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Model specific boards => Golf mk5 => Topic started by: hotrod on 24 January 2008, 13:29

Title: Xenons... worth the money?
Post by: hotrod on 24 January 2008, 13:29
Hi guys,

Simply question... is it worth the £750 to upgrade to Xenons on new Ed 30?
I guess increased visibility at night, great bluey white light.

Your honest thoughts please as it’s a lot of money... cheers Hotrod
Title: Re: Xenons... worth the money?
Post by: Len on 24 January 2008, 13:33
No!

Unless you spend more than 50% of your time driving at night!
Title: Re: Xenons... worth the money?
Post by: Steve78 on 24 January 2008, 13:34
Hi guys,

Simply question... is it worth the £750 to upgrade to Xenons on new Ed 30?
I guess increased visibility at night, great bluey white light.

Your honest thoughts please as it’s a lot of money... cheers Hotrod

£750 for lights?  NO WAY!!!!
Title: Re: Xenons... worth the money?
Post by: joesgti on 24 January 2008, 13:54
NOOOOOO WAAAAAAY!! YOU COULD BUY A NICE MK2 FOR THE PRICE OF SOME LIGHTS  :huh:
Title: Re: Xenons... worth the money?
Post by: 08micsta on 24 January 2008, 14:01
Ok my opinion:

1. Like it or not. Xenons are awesome lights. At night or even in poor lighting. They enhance everything around you and high beam is like having your football stadium worths of lights in fron of you.

2. They look awesome on the GTI. They give the car a very hardcore look in the front which I feel the halogens dont give. I think the xenons just finish the car off.

3. Xenons cost extra (and a lot) But this also helps with resale. I have noticed that here in South Africa there are a lot of GTI's with the 18" Monza rims (Which are about 6000 rand per rim. Basically like buying 4 high end laptops) but they dont have the xenons. And when it comes to used vehicles the cars with the xenons always go first.

4. Finally. You are buying a Ed30. Im not sure if its still limited edition since it has not been comfirmed I think but if you can afford it you should get it.

As said before in these posts, it all depends on whether you drive often during the evening. Becasue if the car is never going to be used at night then I personally feel the money spent on the xenons is wasted money. But then again, if you want the car to look good. Then get them.

Mike (Hope I didnt confuse anyone  :kiss: )
Title: Re: Xenons... worth the money?
Post by: Makaveli on 24 January 2008, 14:07
Personally I love my Xenons.  Had them on my S3 and have them on the ED30 and they really make a big difference at night. 

I know it is boring but when it comes to resale it is something that people look for in the extras list.
Title: Re: Xenons... worth the money?
Post by: Ollieb7 on 24 January 2008, 14:12
Yes!
Title: Re: Xenons... worth the money?
Post by: Rollini on 24 January 2008, 14:13
Xenon's all the way for me! last 3 cars have had them and i'd always get them if i have a choice.

Worth it for the winter time alone! -  in work for 9 and its dark - leave work at 5 and its dark :sick: plus they look cool!

£750 is alot of money though, but the GTI is such a pretty car you wouldn't want to not get them and regret it.....would you?  :smiley:

cheers
Iain
Title: Re: Xenons... worth the money?
Post by: arletty69 on 24 January 2008, 14:15
I personally, having experiences xenon's on the GTI would not now consider buying a car without xenon's!  I am getting on in years and my eyes might be a bit dimmer than before but, believe me, the difference is NIGHT & DAY!  The difference in safety at night is considerable!
Don't forget that the extra cost is not just the xenon bulbs but also includes the sophisticated levelling system and the headlight high pressure washers.

Apart from the obvious practical aspects, the 'look' of the GTI with xenon's is far superior to the standard halogen lights and as already stated in other posts, the resale value of the car will be higher.

In conclusion......Expensive!  but well worth the money!
Title: Re: Xenons... worth the money?
Post by: Cass on 24 January 2008, 14:17
IMHO - Yes, absolutely :wink:

If you don't want to shell out yourself, buy a demo or pre-owned car with them :smug:

Cass
Title: Re: Xenons... worth the money?
Post by: Manu_R32 on 24 January 2008, 14:19
Your spending quite alot of money on the car how it is....£750 extra is quite a bit of money but just dont think about it...ifnot you may regret later...coming from a driver who has halogens on his GTI he sure wishes he has Xenons...dont think there are any bulbs which are legal either that can give you the same vision as xenons :)
Title: Re: Xenons... worth the money?
Post by: 08micsta on 24 January 2008, 14:23
I know I already made my comments. lol

 No xenons....

