Xenon worth the money??
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Joined: Aug 2006
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From: Cymru
My Ride: 535d M Sport, Silver-grey, Black Dakota, Media, Visibility, HUD, Foldy mirrors, Hot seats.
I would definately recommend them. The adaptive side of things I have to admit I don't notice much, but the xenons themselves are hugely beneficial.
You'd regret it.
You'd regret it.
Can see how much brighter they are on unlit motorways.
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Joined: Feb 2006
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From: Bavaria, Germany
My Ride: ------------------------------------------------------------------
business: 05 bmw 535d titaniumsilver 334hp/600nm m-package m5wheels+mirrors
fun: 02 audi tt roadster delphingrey/baseball 225hp/310nm s-line
i did not asume any 5er out there still driving withou xenon 
it's like having the lavatory inside your house or outside
somehow 
it's like having the lavatory inside your house or outside
somehow
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Joined: Nov 2005
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From: United Kingdom
My Ride: UK 2006 530D MSport. Auto, Silver Grey, Black Dakota, 172 19" Mixed Wheels, Visibility, Media Pack, Sun Protective Glass, Hi-Fi Speaker System, Heated Seats, Enhanced voice control, M Lip Spoiler.
Xenon lights are one of the first boxes to be ticked when ordering..Visibility pack gives you Xenon, Adaptive and of course headlamp washers.
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Joined: Aug 2006
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From: West Sussex, England
My Ride: 520d saloon, manual 6 ratios, olivin metallic, star spoke 122 alloys, delete boot badge, bi-xenon adaptive headlights including washers, graduated tinted windscreen, exterior and interior mirror auto dimming plus electric folding door mirrors, extended light package, dakota beige leather, dark poplar wood, electric seat adjustment including memory function, heated front seats, advanced climate control, velour floor mats, sliding front armrest, lumbar support for front seats.
Does anyone find the low beam xenon quite poor in the distance the light travels ahead? My full beam bi-xenon is great especially on dark country roads but when a car is approaching and I have to dip beam then I don't find it to be as good as low beam halogen.
I know that xenons adjust the height automatically, there is no adjustment wheel as with non-xenon cars to vary the height but do you think I should ask the dealer to raise the low beam height or at least check it?
It would be nice to know if I am expecting too much of the low beam light travel or whether there is an inherant issue with xenons on low beam ie. they have to be fairly low to avoid dazzling oncoming traffic or if there is a particular problem with my car.
I know that xenons adjust the height automatically, there is no adjustment wheel as with non-xenon cars to vary the height but do you think I should ask the dealer to raise the low beam height or at least check it?
It would be nice to know if I am expecting too much of the low beam light travel or whether there is an inherant issue with xenons on low beam ie. they have to be fairly low to avoid dazzling oncoming traffic or if there is a particular problem with my car.
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From: Pittsburgh, PA USA
My Ride: G30 M550i
Model Year: 2018
Originally Posted by dawi' post='350428' date='Oct 30 2006, 07:09 PM
Does anyone find the low beam xenon quite poor in the distance the light travels ahead? My full beam bi-xenon is great especially on dark country roads but when a car is approaching and I have to dip beam then I don't find it to be as good as low beam halogen.
I know that xenons adjust the height automatically, there is no adjustment wheel as with non-xenon cars to vary the height but do you think I should ask the dealer to raise the low beam height or at least check it?
It would be nice to know if I am expecting too much of the low beam light travel or whether there is an inherant issue with xenons on low beam ie. they have to be fairly low to avoid dazzling oncoming traffic or if there is a particular problem with my car.
I know that xenons adjust the height automatically, there is no adjustment wheel as with non-xenon cars to vary the height but do you think I should ask the dealer to raise the low beam height or at least check it?
It would be nice to know if I am expecting too much of the low beam light travel or whether there is an inherant issue with xenons on low beam ie. they have to be fairly low to avoid dazzling oncoming traffic or if there is a particular problem with my car.
http://forums.e60.net/index.php?showtopic=1073
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 50
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From: Leicester, UK
My Ride: Ordered: 530i - Silver Grey, Black Leather, Anthercite Headlining, HUD, Type 116 Wheels, Sat Nav, Bi-Xenons, Auto dimming/folding mirrors, delivery 1st March 06!
Current: E39 525i - Black, Black Leather, Xenons, Through Load, Anthercite Headlining.
History: ....
Originally Posted by Sean81' post='349987' date='Oct 29 2006, 07:33 PM
In my opinion they are. I can't compare a halogen to the xenon in the 5 series but riding in a non halogen car you will notice a big difference when you get back in the 5. Yes, the adaptive feature is really cool too!
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Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 7,790
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From: Helsinki, Finland
My Ride: My ex-ride: EU '08 LCI 520dA. Space Grey, Sport Seats in Black Leather/Fabric Anthracite, Sport Steering Wheel, A/C with Extended Features, Hi-Fi Speakers, Cup Holders, Cruise with Braking function, Folding Rear Seats, Xenons, Park Distance Control.
I live in a country where the sun do not go down in the summer
but in the wintertime it's dark as...
I vote Xenon all the way!
but in the wintertime it's dark as...
I vote Xenon all the way!
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Joined: May 2005
Posts: 24
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As bulbs have gotten brighter and brighter, manufacturers have had to cone the beam tighter and tighter to avoid blinding issues of oncoming drivers. This has had a couple of effects:
1. While the beams are extremely bright straight ahead, they actually drop off so quickly to the sides and top, that there is less light now illuminating the border and peripheral zones than with older style headlights. In essence, it makes adaptive style lights mandatory to compensate for this.
2. The sharp cut-off on the low beams means that there is a big problem when you approach a dip in the road--the beams are directed downward and there is almost no light to illuminate the uphill side.
Athough I think xenons are generally a step forward, it's not all a plus. Things will get better as lighting designers design better projector systems that can maintain the bright central zone, yet allow for a more gradual tapering off of brightness in the peripheral zone.
Another factor is color perception. Some people like xenon's cool bluish light, but I find that it distorts color vision at night more than halogen's whiter light. Ever notice how stop signs look like kind of muddy washed out reddish brown with xenon? Halogen's color spectrum results in a much more natural color band at night.
And regardless of whether you like them or not, BMW loves them. Xenon systems are a very high profit margin item for manufacturers.
1. While the beams are extremely bright straight ahead, they actually drop off so quickly to the sides and top, that there is less light now illuminating the border and peripheral zones than with older style headlights. In essence, it makes adaptive style lights mandatory to compensate for this.
2. The sharp cut-off on the low beams means that there is a big problem when you approach a dip in the road--the beams are directed downward and there is almost no light to illuminate the uphill side.
Athough I think xenons are generally a step forward, it's not all a plus. Things will get better as lighting designers design better projector systems that can maintain the bright central zone, yet allow for a more gradual tapering off of brightness in the peripheral zone.
Another factor is color perception. Some people like xenon's cool bluish light, but I find that it distorts color vision at night more than halogen's whiter light. Ever notice how stop signs look like kind of muddy washed out reddish brown with xenon? Halogen's color spectrum results in a much more natural color band at night.
And regardless of whether you like them or not, BMW loves them. Xenon systems are a very high profit margin item for manufacturers.