Another Xenon Headlight Thread - BMW 1 Series Coupe Forum / 1 Series Convertible Forum (1M / tii / 135i / 128i / Coupe / Cabrio / Hatchback) (BMW E82 E88 128i 130i 135i)

exPat · 05-21-2013, 06:34 PM

All you 135 owners can cut out now, since Xenons are standard equipment.

Here's the deal: I love driving with Xenons, no question. And I've had several cars with Xenons. I'm just not convinced they are worth the additional upfront costs and higher bulb replacement costs -- not to mention complexity and weight.

I've ordered a new 128i without the lighting package. My goal is to keep the car simple, so manual transmission and M-Sport but no Technology Package or Premium Package or Lighting Package.

What's your take on Xenons? Does your choice change if you live in an urban area? What if you don't do much night driving?

631twentyeighteye · 05-21-2013, 06:53 PM

Halogens look like poop and work way worse, xenons are a no brainer for me especially considering the OE option is substantially better than any aftermarket brand headlights. I wish mine came with OEM xenons, Depo's are an okay fix but still nothing like the original part

Lucky1 · 05-21-2013, 08:32 PM

I love xenon lights. I find the ones on the 1er are just bright enough too. Some xenons are so bright they're obnoxious for other drivers to see in their rear view mirrors but I think on this car is just right.

Gray_Panther · 05-21-2013, 08:43 PM

I have halogens. Hate them. Which is why I am just making my own HIDs instead of paying a lot for OEM and, Depo's just don't do it for me.

exPat · 05-22-2013, 11:43 AM

Thanks. I really, really do not want a sunroof. Does anybody know a way to get OEM Xenons without the Premium package?

631twentyeighteye · 05-22-2013, 11:49 AM

Surely xenons are a stand alone option? I believe it used to be like that.

Dackelone · 05-22-2013, 12:12 PM

I would opt for Xenons. Once you drive a few times with them, you will never want to drive a car with halogens ever again. Its like driving an old car from the 1970's with 6volt headlights. Its that big of a difference.

I recently rode in a new 7er LCI with the adaptive LED's and was really blown away with how much brighter they are over my 135i's Xenons.

Halogen>Xenon>LED

Xenon bulbs run about $100 each from BMW. But they last forever(almost) 10 years. You can even find them on ebay for less than half that price. I would still say go for the the Xenon lights.

Iron Man · 05-22-2013, 12:18 PM

To get Xenons, you must buy the Premium Pkg according to the BMW website.

exPat · 05-22-2013, 12:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Iron Man

To get Xenons, you must buy the Premium Pkg according to the BMW website.

This, unfortunately. And according to the dealer, also.

Which changes the 'simplicity' factor pretty dramatically (to say nothing about weight). I'm tempted to hold my nose and do it (I agree that much Xenon>Halogen) but it goes against my entire reason for ordering the car.

Iron Man · 05-22-2013, 12:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by exPat

This, unfortunately. And according to the dealer, also.

Which changes the 'simplicity' factor pretty dramatically (to say nothing about weight). I'm tempted to hold my nose and do it (I agree that much Xenon>Halogen) but it goes against my entire reason for ordering the car.

When I ordered mine, I opted out of getting the Premium Pkg, since I had no desire for most parts of it (especially the sunroof). I would like to have the Xenons, but I wasn't going to pay $4500 to get them.

AJx · 05-22-2013, 12:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dackelone

Xenon bulbs run about $100 each from BMW. But they last forever(almost) 10 years.

Can buy them directly from Amazon right now for $50... plus free shipping directly from Amazon's warehouse.

Installation instructions are also in the DIY section, if needed.

Xenon/HID is a must on a BMW, imo.

05-21-2013, 06:34 PM	#1
exPat Private Drives: 128i 6MT Join Date: May 2013 Location: USA Posts: 51 iTrader: (0)	Another Xenon Headlight Thread All you 135 owners can cut out now, since Xenons are standard equipment. Here's the deal: I love driving with Xenons, no question. And I've had several cars with Xenons. I'm just not convinced they are worth the additional upfront costs and higher bulb replacement costs -- not to mention complexity and weight. I've ordered a new 128i without the lighting package. My goal is to keep the car simple, so manual transmission and M-Sport but no Technology Package or Premium Package or Lighting Package. What's your take on Xenons? Does your choice change if you live in an urban area? What if you don't do much night driving?
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05-21-2013, 06:53 PM	#2
631twentyeighteye Captain Drives: 2010 128i MT Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Long island Posts: 870 iTrader: (6)	Halogens look like poop and work way worse, xenons are a no brainer for me especially considering the OE option is substantially better than any aftermarket brand headlights. I wish mine came with OEM xenons, Depo's are an okay fix but still nothing like the original part __________________ Injen intake, Custom 135i Active Autowerke exhaust fitted to 128 mids, blackline tails, Depo headlights w/ 8000k LED angel eyes and xenons, 8000k xenon fogs, Lowered on eibach springs, 264's in anthracite with a red lip wrapped in hankook v12's in 135i sizes.

05-21-2013, 08:43 PM	#4
Gray_Panther Lieutenant Drives: 128i Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Upstate NY Posts: 533 iTrader: (0)	I have halogens. Hate them. Which is why I am just making my own HIDs instead of paying a lot for OEM and, Depo's just don't do it for me. __________________ 2012 BMW 128i 6MT Deep Sea Blue Metallic

05-22-2013, 11:49 AM	#6
631twentyeighteye Captain Drives: 2010 128i MT Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Long island Posts: 870 iTrader: (6)	Surely xenons are a stand alone option? I believe it used to be like that. __________________ Injen intake, Custom 135i Active Autowerke exhaust fitted to 128 mids, blackline tails, Depo headlights w/ 8000k LED angel eyes and xenons, 8000k xenon fogs, Lowered on eibach springs, 264's in anthracite with a red lip wrapped in hankook v12's in 135i sizes.

05-22-2013, 12:12 PM	#7
Dackelone Moderator Drives: 135i Silber mit/Rot 6MT N54 Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Bayern, Germany Posts: 13,312 iTrader: (0)	I would opt for Xenons. Once you drive a few times with them, you will never want to drive a car with halogens ever again. Its like driving an old car from the 1970's with 6volt headlights. Its that big of a difference. I recently rode in a new 7er LCI with the adaptive LED's and was really blown away with how much brighter they are over my 135i's Xenons. Halogen>Xenon>LED Xenon bulbs run about $100 each from BMW. But they last forever(almost) 10 years. You can even find them on ebay for less than half that price. I would still say go for the the Xenon lights. __________________ Dackel's European Delivery Museum Guide 1addicts at Stelv1oPass 1addicts at Stelv1oPass 2.0 July 20th & 21th, 2013

05-21-2013, 08:32 PM	#3
Lucky1 Captain Drives: '08 128i Coupe SGM 6MT Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Toronto Posts: 762 iTrader: (0)	I love xenon lights. I find the ones on the 1er are just bright enough too. Some xenons are so bright they're obnoxious for other drivers to see in their rear view mirrors but I think on this car is just right.

05-22-2013, 11:43 AM	#5
exPat Private Drives: 128i 6MT Join Date: May 2013 Location: USA Posts: 51 iTrader: (0)	Thanks. I really, really do not want a sunroof. Does anybody know a way to get OEM Xenons without the Premium package?

05-22-2013, 12:18 PM	#8
Iron Man Second Lieutenant Drives: Alpinweiß 128i ordered Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: NC Posts: 200 iTrader: (0)	To get Xenons, you must buy the Premium Pkg according to the BMW website.

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