Lights - halogen or xenons?

Areutalkingtome · 03-02-2014, 11:48 AM

Xenons always!

GSAL55 · 03-03-2014, 11:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Areutalkingtome

Xenons always!

VanosKickedInYo · 03-03-2014, 12:24 PM

You Should just get Halogen Lights and Replace it with Twin led lights powered by Potatos.

Or Just Get the Xenon.

Barbera335 · 03-03-2014, 02:07 PM

I guess I'll be the odd man out. I have had Xenon lights on my 4 previous cars and now my current BMW has halogens and I am completely happy with them. Besides, the halogens do not have the moving parts to fail that adaptive xenons do as well as I would much rather replace a 20 dollar halogen bulb than replace a 300 dollar xenon bulb. But unlike most on here, I keep my cars well past the warranty expires. IMHO, if it is a short term purchase get the Xenons. If you plan to keep it for the long haul, go with halogens.

GSAL55 · 03-03-2014, 06:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Barbera335

I guess I'll be the odd man out. I have had Xenon lights on my 4 previous cars and now my current BMW has halogens and I am completely happy with them. Besides, the halogens do not have the moving parts to fail that adaptive xenons do as well as I would much rather replace a 20 dollar halogen bulb than replace a 300 dollar xenon bulb. But unlike most on here, I keep my cars well past the warranty expires. IMHO, if it is a short term purchase get the Xenons. If you plan to keep it for the long haul, go with halogens.

How often do xenon bulbs go out? I don't think it is a common occurrence.

Vertigo//SD · 03-03-2014, 06:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jocamryn

BMW needs to stop it already with the ancient Halogen lights. Xenon should be standard and LEDs the option.

...and get rid of the in-dash CD player.

jazzjessika · 03-04-2014, 03:32 AM

full agree with ScottMZ3 and you should Get the Xenon. If you don't you lose the signature BMW LED Halo headlights.

vertebra · 03-04-2014, 11:36 AM

Is this a real question? Xenons!

flyga3 · 03-05-2014, 01:43 PM

I was on the fence too. I like my hi-beam to be a dedicated light for day-time safety flashes. The xenons use the same bulb for this, so technically this "4 headlight" BMW signature is really only 2 for both high/low beams and the other 2 inner ones are bogus nicely polished pieces of plastic. A day-time high beam flash with xenons are not as fast as a dedicated halogen. But I do like those halos!
(BTW, someone mentioned that the halogens are just "cheap" reflectors. Well, I guess that makes the new LED headlights at $1,900 "cheap" but they ALSO use reflectors but LEDs as the light source rather then a halogen bulb. Just saying'.

)

FYI--Here are some pics of the halogens on the 228: OFF, parking, and full high-beam (both high & low are on). No dedicated DRL light like on the 3er, but DRL uses the hi-beam light dimmed.

Nick_K · 11-07-2014, 06:19 PM

How does the high beam performance of the halogens compare to the HIDs? (distance, illumination to the side)?

1ChrisRuck · 11-15-2014, 02:37 AM

I highly recommend getting Xenon. They illuminate the road at night much better, not to mention they look phenomenal. This is one particular option someone may regret not opting for.

tccox · 11-15-2014, 09:12 AM

Xenons. For the safety factor alone

Macphisto · 11-15-2014, 09:43 AM

Perhaps one day... BMW will discontinue halogens, make xenons standard and LED optional. Then, a few years after that, LED standard and laser optional.

alz0rz · 11-15-2014, 10:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by world.traveler

How does the high beam performance of the halogens compare to the HIDs? (distance, illumination to the side)?

I will just say the performance difference is SIGNIFICANT. There are plenty of sources online that will tell you that.

Amessforone · 11-15-2014, 11:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by world.traveler

How does the high beam performance of the halogens compare to the HIDs? (distance, illumination to the side)?

