When ordering our new Octy 2 I decided against Xenon headlights - couldn't justify them at GBP450 (and for low beam only).

But while riffling through the accessories brochure I noted that a bulb kit for both conventional and xenon headllights costs the same (GBP17-odd as I recall).

So, since a bulb kit must provide replacements for all your lights if it is to be legal abroad, that presumably means that a conventional and a xenon bulb cost the same (or that Skoda is taking a shower on the xenon kit, I suppose).

So where is your GBP450 going? I know xenons run on very high voltage, preumably have exciters and the like, but GBP450? Other firms charge the same or more (for bi-xenons), so I must assume it's a genuine cost, but why?

Xenon bulbs are £100+ from the dealer IIRC however they are designed to last the life of the car hence it's not necessary to carry a spare.

The kit does NOT include new Xenon bulbs, cant do for that price.

The difference is probably similar to the Fabia vRS with Xenons, i.e. different fittings for high beam bulbs between the xenon and non-xenon models

Price wise the Xenons are more expensive as a factory fitted xenon (set of ) requires a washer system as well, and the xenon system uses a transformer and a load which in themselves aren't that cheap

They also fit washer jets to the car to keep them clean. I dont know whether they are standard on the octy 2 but I know you only get them on the fabia vrs if you order xenons. This electric washer jet system must cost a bit of money too.

Interesting - so in effect they're ripping you off with the xenon kit, which contains one less bulb than the conventional!

Indeed on factory fit Xenons, headlight washers are required (as said) also a self leveling system to compensate for heavy loads in the rear of the vehicle, the Xenons also require a ballast unit/controller & ignitor.

I would imagine the spare bulb kit is identical for both Xenon and non xenon vehicles - perhaps they remove the halogen bulb from the kit for xenon vehicles but i'd guess they dont bother.

Indeed on factory fit Xenons' date=' headlight washers are required (as said) also a self leveling system to compensate for heavy loads in the rear of the vehicle, the Xenons also require a ballast unit/controller & ignitor.

I would imagine the spare bulb kit is identical for both Xenon and non xenon vehicles - perhaps they remove the halogen bulb from the kit for xenon vehicles but i'd guess they dont bother.[/quote']

Well, headlight washers are standard on upmarket cars, self-levelling ditto, and electronics are now pretty cheap, so what justifies the GBP450-650 one is expected to pay for xenons? It's not as though they're new, so economies of scale should have kicked in by now. One has the sneaking feeling that the manufacturers are riding the xenon premium for as long as they can, then suddenly it'll be as cheap as chips. Didn't the same sort of thing happen many years ago with ABS.....?

The light units themselves are a lot more complex, and the capsules (bulbs) are over £100 each.

Factor into this the balast units and ignitors and you can see where the extra money goes.

Think yourself lucky! On VW and Audi cars, you're looking at a much higher cost than £450 if you want Xenons on a car that doesn't have them as standard.

I will never have another car without them if I can help it. They really are that good.

So how does this all compare with these Powerbulb things that cost about

Audi is £700 for Xenons upgrade, which is cheap when you consider its £550 per unit to buy yourself, which includes self-levelling but not washers.

To buy the parts seperately would easily be twice as much.

Also, don't compare the Xenon 'technolgy' type bulbs as they're not true Xenon, but they are good as an upgrade to standard bulbs. I have the Halfords 'Bright' ones which use Xenon technology, cost £12 ea, but it was BOGOF, so saved 50%.

You can buy a proper HID kit for about £350 which does use real Xenon, but they're not yet properly approved (but also not illegal) its a grey area as you don't have levelling or washers, so come MOT time you might get some hassle (although current MOT does not take such things into account), also the retailers 'recommend' they only be used on private roads and for shows (implying they think they're not legal).

Xenon Gas Discharge HID Lights are leagues and leagues better than any "Xenon" or Halogen Bulbs you can buy.

That's about all I can say.

Xenon Gas Discharge HID Lights are leagues and leagues better than any "Xenon" or Halogen Bulbs you can buy.

That's about all I can say.

Absolutely, and I'm with you on what you said earlier..... won't buy another car with Xenon!

Quite lucky really as the guy I'm p/x-ing the R32 with for his Fabia spec'd Xenon on his Fabia, so no worries for me there!

Absolutely' date=' and I'm with you on what you said earlier..... won't buy another car with Xenon!

Quite lucky really as the guy I'm p/x-ing the R32 with for his Fabia spec'd Xenon on his Fabia, so no worries for me there![/quote']

Let me just get this straight - Your P/X-ing your R32 for a Fabia? :confused:

Are you mental?

"headlight washers are standard on upmarket cars, self-levelling ditto, and electronics are now pretty cheap" well headlight washers, self levelling system are compulsory when a car is equipped with xenon lights

It's no wonder skoda drivers have a reputation, when you are analysing the contents of a spare bulb kit.

I thought I presented a certain image, for driving a diesel, but it pales into insignificance.

Blimey, go to Halfrauds, and buy the bulbs you require, and put them in a little foam lined box in the glove compartment. :confused:

Come on, now, be fair... I was waiting for the current set of customers to clear the showroom before putting in my order for our new Octy 2, and passing the time by flicking through the accessories catalogue to decide what I should purchase. It was there I noted that xenon and conventional bulb kits were the same price, which led to my initial query.

The answers have been very educative - it seems xenons will remain a high-cost add-on for some time to come for good reasons. And I've already got little foam-lined box of spare bulbs, thank you very much - no way am I going to get done over by the Gendarmerie for not carrying the legal requisites!

Which makes me wonder what you're meant to do in France if you've got Xenon lights, as the whole light units are sealed (ie you have to remove the whole unit and unscrew the whole back to get at the bulbs). Therefore, you wouldn't be able to change any of your headlamp bulbs at the side of the road, spares or no spares!

So you'll be hauled into a French court, be found guilty, go to Devil's Island and rot there for ever as you wail and knash your teeth regretting your ill-judged choice of Xenons. So be it.

Xenon bulbs are £100+ from the dealer IIRC however they are designed to last the life of the car hence it's not necessary to carry a spare.

I have heard that in some countries its illegal to not carry spare bulbs. How can you if you have Xenons? Are we exempt?

No. Ye're all doooomed...

I agree that Skoda are a lot cheaper than other manufacturers for their xenon headlight option but £450 is still a rip off IMO.

The Octy II Elegance has headlight washers as standard so all you are getting is a different low beam section of the headlight with a self levelling xenon lamp and optics to suit. Obviously you get a little gear tray built into the headlight too but that's basically it.

So how does this all compare with these Powerbulb things that cost about

I agree that Skoda are a lot cheaper than other manufacturers for their xenon headlight option but

Erm.... Imagine comparing a Horse to a Harrier jump jet. Xenons are a bargain as far as i'm concerned.

Fair enough, though I'd feel safer on a horse [just] but I guess you get what you pay for.

I've not found the standard lights that bad around here but I don't travel over dark moors and winding Welsh rally tracks much [= at all]. All reminds me a bit of bolting those blooming great rally lights [Hellas were they??] to the front of my Mk 1 Superspeed Escort back in the age of the chariots !!

Plus the uprated wiring loom, relays etc etc

Not much money there either TBH. Especially since it's all done very easily in the factory.