(http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x255/08micsta/PICT0010.jpg)

(Heaven knows whose car that is... Just a random pic i took while cycling one day)

And Xenons... (Pic of our GTI) How can you say no?  :evil:

(http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x255/08micsta/GTI4.jpg)

I think I have made my point. lol

Mike  :smiley:




Title: Re: Xenons... worth the money?
Post by: joesgti on 24 January 2008, 14:29


And Xenons... (Pic of our GTI) How can you say no?  :evil:

Mike  :smiley:



well at least i have small vw logos within my lights and no matter what people say..... THATS COOOL :cool: but you dont get them on xenons  :grin: :grin:
Title: Re: Xenons... worth the money?
Post by: 08micsta on 24 January 2008, 14:32


And Xenons... (Pic of our GTI) How can you say no?  :evil:

Mike  :smiley:



well at least i have small vw logos within my lights and no matter what people say..... THATS COOOL :cool: but you dont get them on xenons  :grin: :grin:

You get the Vw logos. But we get to blind you as we go past  :evil: :laugh:
Title: Re: Xenons... worth the money?
Post by: joesgti on 24 January 2008, 14:33


And Xenons... (Pic of our GTI) How can you say no?  :evil:

Mike  :smiley:



well at least i have small vw logos within my lights and no matter what people say..... THATS COOOL :cool: but you dont get them on xenons  :grin: :grin:

You get the Vw logos. But we get to blind you as we go past  :evil: :laugh:

hahaha you make me laff mike........nobody passes me  :evil: :grin:
Title: Re: Xenons... worth the money?
Post by: john_o on 24 January 2008, 14:33
def Yes get them.
After having xenons in previous cars , I dont think you can ever go back.

Other option is retro fit xenon packs , which although not strickly legal (no washer/levelling) would prob be ok.

worth it just for the 'flip' when you switch them on  :laugh:
resale , it may get you the sale against an identical spec car , but you are never gonna see a good return.

In fact I had to look at vw website to confirm it was a 750 quid option ! but steep , so I must have REALLY wanted them.

JohnO
Title: Re: Xenons... worth the money?
Post by: 08micsta on 24 January 2008, 14:35


And Xenons... (Pic of our GTI) How can you say no?  :evil:

Mike  :smiley:



well at least i have small vw logos within my lights and no matter what people say..... THATS COOOL :cool: but you dont get them on xenons  :grin: :grin:

You get the Vw logos. But we get to blind you as we go past  :evil: :laugh:

hahaha you make me laff mike........nobody passes me  :evil: :grin:

Who said i was passing you from behind?  :rolleyes: Racerboy cough cough
Title: Re: Xenons... worth the money?
Post by: FatManc on 24 January 2008, 14:43
I spoke to my local stealer about the resale value of Xenon's and to be honest they don't add much. He said they're more of a personal choice than a "must have". SatNav's etc are far more resellable...

Still, I love mine and wouldn't buy a car without them now!   :smiley:

Cheers
John
Title: Re: Xenons... worth the money?
Post by: alex_123_fra on 24 January 2008, 14:56
Most cars I've owned have had xenons as standard.  I have to say I do like the increased brightness and blue-tinged light.  I think most motorists hate them as they do often blind oncoming cars.  I often get blinded by xenons on chelsea tractors.

As far as resale value, they are definitely not essential in my opinion.  You'd have to be a bit of a plonker to pass by a car which has otherwise very good spec just because it has no xenons! 
Title: Re: Xenons... worth the money?
Post by: Russ.C on 24 January 2008, 14:59
Not essential but they do look fantastic, definately get them if you can afford them! You could do a lot worse - like spending twice as much on the dismal sat nav unit! (IMO of course, no offence if you have one fitted  :smiley:)
Title: Re: Xenons... worth the money?
Post by: Russ.C on 24 January 2008, 15:02
I know I already made my comments. lol

 No xenons....

(http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x255/08micsta/PICT0010.jpg)

(Heaven knows whose car that is... Just a random pic i took while cycling one day)


Off topic but - DAMN that red car is SHINY!!!!  :shocked:
Title: Re: Xenons... worth the money?
Post by: 08micsta on 24 January 2008, 15:05
You have no idea....
I pass it everyday when I go cycling. Its always parked at the same spot and always looks like that. Never ever seen it dirty.  :shocked: Must find the owner one day. lol
Another pic...

