Xenons/corona rings

I have to admit that I screwed up. I got a 28i and didn't get the xenons. I didn't think it would be worth the money and didn't realize the corona rings would be much whiter/brighter than on previous generation bimmers (I act like I don't care about the look of the car but the truth is that I do). Anyone know how much it would cost to get the headlights changed over? Are there any aftermarket options available yet that would look as good?
Thanks in advance.
Matt

Originally Posted by mattyg

I have to admit that I screwed up. I got a 28i and didn't get the xenons. I didn't think it would be worth the money and didn't realize the corona rings would be much whiter/brighter than on previous generation bimmers (I act like I don't care about the look of the car but the truth is that I do). Anyone know how much it would cost to get the headlights changed over? Are there any aftermarket options available yet that would look as good?
Thanks in advance.
Matt

IMO, the costs of any possible conversion would be too great. Nothing wrong with the lights you have, forget about it.

I got Xenons on my 335i Vert as standard, I really don't know what all the fuss is about. They aren't even that much better to drive with at night.

Originally Posted by No12

IMO, the costs of any possible conversion would be too great. Nothing wrong with the lights you have, forget about it.

x2..cost would be pretty big....

Very subjective topic here but if it's going to bother you that much and you haven't taken delivery yet, order another vehicle...you aren't obligated to take delivery on this one and as long as your dealer can sell this to someone else with the setup you got, then you can move your deposit over.

There as a similar thread a few weeks back on this...can't remember the user or thread name but he ended up ordering another X3. I wouldn't do aftermarkets on Xeons...unlike stereos that will most likely end up better than any factory system, xeons should be done in the factory build...they're always more genuine.

Agai personal preference on this one, but for me I think they drastically improve nighttime vision (adaptive lights and the xeon's being brighter...and in my view, luxury vehicles without xeons are just missing something...it's 2011 and a 40-50K vehicle should just have more progressive lights than something invented when henry ford was making cars...it's not 2001 when xeons were mostly optional...again just my 2 cents...

my advice to the other user...try and flash forward 2-3 years and if you are going to look at the x3 and not like that one factor, order another one now....no reason to not like anything about our setups

Originally Posted by mole7374

it's 2011 and a 40-50K vehicle should just have more progressive lights than something invented when henry ford was making cars...it's not 2001 when xeons were mostly optional...again just my 2 cents...

Did the Model T have Halogens?

Sorry, couldn't resist.....

To be fair you have a point, BMW start new models with low specs and close out with high specs. The lack of electric seats on UK models (and no doubt most countries) is a similar issue.

Originally Posted by Clivem2

Did the Model T have Halogens?

Sorry, couldn't resist.....

To be fair you have a point, BMW start new models with low specs and close out with high specs. The lack of electric seats on UK models (and no doubt most countries) is a similar issue.

LMFAO... Honestly I don't even know if model T's had headlights (they must have right?) but....just an example of, "when trying to make a point make sh*t up"!

I hope that didn't come off the wrong way...I'm just saying that xeons are to me not only a better headlight system, but they kinda signify luxury vehicles.....our MDX came standard with xeons and I just felt like it was the way it should have been.

And let's face it...there is a part of all of us that has our bimmers for the looks...and no matter what those coronas and bright lights give off a nice look.

Originally Posted by mattyg

I have to admit that I screwed up. I got a 28i and didn't get the xenons. I didn't think it would be worth the money and didn't realize the corona rings would be much whiter/brighter than on previous generation bimmers (I act like I don't care about the look of the car but the truth is that I do). Anyone know how much it would cost to get the headlights changed over? Are there any aftermarket options available yet that would look as good?
Thanks in advance.
Matt

I did the same Mistake ( if you can call it that!!!) thought that how much different could it be and then I saw one with he xenons and I knew I had to do something! So if you haven't taken delivery yet or don't have any time sensitive restrictions, order a new one because the wait is well worth it! But if you have picked up the car then in my opinion instead of paying over 2500 and replacing them(you have the option btw I checked!) you can wait and see what 3rd part options you get in a couple of months! But I just want to emphasize THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH HALOGENS!!! the car itself and the driving experience is MUCH MUCH more important

I agree and did the same thing.. and I am slightly jealous of the xenons when I see them....but, i'm sure this is temporary pain. I had xenons in my previous RDX and i didn't give a crap -- and yes i know these rings or angel eyes, or whatever are gorgeous, but we'll live.... its fine, we'll know for next time. If you are still uneasy about it in a few months, i'll recommend a therapist.

Originally Posted by mattyg

I have to admit that I screwed up. I got a 28i and didn't get the xenons. I didn't think it would be worth the money and didn't realize the corona rings would be much whiter/brighter than on previous generation bimmers (I act like I don't care about the look of the car but the truth is that I do). Anyone know how much it would cost to get the headlights changed over? Are there any aftermarket options available yet that would look as good?
Thanks in advance.
Matt

In Canada, it is part of the Premium package.
Did you order Prem. Pack?

I wouldn't do without Xenon's. They make an incredible difference when driving in rural areas at night.

That really looks awsome. I've seen a couple of X3 without it...not preferred.

I really don't understand all the fuss over Xenons, yes they look nicer but having owned four 3 series and four 5 series I find the light from my Xenons on my 335i a little brighter and whiter than the BMWs I had with halogens but I'm pleased the Xenons came with the car as if I'd paid for them as an extra I'd be unhappy. I also drive a 13 year old RAV4, the headlamps on that are not so different to my Xenons either. The days when I ran with powerful rally type driving lights.....now that was a difference, it was like daylight, only on main beam though.

