Bi-Xenon... worth it?

[sola|2a]

Hello ladies and gents

I am Adrian. Just thought I say hi. Currently driving a Mitsu Magna and am experiencing major issues w/ the engine.

Been seriously considering buying a GTI as my first own car and have been thinking about the options I can choose. For those of you lucky GTI owners who have Bi Xenon lights, just wondering whether they are worth the extra 2 grand? The missus would love to have a sunroof but I prefer the lights and also want to keep the cost down. Just thought I get some of your opinions.

Nice meeting you'all :wink:

sola|2a

[davesee]

hello, welcome!! Here in the US the hids arent an option, as far as I know.. they are VERY nice.. but for 2k extra i dont know.

It would be a close call for me since they are so nice to have

[sublyme]

The HIDs are alot brighter than the standard lights and Id say they're more practical than a sunroof would be. Improved visibility is always going to be more helpful than an extra window :)

[MKV6SPD]

i can see 3 times better in my gti than in my passat.The xenon lights will be a must in any car I get for now on.It is just more clear and opens the road evenly & I think that is most important

[malkatraz]

For me : White, DSG, and bi-xenon lights were the non-negotiable part of what I wanted . The only one I could track down without having to wait 12+ months (at the time) was a cancelled order that also has a sunroof. I'll be collecting the car next week.

From the research I did - the bi-xenon lights are just too good to pass up. Glad I shopped around till I found what I wanted.

[Kirium]

I got both the Bi-Xenons and the sunroof... If I had to give one option up, it'd be the sunroof without question.

I've driven a few BMWs and Audi's with Xenons, and there was no way I was going to order a car without them after spending some time driving with them.

[ApexTwin]

I've been pondering this question too, sola. Guess I would have to compare the 2 options directly to make a fair comparison.
But I've been seriously contemplating going without - unless they offer an amazing difference I can't see them being worth an extra $2000.
Roads I travel at night are generally well lit, and it can't hurt to save a few extra pounds at the front. :biggrin:

[Wild Hare]

They make a huge difference in low visibility and in rain conditions! Here in Seattle the rain city of the U.S. they are worth it!

[ApexTwin]

I've got Xenons on my MINI, and although they're good, I don't know if it's worth $2000...

If I remember correctly, they are supposed to last longer though?

[Wild Hare]

I've got Xenons on my MINI, and although they're good, I don't know if it's worth $2000...

If I remember correctly, they are supposed to last longer though?
Until you blow out a ballast!

[miketoti]

Get both! You will have plenty of time to save up! I was like you too, indecisive, trying to keep costs down. My initial order was a manual with sunroof. After two months of torment, I added the xenons and dsg! If I wait any longer i might even buy an R32 lol!
Never had xenons before so I can't comment on their quality vs stock, but I have seen with and without GTI for direct comparison and the xenons definately improve the overall asthetic appearance. Having said that I'm sure you won't be disappointed with the stock halogens. The missus will definately enjoy the sunroof more. You will want both!

[ApexTwin]

I have seen with and without GTI for direct comparison and the xenons definately improve the overall asthetic appearance. Having said that I'm sure you won't be disappointed with the stock halogens. The missus will definately enjoy the sunroof more. You will want both!
I don't know, these aesthetics look pretty good too... :smoking:

http://www.blixtfoto.com/files/Hirez/_MG_9403.jpg

[sola|2a]

thank you all for the replies

seems like the majority believes bi-xenon > sunroof. i will have to check out the sunroof meself when i go test drive this weekend!!

btw malkatraz... you got a great deal @ 45K driveaway... and the spec is exactly how i would want it!! congrats on that and enjoy ur car... and please post some piccies when you have time :thumbup:

[malkatraz]

btw malkatraz... you got a great deal @ 45K driveaway... and the spec is exactly how i would want it!! congrats on that and enjoy ur car... and please post some piccies when you have time :thumbup:

Cheers sola|2a - yeah, I'm happy with the deal. Hopefully be flying down to Melbourne Tueday night and should drive it back to Canberra Wednesday. I'll definitely post some shots here shortly.

As for getting the deal I wanted - I rang every vw dealer in nsw, vic, and sa to check out what was available. I only managed one hit with the specs I wanted out of the lot. And enjoy? You bet. I'm going to love that drive back home next week :smile:

[Kirium]

Stumbled across this opinion on the bi-xenons from evo magazine's long term test fleet GTI...

