Re:new Gen4 or not ?

Touch screens should be okay although unlike a lot of modern vehicles the Jimny can be used without it.
The technology is fairly robust. They've been fitted in cars for nearly forty years, the first was in the 1980's from memory 

LED headlights yes l can see in the future that being an issue although l am sure aftermarket alternatives will be available, or just replace them with SZ4 non-LED

lightning wrote:

Touch screens should be okay although unlike a lot of modern vehicles the Jimny can be used without it.
The technology is fairly robust. They've been fitted in cars for nearly forty years, the first was in the 1980's from memory 

LED headlights yes l can see in the future that being an issue although l am sure aftermarket alternatives will be available, or just replace them with SZ4 non-LED

Sorry if this sound snobbish, but once you have got used to LED headlights, you wouldn't want to go back the Halogen lights 

I do think, that the LED lights on all cars should not be sealed though, you should have the option of swapping the blown LED for a new one, just like regular bulbs. Last time I looked a Gen4 LED headlight was about £500 

Mine's turned up at the dealer, 10 days earlier than expected.  I wonder if they'll defer registration until 1 March if I pay them now?

rogerzilla wrote: Mine's turned up at the dealer, 10 days earlier than expected.  I wonder if they'll defer registration until 1 March if I pay them now?

They should do

Sent from my ThinkPhone by motorola using Tapatalk

Soeley wrote: Sorry if this sound snobbish, but once you have got used to LED headlights, you wouldn't want to go back the Halogen lights 

This was a concern for us, but in reality it was a non issue. Swapping around between our cars it really doesn't come to mind at all. Indeed there is a certain authenticity about the retro design that it has SJ headlights

Sent from my ThinkPhone by motorola using Tapatalk

I prefer halogens on wet roads - the bluish LED light gets swallowed up by dark tarmac.  I have cars with both types.

I can't say I miss the LED headlights when driving my daily LCV but then most of my driving is in a well lit area so bright lights aren't really needed and new cars coming the other way annoy me with their blinding lights. I also prefer the retro look from the outside on my daily. SZ5 headlights are unbeatable though on your own on a dark road.

"Last time I looked a Gen4 LED headlight was about £500"

£500? that's pocket change. A headlamp unit for the new Defender is close to £4,000!

Fortunately Powerful U.K. are already offering a repair kit at under £100 for these light units.

They're quite a bit more than £500 each on Jimnystyle.  The wiring may well be different too, so you'd have to be pretty determined to do the upgrade.

The dirty little secret of LEDs is that they dim with use.  If you drive a lot, after a few years the lights won't be as bright and there isn't much you can do about it.  If cooling is really good and the components are fully shockproofed, they stay brighter for longer.

The traditional headlamps on my old Defender had replaceable bulbs which cost £15 for a pair.

l never had a problem with the light output, on or off road over eight years and 90,000 miles. 

I find Osram Silverstar H4 are a good balance between light output and longevity, and they are usually accurately made.  Some H4 bulbs give a terrible beam pattern because the geometry of them isn't quite right.

l always used Philips "Bluevision" they lasted about a year but were definitely an improvement over the standard bulbs.

Probably why l never had any issues with them not being bright enough. Although they were legal wattage, 55/65 l think?