I prefer the headlight pattern of my S2000 over the MB S500 (pre-2003) reflectors.

It obviously means something when Mercedes decides to change over to projector type headlights for their 2003 models.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by BillK
[B]I don't see why you found this deserving of a

I listed a few vehicles whose headlights were, IMHO better than what I saw last night with the S2000.

If that's just the way the S2000's headlights are, that's fine.

But I don't think the fact that I drive my cars almost primarily at night and so headlights are important is a comment worthy of derision...

Where I primarily drive (northern Colorado foothills) good headlights are doubly important if you don't want to meet with a deer, elk or even a good sized raccoon or fox.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by BillK
[B]I don't see why you found this deserving of a

I listed a few vehicles whose headlights were, IMHO better than what I saw last night with the S2000.

If that's just the way the S2000's headlights are, that's fine.

But I don't think the fact that I drive my cars almost primarily at night and so headlights are important is a comment worthy of derision...

Where I primarily drive (northern Colorado foothills) good headlights are doubly important if you don't want to meet with a deer, elk or even a good sized raccoon or fox.

 

They don't bother me at all. I think the height is just about perfect. Some cars, you yearn for the cutoff to be higher, but it seems mine were adjusted just about perfect from the factory.

 

I totally agree with BillK, headlights are a big part in cars. I used to work at a car dealership, and have driven many cars with HID's. I also have owned 3 cars with HID and a few with the halogen "blue bulb" knockoffs. Overall, the S2000's headlights are the best. Maybe mine are aimed up a little, but they have great distance coverage and the best side coverage. They light up freeway signs nearly a mile down, and can light up 5 lanes easily. My 03 530 would probably be second best. It nearly equals the S2000 in every way however it lights up the road better immediately in front of the car (it has fog lights). I have driven many 3 series that had good HID's and a few GS 400's which about equaled those on my Type S. Supprisingly, I used to have a 2000 323i w/o HID. I added Raybrig 5000k bulbs in the headlights and foglights and the results were very good for a halogen set up. In all, I still love to have my girl drive behind me while she's in the S2000 and watch those HID's change so many colors Because it has projectors, the Bimmers lights change color too, but no where near as much as the S2000

 

the s2k hid's are one of the best i've ever used, they are amazing.

 

Well I bought the S2000 for the Start Button. hahaha J/k. You are actually complaining about these lights?

Question: Are You blind?

Answer: Must be, because those are some of the best lights out there.

 

Sorry, I have to agree with BillK. I live in the mountains, and I've tried adjusting the lights up and down, and gone to 100 watt High Beam bulbs, and it doesn't cut it. If you could aim the HID's without regard for other drivers, they would make a great system, but not for here. We have nothing to reflect off at night, and wet trees and grass are darker than an Elvis painting on velvet. When all you see of an elk is from the knees down, it makes night driving very scary. And, most mountain roads around here undulate, so the lights bounce like a bobblehead doll. In my work truck I have H4 replacements for the large rectangles, and run 130/160 watt bulbs. Now THAT lights up the woods like daylight. I simply don't drive the S at night...too risky.

 

I think you right. Road conditions and elevation changes are a big part of it. The lights were no big deal driving in flat areas of Indiana, etc. but here in MI with it's crappy road conditions- as I'm sure in PA, with it's hills - it's a different story.

 

They have the same cutoff characteristics as Cibie and other halogen aftermarket lamps that were popular in the 70's and 80's, before the advent of replacement bulb reflector assemblies from the factory.

It's a philosophy, I suppose, of either wanting a sharp cutoff (with a rise to the right, for pedestrian and sign illumination) and using additional illumination to fill in when there's no oncoming traffic, or to use a soft cutoff with the inherent light spill upward. The former sacrifices low-beam visibility in undulating terrain for brighter illumination of the actual road surface, and the latter gives more tradtional light and doesn't demand auxilliary lights.

Having outfitted many of my other vehicles with Cibie lights years ago, I was tickled to death to see the same familiar cutoff when I hopped behind the wheel of the S2000 for the first time.

Tim