03-30-2016, 12:49 PM | #1 |
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Headlight Ratings - Only One Performs 'Good' in 82 Cars Beware Base BMW Buyers
A good article telling us what we already know about the pathetic BMW base (non-xenon, HID or LED) headlights. http://www.iihs.org/iihs/news/deskto...ed-improvement
This was actually one of the reasons I sold my Base 2012 328i. I really love the N20 engine, transmission, interior and exterior. However, the headlights and steering wheels were the two main factors for getting a Luxury Line 335i. 2016 midsize cars Best available headlight system for each model Good Toyota Prius v Acceptable Audi A3 Honda Accord 4-door Infiniti Q50 Lexus ES Lexus IS Mazda 6 Nissan Maxima Subaru Outback (built after Nov. 2015) Volkswagen CC Volkswagen Jetta Volvo S60 Marginal Acura TLX Audi A4 BMW 2 series BMW 3 series Chrysler 200 Ford Fusion Lincoln MKZ Subaru Legacy Toyota Camry Poor Buick Verano Cadillac ATS Chevrolet Malibu Chevrolet Malibu Limited (fleet model) Hyundai Sonata Kia Optima Mercedes-Benz C-Class Mercedes-Benz CLA Nissan Altima Volkswagen Passat |
03-30-2016, 01:05 PM | #2 |
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not surprised at all. Its crazy how they invest all this money into their engines and chasis and tranmissions and then put in 50 year old halogen tech into these cars. Also the halogens are worse than my 1988 ford taurus ones. The geadlights were my only gripe on my 328 as well. Step it up bmw!
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03-30-2016, 01:17 PM | #3 | |
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03-30-2016, 01:23 PM | #5 |
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Except they never have base cars and you end up getting a $450 / month lease
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03-30-2016, 01:37 PM | #6 |
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03-30-2016, 01:38 PM | #7 | |
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I remember when BMW had that $299 lease on the 328 going .. .Went to the dealership couldnt find one for less than $499
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03-30-2016, 01:58 PM | #8 |
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Thats how they got me in there also not that i regret it because i thoroughly enjoy driving my car but still a tricky ad nonetheless. Its all car companies now a days that pull that kind of crap. put some xenons standard bmw.
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03-31-2016, 02:28 AM | #9 |
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Again, but it's only a copy/paste matter... Haha...
It is well known that the HID xenon system (that is not an option anymore in F30 MY 2016) is brighter and better in every way than the LED system. Again, it's all about money. LEDs are easier and cheaper to manufacture than xenons with its rare and dangerous elements, projectors, actuators, leveling and cleaning systems, ballasts (not to mention when the vehicle equipment includes "adaptive" features), etc. The hid xenon system, in my humble opinion, would score an Acceptable to Good note in this report. I hope BMW do something about this issue, specially when we have an institution of this kind confirming what we already knew... Stop playing merchandising games with elements directly involved with our security. Excellent day... |
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03-31-2016, 02:35 AM | #10 |
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Two questions.
1) I have the xenons in my 2013. Have the xenons been tested for distance, as this is apparently where most headlights failed in the test. 2) I know the TSB and other agencies in the USA are way behind on Headlight Standards (and I think I remember reading that another system, maybe laser, was available there). So what type of headlights does BMW, Porsche and Mercedes use in Germany on the Autobahn- and can they be purchased after market in the USA although probably illegal? |
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03-31-2016, 03:48 AM | #11 |
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The one on Prius was xenon light and it's fair to compare with the halogen light.
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03-31-2016, 04:19 AM | #12 | |
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The Prius v earns a good rating when equipped with LED lights and high-beam assist. To get those headlights, consumers must purchase the advanced technology package, which is only available on the highest trim level. When equipped with regular halogen lights and without high-beam assist, the Prius v earns a poor rating. |
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03-31-2016, 04:30 AM | #13 |
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I feel like that old V8 Vegetable Juice Commercial - where a person hits their head and said "wow....I could have had a V8"....
Just remembered I have a Minolta fL meter and a Minolta Lumens Meter. Hardly ever use them, so I often forget i have them - despite costing thousands of dollars each. Any LED or Halogen F30 owners in the Tampa Bay area that might want to arrange to meet somewhere dark at night for some actual measurements? If so, Message Me. I have the HID Xenons in my 2013, so that isn't a problem - though not coded for VLD - despite having all the necessary equipment. They have not been adjusted "UP" as some have also suggested. However, a simple measurement a x feet out of all 3 types would be very interesting and telling. EDIT: While I am at it, might as well ask if any Coders in the Tampa Bay Area who could code in VLD and some other goodies? Last edited by Kabrich; 03-31-2016 at 04:36 AM.. |
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03-31-2016, 08:07 AM | #14 |
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This "report" is such a load of crap. Where's the data on all the other BMW models? I've never had any issues with any BMW's lights being "marginal", particularly with the high-beams on. Remember, this is the same outfit that thinks we should all have "monitors" in our cars and are pushing for self-driving cars so that the insurance companies can make bigger profits by "eliminating accidents". So much for their credibility.
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03-31-2016, 08:59 AM | #15 | |
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03-31-2016, 09:20 AM | #16 | |
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03-31-2016, 09:41 AM | #17 |
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03-31-2016, 10:35 AM | #18 |
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DOT headlights were always worse than the E-Code and that's why people always converted them; one example is E30 owners went from sealed beam to ellipsoid/ellipsoidal. Mercedes that were sold in the US in the 80s with their cheap plastic DOT headlights were much weaker than the Euro lights and would yellow and fade. They would get to be so bad that driving with your headlights on or off was almost the same and genuinely unsafe, just ask any W124, W126, W201 owners.
Anyone familiar with the Q45 Gatling gun headlights (made in Germany) from the third generation Infiniti Q45 (F50)? Many people have used them for conversions in the past: Here's one person's conversion: http://novajeepers.net/index.php?topic=10106.0 Here's another on a 1993 Jaguar XJ220: And yet another TWR Jaguar XJ220 S :
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