Bi-Xenon lights vs Regular
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Bi-Xenon lights vs Regular
Guys.
How bad is regular lights vs Bi-Xenon. My dealer offered me to trade in my one year old 2011 GL350 for 2012 with the same MSRP for $3000. The only thing that car is missing is Lighting package, which today is only Bi-Xenon lights. The new car is my wife's favorite color - black. Any advice ?
Thanks.
How bad is regular lights vs Bi-Xenon. My dealer offered me to trade in my one year old 2011 GL350 for 2012 with the same MSRP for $3000. The only thing that car is missing is Lighting package, which today is only Bi-Xenon lights. The new car is my wife's favorite color - black. Any advice ?
Thanks.
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2004 Volvo XC70; 2012 GLK 350 4matic
I have only spent 3 weeks with the Bi-Xenon lights on our GLK. It is really tough for me to drive our Volvo now. Bi-Xenons are the way to go. And they are mucho scarce on 2012 MLs.
Wayne
Wayne
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Stock halogens are really bad. If you upgrade with an HID kit or better bulbs combined with better aiming, the lighting can be really great. The stock halogens with factory aiming is downright scary to drive at night. It is really that bad!
I was absolutely shocked the first time I drove my GL at night. It happened to be while driving the car back after purchasing it some 500 miles away. The highbeams were on whenever I could safely use them without blinding oncoming motorists.
I was absolutely shocked the first time I drove my GL at night. It happened to be while driving the car back after purchasing it some 500 miles away. The highbeams were on whenever I could safely use them without blinding oncoming motorists.
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From: Middlesex, NJ
03 Nissan Altima 2.5S, 07 MB GL450
Yeah the stock halogens aren't exactly considered "good". Even though I still don't have HIDs or Bi xenons, I upgraded from stock Halogens a while ago since they were pretty horrendous.
Since then and for the time being, I have these bulbs called PIAA Xtreme White 4000K special bulbs. They aren't HIDs or Bi xenons but they're noticeably brighter and better (and whiter) than stock Halogens and get the job done pretty well. Noticeable difference between the bad halogens and this upgrade. Still wish I had full HIDs though sometimes.
Since then and for the time being, I have these bulbs called PIAA Xtreme White 4000K special bulbs. They aren't HIDs or Bi xenons but they're noticeably brighter and better (and whiter) than stock Halogens and get the job done pretty well. Noticeable difference between the bad halogens and this upgrade. Still wish I had full HIDs though sometimes.
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I drove a demo with standard halogens. It was a deal breaker for me, but I live in rural areas with the bi-xenon being the only light on the roads. If you lived urban, I think you could live without, but there is a big difference.
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2011 GL450, '06 R500 traded, '08 ML350 sold
I have both and can easily say that Bi Xenons are much much better. As an analogy it is to lighting what stereo surround sound is to sound. It just doesn't compare to mono.
Of course it all depends on the deal you are getting also. If you are trading to similar car with zero miles sans lighting package for $3000 maybe the way to go if you have racked up significant mileage, otherwise I don't see it. That's my .02 cents
Of course it all depends on the deal you are getting also. If you are trading to similar car with zero miles sans lighting package for $3000 maybe the way to go if you have racked up significant mileage, otherwise I don't see it. That's my .02 cents
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Thanks to all for your advices.
I think Lighting package will be "a must" option for me. Just drove my daughter’s C class yesterday, which has regular halogens - it’s like night and day.
P.S. Seems like my dealer was able to find the car I want with Lighting package for the same 3K.
I think Lighting package will be "a must" option for me. Just drove my daughter’s C class yesterday, which has regular halogens - it’s like night and day.
P.S. Seems like my dealer was able to find the car I want with Lighting package for the same 3K.
Last edited by aeggroup; Dec 20, 2011 at 12:16 PM.
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Thanks to all for your advices.
I think Lighting package will be "a must" option for me. Just drove my daughter’s C class yesterday, which has regular halogens - it’s like night and day.
P.S. Seems like my dealer was able to find the car I want with Lighting package for the same 3K.
I think Lighting package will be "a must" option for me. Just drove my daughter’s C class yesterday, which has regular halogens - it’s like night and day.
P.S. Seems like my dealer was able to find the car I want with Lighting package for the same 3K.
As you know, I had an '11 GL without the lighting pkg then got another '11 a couple months ago with the lighting pkg. My opinion is hold out for it. If there is one really noticable difference between the vehicles the light upgrade is worth it. Also the blind spot assist is really better than I expected. Pretty seamless after only a few miles. Have a happy holiday season!
Regards,
C
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Thread Starter
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From: New York
2025 Range Rover, 2022 BMW M850 , 2017 MB E400 Coupe
A,
As you know, I had an '11 GL without the lighting pkg then got another '11 a couple months ago with the lighting pkg. My opinion is hold out for it. If there is one really noticable difference between the vehicles the light upgrade is worth it. Also the blind spot assist is really better than I expected. Pretty seamless after only a few miles. Have a happy holiday season!
Regards,
C
As you know, I had an '11 GL without the lighting pkg then got another '11 a couple months ago with the lighting pkg. My opinion is hold out for it. If there is one really noticable difference between the vehicles the light upgrade is worth it. Also the blind spot assist is really better than I expected. Pretty seamless after only a few miles. Have a happy holiday season!
Regards,
C
I totally agree about Blind Spot Assist.
For me "a must" options shoud be :
P2, Lighting, Blind Spot, Parktronic, Trailer Hitch. Anything else is optional.
Last edited by aeggroup; Dec 21, 2011 at 09:19 PM.
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2011 GL350 Bluetec, Irridium over Black Leather
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You can get aftermarket HID xenons installed by a professional auto accessory shop for abot $300. I did it on my GL350 with standard halogen lights. Had them for about 1 month and they are much brighter. Once you go xenon, its hard oto go back to halogen.
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From: Southern California
2014 GL 450
I have a 2007 GL which I'm trading in tomorrow for an E 350 Coupe that has the blind spot assist. I've always put one of those little bubble mirrors on my driver's side mirror. Will the blind spot assist eliminate the need for that little mirror?