There are some boxes that you definitely don't want to tick. For example, those that result in your details going to third-party call centres generally ought to be left blank. But next time you have the good fortune to spec a new car, I implore you to tick the small square next to the words 'gas' and 'discharge'. I'm referring, of course, to headlights.
They may give other drivers a touch of the heebie-jeebies when the piercing bluish-white lights appear in their rear-view mirrors, and you do get oncoming traffic occasionally thinking that dipped beam alone can't possibly be that bright and consequently giving you a dose of full beam, but nonetheless, the Golf's xenons are brilliant.

You may have spotted OY55 GOX in our fuel test just before Christmas (087). The test essentially meant completing a lot of miles simply running fuel through the system as fast as possible, so instead of battling with traffic I decided to use the fact that you can now buy petrol pretty much 24-7 to put in some serious night-time mileage.

The 2am countryside around Northampton was treated to the Golf's full-daylight effect. Birds stopped roosting, flowers were momentarily tricked into bloom and rabbits weren't so much caught in the headlights as stunned into believing a full-on heavenly host must be approaching via the power of four cylinders and a turbo.

At £725 the xenons are certainly not cheap, but they can produce up to 200 per cent more light, use 25 per cent less power, and last up to three times as long. Perhaps more importantly, a driver's eyes tire far less quickly than with the standard halogen lamps' more orangey glow, meaning you're less likely to be rubbing your eyeballs raw and longing for a couple of matchsticks to prop open your eyelids. Mind you, when your headlamps are so good that you can drive like you're on a night stage of the Monte, adrenalin tends to do quite a good job of keeping you awake anyway...

http://www.evo.co.uk/carreviews/evolongtermtests/63994/volkswagen_golf_gti.html

[Kurupt]

i am pretty sure in USA all gti's are equipt with bi-xenons

[qik_shift]

Kirium,

Thanks for the article. Makes me glad I asked for that option.

One dealer was telling me on his country drives, he was quite tired of people high beaming him though. The only turn off for me. Given the majority of my driving will be metro melbourne, this won't be a major problem.

[Kirium]

i am pretty sure in USA all gti's are equipt with bi-xenons

And you're correct... But it seems you had no idea they're optional everywhere else outside your borders. :thumbsup:

[Kirium]

Kirium,

Thanks for the article. Makes me glad I asked for that option.

One dealer was telling me on his country drives, he was quite tired of people high beaming him though. The only turn off for me. Given the majority of my driving will be metro melbourne, this won't be a major problem.

You'll get used to it... You'll also find that no modern car will flash you (especially anything else with xenons). It's usually only bogans in clapped out EA falcons and ramshackle VP commodore wagons that think they're saving the world by tailgating you with the high beams on... Quick prod on the loud pedal solves that issue nicely... Or you can turn the rear fog light on if you're the malicious type.. :biggrin:

If you do get sick of it, there's 2 screws on each light (up-down) and (left-right) that let you adjust the beam with only a phillips head screwdriver...

Don't worry. You'll love them.... :thumbsup:

[Kurupt]

And you're correct... But it seems you had no idea they're optional everywhere else outside your borders. :thumbsup:
I already knew it was optional in other countries i was stating that it wasnt in the united states but good try there buddy:biggrin:

[Kurupt]

Kirium,

Thanks for the article. Makes me glad I asked for that option.

One dealer was telling me on his country drives, he was quite tired of people high beaming him though. The only turn off for me. Given the majority of my driving will be metro melbourne, this won't be a major problem.
i think its fun when people hibeam me bcuz then i just blast them with mine and they feel like shit

[aussiegti]

i think its fun when people hibeam me bcuz then i just blast them with mine and they feel like shit


Totally agree. Use to hate the b@$t@rds that drove around with their xenons on, especially right behind you and straight into your rear view mirror. But if you can't beat 'em, then join 'em. It's pretty difficult to out-blind this b@$t@rd (me) nowadays, since I've also changed to 7500K HID high beams & front fog light globes on my GTI also. :evil:

But seriously, xenons on is kinda' like giving you daylight vision for at least the first 30m ahead and almost 180 degree coverage.

It's big bucks, but definitely more than just paying for aesthetic (e.g. sunroof), notwithstanding it does make the front of your car more sportier.