(http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x255/08micsta/PICT0006.jpg)

Crazy this car. Completely standard. No extras but its stunning

Mike
Title: Re: Xenons... worth the money?
Post by: T88OMM on 24 January 2008, 16:45
Get xenons I think you will only end up regretting it if you dont, I think the ED30 looks better with them, it gives the car more of a presence  :smiley:
Title: Re: Xenons... worth the money?
Post by: hotrod on 24 January 2008, 17:47
I value your different points of view... Xenons it is then!
Hotrod :smiley:
Title: Re: Xenons... worth the money?
Post by: R32UK on 24 January 2008, 18:08
I value your different points of view... Xenons it is then!
Hotrod :smiley:

Good choice. I think if your even asking the question then just get them. i would now never get a car without them!
Title: Re: Xenons... worth the money?
Post by: JonnyG on 24 January 2008, 19:16
This needs a poll  :grin:

I think it all depends on where you live, and the roads you drive on, as to how much they're worth to YOU

IMO they're just not worth £750 as an extra from new, for my circumstances.

I had  'em on a previous second hand VW

They never seem to auto-level quickly enough and I was ALWAYS getting flashed by oncoming drivers  :laugh:

The washer jets were always coming on and wasting my washer fluid

I live in a City so commuting in the dark is no problem ... I can drive on side lights nearly

but then again, if I lived in remote Scotland, they would probably be the first on my options list

Title: Re: Xenons... worth the money?
Post by: orca on 24 January 2008, 19:59
It depends on the time of day you drive and the types of road you drive on.  They have proved excellent on my daily commute to and from work.  Part of my commute is on a small winding B road and I can see everything even without putting on the full beams.

I do get the occasional flash from oncoming traffic, a couple of times a week, but that doesn't bother me.  They are bright though, road signs are lit up brightly and anything reflective like cones also shine bright.  You can also spot police cars from  miles back!

They may be set up a bit high (how do you tell?) but as I'm not constantly being flashed then I guess they are ok.

Title: Re: Xenons... worth the money?
Post by: R32UK on 24 January 2008, 20:03
"can spot police from miles away"

I think you hit the nail on the head there!! Worth it for their ability to do this alone :grin:
Title: Re: Xenons... worth the money?
Post by: carl1 on 24 January 2008, 21:22
i regret not ticking the option,previous car mk5 r32 an i didnt think id miss them,salesman talked me out of it buy saying it was a nice little holiday 750 pound,an i thought yeh hes right,anybody would have thought he was paying for them.Not essential but it does make the car that little bit more apealing
Title: Re: Xenons... worth the money?
Post by: RedRobin on 24 January 2008, 21:53
Surely a no-brainer! It doesn't matter what percentage of driving you do at night, the point is that whenever you drive at night you want to see everything as clearly as possible and Xenons provide this. As a consequence the safety factor is increased. If you're on a tight budget, then fair enough not to get them.
Title: Re: Xenons... worth the money?
Post by: fliptophead on 24 January 2008, 23:57
i wish I HAD got Xenons for my ed30.
I didnt get the option as the car I got was pre-specced at the stealer.

Our other car, a mini... DOES have them and the price is an absolute steal compared to VW's.  its only 450quid by comparison... they self level, they have washers... and they're cool!

I just dont get how there is such a difference between brands...

btw.. refering to somethign earlier in the thread. I spoke to a stealer matey of mine recently, and he said that Xenons / Satnav are both personal choice.
What they look for is "leather", "good paint" ( choice colours) and standard packs.... eg on a mini "a chilli pack" on a CooperS. Everything else returns pennies in the pound when it comes to return. If your lucky... they'll give you a bit extra, if its that time of the month when they're trying to make the numbers look good.

Title: Re: Xenons... worth the money?
Post by: Andy B on 25 January 2008, 09:00
We went for xenons, and they are absolutely blooming marvellous.  :laugh:

The auto adjust their height...bluey white light is fabulous, on a white car especially, it looks stunning, day or night, and the little movy blinky thing they do when you blip the car to get in is just cute.

I would definitely get them again -expensive option, but visibility is paramount in a car, especially on unlit roads, and the more you see, the less stress you feel.
Title: Re: Xenons... worth the money?
Post by: Steve78 on 25 January 2008, 10:26
I would definitely get them again -expensive option, but visibility is paramount in a car, especially on unlit roads, and the more you see, the less stress you feel.

