Just about to order a new 4x4 Octavia estate with some extras, I was wondering whether Xenon headlights were a worthwhile option. Anybody had them fitted?

Channel

If you intend to do lots of night driving, especially on unlit roads then yes they are very worthwhile, and will only help resale value.

This is a difficult question as it will depend on how much night driving you do and how well lit it is. People who have Xenons say they are great and always would but for me me I felt they were too much and would give me little gains. A do very little driving at night and what I do tends to be on well lit roads so Xenons for me seemed an unneeded expense. I have then changed the bulbs to a brighter/whiter version and this has been enough of a upgrade for a fraction of the cost.

Yes

Don't forget that they are cornering Xenon's too. Glad i specced them on mine even though i don't do much night driving.

The standard Halogens will be perfectly adequate...... but after spec'ing Xenons on the Octavia I'll never buy another car without them.

I won't do a massive amount of night driving but the light that the Xenons emit is a much nicer light to follow if you get me. And I'll admit it, a big part of the reason I went for Xenons was the look- they just look so much more modern in my opinion than yellow halogens.

If was buying my car again tomorrow I'd tick the box again

The most worthy add-on to a car are Xenons. Also when you sell the car it will help.

I drive at all times of day & night and I would definitely recommend having Xenons, the only time I don't recommend them is in thick fog, when they act as a brilliant wall of light.

Absolutely yes.:yes:

I've specced them on cars for years.

Really do make a difference and well worth the expense.

Sorry about the expense but yes they certainly are worth it if you do a lot of night driving.

Can you get bulbs with the xenon gas inside tham to replace normal halogen bulbs running on the normal 12v supply? if so where?

You can get bulbs with a Xenon look and some may well have Xenon gas in them but they will not be the same as a proper Xenon light as they will work on a different principal. That said these higher output bulbs give a better light than standard and are more than adequate for most driving around town etc. at night.

I will look out for these then with 100w output instead od the standard 55w ones. Thanks for your reply...although just been out to look at mine (2 week old Vrs) & they do look like xenons, as they are a completely different colour compared to the fog lights, but did not order xenons as an extra.

Thanks for all the advice. I live in North Wales where they do not have lit roads, in fact we do have mains gas or mains anything so Xenons seem to be a good idea. To make it less expensive I will ditch cruise control and tyre pressure monitor.

Channel

If your getting A Vrs cruise control & Tpm come as standard anyway.

I will look out for these then with 100w output instead od the standard 55w ones. Thanks for your reply...although just been out to look at mine (2 week old Vrs) & they do look like xenons, as they are a completely different colour compared to the fog lights, but did not order xenons as an extra.

If you have Zenon headlights you will also have the high pressure headlight wash system built into the front bumper. This is a legal requirement.

Senior Scout

Yes they are worth while and we have the cornering xenons on the Octavia.

Friends of mine have had them on different cars and spoke highly about them.

Once you have them you will never want to go back. If you do decide to

go for them make sure you get maxi-dot because of the "tourist mode" and being

able to set the lights to left hand drive from inside the car, useful if you

go abroad Thumb up.

If your getting a vRS cruise control & TPM come as standard anyway.

He says in his opening post he's getting a 4x4.

If you have xenon headlights you will also have the high pressure headlight wash system built into the front bumper. This is a legal requirement.

The 4x4 gets them as standard even without xenon's.

Once you've had them you'll never go back.

Any car I buy will have them and I always buy second hand so they will help come resale time

Simple answer...yes.

Had them on previous motor but didnt take the plunge with current VRS. BIG Mistake

Miss them imeasurably.:S

The only reason I opted for xenons was quite a simple and crazy one really.

I love the blue tint that they give off. Looks fantastic. Especially on a white motor.

Very comical on the motorway when my lights are on. People think I'm unmarked plod and move over. That always makes me chuckle!

I never really drive at night so don't get the benefit.

But hey ho. We only live once.

I will look out for these then with 100w output instead od the standard 55w ones. Thanks for your reply...although just been out to look at mine (2 week old Vrs) & they do look like xenons, as they are a completely different colour compared to the fog lights, but did not order xenons as an extra.

Fitting a higher power bulb like the 100w's can damage the cars eletrical loom, and also burn the reflecters in the head lamps. Secondly they do not have a beam pattern as they are not road leagal and all you will do is blind oncoming drivers, as they are intented for off road use so they just cover the are in a (flood) of light.

I won't buy a car without them. Took me months to find a 2nd hand Octy with them. I am sure there are plenty of buyers like me and your car will be easier to sell when the time comes. My wife is the same and her cars always have them too. Now finding an old shape SLK with them, that was a challenge and a half.

Thanks for all the advice. I live in North Wales where they do not have lit roads, in fact we do have mains gas or mains anything so Xenons seem to be a good idea. To make it less expensive I will ditch cruise control and tyre pressure monitor.

Channel

Cruise is another sought after extra come resale that like xenons can retain their original ordering value.

If you cost it out over your 3+ years of ownership for the xenons & cruise, the monthly extra will be very little, but come P/X the returns can be beneficial.

I had these on a previous company car and while the illumination was excellent, the cut-off was too low for effective dual-carriageway work. Also, I don't think the Skoda options are bi-xenon and paying £700-odd for good dip (only) is a bit galling. In the end I didn't bother and spent £40 on +90% Osram bulbs. OK, not the same level of upgrade, but good price/performance balance. However, not much use at resale!