I was very impressed by the auto levelling aspect of the xenons, which will automatically adjust the projection angle according to the combined weight of passenger and cargo in the car, upon starting up. :thumbup:

[prodigue]

Just curious, I've the bi-xenons on my GTI now and is it possible to change the bulbs? Does it work the same like halogen lights? Want something more purplish but not compromising visual.

[Kirium]

It's possible, but if you don't want to compromise the current light output, don't play with them... The higher the colour temperature of the bulb, the lower the light output.

Stock temp is 4300K. Purple is 12000K and would be like driving around with a cigarette lighter illuminating the road.

[prodigue]

It's possible, but if you don't want to compromise the current light output, don't play with them... The higher the colour temperature of the bulb, the lower the light output.

Stock temp is 4300K. Purple is 12000K and would be like driving around with a cigarette lighter illuminating the road.

Then what do you reckon is the best compromise?

[Kirium]

What are you trying to acheive??

If you just want to look like a ricer, than 12000K bulbs will do it. If you actually want to see where you're going, than leave them stock. The colour other drivers see is related more to the projector cutoff than the bulb colour temp.

http://www.golfmkv.com/forums/showpost.php?p=30955&postcount=28
http://www.golfmkv.com/forums/showpost.php?p=31388&postcount=43

[Lima]

I've got Xenons on my MINI, and although they're good, I don't know if it's worth $2000...


Pre chilli pack xenons were "only" an $1100 option the MINI. When we order our GTI, it will have xenons, they're great. :thumbsup:

[gti5dr06]

hello, welcome!! Here in the US the hids arent an option, as far as I know.. they are VERY nice.. but for 2k extra i dont know.

It would be a close call for me since they are so nice to have

if the reverse were true and you could get a 6MT pk0 for under 20k that could make the difference for ppl cross-shopping with the si

[ApexTwin]

Pre chilli pack xenons were "only" an $1100 option the MINI. When we order our GTI, it will have xenons, they're great. :thumbsup:
Are the Golf's Xenons twice as good as the MINI's, Liam?

[Lima]

I dunno? I've never driven a Mk5 at night with xenons??? :laugh:

[Sledz]

Have you noticed how the beams change when you are driving around corners as well? I checked the manual to make sure I wasn't seeing things and it refers to automatic ajustments when cornering. Kinda sweet. I also notice that my beams never go above the back windscreen of cars in front of me.

Kirium have you fiddled with the beam strength dial under the light switch? I've keep mine as factory standard but manual says you can roll it up or down to change the strength of the lights.

[dodgey]

I wanted Xenons on my GTI, but they didn't have any with it when I wanted it. I would have had to order it, which meant I wouldn't get the car until earliest, January (this was just after the motorshow here in Sydney)

So, for me xenons>sunroof, but since it wasn't available, I got the sunroof.

If I could have waited, I would have got the Xenons. :)

Maybe the next car...

[Lima]

Yeah, very few of the first shipment of 3drs seemed to have xenons. Or at least, on the list of 80 or so that I was able to check their specs, maybe 3 or 4 had xenons. None of them were Candy White cars which was our most preferred colour. We wanted to move our Outback pretty quickly and the xenons had to be missed unfortunately. If we had of ordered a car I probably would have added Sat Nav too, so it would have been a costly excercise as much as a waiting one too! Haha.

I kinda think the housing of the halogens look better, but I's still rather have xenons every day of the week.

:cry:

[Kirium]

Kirium have you fiddled with the beam strength dial under the light switch? I've keep mine as factory standard but manual says you can roll it up or down to change the strength of the lights.

:confused:

I don't have any "strength" dial under the light switch. Unless they've changed something for MY07, the only dial you'll have near the light switch with xenons is the instrument dimmer wheel thingo. Are you talking about the beam level on the halogens or the interior instrument dimmer??

I kinda think the housing of the halogens look better, but I's still rather have xenons every day of the week.

I :wub: bi-xenon....

:tongue: :biggrin:

[Sledz]

I have two dials. One for internal instrument dimmer. The other is for xenon light range/strength or something. I have yet to play around with that one.

[dodgey]

I don't have Xenons on mine :cry: , but I do have 2 dials as well. The left is the internal instrument dimmer as well, and the right changes the level of the headlights.

