to it. I have a slimline hands-free device that I use currently in my 330i and it works just fine. I'm really drawn to the idea of getting my next BMW used, with the extended warranty and about $12,000 savings off new. I'm very fatigued at the idea of spending $45,000-plus for something brand new. BUT, I'm also very particular, and annoyed at the idea of buying a car that isn't speced exactly as I want it. Ack!