Xenons are great up until it rains and then you can barely see anything.

tccox · 11-15-2014, 12:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Amessforone

Quote:

Originally Posted by world.traveler

How does the high beam performance of the halogens compare to the HIDs? (distance, illumination to the side)?

Xenons are great up until it rains and then you can barely see anything.

Wow, main reason I insisted on xenon on my 228 is superb visibility in rain and fog. A huge improvement over halogens

Amessforone · 11-15-2014, 12:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tccox

Quote:

Originally Posted by Amessforone

Quote:

Originally Posted by world.traveler

How does the high beam performance of the halogens compare to the HIDs? (distance, illumination to the side)?

Xenons are great up until it rains and then you can barely see anything.

Wow, main reason I insisted on xenon on my 228 is superb visibility in rain and fog. A huge improvement over halogens

Yeah I only saw glare when I had them. Both have their positives and negatives. Personally I can't justify spending 1000. People who say they can't see with halogens probably need glasses

ORIGIN M. · 11-15-2014, 01:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jocamryn

BMW needs to stop it already with the ancient Halogen lights. Xenon should be standard and LEDs the option.

Correct.

The low end/entry level car manufactures make BMW look ridiculous.

LDSM · 11-15-2014, 01:41 PM

Huge difference between halogens and xenons.

You have to go for xenons

shazzy04 · 11-15-2014, 01:54 PM

Xenons

danimal · 11-16-2014, 12:21 AM

I was very sparing with options: no premium, no tech, no adaptive suspension, no M sport brakes, no Harmon Kardon. Even I got xenons.

Tigershark · 11-16-2014, 04:52 AM

I have halogens in my F20 and the standard bulbs were pretty poor so I replaced them with Osram Night Breaker Plus' and couldn't be happy. For a few $/£ you can get decent performance without paying out 1000 for something as boring as headlights. I might spec' Xenons next time around if they're not standard but BMW really need to be standardising Xenons, much like they did with DAB radio over here.