[ShadowGLI]

I personally think that xenons are a non question. I for example purchased a GLI over the regular Jetta as not only did it have a better engine and suspension, it also had HID's.

My preferences in a new car were
- Low RPM cruising
- Turbo
- 4 Door
- HID's
- 6 Speed
- Sunroof

Pretty much got them all. After driving with these headlights, I feel like other cars I've been in don't have their lights on.

[Kirium]

I have two dials. One for internal instrument dimmer. The other is for xenon light range/strength or something. I have yet to play around with that one.

:confused:

Do your headlight housings look like this

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a137/VentoPower/IMG_3269.jpg

or like this

http://www.golfmkv.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=5580&d=1164885673

[Sledz]

I have bi-xenon's. Maybe its a MY07 thingy :iono:

[ShadowGLI]

Does anyone have a pic of this setting dial for the headlights, I looked and I just have the instrument cluster one.

Does anyone know if it can be added?

[Sledz]

I'll double check the dial and manual when I get my car back this arvo.

[SideFX]

Sorry to grave dig this thread...but were you able to get any pics?
I have the xenons but no two dials...:confused:

[srbsta]

i have two dials one for the cluster and one for the lights adjustment :biggrin: wooooohooooooo i have more dials then yous guys :tongue:

[SideFX]

hahaha srbsta ya crazy cat...
I'm wondering if the bi-xenons get the 2 dials also...according to Sledz...he has bi-xenons and 2 dials...

[335 Trojan]

I am getting 8000K bulbs as we speak. They shipped today. I didn't go for the cheap eBay ones, I got Xentronics.

They have a bulb life greater than any other aftermarket D2S bulb, and they are 3200 Lumens, which is amazing for 8000K.

Will have pcis next week.

[335 Trojan]

and FYI, the 8000K I am getting have the same lumens as the stock Philips D2S bulbs, which is 3200 LM

[SideFX]

geee...thanks...I'm getting a penis extention next week...
ooops...off topic...since you are from the US...did you get two dials with your bi-xenons?

[Kirium]

Unless they've canned the self-leveling system for a manual switch, I still can't fathom why there would be 2 dials for cars with bi-xenon. AFAIK, self leveling is mandatory in Europe for cars with xenons, and our ADR's usually follow any EC regs for vehicles.

If you don't have 2 dials, don't feel short changed. It means they're xenons and they're self leveling. 2 dials = halogens. End of story unless there's proof otherwise.

[aussiegti]

Unless they've canned the self-leveling system for a manual switch, I still can't fathom why there would be 2 dials for cars with bi-xenon. AFAIK, self leveling is mandatory in Europe for cars with xenons, and our ADR's usually follow any EC regs for vehicles.

If you don't have 2 dials, don't feel short changed. It means they're xenons and they're self leveling. 2 dials = halogens. End of story unless there's proof otherwise.

I certainly didn't pay that much money for manual switches! Self-levelling and electric washers for my bi-xenons. :thumbup:

[dodgey]

Sorry to grave dig this thread...but were you able to get any pics?
I have the xenons but no two dials...:confused:

Slightly irrelevant, but these are the 2 dials on the non Xenon GTIs next to the light switch.

http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p272/kuahman/GTI%20Interior/DSC00547.jpg

[Mangas]

don`t think twice...go 4 xenons...u wont regret it. imagine having those on, on a cloudy afternoon...damn I HATE myself.

[dodgey]

hehe, unless you can't wait for the order to come (I couldn't wait for 3 months as I was carless) If I could wait, I'd definitely have got the Xenons

:smile:

[335 Trojan]

This thread was actually ABOUT xenon bulbs before it was jacked....

[aussiegti]

This thread was actually ABOUT xenon bulbs before it was jacked....

This forum was actually FOR Australians before it was jacked.... :bellyroll:

[335 Trojan]

wow you are cool. Last time I try to help out you guys.

[Maen]

Slightly irrelevant, but these are the 2 dials on the non Xenon GTIs next to the light switch.

http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p272/kuahman/GTI%20Interior/DSC00547.jpg

The dial on the left is interior lighting and the right one is headlight tilt level?

What year is your GTI? ive seen an MY07 non-xenon with the same setup.

[ApexTwin]

The dial on the left is interior lighting and the right one is headlight tilt level?

What year is your GTI? ive seen an MY07 non-xenon with the same setup.
You sure the right dial was functional?

