[ZilberGrau ZHP]

I do live out in the country- LOTS of deer in Central and South Texas- Lots of car damage- but is spending $1900 really going to help see that much better than the stock Xenons (that are pretty damn good in my E 46- and they are even better on the F32/36) just seeing if you get longer and wider views on yours vs std and if it is substantial enough for $1900? Thanks

[KGB_123_99]

I'm pretty sure that the base lights on the F30 are halogen, not xenon. I think the lighting package is what gives you the xenons.

The xenons are totally worth it on this car if you do a lot of night-time driving.

[bobkat09]

If you are talking about upgrading from xenon to LED I would say it is not worth the price.

I have seen several tests with xenon vs. LED and xenon is the better choice every time.

However, LEDs look cooler. Depends on what is important to you.

[justinnum1]

for 1900 i am assuming you are talking about the LED headlights, which are not worth it in my eyes. xenons do a great job of illuminating the road

[ZilberGrau ZHP]

Originally Posted by bobkat09

If you are talking about upgrading from xenon to LED I would say it is not worth the price.

I have seen several tests with xenon vs. LED and xenon is the better choice every time.

However, LEDs look cooler. Depends on what is important to you.

While I havent seen any tests (would love a link) I have heard exactly the same thing on other forums.

[Blubaron79]

I have them. I used to have xenon on my E92. Worth every penny. Love the way they look too.

[bobkat09]

Originally Posted by Ze4eMCe

While I havent seen any tests (would love a link) I have heard exactly the same thing on other forums.

Sorry, I can't find the links anymore.

One test I saw was on the Bimmerfest forum ( maybe 6-8 months ago ) where an engineer did his own test. The other one I saw was in a car magazine...but don't remember which one.

I have yet to see a test that suggested the LEDs were superior.

[1FRESHF32]

The answer is he'll yes they are worth it... Screw Seeing better they make the front end of ur car look a million times better imo ... Also it's sick how they move with ur steering wheel

[xG35c]

Not worth it unless money is no object and you gotta have LED front turn signals.
Little known fact: US has headlight light output limits - xenons can already exceed this (which is why they are low wattage), LEDs are limited to same output!

[Steve33]

See this thread, there was a long debate apparently
http://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=939675

[Gray_Panther]

Clear lens and 55W HID's > BMW stock xenon > LEDs in terms of light output.
LEDs have not exceeded xenons for amount of lumens provided.

[PRODIGAL KING]

Led is the way to go and its $1800 if you don't buy it and you see someone with one approaching you your going to kick yourself for it later

[ZilberGrau ZHP]

Originally Posted by PRODIGAL KING

Led is the way to go and its $1800 if you don't buy it and you see someone with one approaching you your going to kick yourself for it later

LOL logic be damned- your probably right

[SergioK]

To add fuel to the fire, get highbeam assist. Then learn to code the anti-dazzle feature into the car. This is something I imagine I would use every night if I lived out in the countryside.

[Kafkaesque328]

The angel eyes are insanely superior to the halogens in terms of cosmetics, projection, etc. That said, you don't really 'need' them and people have been driving for decades without them and have done just fine. That said, I plan to pay the premium for them on my next BMW because they look so cool and project much better. Even though I live in the LA area, our neighborhood is secluded and somewhat rural and they would come in handy. The vast majority of F30 3 series are sold w/out them because most people 1. don't care and 2. don't want to pay two grand for fancy headlights. But the car forum guy answer is usually a resounding "absolutely, the halogens are disgusting and you can't have a REAL bmw without them. OMG, I didn't even know you could get a BMW with halogens."

[x5mad]

Have had xenons on previous older BMWs and the f30 xenons are by far the best I've had. The LEDs look cool but for better visibility at night the variable high beam assist is a good addition.

[Steve33]

Originally Posted by Gray_Panther

Clear lens and 55W HID's > BMW stock xenon > LEDs in terms of light output.
LEDs have not exceeded xenons for amount of lumens provided.

Yeah and people who add HIDs to cars that aren't meant/setup for HIDs are pure assholes (unless they mod their housings to put in real projectors)

[tturedraider]

Originally Posted by KGB_123_99

I'm pretty sure that the base lights on the F30 are halogen, not xenon. I think the lighting package is what gives you the xenons.

The xenons are totally worth it on this car if you do a lot of night-time driving.

He's not talking about the F30. He's talking about the F32/33/36, 4 Series, which come standard with HID/xenons and have LEDs as an option.

[Gray_Panther]

Originally Posted by Steve33

Yeah and people who add HIDs to cars that aren't meant/setup for HIDs are pure assholes (unless they mod their housings to put in real projectors)

I hope you don't consider me one of those assholes


But yes, people who put xenons in halogen reflectors really should stand in front of their car for fifteen minutes with the headlights on and see if they like their setup still.

[Steve33]

Originally Posted by Gray_Panther

I hope you don't consider me one of those assholes

But yes, people who put xenons in halogen reflectors really should stand in front of their car for fifteen minutes with the headlights on and see if they like their setup still.

Nope.

I was driving the speedlimit and passing a bunch of cars for an hour+ and all these fuckers in SoCal have these hunks of shit with HID's (which only led me to go the "speed limit" even more).

Oh and if people don't know what the difference between running lights, headlights and hi-beams are, they should lose their license.

[DecemberStorm]

+1 for the xenons! They are adaptive and self-leveling too I believe which only add to the aesthetics and superior projections.

I've noticed recently that BMW and MB have been cutting costs by really stripping down on base headlights. Didn't the E90 have base halogen projector with angel eye instead of the ultra cheap looking/performing reflectors that you see on corollas (oh wait, corollas have standard LEDs now ) . Same thing could be said for recently redesigned/faclifted MB models like the CLA and the E

[tturedraider]

Originally Posted by DecemberStorm

+1 for the xenons! They are adaptive and self-leveling too I believe which only add to the aesthetics and superior projections.

I've noticed recently that BMW and MB have been cutting costs by really stripping down on base headlights. Didn't the E90 have base halogen projector with angel eye instead of the ultra cheap looking/performing reflectors that you see on corollas (oh wait, corollas have standard LEDs now ) . Same thing could be said for recently redesigned/faclifted MB models like the CLA and the E

No, the E90/91 that had halogens had the standard reflector housing. Only the xenon headlights had projectors. Audi, Mercedes, and BMW all continue to use standard reflector halogen lighting for their most base models.