Need help, A3'ers...Did my Audi dealer screw us?.......
04-15-2006, 05:05 AM
#11
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Re: Need help, A3'ers....I think my Audi dealer just tried to defraud us.......
http://www.lightlens.com/bulbs.htm
Xenon bulbs are not the same as a OEM xenon system. You should look very carefully at what is written and documented as the request. "Install xenon lights" can mean many things; there are bulbs on that URL above with xenon gas in the bulb, thus they are xenon lights. That is a far cry fromt he OEM systems though.
/bill
Xenon bulbs are not the same as a OEM xenon system. You should look very carefully at what is written and documented as the request. "Install xenon lights" can mean many things; there are bulbs on that URL above with xenon gas in the bulb, thus they are xenon lights. That is a far cry fromt he OEM systems though.
/bill
04-15-2006, 05:25 AM
#14
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Re: Need help, A3'ers....I think my Audi dealer just tried to defraud us.......
Like others have said, if you just said 'lights', that's a pretty nebulous definition. Yeah, the dealer is being an asshat about it, but you may have no grounds, really. Sorry.
Here's a picture of a bi-xenon assembly on my car. The low-beam-only Xenons have a halogen high-beam in the inner reflector, mine have a low-wattage DRL there instead:
<a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b250/AudiFourtitude/P1290004.jpg" border="0" alt="Image hosting by Photobucket"></a>
Also, note the appearance when on:
<a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b250/AudiFourtitude/P1290005.jpg" border="0" alt="Image hosting by Photobucket"></a>
You can get the OEM European-spec xenon assemblies, for $800/pair from <a href="http://www.ecstuning.com/stage/edpd/pagebuild_v2.cgi?make=Audi&engine=2.0T&model=A3&su bmodel=FWD&category=Lighting">ECS Tuning</a>.
Lastly, if you have *real* OEM xenon headlamps installed, the headlamp type needs to be changed in the Central Electronics module, Byte 21. For reference, see <a href="http://oooo.a3.googlepages.com/A3_LongCode_CentralElectronics_Sample_v1.pdf">this PDF</a>.
Here's a picture of a bi-xenon assembly on my car. The low-beam-only Xenons have a halogen high-beam in the inner reflector, mine have a low-wattage DRL there instead:
<a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b250/AudiFourtitude/P1290004.jpg" border="0" alt="Image hosting by Photobucket"></a>
Also, note the appearance when on:
<a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b250/AudiFourtitude/P1290005.jpg" border="0" alt="Image hosting by Photobucket"></a>
You can get the OEM European-spec xenon assemblies, for $800/pair from <a href="http://www.ecstuning.com/stage/edpd/pagebuild_v2.cgi?make=Audi&engine=2.0T&model=A3&su bmodel=FWD&category=Lighting">ECS Tuning</a>.
Lastly, if you have *real* OEM xenon headlamps installed, the headlamp type needs to be changed in the Central Electronics module, Byte 21. For reference, see <a href="http://oooo.a3.googlepages.com/A3_LongCode_CentralElectronics_Sample_v1.pdf">this PDF</a>.
04-15-2006, 06:01 AM
#15
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Depends
Do you have anything specifically written up on this? If it refers to "HID" or "Audi's Xenon headlights", or something like that, you have a legal position. If all it says is something like "xenon upgrade", you don't have a legal position since blue halogen bulbs can be labeled xenon, but still an argument to make with the dealer.
On my A6, I pulled out the whole headlight assemblies and replaced them with the HID versions from another car. I assume the A3 is the same way. Easy to swap, but I don't have the self-leveling, so it sounds like that's what the dealer was speaking of in the original discussion.
Since then, maybe cost, or legal obligations (I think it's illegal to install HID without self leveling and cleaning) made them change their minds.
On my A6, I pulled out the whole headlight assemblies and replaced them with the HID versions from another car. I assume the A3 is the same way. Easy to swap, but I don't have the self-leveling, so it sounds like that's what the dealer was speaking of in the original discussion.
Since then, maybe cost, or legal obligations (I think it's illegal to install HID without self leveling and cleaning) made them change their minds.
04-15-2006, 08:08 AM
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There's a fundamental physical difference between Xenon and Halogen technology.
If they have used the term Xenon in your agreement then they owe you a lightsource based on a Xenon arc not a filiment base pressurized Halogen gas bulb. Apples and oranges.
It's all based on how the agreement was written up. Now the possible escape for the dealer would be to get an aftermarket Xenon kit that puts a true Xenon bulb into the existing housing designed by Audi for a Halogen bulb. This is not going to be the same appearance or performance as the genuine Audi Xenon housing.
The link below shows the difference in Halogen and Xenon housings, eventhough these are european spec lights they are fundamentally the same as the US versions.
It all falls back to the original agreement. Try first being nice with the approach that maybe they made an honest mistake. If that fails, it will show you their true position and you can apply more leverage after that. Small claims court (or your local version of it) may be your final solution.
Good luck!
Dan
<img src="http://www.ecstuning.com/stage/images/product/iadmin/4913_x600.jpg">
Halogen above
Xenon below
<img src="http://www.ecstuning.com/stage/images/product/iadmin/4911_x600.jpg"><ul><li><a href="http://www.ecstuning.com/stage/edpd/pagebuild_v2.cgi?make=Audi&engine=2.0T&mod el=A3&submodel=FWD&category=Lighting&s ubcategory=Headlight">Light Housings</a></li></ul>
It's all based on how the agreement was written up. Now the possible escape for the dealer would be to get an aftermarket Xenon kit that puts a true Xenon bulb into the existing housing designed by Audi for a Halogen bulb. This is not going to be the same appearance or performance as the genuine Audi Xenon housing.
The link below shows the difference in Halogen and Xenon housings, eventhough these are european spec lights they are fundamentally the same as the US versions.
It all falls back to the original agreement. Try first being nice with the approach that maybe they made an honest mistake. If that fails, it will show you their true position and you can apply more leverage after that. Small claims court (or your local version of it) may be your final solution.
Good luck!
Dan
<img src="http://www.ecstuning.com/stage/images/product/iadmin/4913_x600.jpg">
Halogen above
Xenon below
<img src="http://www.ecstuning.com/stage/images/product/iadmin/4911_x600.jpg"><ul><li><a href="http://www.ecstuning.com/stage/edpd/pagebuild_v2.cgi?make=Audi&engine=2.0T&mod el=A3&submodel=FWD&category=Lighting&s ubcategory=Headlight">Light Housings</a></li></ul>