Don't be too concerned that you missed the Xenons off your order, use the money for something else. There seems to be 2 camps here, if you're in the "must have Xenon camp" then you have a problem, if they aren't the must have accessory for you then don't worry about it. Only you can decide.

Maybe I value Xenons less where I live is because BMWs are pretty common so the angel eye thing is not a differentiator. A lot of wealthy sports (soccer) stars live in the area, many Ferraris, Lambos etc there's a Veyron too. An X3 will be (mine comes in Dec) really nice to have but in comparison to some of the cars around here, well.......

Originally Posted by Clivem2

I really don't understand all the fuss over Xenons, yes they look nicer but having owned four 3 series and four 5 series I find the light from my Xenons on my 335i a little brighter and whiter than the BMWs I had with halogens but I'm pleased the Xenons came with the car as if I'd paid for them as an extra I'd be unhappy. I also drive a 13 year old RAV4, the headlamps on that are not so different to my Xenons either. The days when I ran with powerful rally type driving lights.....now that was a difference, it was like daylight, only on main beam though.

Don't be too concerned that you missed the Xenons off your order, use the money for something else. There seems to be 2 camps here, if you're in the "must have Xenon camp" then you have a problem, if they aren't the must have accessory for you then don't worry about it. Only you can decide.

Maybe I value Xenons less where I live is because BMWs are pretty common so the angel eye thing is not a differentiator. A lot of wealthy sports (soccer) stars live in the area, many Ferraris, Lambos etc there's a Veyron too. An X3 will be (mine comes in Dec) really nice to have but in comparison to some of the cars around here, well.......

amen - but this is bimmerfest - where enthusiats meet - so the other 90% of X3 buyers are not heard from. I also would not opt extra for Xenons...nice but not necessary for my application of my vehicle use.

I agree with Clive that if you were to pay individually for it, then it may have not been worth the extra bucks...
But since it comes as part of a package (in Canada) and I selected some other options, it just comes along anyways... it gives a better look but it is still a "nice to have" option.
I also wouldn't go for it if I had to add it separately.

Originally Posted by Clivem2

I really don't understand all the fuss over Xenons, yes they look nicer but having owned four 3 series and four 5 series I find the light from my Xenons on my 335i a little brighter and whiter than the BMWs I had with halogens but I'm pleased the Xenons came with the car as if I'd paid for them as an extra I'd be unhappy. I also drive a 13 year old RAV4, the headlamps on that are not so different to my Xenons either. The days when I ran with powerful rally type driving lights.....now that was a difference, it was like daylight, only on main beam though.

I don't know if you drive in the city where it is well lit or rural areas with no street lights, but to me there is a huge difference. Driving my wifes car with high beams on gives me less visibility on rural roads than my car with Xenons on low beam. I really don't care if they look "cool" or not, only that they provide superior visibility and safety.

Originally Posted by Cactus

I don't know if you drive in the city where it is well lit or rural areas with no street lights, but to me there is a huge difference. Driving my wifes car with high beams on gives me less visibility on rural roads than my car with Xenons on low beam. I really don't care if they look "cool" or not, only that they provide superior visibility and safety.

I live right on the edge of a city of 3m people, I'm 500 yards from rural areas which rapidly lose street lighting. Probably 30% of my night driving is in unlight rural areas. I don't deny the Xenons are better but subjectively to me they aren't worth £900 ($1,500) or £1,490 as part of the Visibility package. What we don't know is how our experiences compare:
- maybe my Xenons are poor examples
- maybe the halogens on most of my previous (mainly German) cars were particularly good
- there could be a difference in how our eyes react to low light conditions

Then there are drivers who complain about cars with driving towards them saying Xenons blind them. I don't have this issue. Could be I'm not sensitive to what Xenons do but some are. This is why the OP needs to make up his own mind from experience of Xenons, we can only give our personal and varied opinions as they related to ourselves.

Originally Posted by Clivem2

I don't deny the Xenons are better but subjectively to me they aren't worth £900 ($1,500) or £1,490 as part of the Visibility package. What we don't know is how our experiences compare:
- maybe my Xenons are poor examples
- maybe the halogens on most of my previous (mainly German) cars were particularly good
- there could be a difference in how our eyes react to low light conditions

Then there are drivers who complain about cars with driving towards them saying Xenons blind them. I don't have this issue. Could be I'm not sensitive to what Xenons do but some are. This is why the OP needs to make up his own mind from experience of Xenons, we can only give our personal and varied opinions as they related to ourselves.

Xenons are only $900 over here. I do know that Euro halogens are different in many cars than the halogens in American cars; that may have alot to do with it!

I'm 56 so my night vision isn't what it used to be; I can use every little advantage I can get and $900 isn't enough to worry about for me.

Wait till you're >50 - Xenons are purely wonderful

Originally Posted by BM2W

Wait till you're >50 - Xenons are purely wonderful

I'm 54......maybe it's because the xenons on my 335 are low down they don't do so much for me as they would on an SAV. I do notice that the many Range Rover Sports around here seem incredibly bright, maybe they're built with unsuitable reflectors or are simply mounted very high up.

See the anti-xenon UK campaign
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-13143206

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=244672186514