experience with LED headlights?

[perelaar]

Does anyone here have experience with LED headlights?
We are looking into buying a new car (don't worry, the T2 will stay!), and are doubting if the optional LED headlights are worth the money - about 1000€ / £730 in this case...

I know they change the appearance of the car a bit, as they don't look the same as normal headlights. But are LED headlights actually (a lot, for that money) better than normal ones?

[Eloco]

I have them on my other car and vision is clearer and I find less eye strain on longer journeys. Would you not be able to get a test drive with them?

[perelaar]

No test drive - test cars are only available during office hours, so in daylight.

[Lazy-Ferret]

Not had LED head lights, but several sets of LED spots, and in my opinion, I would not bother with a Halogen, or Xenon bulb ever again if I had the option.. LED just seems so much crisper, and it picks up the slightest bit of reflective material, no mater how small.

[perelaar]

The lights were on offer this week, 250€ instead of 1000€. So we'll include them when we order the car

[AlexD333]

wait for winter when its dark early

[rustic]

Originally Posted by perelaar

The lights were on offer this week, 250€ instead of 1000€. So we'll include them when we order the car

Sounds a great deal

Originally Posted by AlexD333

wait for winter when its dark early

Good idea, but I get the impression, he has his cheque book out as we speak lol...

[perelaar]

Well, half of the year our commute to and from work happens in the dark. On top of that, those lights make the front of the car look a lot nicer
Hope to place the order this week, should have the car by end November then.
Don't worry for the cheque book, got a very very nice deal through work.

[macabethiel]

FWIW yes new LED or Bi-Zenon headlamps are great provided you never have to pay for a new Bulb.

Headlight bulb in my Jeep £4.99 a pair from Aldi probably cheaper on the internet.

New Headlight bulb on my 300C Estate Bi-Zenons around £120 plus in all probability it will also need the electronic bit that goes with them thats about an extra £80. No nipping into a Petrol Station for a new bulb on a Sunday night.

New LED headlamp units for most vehicles cost more than the additional cost as an extra when new so you might be looking at £900 plus for a bulb !

I know which cost option I prefer.

Year there nice and bright but in my 50 years of driving I have not hit anything at night due to poor lights ! You just drive within the limits of your vision.

[rustic]

Goodness me.... looking at the cost of an LED replacement, I can see more cars being stripped for bulbs soon, rather than engines, gearboxes, or alloys.

One night, you'll get in the car, put the lights on... and nothing..
" Bulbs gone " in the true sense of the word...

[perelaar]

They have a guaranteed lifespan - so if broken, will be replaced under warranty. That said, on our current car with halogen lights I never had to replace a bulb in >100000km; I expect the same from the new one
Never heard of LED clusters being stolen, but theft of built-in GPS units is blooming now here in Belgium. Luckily I have a garage to put it in, and we do live in a quit neighbourhood with lots of very attentive and nosy old ladies

[don simon]

New Headlight bulb on my 300C Estate Bi-Zenons around £120 plus in all probability it will also need the electronic bit that goes with them thats about an extra £80. No nipping into a Petrol Station for a new bulb on a Sunday night.

How's that going to be affected by the laws that say you must carry spare bulbs? And what would happen if one and /or both blow while in the middle of a nighttime journey?

[macabethiel]

Originally Posted by rustic

Goodness me.... looking at the cost of an LED replacement, I can see more cars being stripped for bulbs soon, rather than engines, gearboxes, or alloys.

One night, you'll get in the car, put the lights on... and nothing..
" Bulbs gone " in the true sense of the word...

Yes a bit like the prolific theft of catalytic converters from Light Vans & Good Vehicles.

[macabethiel]

Originally Posted by perelaar

They have a guaranteed lifespan - so if broken, will be replaced under warranty. That said, on our current car with halogen lights I never had to replace a bulb in >100000km; I expect the same from the new one
Never heard of LED clusters being stolen, but theft of built-in GPS units is blooming now here in Belgium. Luckily I have a garage to put it in, and we do live in a quit neighbourhood with lots of very attentive and nosy old ladies

Never had the luxury of a manufacturers warranty for the last 20 years. On Mercs the Bi-Zenon bulbs seem to blow when out of warranty after 3 years. Lots of LED rear clusters replaced under warranty due to partial failure due to water ingress I think.

[macabethiel]

Originally Posted by don simon

How's that going to be affected by the laws that say you must carry spare bulbs? And what would happen if one and /or both blow while in the middle of a nighttime journey?

Interesting point when we go to France we carry a bulb kit in our Jeep not sure how legislation will treat LED units !