Xenon Lights

[oceans11]

Although this option for most highline vehicles came out years ago, it still appears to be an option & you rarely see them on sub $25K cars.

So my question is why aren't they more standard or popular on cars today. I thought most cars by now would have them standard but as I was driving into work today I think maybe only 1% (if that) had Xenon lights.

 

[grimslade]

$$$$

 

[DNW]

More like $$$, but still, the domestics and Japanese are somewhat behind the Europeans in putting Xenons in their lower end cars.

 

[greg_atlanta]

And pricey to replace too. They're supposed to last the life of the car, but doesn't always work out that way.

 

[rebenga]

Originally Posted by greg_atlanta

And pricey to replace too. They're supposed to last the life of the car, but doesn't always work out that way.

Are people still stealing these? That seems very.. 2004 or something.

 

[oceans11]

Okay, so it's just coming down to cost. Makes sense.

 

[BrettChaotix]

Xeon bulbs for my car range from $75 - $150

Standard bulbs for my car range from $5 - $25

 

[Roikins]

Originally Posted by BrettChaotix

Xeon bulbs for my car range from $75 - $150

Standard bulbs for my car range from $5 - $25



With my car, I believe the entire Xenon headlight unit must be replaced, not just a bulb.

 

[PolePosition]

In America its kind of marketed as a luxury item. Bulbs, harnesses, and ballasts aren't that expensive really. Projector headlamps are pretty expensive but nowhere near the $1500 it costs to have it as a factory option. You can buy all the OEM stuff for a third of that price actually (buying the components separately instead of as an optioned package).

I've installed aftermarket plug and play kits on alot of my friends' cars. All of them had OEM halogen projectors since they were newer vehicles, so they don't scatter the light like halogen reflectors, although one of the cars I used did have reflectors but had the proper cutoff, so maybe reflectors are better now.....anyways although I'd wish xenon headlights would come on all cars, I'd highly recommend just getting a plug and play kit and installing that. Significant improvement over OEM halogen lighting....and the bulbs last a long time, about 3 times longer than halogen bulbs.

 

[Lucky7]

Originally Posted by PolePosition

In America its kind of marketed as a luxury item. Bulbs, harnesses, and ballasts aren't that expensive really. Projector headlamps are pretty expensive but nowhere near the $1500 it costs to have it as a factory option. You can buy all the OEM stuff for a third of that price actually (buying the components separately instead of as an optioned package).

I've installed aftermarket plug and play kits on alot of my friends' cars. All of them had OEM halogen projectors since they were newer vehicles, so they don't scatter the light like halogen reflectors, although one of the cars I used did have reflectors but had the proper cutoff, so maybe reflectors are better now.....anyways although I'd wish xenon headlights would come on all cars, I'd highly recommend just getting a plug and play kit and installing that. Significant improvement over OEM halogen lighting....and the bulbs last a long time, about 3 times longer than halogen bulbs.

Thank you Mr. Wizard!

 

[zippyh]

I don't think it's required in the US like in the EU, but every car I've had with Xenons had a self-leveling feature which adds to the cost.

You can always tell the idiots who just slapped on some Xenon aftermarket conversion by the irritating glare.

 

[username79]

Adaptive Xenon Projectors w/ Auto-Leveling are absolutely wonderful.

 

[jet]

Replaced both my xenon bulbs on the m3 after 5 years the F***ers burned out. I paid 125 a pop and that is employee cost, retail is over 2 bills a piece.

 

[KBW]

I replace mine every 2 years it seems. The first car I had them on was my 03 g35 I bought new late 02 and I only had it 3 years and I replaced them. I recently replaced them in my RR but only because I wanted a different "color".

 

[PolePosition]

Originally Posted by jet

Replaced both my xenon bulbs on the m3 after 5 years the F***ers burned out. I paid 125 a pop and that is employee cost, retail is over 2 bills a piece.

You overpaid....do a search on Phillips D2S 85122+ 4300K. That is the bulb you need (unless D2S is not what your car uses, then use the appropriate size).... the phillips 85122+ bulbs are the best OEM HID replacement bulbs. In fact many current manufacturers do use phillips but they use the older 85122 (not +). And they are MUCH cheaper than $125/bulb you paid for. Not sure which brand you purchased but time and time again Phillips has proven superior in bulb technology.