Interesting story...

While driving home tonite, the person driving the saturn in front of me politely pulled over and let me drive by. I was not following close or doing anything "dickish" This person then proceeded to speed up, get right behind me, and turn their brights on. I had to laugh since the mirrors tinted nice and dark and it didn't bother me any, probably wasn't too nice for the oncoming traffic though :(

When the car pulled up beside me it looked like a high school girl driving with her high school boyfriend sitting shotgun. He probably made her do it. I was laughing hysterically when they looked over at me :D

Moral: If you're gonna use bright-ass headlights, be sure to have auto tinting rear-view mirrors.

-Brent
'00 1.8TQMSXenon Silver, Onyx Sport

I have a 99' w/the European //S4 xenons and people have done that same exact thing to me! However, unlike you, I DON'T have the auto dimming rear view mirrors! For that reason I just usually "get on it" a bit more, after they've flicked their brights on, to pull away from them a bit faster. That usually isn't a probem w/my 210hp MTM chip/exhaust, though! =) Be happy you have the auto dimming rear view mirrors b/c you're right...it is the best of both worlds. You're xenons are also "auto leveling" since you have the factory ones. Nice, very nice. The only advantage I have is that mine DON'T have any amber color in them and they are two piece. Anyway, happy night driving!

Jeff
99' 1.8Tqmsx, MTM Stage 2, A!, Mintex, etc...

You're both amused that you blind drivers ahead with your overpowered low beams? Hope I'm missing something here.

Stop me if you've heard this, but there are folks out there who are nuts.

Is it possible that you might want to get your HLs slightly re-aimed after installation. They're cool mods, but they are frickin' bright.

I know that xenon's in Europe are required to have auto-leveling, but I was told that the ones in the US, even the factory ones, do not have the necessary auto-leveling hardware, etc.

Anyone know for sure?

one w/a 00' A4 and one w/a 00' TT. They both claim they've "witnessed" the auto leveling of the headlights.

Jeff
99' 1.8Tqmsx, MTM Stage 2, A!, Mintex, etc...

I've driven past Mercs, Bimmers and Audis w/ Xenons and they can be blindingly bright, even properly aimed. That's just the way Xenons are, it seems. I haven't noticed this with Lexuses, Infinitis, Acuras, Lincolns and GMCs with Xenons. Perhaps the non-German cars have really low-powered Xenons or something. Actually, the Lexus GS has really bright headlights.

I'm running H4s aimed fairly high in my truck and have never gotten brights flashed at me. However, some people get annoyed when I pull behind them.

For tailgaters, there is an easy solution- get some auxiliary lamps mounted. If they get too close, hit the aux lights and give them a taste of their own medicine. One reason I never, under any circumstances, get too close to a truck with aux backup lights under the bumper. I don't tailgate anyway.

I wish I had aux lights on the A4- one time a jerk driving an old E28 5 series was squatting in the left lane. I passed him, and he proceeded to tailgate me (in the rain!). I tried using my rear fog, braking, speeding up, anything to get him off my tail, but he wouldn't. Then he tried cutting me off and brake-testing me. He almost lost it- I kind of wish he had, that would teach him a lesson for being such a jerk.

As for the gun comment, if someone tries to run me off the road or pull a gun on me, I'm calling the police and if necessary, returning fire accordingly. Pulling a gun on someone except in cases of imminent risk of death or serious bodily injury (in a self-defense situation) is the only justifiable time such action is warranted. Otherwise, that is brandishing a firearm and possibly simple assault and is a criminal act.

People just need to be more courteous and considerate on the road and it would be much more relaxing to drive in traffic.

Regards,
TM

Consumer Reports has discussed this brightness issue and the theory is that the light isn't really brighter, it's just a different color and people are more sensitive to light in that part of the spectrum.

Secondly, you sound like someone who could use some counseling.

There was actually a post in the off-topic forum about what kind of guns drivers carry... grow the hell up cowboys and Indians was a long time ago

A gun is no more than an extension of your arm. That's why they are classed as fireARMS. A gun in an inanimate piece of metal and or wood and polymers.

Road rage isn't caused by guns and neither are school shootings. A gunshop is a perfectly safe place to be since no gun ever has gotten up, loaded itself and on its own volition, killed someone.

The fact that this topic popped up on an auto forum is odd. Cars are far mor likely to cause death in cases of road rage but no one is calling for psychological profiling and background checks of license applicants.

The perceived gun problem isn't limited to firearms. It includes every aspect of our social lives and is rooted in the unwillingness of some to abide by a simple social contract necessary for freedom and the pursuit of happiness. That idea is treat others as you would like to be treated.

I am guilty of harboring ill will to other motorists and I frequently am very well armed. Never do I think that I would feel better by sending someone back to God/Allah/(insert Supreme Being here) for judgement. I will, undere proper circumstances, remind said offender of the harm his actions could befall someone but never do I threaten them.

Cheers and cool it.