And then I saw something was missing...

Salohcin

Salohcin

Salohcin

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Joined
18 Nov 2004
Posts
146
Well, I was ticking off all the specs for my order for the new Audi A4 when I noticed that there was no option for Bi-Xenon headlights.

When I contacted my dealership, they said that there is a problem with them at the factory, and that I could either delay my order (for an undefined period) or order them without. I can be particular with these things - it's not feasible for me to wait until later in the year, and it's not very feasible for me to have to put up with no bi-xenons for my full period of ownership of the car.

The question - how easy do you think it would be for me to get the xenons after they've been released? Considering that I plan to ask my dealership to install them anyway. I know that people have been talking about how it is sometimes necessary to actually remove the front bumper to change the lights in modern cars - I'm not a technical person so I can't tell, by looking at the front end of the new A4, whether a lot of work would need to be done.
 
Do you have to have the car with bi-xenons?!

Have you tried a different dealer to make sure your (local I assume) one isn't yanking your chain so to speak.

Probably doesn't help much but the one in my local showroom (just come in unregistered) has bi-xenons.
 
I assume you're talking about the actual new model A4 there, Oweneades? If so, I'll ask around.

As for Ben M - I can hardly buy an used new model this soon can I? ;-)
 
Salohcin said:
I assume you're talking about the actual new model A4 there, Oweneades? If so, I'll ask around.

As for Ben M - I can hardly buy an used new model this soon can I? ;-)
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Oh sorry you mean the B8 model (ie the new new one yes?)

The one they have in the showroom is a B7 avant but is brand new.

I would still ask around as it seems odd that the A4 can't come with them when it has a similar nose now to the A5.
 
BigglesPiP said:
Might not be possible, but could you get the dealer to fit them at a later date?
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Yes, that's what I was wondering...but I'm not sure whether it's actually possible, like you said, or whether it'd take too much work to do.

Begbie - for a technical explanation:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Headlamp#HID_light_sources_.28xenon_and_bi-xenon.29

For a basic explanation - they're the ice white/bluish headlights you usually see on cars such as BMWs/Audis/Benzs and so on.

Oweneades - yes, I meant the B8. Sorry about the confusion. And yes, you're right about the A5 link. If this situation is actually happening, I'm pretty surprised...I would have said Audi has a good reputation in terms of quality. And this is the first time I'm getting an Audi! Oh dear... :p
 
If the headlights themselves are projector lights you could fit a quality HID upgrade yourself once you get the car for about £150-£200 anyway. It would be as good as the Audi solution.
 
[TW]Fox;11006157 said:
If the headlights themselves are projector lights you could fit a quality HID upgrade yourself once you get the car for about £150-£200 anyway. It would be as good as the Audi solution.
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Would that not be illegal (and fail the MOT) as I thought they had to be auto leveling to prevent dazzling other drivers?

I would suggest you tell the dealer you will only buy the car if they agree to retrofit them at the same cost as the optional extra when it is possible.
 
Autolevelling is only a requirement for manufacturer fitted systems. The only MOT requirement is a legal beam pattern, which as they are projectors should be fine.
As for insurance, I can't see why they would need to be declared. Whould you declarea pair of Osram Nightbreakers?
 
BigglesPiP said:
The trouble with the after-market route is you have to declare it as a modification on the insurance don't you?
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You'd have to declare OEM ones with a lot of insurance companies too, they often ask you to declare any optional extras.
 
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oweneades said:
Do you have to have the car with bi-xenons?!

Have you tried a different dealer to make sure your (local I assume) one isn't yanking your chain so to speak.

Probably doesn't help much but the one in my local showroom (just come in unregistered) has bi-xenons.
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If proper xenons are an option, then I'd have to answer yes, I have to have them :)

They aren't on the online configurator for the A4 either at the moment though...
 
Yes - as far as I can see, there aren't any S-Line models out at the moment, just SE ones. And my dealer has said it's not possible to retrofit them with the lights after they've been bought. It all strikes me as a bit odd...
 
I suppose that's the thing with dealers, they instantly always say no to anything retrofit like that, whether it's technically possible or not.

I don't think you will get a definitive answer due to the models newness and lack of 'modding' scene on the A4.

I know what it's like though when it comes to new cars and getting the exact options you want, I had the same issue with DAB radio on my Zaffy, there was an 'issue' with it that meant I couldn't have it, or wait an undeterminate amount of time.. it annoyed me, as being a techno-geeky sort of person, that was something I really wanted.. however, having accepted the fact, and took delivery, looking back, it hasn't ever bothered me at all.. I know xenons are 'nice' but quite frankly the standard lights still perform very well..
 
Audi won't retrofit anything these days. Even things which can simply be swapped out in under an hour, such as the nav units, are deemed to be factory fit only and not retro-fittable.

Regards the availability of the xenons, is it possible that they're having parts shortages at the factory and, if they're standard on the S-Line/A5, they're keeping what stock they have for those models and not accepting orders for other models with them specced as an option?
 
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