BMW Xenon Headlights - do people just hate them?

[Jim853]

I bought another e82 last summer, this one came with the factory-fit self leveling Xenon headlights, my previous 1er had halogen.
All winter I was often flashed by people coming the other way thinking I have my full beam on when I didn't; I had them checked over at the MOT center again and they were happy they are set-up correctly.
Either there's some sort of problem when I'm moving, but I can't see anything obvious, or people think I've left the Full beam on because the Xenon's are white and the Halo's are yellow/gold, or people just hate Xenons.
I remember a Jeremy Vine show many years ago when angry people were calling in about this new hell.

Anyone else with Xenons get flashed ever?

[Glosphil]

I have a car with bright white LED headlights & have never been flashed by on-coming traffic; except when I am slow to dip, but that's a fault with me not the headlights.

Personally I am much more affected by oncoming headlights that are out of adjustment rather than just bright.

[Waynester]

I’ve never had an issue myself, but it’s becoming increasingly rare to see cars with halogens these days.. Don’t new higher end cars mostly have LED lights fitted? Are they any better than xenons?

[Jim853]

My 4 series has LED but there's still plenty of Halogen about and other Xenon filled lamps. Most DLR seem to be LED though and some of them are supprisingly bright.
But the HID Tungsten filiment ballast driven type that have to have self leveling and washers by law because they are so dazzling are quite rare I would say. They are expensive because of the self leveling and washer systems.

[anonymous-user]

I had a loaner for a week. You should try laser lights. I have never been sworn at so much in my life.

[The Rotrex Kid]

My wife’s 1 series has Xenons, I regularly drive new cars with LED headlights but honestly, the BMW Xenons are superb and yes, I have been flashed by people when they’re on as well!!

[isleofthorns]

e53 x5 4.6is... happens all the time.

[naturalaspiration]

Yes I was flashed befor, until I adjusted the aim a tiny bit lower down.

[SDM94]

Our R59 Mini with Xenons honestly got flashed everytime we drove it at night, they were to this day the best headlights I’ve had on a car yet.

[Wills2]

Never had the issue with bmw xenons but my last 2 bmws have had adaptive led and I get flashed all the time.

[Court_S]

Never had that issue with my E81 with xenon’s or my old M140i with its LED’s.

My other half’s F56 MINI Cooper had LED’s which were the equivalent of a pair of suns strapped to the front of the car. They were incredibly bright even in dipped beam and we were forever getting flashed by other drivers in that who thought the main beams were on.

[MikeM6]

Not had this with my E63 xenons yet be honest, but I suspect they are not out there with the brightest xenon and the car is lower than, say, an X5 etc.

I do wonder if the problem for most is the automatic dip system. These do dazzle others because they only react once the 'see' the other car coming. I know this isn't the case for the original poster, but others may find this.

[Zetec-S]

Court_S said:

My other half’s F56 MINI Cooper had LED’s which were the equivalent of a pair of suns strapped to the front of the car. They were incredibly bright even in dipped beam and we were forever getting flashed by other drivers in that who thought the main beams were on.

Yep, my wife's MINI has the "retina destroying" spec LED's.

Our drive is on a bit of an incline, when swapping the cars around if her's are pointing uphill towards me I really struggle to see anything. I can see why other drivers might flash.

[bmwmike]

I know its been done to death but I think newer cars are getting worse and worse for super bright lights that look like they are out of adjustment. Especially x5 and SUV type vehicles. If halogens or low output lights were mandated for all cars, it would be much easier for everyone. As it stands, its like a lumens arms race, and that can't be good for anyone.

[g3org3y]

Only an issue with the E91 where the auto height adjustment would play silly buggers and get stuck on high illuminating trees, road signs and peoples' retinas!

No issues with E63 or E70 tbh. With the E70, the auto dip is a bit slow to act.

[Geffg]

Had a couple of BMW’s previously with xenons and never had an issue. Now got one with led headlights and same again never had anyone flash me even when it’s all automatic of main beam diverting around cars, and being on behind cars etc.

[MitchT]

Jim853 said:

I remember a Jeremy Vine show many years ago when angry people were calling in about this new hell.

The subject was on the show again in the last few months.

bmwmike said:

I know its been done to death but I think newer cars are getting worse and worse for super bright lights that look like they are out of adjustment. Especially x5 and SUV type vehicles. If halogens or low output lights were mandated for all cars, it would be much easier for everyone. As it stands, its like a lumens arms race, and that can't be good for anyone.

^ This. ^ They're a bloody menace. Ironically I'll probably make sure my next car has them as it'll be the only way of having a hope of seeing the road ahead of me when my eyes have shut down to block out the light from oncoming vehicles that have them.

[to3m]

I actually think newer cars are, in general, a lot better than they used to be? - felt like I was getting my eyeballs zapped much more 10-15 years ago! Some combination of newer tech on the new cars, and aging HID bulbs on the older ones, I figure.

Zetec-S said:

Court_S said:

My other half’s F56 MINI Cooper had LED’s which were the equivalent of a pair of suns strapped to the front of the car. They were incredibly bright even in dipped beam and we were forever getting flashed by other drivers in that who thought the main beams were on.

Yep, my wife's MINI has the "retina destroying" spec LED's.

Our drive is on a bit of an incline, when swapping the cars around if her's are pointing uphill towards me I really struggle to see anything. I can see why other drivers might flash.

I do single out Minis as being particularly annoying. I often find it looks as if the lights are wobbling up and down a bit. Any time I see some headlights flickering between "ok" and "eye-searing", there's an excellent chance it's a Mini.

I'm sure they conform to all legal requirements when brand new and/or the car is sat on a completely flat surface.

[Jim853]

Not just me then. luckily I don't have to drive at night much in that car.

[ChocolateFrog]

Waynester said:

I’ve never had an issue myself, but it’s becoming increasingly rare to see cars with halogens these days.. Don’t new higher end cars mostly have LED lights fitted? Are they any better than xenons?

Yeah my Dacia has LED headlights