Retro fit xenon headlights.

[sfinkster]

xenons

Hi

I went from a bmw 2003 to a mondeo st that had xenons and wow the vision is superb not to mention the look. what i gave up with the engine in the bmw i got compensated with spec on the mondeo (a 330i straight six with a tape deck wasn't the height of fashion). But the gadgets in the ST were fun it hardly compensated.... My partner had a lovely car and I thought i'd try make safe the lighting but the best i could come up with was the phillips extremes to try compete with the xenons.....just not the same. After 6 years i've bought a c320 avant-garde with a brabs chip....NO XENONS

My mondeo had xenons and an mp3 jack. My c320 has a brabus chip and a phenomenal 7 gear auto gearbox. left hand is down here!!!! right hand is way up higher......lol

 

[whitenemesis]

Which is good for longer distance vision.
The reason xenon have a sharp cut off is to stop dazzling of oncoming drivers. It's the sharp cut-off that causes the lack of periphery vision.

The other thing to note is that xenons are useless in fog and heavy rain, they just create a lot of back glare for the driver.

I find xenons very good in rain and on the rare foggy morn I have no problems. the sharp cut-off is very reminiscent of the old Z beam headlights of the 70's. They were very good in fog.

 

[whitenemesis]

They were produced and certified with halogen lights, Xenons were added as a marketing tool once the cars arrived in the UK, but to be legal must have been below xx lumens of output.

I'd like to see the ref for that info!

 

[andy27168]

They were produced and certified with halogen lights, Xenons were added as a marketing tool once the cars arrived in the UK, but to be legal must have been below xx lumens of output.

I have heard similar stories, and that the Importer/dealer would fit xenon kits to brand new cars and sell them as being of factory fitted standard.

 

[markjay]

Had xenon HIDs on previous car, 7 years, washers and load sensors etc, they were great in fog and rain.

Have Halogens on the Merc, Osram NightBreakers H7, they are great in fog and rain

The only thing I lost when changing cars is the nice purplish hue.

Not sure what the fuss is all about. Perhaps I don't drive fast enough... if you adjust your speed to the headlights range, you should always be fine?

 

[Sprinter16]

Not sure what the fuss is all about. Perhaps I don't drive fast enough... if you adjust your speed to the headlights range, you should always be fine?

Gotta agree with that one The wifes C class with it's xenons is very nice & although we have not owned it during a winter they seem to be a good light. But my Sprinter which I do 65,000 miles a year in (including some desolate places at night) has bog standard lights & I don't have any issues with them.

If I could have them retro fitted for free I'd take them, but I don't feel there is a problem to warrant an expensive upgrade.

 

[sspeed]

But when correctly set xenons are literally 'night and day'. I wouldn't go back to halogens...

Have to agree with Whitenemesis..
My 57 plate E320 had Bi Xenons and they were easily the best lights I have ever had on any car....
Once you have experienced them then all else just isnt good enough!

 

[Colin_b]

Good advice and ideas, thanks.

I think upgrading the existing lights are a non-starter, and bunging in aftermarket xenons a bad idea.

So, start a low-level search for a replacement car