Questions 2: Xenon Headlights

lupinsea · 01-24-2006, 12:41 PM

Thanks a bunch with the first question, I figure this is a good time to ask the next one:

Are Xenon headlights really worth it? Is the quality of light really that good?

I've heard the lights can be expensive to replace if one goes out. Now, I can't remember the last time I had a headlight go out so maybe the Xenons will last a while, too. But if it's going to cost several hundred dollars more just to replace the Xenons are worth having on a car that I plan on keeping until it is 10+ years old? I would imagine at least one of the lights will go out by then.

Xenon technology is new to me and I don't know much about it. I've heard it's "the" headlight system to get and the light is good and it puts out that cool white-ish light that people who don't have it find annoying and those that do really like.

Which is a more reliable / durable headlight technology (standard BMW headlights or the Xenons)? Which would be better to get for the long haul ownership experience? Do the standard BMW headlights in the 3 series also have the self leveling feature or is that just for the Xenons? I would imaging that NOT having the self leveling feature might be a good ideas since that's just one less system to fail. No?

*Plaz* · 01-24-2006, 12:42 PM

I will never get another car without HIDs.

Are they absolutely necessary? Especially in semi-urban areas? No.

But they are so much better than halogens, IMO, I would never consider passing on that option.

FC · 01-24-2006, 12:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Plaz

I will never get another car without HIDs.

Are they absolutely necessary? Especially in semi-urban areas? No.

But they are so much better than halogens, IMO, I would never consider passing on that option.

I also would never pass that option up.

In theory, of course, nobody NEEDS Xenons. I find they are far better in the darker suburbs of Boston and in desolate highways. If you are always in the city, then you wont even notice them.

But realistically, they are considered to be "cool" and most people expect these cars to have them. So upon trade-in/sale I could see how it could hurt not to have them.

Xenons are said to be lifetime bulbs in that there is no coil to burn up after so many hours of lighting. But they could fail, I guess. If not the bulbs themselves, perhaps some other element of the headlamp assembly (ballast, etc). But I've enever heard fo them going bad. Also, I can only imagine them getting cheaper over time.

John V · 01-24-2006, 12:48 PM

They are, in general, much better than halogens. I wish my current car had them. Could retrofit, but it's $800. Would much rather put that money towards tires / gas

Jeff_DML · 01-24-2006, 12:48 PM

xenons are good and I will get them if they are available. But the newer halogens are not much worse so not a deal breaker if you cant get xenons. Not sure about long term but like you said probably a lot more expensive to replace

bren · 01-24-2006, 12:50 PM

Are they THAT good? Yes. Are they necessary? Hardly. People have been driving without them forever.

They are more expensive and there is more complexity than a "standard" light. I've never seen a life expectency rating of the Zenon "bulb" and I don't know of anyone who's had one "burn out."

*clyde* · 01-24-2006, 01:02 PM

I've had them on two cars now. I'd rather not go back to halogens for any street car I may buy in the future.

BahnBaum · 01-24-2006, 01:08 PM

I'm probably just getting old, but my xenon's make night driving much easier.

Alex

dan · 01-24-2006, 01:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BahnBaum

I'm probably just getting old, but my xenon's make night driving much easier.

Alex

http://forums.carmudgeons.com/showpo...22&postcount=2

dan · 01-24-2006, 01:18 PM

BTW, here's an old thread about BMW xenons

TD's not a fan. (anyone surprised?

)

http://forums.carmudgeons.com/showthread.php?t=1431

01-24-2006, 12:41 PM	#1
lupinsea Jeeped Join Date: Sep 2005 Carmudgeonly Ride: Modified Jeep Tj and '07 Miata Location: Seattle Posts: 10,214	Questions 2: Xenon Headlights Thanks a bunch with the first question, I figure this is a good time to ask the next one: *Are Xenon headlights really* worth it? Is the quality of light really that good?** I've heard the lights can be expensive to replace if one goes out. Now, I can't remember the last time I had a headlight go out so maybe the Xenons will last a while, too. But if it's going to cost several hundred dollars more just to replace the Xenons are worth having on a car that I plan on keeping until it is 10+ years old? I would imagine at least one of the lights will go out by then. Xenon technology is new to me and I don't know much about it. I've heard it's "the" headlight system to get and the light is good and it puts out that cool white-ish light that people who don't have it find annoying and those that do really like. Which is a more reliable / durable headlight technology (standard BMW headlights or the Xenons)? Which would be better to get for the long haul ownership experience? Do the standard BMW headlights in the 3 series also have the self leveling feature or is that just for the Xenons? I would imaging that NOT having the self leveling feature might be a good ideas since that's just one less system to fail. No?

01-24-2006, 12:42 PM	#2
Plaz ••••••• Join Date: Oct 2003 Carmudgeonly Ride: '11 1M Location: Churzee Posts: 17,741	I will never get another car without HIDs. Are they absolutely necessary? Especially in semi-urban areas? No. But they are so much better than halogens, IMO, I would never consider passing on that option. __________________ 2011 1M

01-24-2006, 01:02 PM	#7
clyde Chief title editor Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 26,599	I've had them on two cars now. I'd rather not go back to halogens for any street car I may buy in the future. __________________ OH NOES!!!!!1 MY CAR HAS T3H UND3R5T33R5555!!!!!!1oneone!!!!11 Team WTF?! What are you gonna do?

01-24-2006, 01:08 PM	#8
BahnBaum Tilting Rocinante Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Havre de Grace, MD Posts: 6,244	I'm probably just getting old, but my xenon's make night driving much easier. Alex __________________

01-24-2006, 01:18 PM	#10
dan redefined Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 14,896	BTW, here's an old thread about BMW xenons TD's not a fan. (anyone surprised? ) http://forums.carmudgeons.com/showthread.php?t=1431 __________________ "There's a freedom you begin to feel the closer you get to Austin, Texas." -Willie

01-24-2006, 12:48 PM	#4
John V No more BMWs Join Date: Apr 2005 Carmudgeonly Ride: Ram, MS3, CX-5, RX-8 Location: Glenwood, MD Posts: 14,753	They are, in general, much better than halogens. I wish my current car had them. Could retrofit, but it's $800. Would much rather put that money towards tires / gas

01-24-2006, 12:48 PM	#5
Jeff_DML Old Fart Join Date: Oct 2005 Carmudgeonly Ride: T4R,GTI Location: San Diego Posts: 8,563	xenons are good and I will get them if they are available. But the newer halogens are not much worse so not a deal breaker if you cant get xenons. Not sure about long term but like you said probably a lot more expensive to replace

01-24-2006, 12:50 PM	#6
bren lawn boy Join Date: Oct 2003 Carmudgeonly Ride: e46m3, f25x3,C5 Z06, C4 Vette, 06 CTD Ram, and a trailer Location: Maryland Posts: 14,029	Are they THAT good? Yes. Are they necessary? Hardly. People have been driving without them forever. They are more expensive and there is more complexity than a "standard" light. I've never seen a life expectency rating of the Zenon "bulb" and I don't know of anyone who's had one "burn out."