I've read a few threads about xenon lights and I'm not sure whether they're a good idea. When I drove a 500 at night I think the headlights were worse than my Panda, and even the Panda isn't great. I find it very difficult driving at night on unlit country roads so lighting is important to me. Additional visibility to the sides would make driving a lot better.

When it's dark my headlights don't go far enough unless I use main beam. I'm assuming that Xenons won't go any further, or will they?

I really don't care what they look like. If they make me safer or allow me to drive faster then I will be happy.

Obviously everyones perception of the xenon light benefits/disadvantages will differ but having moved from a 500 to a A500 with them I can say they are much better than the standard lights.

I drive a mix of city/motorway and heavy tree lined country roads. I used to use the full beam at every opportunity with the old lights on the country roads near me as I like to see way into the distance due to pheasants and rabbits on the local roads. With the xenons I find this is not as necessary as they give better reach and also a wider span in my opinion.

The colour temperature of the light itself I also find better and roadside signs and reflective surfaces also reflect better and stand out more which you notice even on the motorway, etc. which can help when you're on unfamiliar roads.

Initial cost and lamp replacement, not to mention the distracting effect they can have on other drivers on our bumpy roads are all negatives of them though.

Phil

Well, all I'll say on this is that I changed my headlight bulbs for Osram Nightbreakers and they improved the light on the road by about 50 times.

Personally, I think the headlighgts on the 500 as standard are pertty bright and offer a very wide dispersion. Having driven 150miles to Weymouth in Dorset at night on all the old country lanes, most of which have no lighting at all, I am very pleased with the lighting on the 500.

But as said, everyone's perception of light is a little different. If I was you I would pop to a Fiat dealer and ask to see the Xenon lights actually switched on and at this time of year you should be able to get there about 4 - 5pmish and see them in the dark

The Xenons are a lot of money as an extra, though if I had had the extra at the time I think I would have had them fitted purely because my old car had them, even though I don't think the 500 needs them.

Cheers, Richard.

I've just upgraded to Phillips bulbs, cheaper & quite effective

Xenons need to be self adjusting to be legal....thus your not supposed to fit Xenon bulbs/kits that aren't maufacturer installed

Fariniac said:

Well, all I'll say on this is that I changed my headlight bulbs for Osram Nightbreakers and they improved the light on the road by about 50 times.

Personally, I think the headlighgts on the 500 as standard are pertty bright and offer a very wide dispersion. Having driven 150miles to Weymouth in Dorset at night on all the old country lanes, most of which have no lighting at all, I am very pleased with the lighting on the 500.

But as said, everyone's perception of light is a little different. If I was you I would pop to a Fiat dealer and ask to see the Xenon lights actually switched on and at this time of year you should be able to get there about 4 - 5pmish and see them in the dark

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I got some good bulbs for my previous car and I only saw a small difference, it wasn't really worth it.

I think I'll have to test drive the 500 at night the next time I drive one.

Are there any dealers that would have xenon lights? I think they're really rare.

neet said:

Xenons need to be self adjusting to be legal....thus your not supposed to fit Xenon bulbs/kits that aren't maufacturer installed

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I'm looking at the Fiat one. I haven't ordered a 500 yet.

Are there any major disadvantages of Xenons other than price on a fiat 500 ? I read another long topic on this but am confused. Anyway it may be too late if car is in production.

... multispoke help, you talked me out of chrome mirrors last time

arorat said:

Are there any major disadvantages of Xenons other than price on a fiat 500 ? I read another long topic on this but am confused. Anyway it may be too late if car is in production.

... multispoke help, you talked me out of chrome mirrors last time

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You will blind oncoming traffic.

They make the car look Cross eyed too

Unfortunately they are standard on the Abarth 500 convertible

306maxi said:

You will blind oncoming traffic.

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Is that because self level is not fast enough to cope, but that should not apply to 500 alone ? sorry if silly question

DraigFlag87 said:

They make the car look Cross eyed too

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See what you mean, its the chrome thing (washer !!) on each side ?

arorat said:

Is that because self level is not fast enough to cope, but that should not apply to 500 alone ? sorry if silly question

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Basically yes, the rear suspension on the 500 just isn't that great and due to the short wheelbase the car will pitch up and down, it'll be better on never cars due to the better rear suspension but still not great.

