LED vs. Xenon

[M-Pilot]

Originally Posted by backagain

Check the coding section, and it is on the cheat sheet.

I don't have a lot of twisty roads to drive at night, so I rarely use high beams. Plus I've coded my Xenon eyebrows to be 100% bright (vs. the 48% stock). Really happy with the result. You can see the difference below (right-100% vs. left-48% as you look at the car).

This is what I've been looking for. I couldn't find how to increase the brightness of xenon eyebrows. Can you please explain what you coded to make this happen?

[backagain]

Originally Posted by cntzl

This is what I've been looking for. I couldn't find how to increase the brightness of xenon eyebrows. Can you please explain what you coded to make this happen?

Change the below value from "2E" to "64"
TMS 3005 Standlicht Modus 2 … 2E, 04, 00, 00 … 64, 04, 00, 00

Remember to code both TMS ECUs, as each controls 1 side of the lights.

[M-Pilot]

Originally Posted by backagain

Change the below value from "2E" to "64"
TMS 3005 Standlicht Modus 2 … 2E, 04, 00, 00 … 64, 04, 00, 00

Remember to code both TMS ECUs, as each controls 1 side of the lights.

Perfect, thanks!

[backagain]

Found another photo with just the eyebrows on, to better illustrate the before/after comparison.

[M-Pilot]

Originally Posted by backagain

Change the below value from "2E" to "64"
TMS 3005 Standlicht Modus 2 … 2E, 04, 00, 00 … 64, 04, 00, 00

Remember to code both TMS ECUs, as each controls 1 side of the lights.

Does this make them 100% only when DRLs on? Do I have to code something else to make them 100% even when low beams are on?

[backagain]

Originally Posted by cntzl

Does this make them 100% only when DRLs on? Do I have to code something else to make them 100% even when low beams are on?

This coding turn up the intensity for both low beam and the DRL, as my two photos show. If you want your welcome lights to be brighter as well, you code:

TMS 3005 Welcome Light 1 … 2E, 04, 00, 01 … 64, 04, 00, 01

[Ebrahim Mayat]

Originally Posted by backagain

This coding turn up the intensity for both low beam and the DRL, as my two photos show. If you want your welcome lights to be brighter as well, you code:

TMS 3005 Welcome Light 1 … 2E, 04, 00, 01 … 64, 04, 00, 01

What do you need to code?

[NewM3driver]

Originally Posted by Alpine F31

I agree. When they are not on, the LED's actually look like the less expensive option. They look awesome when illuminated though. I've never driven a car with LED headlights. I love the Xenon lights on my 3. It's a tough call for $1900. I think the LED's would have to far exceed the performance of my Xenon lights in order for me to check that box.

I have them and they definitely don't.

[backagain]

Originally Posted by Ebrahim Mayat

What do you need to code?

An OBD-Ethernet cable ($18), and the coding software (free from a guy called Shawn). Please go to the coding section for the sticky threads. Lots of cool features to enable, and not all that difficult.

[M-Pilot]

Aside from the cost, my main reason for not choosing LEDs was the looks. LEDs look like base 3/4series with no Xenons. I'm sure they are super cool at night but even if they were free, I wouldn't choose them over Xenons. On the other hand, Xenons will probably disappear from the BMW lineup in a few years, LEDs becoming the standard equipment.

[firedown31]

Originally Posted by RobbyMack

I would have considered CCB's before the LED's. It was at the bottom of my list of wants/needs. A question for those that do have it. Help me understand the coding. Does it just effect high beams? My understanding is low beams behave the same as everything else. I'm really failing to see the usefulness (for me) as I've probably clicked on the high beams three times in 25 years of driving. Granted I'm an urban dweller. Those of you very rural might have a different experience.

Yes Euro coding for the LED lights completely changes the normal operation of the low beam too. It enables something called Variable Light Distribution, or VLD, that is active at all times when your head light switch is in the "A" auto position and the low beams are on.



As you can see, depending on how fast you are going your lights will project quite a different pattern.

Also US spec LED lights aren't as bright as Euro ones, so coding will also increase the over all brightness.

I think quite of a few of us would agree that without coding the US spec headlights to the Euro specs, they are utterly useless. Just ask Lups

[backagain]

Originally Posted by firedown31

Yes Euro coding for the LED lights completely changes the normal operation of the low beam too. It enables something called Variable Light Distribution, or VLD, that is active at all times when your head light switch is in the "A" auto position and the low beams are on.

Attachment 1505727

As you can see, depending on how fast you are going your lights will project quite a different pattern.

Also US spec LED lights aren't as bright as Euro ones, so coding will also increase the over all brightness.

I think quite of a few of us would agree that without coding the US spec headlights to the Euro specs, they are utterly useless. Just ask Lups

This is educational. Learned something new about F80.

It always comes down to the subjective ROI judgement. For my personal driving needs, not anywhere close to justify the $1,900 premium. But that is just me.

[firedown31]

Originally Posted by backagain

This is educational. Learned something new about F80.

It always comes down to the subjective ROI judgement. For my personal driving needs, not anywhere close to justify the $1,900 premium. But that is just me.

Agreed, and there is nothing wrong with the xenons. Drove an f30 for 2 years with them and they blew every other headlight I've had before them out of the water.

[bb1857]

The problem is that here in the US they have the LED so dumbed down because a majority of our drivers are too stupid or selfish to be able to turn their lights from high to low beam so they make the light less obnoxious which also means less visibility for the driver. The Xenon was such a huge jump forward in technology that it was completely obvious which was better. Being that LED is so pulled back from a technology capability that it seems like less of a jump. Thankfully auto enthusiasts are smarter than the lawmakers to protect us from the stupid so we can code the LED to its full capability.

The ignorance of the US lawmakers is the reason we don't have the coolest stuff just like they will not allow laser headlight technology here in the US until they can figure out a way to dumb that down too. Both are great headlights but 10 years ago the Xenon lights were the expensive option and not everyone thought they were any better(they were wrong) so once LEDs become the freebie many people who lauded the Xenon will think the LED is great...just standard auto evolution.

Either way we have two very good options and whatever your preference isn't a bad choice.

[speedracerM4]

Originally Posted by firedown31

Yes Euro coding for the LED lights completely changes the normal operation of the low beam too. It enables something called Variable Light Distribution, or VLD, that is active at all times when your head light switch is in the "A" auto position and the low beams are on.

Attachment 1505727

As you can see, depending on how fast you are going your lights will project quite a different pattern.

Also US spec LED lights aren't as bright as Euro ones, so coding will also increase the over all brightness.

I think quite of a few of us would agree that without coding the US spec headlights to the Euro specs, they are utterly useless. Just ask Lups

this! disappointed when i realized that u.s. spec did not allow for this.

[Sandow]

Get your LEDs coded to Euro spec and the difference is staggering. Had mine remotely coded, and I now see the value of the LED lighting package. Simply amazing what these lights do.

[Brentis]

Originally Posted by smckenna

Now that I have the LED headlights, I'm OK with them. Not terribly impressed. The light that they shine is definitely "whiter" in color than the Xeons, but definitely not brighter.
Meh. Definitely not worth $1900.

This. Had bmws for several cars prior. They arent that great. Would stick with xenons. Never had issues with depth of field and distance. These have me cautious after two days..

[casyoo]

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