MikeNSX

I will soon be replacing my 2007 A8 with a 2014 or 2015 4.0T. I see that the LED headlights are redesigned for 2015. Can anyone give me a comparison review of the two styles?

I"ve read that there are some complaints that LED headlights cut off too soon. How do you feel about the lights on your A8? My 07 HID lights are great. I don't want to take a step backwards.

Thanks.
MikeC

MP4.2+6.0

derf (derfA8L) has owned both and is interested in advanced lighting generally, so see what he says.

I have documented in a prior D4 thread how to adjust the LED's on the facelift 2015+ ones. No magic to it. Essentially the same as any Audi I have done w/ plastic housings in last 15+ years, including the D3. Easy to see cutoffs on a clean distant wall and then dial in to suit.

Also, having had a 2006 D3 W12, somewhat brighter than those to the eye, and D3 only got back in zone w/ the Nightbreaker Extremes on my 2d HID bulb change to keep them up over the years.

If you live in a dark place where high beams actually have some use (dubious in congested SF Bay Area), the auto high beam feature also works very well and is more on top of things than the average driver flicking the switch by a wide margin. That may be on all the years (or an option?), but in any case works well on my 2015 S8.

derfA8L

My impression is there is no discernible difference in illumination between the original pre-facelift and the face-lifted LED headlights. I found the D3 Bi-Xenons provided a somewhat brighter light, but the LEDs give you a more natural light that reduces glare and eye fatigue at night. I find the all-weather function of the LEDs very good in the rain at night---cuts down the harsh glare and wet roadway reflections. It's my experience that Audi typically defaults to a lower headlamp beam cutoff pattern (for safety concerns for on-coming cars), but as MP4 states, the LEDs can be adjusted just like the xenons. And yes, the auto hi-beam function works quite well in extending the light pattern on dark roads.

I personally wouldn't be concerned about any LED difference between the 2011-2014 and the 2015+ model years.