All you wanted to know about the M3/M4 and 4 Series LED headlights

[US///M3]

BMW is going to bring back cornering lights, HUD's a la Altima that came out in the 90's etc..

[AdamJ80]

Originally Posted by Needsdecaf

I will try to decide for myself. However, a friend of mine who averages between 5-7 car purchases per year, just got his first car with LED's, a 2014 E. Class. He says that without a doubt, they are the most impressive headlights he's ever driven with. And that list includes some pretty nice machinery.

I had an '11 e92 with xenon... And now a 435xi with LED. The LEDs are by far more intense, and the adaptive is much more precise. Definitely worth every penny.

[RealStig]

There is such conflicting answers on this, unfortunately there is no way to really test these out as no dealership is open by the time it's dark outside. I don't know how to decide other than going by with what people who use them say and the problem is you have a great variety of answers.

[B-1Pilot]

Originally Posted by RealStig

There is such conflicting answers on this, unfortunately there is no way to really test these out as no dealership is open by the time it's dark outside. I don't know how to decide other than going by with what people who use them say and the problem is you have a great variety of answers.

Most people who tell you they are not worth it are defending their xenon purchase and/or lack of actually owning BMW LED headlights.

I own a 13 with xenons and a 14 with LEDs... I drive each a couple nights a week-- the xenons are great!... the LEDs are better. I will put LEDs on every future BMW i buy. Drive the back to back and its obvious.

[US///M3]

Originally Posted by B-1 Pilot

Most people who tell you they are not worth it are defending their xenon purchase and/or lack of actually owning BMW LED headlights.

I own a 13 with xenons and a 14 with LEDs... I drive each a couple nights a week-- the xenons are great!... the LEDs are better. I will put LEDs on every future BMW i buy. Drive the back to back and its obvious.

Makes sense!

I guess Autobild, a reputable German car magazine are defending their xenons' purchase when they said LED's are not better than Xenons after doing a comparison.

[CanAutM3]

Originally Posted by Sedan_Clan

http://www.f30post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=884103

See post #17 of that thread (...and start reading from post #11 onward; we have the capability with the xenons). The video posted is of a coded car in Seattle. You can see how active the Xenon bulb is and how it dynamically readjusts the light pattern.

I did say that I was not convinced that xenon could FULLY duplicate what can be achieved with LEDs. The smart xenon can redirect the light pattern using the same projector swivel function as the LEDs, however they cannot selectively shade areas within the projected beam of light. The LEDs can therefore more precisely adjust to the conditions. At least, this is what I understood from the short Autobild video.

Now, if this small difference is worth the cost, that is another debate

[B-1Pilot]

Originally Posted by US///M3

Makes sense!

I guess Autobild, a reputable German car magazine are defending their xenons' purchase when they said LED's are not better than Xenons after doing a comparison.

Alternatively seen, BMW, a for profit car manufacturer, has decided to feature an inferior product on their top of the line cars... because that makes sense.

of course many people on this blog also love MTs, NA engines, hydraulic steering.. any any number of tech from the past that while it has sentimental value has been beaten by new performance and technology. The OP's post was all about educating on that new performance and technology as it pertains to headlights... still, plenty of people are compelled to come in and poopoo on it in favor of that they have already bought and are used to. And yes, car magazines are notorious about it too... just wait 3 years when everyone car journo starts lamenting the loss of the E92 M3 to this new F80 for ridiculously sentimental reasons even thought the performance of the F-series M's is phenomenal in comparison to their older E counterparts.


Again, I can only say spend some significant time behind the wheel of both (as I have) and see. YMMV

[Sedan_Clan]

Originally Posted by B-1 Pilot

Most people who tell you they are not worth it are defending their xenon purchase and/or lack of actually owning BMW LED headlights.

I own a 13 with xenons and a 14 with LEDs... I drive each a couple nights a week-- the xenons are great!... the LEDs are better. I will put LEDs on every future BMW i buy. Drive the back to back and its obvious.

Ummmm, that's a myopic approach to the debate, especially when you have people who own LED equipped cars chiming in stating that there isn't much difference, and that the cost is unjustified. It's less about validating (...an argument that can be applied to both sides of the debate), and more about establishing worth. I think the extra $40 to design a custom pair of Nike's is worth every penny. Others can, do and will disagree. If I saw value in the LED's at this juncture in time, I'd be on the other side of the argument. If the LED's were half the price I'd be on the other side of the argument as well. When I performed the side-by-side comparison, the minor difference didn't justify the cost for me. It's really that simple.

[Ohai2uFTW]

Umm is there a reason why a 2014 does not have the similar LED lights as a 11-13 e92/e93 does? Just go BACK in history a few years then re-release LED's for the 4 series Lci? Thanks, BMW.

[Mako]

So in the US they aren't worth it as all features aren't enabled because of DOT laws but in other countries they probably are worth it.

Got it, will spend the money on full leather instead.

[ZGM3]

Originally Posted by Mako

So in the US they aren't worth it as all features aren't enabled because of DOT laws but in other countries they probably are worth it.

Got it, will spend the money on full leather instead.

I agree, unless they are easily coded to work in the full intelligent (partial oncoming car dimming) mode like Europe gets.

Could this be part of the reason for the high cost for this option, which we in the US don't get advantage of but must pay for anyway?

[BMWnStuff]

I liked the Xenon's better... But if BMW switched to these they must be better somehow (except for aesthetics)

[Andy0323]

So... what's the cornering light (6)? Are those the "fog lamps"?

BTW, wished the LEDs were projector based as well... would have been a nicer look.

[melloww22]

not worth 2k

[Saphirschwarz]

You could have a very similar debate concerning the Navigation system. Its 2800 Euros for basically a big Tomtom with a 20GB music player to me ( I'm not on the road always searching for unknown places though )

In fact i had to choose between overpriced 1900 euros LED and Overpriced 2800 euros Pro Nav... Easy choice for me: I'll have that LED technology and looks and my iphone will stand on the dashboard when needed !

[Saphirschwarz]

I finally found that video which seems to show rear led turn signals.
Probably a fake ?

take a look: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lk9i5jWp3eA

[CanAutM3]

Originally Posted by Saphirschwarz

I finally found that video which seems to show rear led turn signals.
Probably a fake ?

take a look: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lk9i5jWp3eA

IMO, the rear turn signal in the video you posted looks more like a standard bulb type rather than a LED one

[Sedan_Clan]

Originally Posted by Saphirschwarz

I finally found that video which seems to show rear led turn signals.
Probably a fake ?

take a look: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lk9i5jWp3eA

That's not an LED turn signal. That is the standard incandescent tail lamp with the LED light bars.

[Saphirschwarz]

Originally Posted by Sedan_Clan

That's not an LED turn signal. That is the standard incandescent tail lamp with the LED light bars.

Alrighty then.

But i could swear.... lol

[Sedan_Clan]

Originally Posted by Saphirschwarz

Alrighty then.

But i could swear.... lol

Trust me, many would be elated if it were true. LCI unfortunately they must wait.


Sincerely,

Yoda

[ADRQ0811]

LEDs are a must on any BMW model that offers them they look great

[CanAutM3]

I was very enthusiastic about the LED headlights when I came back from the Mtl car show. I was pretty much set on ordering them despite the hefty $2000 price tag. Now, the more I watch 4 series videos and pictures, the less excited I become. Comparatively, the xenon still look very good, there's not that much difference in look . Further, based on the various reviews and feedback, the LEDs don't seem to provide a clear cut performance advantage over the xenon. Now I am back at being on the fence on that option .

See image below (xenon, LED, LED), not that much difference :