Xenon owners- could you live without them in your next car?

[amir_j]

Currently car hunting (audi a3), but typing in xenon as a keyword seems to bring search results way down, is it worth waiting around till one comes along as already have a combination of spec hard to find so would make it easier?

note: don't want to go down the aftermarket route as would prefer oem levelers etc, retro fit would be expensive.

Edited by amir_j on Wednesday 17th February 15:56

[Parrot of Doom]

They're only lights.

[amir_j]

yes I know that!

The question is: Are they technology that has moved the automotive world on and worthwhile getting, or gimicky and a bit more bright but not essential.

[boomboompow]

Personally? If I was moving to a model/manufacturer who didn't list them as an option (i.e. Caterham) only then could I live without them. They're quite high up on the list of want (and I know a lot of people would scoff at that) but that's my choice; I find xenons a lot better at what they do compared to standard Halogens.

Edited by boomboompow on Wednesday 17th February 16:01

[Crusoe]

IMO it depends on the type of car, low sports car with lights set low to the ground needs the best lights, a 4x4 with lights set high can get a good spread of light with normal bulbs. If you do a lot of winter and night driving then heated washer jets and xenons make a great option. I love the bi-xenons I have had in the past as I do a lot of driving on quiet roads late at night so it is always an option I look for and have regretted not having it on some cars in the past. On something like a A3 it may not make that much difference other than making the S3 version stand out more.

[Trikster]

Not all Xenons are equal too - the ones I've had on my Lupo GTis (which were standard) I would have willingly paid for as an option... the ones on the Vantage were useless...

[sebhaque]

My old Audi had Xenons, my replacement Subaru doesn't. Honestly, apart from a slightly duller hue to the light, I haven't noticed much of a difference. Although I will admit HIDs look very smart on a car.

[rfn]

I miss the Xenons on the Clio at times - and if the car I was looking for had them as a reasonably common option I would probably specifically hunt one out. The MX-5 never had them as an option so I'm not fussed!

[mazdajason]

I went from non xenons to retrofit ones and wouldnt go back to normal ones now. The quality in light output and distance is just sooo much better

[Herbs]

xenons are great but if does depend on what car and more importantly, does it make the car more desirable?

eg: On my Elise it didn't have them and i didn't miss them but on a car where they are a decent optional extra it helps to shift the car on.

For me it wouldn't be a deal breaker if it didn't have it but i always look for the best spec possible when buying a car even if i'm not that fussed about some of them because it helps keep its value/easier to sell on.

HTH

[driftdaddy]

mazdajason said:

I went from non xenons to retrofit ones and wouldnt go back to normal ones now. The quality in light output and distance is just sooo much better

what he said, its the same as aircon and heated seats( in the everyday car)

[dylan0451]

are you coming from a car with xenon's? if so, then you'll probably notice it

i fitted +100% bulbs and the difference was amazing. i don't think forking out £400 - 500 for a HID kit would have been 100% better again though

unless you do a lot of high speed night driving on the limit, i wouldn't worry that much

[amir_j]

Thanks for the advice guys, will hold out.

Currently have the local dealer salesman hunting away, specifically emailed him a spec containing 2005 facelift-2007 car as not using finance, and so far he comes back with a facelift 2008 at 5k over max of budget to 'discuss'.

Offered him £15k for it, he politely declined

[MattGTA]

I had BMW Xenons on my M3 and now on the X5. To be honest, I could take them or leave them... I don't like the colour of the light and it's almost impossible to aim the beam high enough without dazzling the oncoming traffic. (a common E9x problem, apparently)

The Alfa Xenons on the 156 are brilliant, but the quality of non Xenon lights is pretty good these days and I wouldn't put it very high up my wish-list for a new car.

[Bonefish Blues]

Definitely preferable, but 100w bulbs go a long way to addressing the shortfall...

[wolves_wanderer]

driftdaddy said:

mazdajason said:

I went from non xenons to retrofit ones and wouldnt go back to normal ones now. The quality in light output and distance is just sooo much better

what he said, its the same as aircon and heated seats( in the everyday car)

Yep, the new aircon for me as well. Thinking about retrofitting a bi-xenon kit for all the dark country roads round here

[rossyIIa]

Just get a set of driving lights, my Defender had the most shocking headlights, got a set of very nice driving lights and now on main beam they are bright than the Xenons on my dad's Saab and Range Rover.

[anonymous-user]

Bonefish Blues said:

Definitely preferable, but 100w bulbs go a long way to addressing the shortfall...

Is that burning i can smell?

[TheBaj]

Trikster said:

Not all Xenons are equal too - the ones I've had on my Lupo GTis (which were standard) I would have willingly paid for as an option... the ones on the Vantage were useless...

I agree, the ones on my Lupo GTI were absolutely fantastic, far better than the supposed bi-xenons in my Z4M.

The only two cars I've owned with them have been standard fit, they're nice to have but not an essential extra for me.

[Urban Sports]

Had them on my last 2 cars, not on my current one, it didn't even cross my mind!