IIHS F15 Test Results: HID vs LED

[Snow-Kidney]

http://www.iihs.org/iihs/ratings/veh...-door-suv/2017

Overall, HID outperforms LED.

(Sound the alarm! Calling all LED defenders to the front lines!) At least LED looks cooler, right?

[Snow-Kidney]

Both get "Acceptable" rating.

[P1]

Hold on. Are we buying everything now because it performs (marginally) better? Of course not! We buy it because it looks MEAN.

Better move your no-line X5 with halogen lights out of the way when you see this coming up behind you!

[Flying Ace]

trying to justify buying your no-line X5?

[Kewl X5]

Originally Posted by Snow-Kidney

http://www.iihs.org/iihs/ratings/veh...-door-suv/2017

Overall, HID outperforms LED.

(Sound the alarm! Calling all LED defenders to the front lines!) At least LED looks cooler, right?

I wonder if they can actually test the distance of the LED while the X5 is in motion and at certain speeds. I know that the adaptive LED even in the US has VLD and that the low beam led lighting pattern varies depending on how fast your X5 is going.

Just a thought. Anyhow, IMHO, the LEDs on the F15 are still miles better than E53 and E46 Xenons (US Version)

[Snow-Kidney]

Too easy. lol

Truth seems to hurt in these parts.

HID = $0
LED = $1,900

[Flying Ace]

I don't understand the purpose of this thread. So if you just want a functional vehicle, then anyone should just buy a poverty-spec Kia Rio and be done with it. Halogen lights, 4 wheels, A-B-C Pillars, hamster motor, seat belts.

[Kewl X5]

Originally Posted by Snow-Kidney

Too easy. lol

Truth seems to hurt in these parts.

HID = $0
LED = $1,900

The price of coolness...

[Kzang]

Snow kidney needs to buy a Kia sportage and be done with it. /end thread.

[Snow-Kidney]

Originally Posted by Snow-Kidney

Too easy. lol

Truth seems to hurt in these parts.

HID = $0
LED = $1,900

LED will get you almost nothing back in resale so you are eating almost the whole cost but it'll make it easier to sell. Plus you get to enjoy a marginally cooler looking headlight during ownership.

Unfortunately, you're inside the car when the lights are on so you don't see them. And the only people outside the car who notice are X5 fanboys like us.

[Snow-Kidney]

Originally Posted by Kewl X5

The price of coolness...

Personally, I prefer the look of the LED.

[Kewl X5]

Originally Posted by Snow-Kidney

LED will get you almost nothing back in resale so you are eating almost the whole cost but it'll make it easier to sell. Plus you get to enjoy a marginally cooler looking headlight during ownership.

Unfortunately, you're inside the car when the lights are on so you don't see them.

But you get cool LED turn signals and HBA in the US. But different strokes for different folks. Now, speaking of comparison, had Mercedes GL450 rental and boy their standard HID blows compared with BMW's acceptable HID or LED lighting.

[Snow-Kidney]

Originally Posted by Flying Ace

I don't understand the purpose of this thread. So if you just want a functional vehicle, then anyone should just buy a poverty-spec Kia Rio and be done with it. Halogen lights, 4 wheels, A-B-C Pillars, hamster motor, seat belts.

seriously? lol.

IIHS tested LED vs HID on the X5. The results are in the link. This is an X5 forum and members like to geek out on the X5. We finally have some test results on the headlights. If you don't get it yet...many X5 geeks are interested in this info.

[P1]

Originally Posted by Snow-Kidney

LED will get you almost nothing back in resale so you are eating almost the whole cost but it'll make it easier to sell. Plus you get to enjoy a marginally cooler looking headlight during ownership.

Unfortunately, you're inside the car when the lights are on so you don't see them. And the only people outside the car who notice are X5 fanboys like us.

I cannot see the fact that I have an M Sport either when I'm driving, but that doesn't prevent me from looking back once or twice when she's parked, and I see those glorious LED lights winking at me...

[Snow-Kidney]

Originally Posted by P1et

Hold on. Are we buying everything now because it performs (marginally) better? Of course not! We buy it because it looks MEAN.

Better move your no-line X5 with halogen lights out of the way when you see this coming up behind you!

That post reminds of 1999 cardomain.com



Reality check....we are all driving soccer mom mobiles.

FYI - F15 comes standard with HID, not halogen.

[Snow-Kidney]

Originally Posted by P1et

I cannot see the fact that I have an M Sport either when I'm driving, but that doesn't prevent me from looking back once or twice when she's parked, and I see those glorious LED lights winking at me...

Don't you have super-duper-cool M logos inside? And a sportier steering wheel. And sportier seats. And black headliner. Etc.

lol @ "glorious". ok

[P1]

Originally Posted by Snow-Kidney

That post reminds of 1999 cardomain.com



Reality check....we are all driving soccer mom mobiles.

1999 Cardomain.com? I think that's before my time, sir! And I agree, the X5 above is my wife's Kid is a bit too young for soccer though, he's only two!

[P1]

Originally Posted by Snow-Kidney

Don't you have super-duper-cool M logos inside? And a sportier steering wheel. And sportier seats. And black headliner. Etc.

lol @ "glorious". ok

They really are! Next time you see an M Sport or an X5M with LED headlights, check out how wicked they look! I promise: you'll be creeping on eBay trying to pick up a used pair in no time, and asking us how to wire them up!

[Snow-Kidney]

Originally Posted by P1et

1999 Cardomain.com? I think that's before my time, sir! And I agree, the X5 above is my wife's Kid is a bit too young for soccer though, he's only two!

Either way, you nailed the "cardomain bro" speak without trying to be ironic. Congrats?

Wifey rolling all murdered out. I dig it. Not too many black cars in Texas.

[Snow-Kidney]

Originally Posted by P1et

They really are! Next time you see an M Sport or an X5M with LED headlights, check out how wicked they look! I promise: you'll be creeping on eBay trying to pick up a used pair in no time, and asking us how to wire them up!

X5 are a dime a dozen in my hood. Some have the LED. Like I said earlier...I prefer them but not anywhere near $1900, especially since HID is standard. If the X5 was standard with halogen then I would have been forced to upgrade to LED.

To some $1900 is worth the LED upgrade. But it doesn't make or break the X5.

[Kzang]

I would agree that the LED's aren't ground breaking better than the HID's. But in comparison to my E70 HID side by side they are much whiter and more brilliant. As far as the light output tests goes... even if the HID performed only slightly better I'd still fork up the $1900 to get the LED's because it just looks cleaner and nicer. Same reason I paid more for the MSport Line and paid extra for the 20" staggered wheels, multi- contour seats, MPPK, MPE, carbon fiber parts, etc etc.

Don't forget with the LED's you also get the inner bulbs that work so you have 4 bulbs that light up whereas with the HID the inner bulbs are "dummies" and have no functional use.
We bought these cars because we all like nicer cars.

[Flying Ace]

Originally Posted by P1et

I cannot see the fact that I have an M Sport either when I'm driving, but that doesn't prevent me from looking back once or twice when she's parked, and I see those glorious LED lights winking at me...

you're poor. I actually pay someone to drive my M3 by my house. That way I can marvel at how cool I would look driving the M3.