Xenon bulbs 2004

[Stretch]

Just came back from my local Volvo dealer after having purchased a new convertible for my wife and learned that the 2004 XC70 will offer Xenon headlights for about $500 US.  I'm not sure yet, but this might end the debate about changing the bulbs in current XC's now that it is available here in the states.  Can Volvo be listening.... http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/blush.gif

[budrichard]

For us XC owners, adding Xe will not do any good unless Volvo comes out with an upgrade. Volvo is not listening. they are just doing things that they want to do, when they want to do them. There are very few companies today that are actually concerned with what the customer wants. most companies could care less(Volvo included), only about the bottom line. -Dick

[Supertoyz]

I've got Xenon lights in my BMW and bottom line is I'm not that impressed.  Before I had ever owned them I just had to have them on my car but now that  I do I could take it or leave it.  The coolness is nice and the self leveling test they go through at startup is neat to watch but as far as overall performance goes they are simply ok.  They are brighter than halogens and the color is nicer but the cutoff is so sharp, they go out about 60-75 feet and then WHAM!  It cuts off into blackness.....it's very easy to overdrive them.  When you have the high beams on they fill in the area beyond the Xenons nicely but for low beam useage I'm not that impressed, I think the Halogens on the Volvo are just as good.

[barrysharp]

I'm trying to understand what the Xenon headlight system appeal is.

I suspect for many people the cost of these Xenon headlight systems is quite an eye opener considering normal bulbs cost around $25 or less. Can someone explain or even speculate why this Volvo headlight system is $500. Just what are the +ives/-ives?

Putting marketing (cool effect as some have indicated) aside how do you think Volvo justifies this cost?

Without knowing more about Xenon headlights I would find it difficult to pay $500 for them.

If there are clear advantages for Xenon type headlights would you say that in the near future they will be standard fare on Volvos?

If I want more light up front why wouldn't I just buy some Cibie lamps and a lamp bar and go with that? This would be far less than $500.

[Low Tide]

Supertoyz, Barry!

Wow. I agree with you Barry! http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/blush.gif The coolness factor is the major benefit. Bi-zenon's are brighter, but the H7 throws light farther. Not that it is really necessary, but....If you MUST have more light and you envision yourself driving across the outback.... then there are other options (and for XC-driving, probably best). Volvo's Auxillary Hella lights mounted to the grill are available as dealer/factory options.

There's pictures of *daniel's* Ash Gold OSD in the gallery- and if I'm not mistaken, the option is about $300 including the wiring to the dash, the download, and the rocker switch.

http://www.xc70.com/pics/albums/userpics/03%7E25.jpg

http://www.xc70.com/pics/albums/userpics/25.jpg

http://www.xc70.com/pics/albums/userpics/06%7E9.jpg

[barrysharp]

Low Tide:

Thanks for those pics -- very illuminating  http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/hehe.gif  Daniel has some 'serious' lights there and I like the overall setup. Can't quite make out how the lamps are attached -- to front bumper or is it a lamp bar? The $300 seems reasonable if that also include labor. Do the Hella lamps have covers for protection when not in use?

[Low Tide]

Covers, yes.  Check the gallery for more pics.  The ~$300 includes labor.  I couldn't find the listing for the exact price, but for some reason $285 sticks out there in the cobwebs.

[budrichard]

What exactly is the effect of the Hella's. Do they provide a wider area of illumination, greater brightness therefore distance or a combination of both? -Dick

[Low Tide]

Both. chiefly wider and longer throw.

[barrysharp]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (budrichard @ Mar. 05 2003,09:33)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">What exactly is the effect of the Hella&#39;s. Do they provide a wider area of illumination, greater brightness therefore distance or a combination of both? -Dick[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
Here&#39;s a link for you to review the light patterns.

HELLA Auxillary Lighting (http://shop.offroadwarehouse.com/index.php?cat=158)

...and here&#39;s some Xenon Technology Info (http://www.hellausa.com/maineng/index.html)

...and if you want to spend &#036;641.35 per light see this one Hella 210 Motorsport Driving Lights (http://www.hellausa.com/maineng/index.html)

[1Lieutenant]

Had HID lighting in my Acura. &nbsp;Except for the color difference, I could detect no improvement in the lighting over conventional systems.

Steve