03-02-2014, 11:48 AM	#23
Areutalkingtome Enlisted Member 2 Rep 35 Posts Drives: 228i Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Texas iTrader: (0)	Xenons always!
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03-03-2014, 12:24 PM	#25
VanosKickedInYo Enlisted Member 19 Rep 38 Posts Drives: F80 M3 AW Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (0)	You Should just get Halogen Lights and Replace it with Twin led lights powered by Potatos. Or Just Get the Xenon.
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03-03-2014, 02:07 PM	#26
Barbera335 Captain 169 Rep 660 Posts Drives: F25 Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: socal iTrader: (0)	I guess I'll be the odd man out. I have had Xenon lights on my 4 previous cars and now my current BMW has halogens and I am completely happy with them. Besides, the halogens do not have the moving parts to fail that adaptive xenons do as well as I would much rather replace a 20 dollar halogen bulb than replace a 300 dollar xenon bulb. But unlike most on here, I keep my cars well past the warranty expires. IMHO, if it is a short term purchase get the Xenons. If you plan to keep it for the long haul, go with halogens.
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03-04-2014, 03:32 AM	#29
jazzjessika Registered 0 Rep 1 Posts Drives: Car Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: USa iTrader: (0)	full agree with ScottMZ3 and you should Get the Xenon. If you don't you lose the signature BMW LED Halo headlights.
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03-04-2014, 11:36 AM	#30
vertebra Lieutenant 21 Rep 493 Posts Drives: 2010 135i vert Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Atlanta, GA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2009 Audi A4 Vert [0.00] 2010 BMW 135i Vert [0.00]	Is this a real question? Xenons! __________________
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03-05-2014, 01:43 PM	#31
flyga3 Geboren zu Fahren! 12 Rep 376 Posts Drives: F25 X3 Join Date: May 2007 Location: Scottsdale, AZ iTrader: (0) Garage List 1965 FFR Challenge ... [0.00] 2011 BMW X3 [0.00]	I was on the fence too. I like my hi-beam to be a dedicated light for day-time safety flashes. The xenons use the same bulb for this, so technically this "4 headlight" BMW signature is really only 2 for both high/low beams and the other 2 inner ones are bogus nicely polished pieces of plastic. A day-time high beam flash with xenons are not as fast as a dedicated halogen. But I do like those halos! (BTW, someone mentioned that the halogens are just "cheap" reflectors. Well, I guess that makes the new LED headlights at $1,900 "cheap" but they ALSO use reflectors but LEDs as the light source rather then a halogen bulb. Just saying'. ) FYI--Here are some pics of the halogens on the 228: OFF, parking, and full high-beam (both high & low are on). No dedicated DRL light like on the 3er, but DRL uses the hi-beam light dimmed. Attached Images __________________ 2011 F25 X3 2.8 (in service) 2009 E90 328i (retired) 2007 E92 335i (retired) 2005 R53 MINI Cooper S (retired) 2002 E53 X5 3.0 (retired), 1999 E46 328i (retired)
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11-07-2014, 06:19 PM	#32
Nick_K New Member 6 Rep 22 Posts Drives: 2021 BMW 230i MSport Manual Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Southeastern Penna iTrader: (0)	How does the high beam performance of the halogens compare to the HIDs? (distance, illumination to the side)?
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11-15-2014, 02:37 AM	#33
1ChrisRuck Lieutenant 244 Rep 442 Posts Drives: 2018 BMW M2 Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Springwoods Village, The Woodlands, Texas iTrader: (0) Garage List 2018 M2 LCI [10.00]	I highly recommend getting Xenon. They illuminate the road at night much better, not to mention they look phenomenal. This is one particular option someone may regret not opting for. __________________ 2018 Alpine White M2 My Instagram Page *"What’s behind you doesn’t matter" –Enzo Ferrari*
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11-15-2014, 09:12 AM	#34
tccox Captain 95 Rep 809 Posts Drives: 2014 228i Msport Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Charlotte, NC iTrader: (0) Garage List 2014 BMW 228I Msport [0.00]	Xenons. For the safety factor alone __________________ A peasant and proud of it Save The Manuals!!!
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11-15-2014, 09:43 AM	#35
Macphisto Lieutenant 1110 Rep 402 Posts Drives: 2016 ///M2 Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: San Diego, CA iTrader: (0)	Perhaps one day... BMW will discontinue halogens, make xenons standard and LED optional. Then, a few years after that, LED standard and laser optional.
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11-15-2014, 01:41 PM	#41
LDSM Captain 344 Rep 686 Posts Drives: ... Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: ... iTrader: (0)	Huge difference between halogens and xenons. You have to go for xenons
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11-15-2014, 01:54 PM	#42
shazzy04 Lieutenant Colonel 29 Rep 1,864 Posts Drives: '15 F22 M235i Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: South Jersey iTrader: (6)	Xenons
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11-16-2014, 12:21 AM	#43
danimal Captain 50 Rep 755 Posts Drives: '14 228i Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: San Diego, CA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2014 BMW 228i [10.00] 2007 BMW 328i Sedan [0.00]	I was very sparing with options: no premium, no tech, no adaptive suspension, no M sport brakes, no Harmon Kardon. Even I got xenons. __________________ 2014 228i alpine white \| sport line \| 6-speed manual \| lighting package \| driver assistance package interior - black Sensatec \| aluminum & red trim
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11-16-2014, 04:52 AM	#44
Tigershark Enlisted Member 0 Rep 39 Posts Drives: 116i M Sport Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Scotland iTrader: (0)	I have halogens in my F20 and the standard bulbs were pretty poor so I replaced them with Osram Night Breaker Plus' and couldn't be happy. For a few $/£ you can get decent performance without paying out 1000 for something as boring as headlights. I might spec' Xenons next time around if they're not standard but BMW really need to be standardising Xenons, much like they did with DAB radio over here. __________________ F20 116i /// M Sport Estoril Blue
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