306maxi said:

it'll be better on never cars ...

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Never cars? You mean like the Abarth Panda? .... because that will never 'appen!

I'd love to be able to comment on the benefit of Bixenon lights, but I don't have them thanks to the salesman's mistake.

Cheers

D

I had them on previous cars and missed them on my two previous 500s, so I now have them on my A500. I have never had any problems with people "flashing" me because they were blinded and due to the very distinct beam pattern I can easily see that the self levelling works properly.

I have been blinded however by cars with non standard bulbs, incorrect headlight alignment and worst of all, the fully loaded car with headlights pointing into the sky, all these things are properly handled with Xenons.

People seem to associate the extra bright light with being blinded but in my experience this is not the case.

grimwau said:

I had them on previous cars and missed them on my two previous 500s, so I now have them on my A500. I have never had any problems with people "flashing" me because they were blinded and due to the very distinct beam pattern I can easily see that the self levelling works properly.

I have been blinded however by cars with non standard bulbs, incorrect headlight alignment and worst of all, the fully loaded car with headlights pointing into the sky, all these things are properly handled with Xenons.

People seem to associate the extra bright light with being blinded but in my experience this is not the case.

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Why has your smiley got sunglasses, if blinding is not the case

Maxi raised a good point about short wheelbase, what you are saying is its never been an issue on your A500.

Thanks all, I will make a decision.

arorat said:

Why has your smiley got sunglasses, if blinding is not the case

Maxi raised a good point about short wheelbase, what you are saying is its never been an issue on your A500.

Thanks all, I will make a decision.

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Arorat, If you use the search function you will find that Maxi makes the same point about Xenons whether it is on a short wheelbase car or a bendy bus. It is his opinion, which I respect but that is all it is, an opinion, the same as mine is just an opinion, albeit with having owned several cars with Xenons and also having driven at night into oncoming traffic.

Use your common sense; do you get blinded by all the oncoming cars with Xenons when you are driving at night? If so, and that twangs your conscience save your money but I think you will find that car manufacturers and and the motor industry don't agree with you.

Ps. Perhaps I should've used this smilie instead, lol. :idea:

Advanced Driver said:

I've read a few threads about xenon lights and I'm not sure whether they're a good idea. When I drove a 500 at night I think the headlights were worse than my Panda, and even the Panda isn't great. I find it very difficult driving at night on unlit country roads so lighting is important to me. Additional visibility to the sides would make driving a lot better.

When it's dark my headlights don't go far enough unless I use main beam. I'm assuming that Xenons won't go any further, or will they?

I really don't care what they look like. If they make me safer or allow me to drive faster then I will be happy.

Click to expand...

yes, all cars are like this

grimwau said:

Arorat, If you use the search function you will find that Maxi makes the same point about Xenons whether it is on a short wheelbase car or a bendy bus. It is his opinion, which I respect but that is all it is, an opinion, the same as mine is just an opinion, albeit with having owned several cars with Xenons and also having driven at night into oncoming traffic.

Use your common sense; do you get blinded by all the oncoming cars with Xenons when you are driving at night? If so, and that twangs your conscience save your money but I think you will find that car manufacturers and and the motor industry don't agree with you.

Ps. Perhaps I should've used this smilie instead, lol. :idea:

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> bendy bus - lol !!


Were there any problems with the headlight washer in the winter months, any components freeze ? many many moons ago my 405sri washer spray thingy burst at due to minus conditions - the car was sold soon after that but not because of that.

Can't answer that as I only took delivery a few weeks ago, plus it is always garaged and it lives in sunny Bournemouth. However, the ordinary washer jets are still pop out, irrespective of temps.

For me the main issue is the cost. I have them on the 500 and miss them every time I drive my company car, but when I was ordering my car it was a £900 option and I just couldn't justify it for an extra that adds nothing to the value at resale time. If I was choosing the spec for a new 500 I would be tempted but in reality I wouldn't keep the car long enough to get my money's worth. Seems like a nice to have if you are buying used.