"RallyWrench" (rndlitebmw)
03/30/2016 at 14:58 • Filed to: headlights
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"RallyWrench" (rndlitebmw)
03/30/2016 at 14:58 • Filed to: headlights | 2
| 14 |
Found this on NPR, via the IIHS. Funny that “luxury” brands are mentioned specifically as having performed poorly. In fairness, they do mention that many performance issues could be improved with better aim. That said, I do worry that the statement about making sure consumers don’t have to worry about headlight aim themselves is a portent of things to come. I’m envisioning ill-considered legislation for self-adjusting headlights, which are already painfully expensive to repair, especially as the vehicles depreciate. Perhaps it would serve everyone better if they’d find a way to keep plastic headlight lenses from weathering so badly over time.
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EL_ULY
> RallyWrench
03/30/2016 at 15:04 |
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Headlights restoration companies are making bank. Our dude here constantly has a huge line of cars in his area. As much as new headlight assemblies cost, it makes sense. Still, it’s BS how quick housing fog up even on cars that are just a couple years old
Urambo Tauro
> RallyWrench
03/30/2016 at 15:21 |
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I couldn’t help but notice how the pictures in the article are almost a metaphor for perceived value as it relates to some luxury vehicles.
Notice how the Benz is, shall we say, “short-sighted”, casting a brighter glow on the road directly in front of it, while falling short “later on down the road”. Meanwhile, the Honda’s beams light up more objects in the “long run”, despite their dimmer glow.
I’m probably reading too far into it, though. After all, every brand has their own strengths and weaknesses. It’s just interesting, is all.
RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht
> RallyWrench
03/30/2016 at 15:34 |
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Only one thing to do: get a luxury car with 4x sealed beams.
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RallyWrench
> Urambo Tauro
03/30/2016 at 15:36 |
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I like your thinking here. I run a European car shop, the metaphor holds.
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RallyWrench
> RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht
03/30/2016 at 15:39 |
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Then upgrade them to H4/H1s. It is the only way.
Mercedes Streeter
> RallyWrench
03/30/2016 at 15:42 |
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Alternatively, the DOT can learn from the IIHS: Stop trying to stop import brands from giving us badass lighting! BMW lasers? Yes pl0x.
Honeybunchesofgoats
> RallyWrench
03/30/2016 at 15:47 |
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Glass lenses 4 life.
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RallyWrench
> Mercedes Streeter
03/30/2016 at 15:48 |
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This too. I immediately thought of all the years we were stuck with shitty plastic lenses when all the Euro brands had killer glass lamps.
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RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht
> RallyWrench
03/30/2016 at 15:53 |
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The best part of Yank-Tankery is that the headlights remain stable at all times, except for moderate sway. Also, the headlight connections and buckets are all metal and you probably needed to rewire anyway, so fitting of death beams is go.
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RallyWrench
> RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht
03/30/2016 at 16:00 |
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Truth. None of this stiffly suspended, bouncy, plastic Euro frippery, scattering one’s beams this way and that.
Tony Montana
> Honeybunchesofgoats
03/30/2016 at 16:39 |
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This. I get that plastic is lighter, more durable, whatever else, but just like glasses/sunglasses, when it comes to optical clarity, accept no substitutes.
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Urambo Tauro
> RallyWrench
03/30/2016 at 16:42 |
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Hm. Sorry to hear that.
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Honeybunchesofgoats
> Tony Montana
03/30/2016 at 17:03 |
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Considering that I’m reading this while wearing glasses with plastic lenses that drive me crazy, your point is really hitting home.
GTI MkVII
> RallyWrench
03/30/2016 at 17:13 |
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I’d be really curious to see how many of these “luxury” cars were the base models with halogen reflector headlights. The Accord likely did as well as it did due to its projector beam set up. The base CLA and 3 series for example have poor excuses for reflector housings.
Seriously though, HIDs with projectors should be the bare minimum for new cars. There’s no reason aside from profit margins that lighting tech from the 40's should still be in use.
As for headlight aiming, OEMs and dealers should be held to a much higher standard when it comes to prepping, delivering, and servicing cars. Not to mention some sort of inspection should be required to avoid assholes with their $29.99 eBay HID kits in their 1995 Corollas.