Milo Posted January 30, 2006 Report Share Posted January 30, 2006 Whats the general feeling for xenons and headlamp protectors and does anyone have them? Are they the sensible thing to do or do they look naff and cheap? I've never had a stone break a headlamp in 18 years of driving however there's a first time for everything and sod's law says it will happen with xenons Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John_Doe Posted January 30, 2006 Report Share Posted January 30, 2006 Xenons yes...protectors nah!!! IMO....However, a tasteful pair of eyelids would be an obvious compromize. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drillslinger Posted January 30, 2006 Report Share Posted January 30, 2006 Well, I've never had a stone BREAK a headlight, but after a couple of years on the autobahn, they've definately chipped the HELL out of them As a matter of fact, the Mini I ordered has Xenons and I just ordered the 3M film for the lights this afternoon I would say that they are cheap insurance against a new Xenon housing Just my $0.02 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Knee Posted January 30, 2006 Report Share Posted January 30, 2006 Had the protectors fitted to my car. Took them off 2 weeks later as they spoil the look of the Xenons. It's like having a posh settee and putting a manky throw over it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Milo Posted January 30, 2006 Author Report Share Posted January 30, 2006 [ QUOTE ] It's like having a posh settee and putting a manky throw over it! [/ QUOTE ] What a great analogy It seems that's another few quid saved then Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
patently Posted January 30, 2006 Report Share Posted January 30, 2006 Breaking these things is really rare, actually. IME, you only ever break a headlamp in the following two situations; 1. About two weeks after you replace a headlamp that was broken by a stone 2. After posting on an internet forum to say that it is really really rare to break one. Oh ... err... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Posted January 30, 2006 Report Share Posted January 30, 2006 I fitted them on first S3, but didnt bother on this one. I didnt like the double glazed look, and taking them off for cleaning in between, which always seemed to mist up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimdiesel Posted January 30, 2006 Report Share Posted January 30, 2006 The lenses are polycarbonate, so are pretty tough. Also protectors and Xenons are not a good idea due to the light scatter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Posted January 30, 2006 Report Share Posted January 30, 2006 headlights are pretty robust. The lenses are polycarb, or Makralon polycarb and pretty hard. Made even harder by the Lacquer thats applied to them, which is cured, baked and tempered. I can smack a lense on a piece of steel angle and it will bounce off. Ok it will mark, scuff etc, but it will bounce and not crack. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Milo Posted January 30, 2006 Author Report Share Posted January 30, 2006 Cheers chaps I never considered what the double glazing effect would be like on the light scatter. I think I'll take my chances. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Posted January 30, 2006 Report Share Posted January 30, 2006 personally i wouldn't do it.. xenon's look great.. why spoil them Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NeilB Posted January 30, 2006 Report Share Posted January 30, 2006 I wouldnt bother either, they make cars look tatty and cheap IMO. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rachel Posted January 31, 2006 Report Share Posted January 31, 2006 Well, I'd gone through 3 sets of protectors on my A4Q, and 2 already on the R32. I'd rather pay a few dollars for a "manky throw rug" than many hundreds of $$$ for a new Xenon light cluster. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Calm Chris Posted January 31, 2006 Report Share Posted January 31, 2006 I'm one of x 3 R32 owners on TSN who have had a broken headlamp, a mere £520 to sort out one broken h/lamp. Headlamp protectors on a R32 are the way forward. Sorry but £520 is a high price to pay for vanity, and I'm not that vain. R32 h/lamp is glass, the old Polo GTi had plastic lens, so that didn't matter. If you have glass lenses and Xenons, get covers! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pingpongpo Posted January 31, 2006 Report Share Posted January 31, 2006 I haven't got Xenons, but I'm still glad I had mine headlamp protectors fitted..... Linky Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hotdog Posted January 31, 2006 Report Share Posted January 31, 2006 I've got them on mine, see here: http://www.tyresmoke.net/gallery/album247/hotdog_2 Not a very close up pic but you get the general idea. £25 versus £520?? Do you really have that much spare wedge?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drillslinger Posted January 31, 2006 Report Share Posted January 31, 2006 Guys, I really think there's a longevity issue here as well. The polycarbonate covers on my TQ have taken a BEATING and never cracked ... HOWEVER, they have so many stone chips/marks in them now that the lights themselves have lost some effectiveness I've read about the "Protectors" that are hard plastic that need remaoval for cleaning and instead decided to go for the 3M film that'll (Hopefully) stay on and won't need removal for years Another $0.02 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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