is250 vs. 325i

And you'll miss what being on Hawaii is all about.

But since you'll never know it, you can't miss it, I guess.

I, having done both, have made my choice. I don't have unlimited funds, so since I have to make a choice, I make one.

Apparently everyone else here has unlimited funds.

Try two wheels, or a lightweight racing car for autocrossing or at the track. You'll like it even more. 8;)

-- Larry (pushing 60 and still loving it...)

If that's what you think Hawaii is all about, you've never been there.

There's an old saying, "pick your battles."

You've apparently confused it with "pick you nose."

Yeah? So?

It is. It's usenet....

DAS

For direct contact replace nospam with schmetterling

Nice response. Sorry to see you ran out so quickly.

No, really. I meant it--so what?

Oddly enough my 2000 Avalon has not lost a single light. Probably some sort of statistical anomaly, but still...

Nope. I'm guessing the UK does get different, possibly more familiar electrics than the bulletproof stuff Toyota gives here in the US.

I'd say your Avalon experience is the norm.

My 1992 SC400 (196K miles) has never had a burned out headlight (high or low beam), tail light, or directional signal (front or rear) bulb. I bought it new in Aug, 1991.

However, the red instrument needles all (speedo, tach, water temp, fuel level) gave up before I had them rebuilt. Also had to replace "fogged/leaking" climate control LCD (but none of the backlight bulbs had burned out in instrument cluster or climate control, although I replaced them anyway on rebuild).

Also had a 1991 LS400 for many years and only had one tail light bulb go bad in that.

I've had to replace almost every single outside bulb on my 2004 Volvo S60 T5 and the low beams at least twice. The only one's that haven't gone "zzt" are the high beams. My 97 Acura 3.0CL has 176k miles and all the original bulbs. Why?

Sam S.

The answer is simple--better parts, higher quality system. (The Volvo is just a Ford.)

Now, the REAL question is, "why does Honda use better parts and build a better system than does Ford?"

Eh? Why would a maker like Toyota use different electrics by the country? Of course for Euro sales the appropriate lamps and bulbs have to be Euro marked. And the headlights may well be different due to RHD/LHD. But not usually a difference that effects bulb life.

Assuming decent quality bulbs, their life depends on four things:-

The amount of use Vibration Heat Alternator voltage

The only bulb I've replaced on my '97 E39 is the centre brake light - due, I'd say, to the small enclosure causing overheating. It's a bit of an afterthought.

I expect that was intended to be a Lucas joke.

Or a Lucas reality.

Ah. I get it now. Rather like BMW fitting crap GM auto boxes only for the US market?