Xenon headlights. A bit pointless?

[Ari]

Just got a new (to me) car with Xenons. It's the second car I've had with them, first was a MINI Cooper S.

The thing is, to my mind although they're brighter, they don't actually light up any further ahead than decent normal lights on dipped beam so you can't actually see any further with them. On full beam they're pretty phenomenal admittedly, but then good normal lights are more than adequate.

When I had the MINI I just assumed the xenons weren't particularly good ones so I wasn't getting the benefit, but these (on a Merc) aren't really any better I don't think.

Certainly I wouldn't pay for them (this is a second-hand car and they happened to be part of the spec).

I've heard people rave about them, and I'm struggling to understand why?

[VB]

I went from Xenons on my Cupra to Candle Sticks fitted as standard to my Passat.

I want those lights back, they were amazing. The only downside was people thinking you've got full beam on, so they then decide to 'get even' & burn your Retinas out.

[Targarama]

Try going back to a car without them. Its a bit like aircon - you don't need it, but once you've had it and enjoyed the way it makes driving more pleasant you will miss losing it.

[CooperD]

I've got a MINI Cooper with Xenons. It's the first car I've had with them but have owned two MINIs previously and they are far better than the lights on the first two. I would certainly get them again if it was an option on my next car.

[Stitch]

Ari said:

I've heard people rave about them, and I'm struggling to understand why?

Possible reasons for your disappointment:

Your lights aren't set up right

Without a back to back comparison the xenons have become the norm - you are now two cars in to driving with xenons so you are going to have to have one hell of a memory to accurately picture what the road ahead woudl look like with normal headlights

You have the eyes of a barn owl

[Exige77]

A bit like Heated Seats.

WTF, who needs heated seats. After a few winters you would not want to go back.

I have Xenons on my cars. sometimes I have to use my wifes car without them and they are hopeless.

We do live out in the sticks so maybe more important than in the city.

Ex77

[Disco You]

Well I'm glad that they don't light further up the road on dipped beam because that would just blind people... The point is obviously on full beam where you've said yourself that there is a difference.

[Ari]

Stitch said:

Possible reasons for your disappointment:

Your lights aren't set up right

Without a back to back comparison the xenons have become the norm - you are now two cars in to driving with xenons so you are going to have to have one hell of a memory to accurately picture what the road ahead woudl look like with normal headlights

You have the eyes of a barn owl

No, since the MINI I've had a Golf and two MX5's.

I think they're set up right as they self adjust.

Definitely not a barn owl!

[Ari]

Disco You said:

Well I'm glad that they don't light further up the road on dipped beam because that would just blind people... The point is obviously on full beam where you've said yourself that there is a difference.

Yup, there is on full beam, but I've never found decent normal lights lacking on full beam.

I do agree though, it'll be interesting to drive a car without xenons once I've got used to these.

They do look cool though...

[rob.e]

Exige77 said:

A bit like Heated Seats.

WTF, who needs heated seats. After a few winters you would not want to go back.

I have Xenons on my cars. sometimes I have to use my wifes car without them and they are hopeless.

We do live out in the sticks so maybe more important than in the city.

Ex77

+1 my experience also.

[RDMcG]

I have had them for years on a variety of cars. I love the things. Whenever I rent a car its like...well, night and day. Would never buy a car without them.