I think VW have a cheek not to include them as standard on cars that cost over £20k.  I just couldn't justify the extra £750 for them, but of course those things cost no where near that to make.  As you say, visibility is paramount and VW do like to bang on about the 5 star safety rating and so on, so why not ensure their best Golf's have the best lights as standard?
Title: Re: Xenons... worth the money?
Post by: indublin on 25 January 2008, 12:42
Had one of the first A4's in 2001 with the Xenon's and the missus had a 2001 SLK with regular bulbs, to be quite honest I couldnt tell the difference.

Also 750 quid will get your Ed30 chipper'd
Title: Re: Xenons... worth the money?
Post by: The Wheel Man on 25 January 2008, 13:01
Does any one know if you can get aftermarket xenons?  If so are they worth the bother as i would prefer them that the std lights..
Title: Re: Xenons... worth the money?
Post by: 08micsta on 25 January 2008, 13:05
Aftermarket xenons are illegal....  :embarassed:

But then again... Who has ever been caught for illegal headlights  :undecided:
Title: Re: Xenons... worth the money?
Post by: RedRobin on 25 January 2008, 13:08
Aftermarket xenons are illegal....  :embarassed:

But then again... Who has ever been caught for illegal headlights  :undecided:

....The real problem comes if a car with 'illegal' headlights is involved in a fatal or bad accident and the insurers or investigators start getting tricky.
Title: Re: Xenons... worth the money?
Post by: 08micsta on 25 January 2008, 13:18
Thats why you are called an adult and im a teeneager...  :embarassed:

Didnt think about that.
Title: Re: Xenons... worth the money?
Post by: K1 on 25 January 2008, 14:01
Also you may fail come MOT time with aftermarket HID's, due to no self levelling sensors and washers. Incidentally, does anyone know why all xenon equipped cars need to have headlamp washers??
I think if you can stretch your budget, get the options you'd like that only come from factory. Things like satnav is alot cheaper to retrofit yourself.
I made the error of not buying the MFSW, and i sooo regret it.
Also because the Golf has the homecoming lights, it looks fecking cool when you park up at night with the blue hue when you unlock your car. Certainly for me it turned some heads during the X-mas shopping period. Then again, i'm a poser  :cool:

Kev
Title: Re: Xenons... worth the money?
Post by: Golfgirl on 25 January 2008, 16:02
I've got xenons and I ordered them because my last car had them and I wouldn't be without them now.  I do a lot of driving in the dark but even if I didn't I would still order them!
Title: Re: Xenons... worth the money?
Post by: RedRobin on 25 January 2008, 16:13
I've got xenons and I ordered them because my last car had them and I wouldn't be without them now.  I do a lot of driving in the dark but even if I didn't I would still order them!

....Best do as the lady says!! :smiley:
Title: Re: Xenons... worth the money?
Post by: arletty69 on 25 January 2008, 17:56
Washers are required by law because if your lights get all cruded up with sh1te then the light can 'scatter' and cause oncomming drivers to be dazzled!  That's the theory, anyway!

Whan comparing prices of xenons on different cars be sure to compare 'like with like'.  The GTI has bi-xenons where both dipped and main beams are xenon.  It's actually only one xenon bulb, however, and the beam is adjusted by a 'shutter' from main to dipped beam. Many cars have mono-xenon lights where only dipped beam (I think) is xenon which is a complete waste of time!
Title: Re: Xenons... worth the money?
Post by: RedRobin on 25 January 2008, 18:04
I wonder how the bi-Xenons will compare with LED headlights when they come out.
Title: Re: Xenons... worth the money?
Post by: TagnuT on 25 January 2008, 19:00
I live in a "rural" area and the Xenons are brilliant (no pun). Good spread of light and beam pattern. On full beam instant daylight.  If you drive in the city I would prob go for standard lights. However, the do illuminate reflective strips and warning signs at a great distance.
Title: Re: Xenons... worth the money?
Post by: gazbutmk5gti on 25 January 2008, 19:03
I haven't got Xenons as the car was pre-specced, and to be honest the standard lights are average on dipped beam, but pretty good on main beam. I upgraded the bulbs to some philips rascals and they are much better
Title: Re: Xenons... worth the money?
Post by: neg on 26 January 2008, 00:38
Xenon's are a must, ok you can live without them but you'll miss them once you have had them.  Personally I dont think I will have a car without them now.

I had an aftermarket kit in a Leon Cupra R previously as the lights in that were shocking and it made them much better but still not a patch on the real thing - good when there is no alternative though.