This thread was actually ABOUT xenon bulbs before it was jacked....
The thread was started by an Aussie who wanted to know if it was worth paying AU$2000 for the Bi-Xenon option over the halogens. I'm pretty sure you guys don't have that dilemna (as in the xenons are standard for U.S.). :thumbsup:

[Maen]

Good point. It could have been dead. The xenons come with the leveling motors, correct?

In regards to the xenon levelers, why would there be a need for a level dial if they are automatic self-leveling?

[335 Trojan]

The thread was started by an Aussie who wanted to know if it was worth paying AU$2000 for the Bi-Xenon option over the halogens. I'm pretty sure you guys don't have that dilemna (as in the xenons are standard for U.S.). :thumbsup:

Yeah I know. But some guys were talking about the difference level of bulbs (i.e. 4300k, 6000k, 8000k etc.)

[dodgey]

Mine's an 06 build, 07 spec 3 door GTI.

Yep, the right dial is definitely functional. :smile:

You wont find it in Xenon equipped cars as they should have a self-levelling function.

Edit: I don't think 6k or 8k bulbs are technically legal in Aus anyway... It would be nice to have Xenons aas standard though.

[ApexTwin]

Mine's an 06 build, 07 spec 3 door GTI.

Yep, the right dial is definitely functional. :smile:

You wont find it in Xenon equipped cars as they should have a self-levelling function.
That's my point dodgey, I was asking Maen if the right dial was functional in the Xenon equipped car he saw.
We all know the right dial is there for the halogens. :wink:

[dodgey]

That's my point dodgey, I was asking Maen if the right dial was functional in the Xenon equipped car he saw.
We all know the right dial is there for the halogens. :wink:


Sorry ApexTwin, must have been paying too much attention to your avatar instead of what was being discussed... :tongue: I can't see why it would be functional in a Xenon car unless it is an aftermarket kit without auto levelling...

Yeah, us pov-packed GTIs without Xenons need to manually change the level of the lights :rolleyes:

[ONGIE]

Now I'm :confused:

I have the standard lights on the fast....does this mean that I'm stuck with them and I will not be able to upgrade to xenons at a later stage??...could someone please let me know...thanks

ongie

[vwgtimkv]

Hey dude,

BTW welcome, I should have said that before. Although I'm still very much a newbire here too. I decided to go without the Xenons to shave 2 months off the delivery time. I desperately wanted them, but I want the rest of the car more! Anyway, you can buy the OEM Xenons from TM Tuning - http://www.tmtuning.com/HOME/catalog/product_detail.php?default_product=1051 - they work out at around AU$2000 delivered, so about the same as the factory option. They are identical, just without the washers and auto-levellers (the manual adjustment still works). I've been emailing them back and forward, but the guy assures me that because they are the OEM lights, it's a simple plug-and-play item. That means no rewiring or VAG-COM changes necessary. I'm thinking about doing it. Also, it gives you the advantage to at least try the standard halogens first and see if they are up to scratch ($2k is a lot to spend). Delivery takes around 3 weeks and is $50ish. Plus keep in mind that there is the peace of mind and quality that comes with installing an OEM part.

[ONGIE]

Hey dude,

BTW welcome, I should have said that before. Although I'm still very much a newbire here too. I decided to go without the Xenons to shave 2 months off the delivery time. I desperately wanted them, but I want the rest of the car more! Anyway, you can buy the OEM Xenons from TM Tuning - http://www.tmtuning.com/HOME/catalog/product_detail.php?default_product=1051 - they work out at around AU$2000 delivered, so about the same as the factory option. They are identical, just without the washers and auto-levellers (the manual adjustment still works). I've been emailing them back and forward, but the guy assures me that because they are the OEM lights, it's a simple plug-and-play item. That means no rewiring or VAG-COM changes necessary. I'm thinking about doing it. Also, it gives you the advantage to at least try the standard halogens first and see if they are up to scratch ($2k is a lot to spend). Delivery takes around 3 weeks and is $50ish. Plus keep in mind that there is the peace of mind and quality that comes with installing an OEM part.

Thanks for your welcome & your detailed description vwgtimkv...I'll check the TM Tuning link out....thanks again

[vwgtimkv]

The central fire alarm went off before and we all had to evacuate the building. Now I can't sleep. It gives me something to do ;).