LED vs. Xenon

budpaul · 08-02-2014, 08:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by F80JMcD

New to Bimmerpost! Coming over from a '12 S4. On order is a mineral grey M3 spec'd as follows:

* Full SO Interior
* 19" Light Alloy Wheels
* DCT
* Carbon
* M Adaptive Suspension
* Executive Package
* Harman Kardon

I've been on the fence regarding the Lighting Package...thoughts on the extra $1,900. Worth it or not? Go!

Mine just went into production with almost exact same build! I ordered the LED also because you can recode them to EU specs to be able to use the adaptive features that BMW designed into them.

IMrMark · 08-02-2014, 08:55 PM

I originally wasn't keen on getting them, but being able to code back in the full intelligent headlights possible with the LED package... Well, I'm a nerd, so stuff like that is my weakness. They do look fantastic in person, don't regret it at all.

If you don't care about any of that stuff though, boom - instant savings.

m3rxn · 08-02-2014, 09:16 PM

Originally got Standard Xenons, but after looking at pic after pics of different M4s with LED vs Xenon on this forum, I called my sales manager and added LED lighting package today. Good thing my car was still 111 status!

KevinM · 08-02-2014, 09:53 PM

You are loading yours up anyway - go for it. I think you will regret not doing so.

///M ARMY · 08-02-2014, 10:10 PM

Go for it. I have seem a car without it and it was worth the 1900

F80JMcD · 08-02-2014, 10:31 PM

Thanks for the input. After studying further pics, I'll definitely be adding the LED package.

mil405 · 08-03-2014, 08:08 PM

I definitely prefer the LED's to the Xenon's I had in my E92. The "High Beams" (Shutter lid open) are pretty impressive.

Black Gold · 08-03-2014, 08:11 PM

to each their own on this one. im sure the LED lights, when on, look really cool

but, I hate the way the housings look. looks like old school 1980s halogen headlight housings. much less paying extra for them over the already excellent xenons.

I chose to allocate money to full leather, adaptive, hk audio and 19 inch wheels. JMO

smckenna · 08-05-2014, 12:33 PM

I wasn't going to order the really expensive $1900 LED lighting package until I found out that you can't order the auto-dimming headlights without this!
Not cool, BMW! Auto-dimming headlights used to be a $250 option!

tdizzle · 08-05-2014, 12:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smckenna

I wasn't going to order the really expensive $1900 LED lighting package until I found out that you can't order the auto-dimming headlights without this!
Not cool, BMW! Auto-dimming headlights used to be a $250 option!

That's crazy since you can get it on the F30 with the xenons

SYT_Shadow · 08-05-2014, 02:44 PM

It sucks that the coronas are completely different between LED and non LED

Are they just as bright?

Do we know they can be coded to work in the intelligent european mode?

Blindside_137 · 08-05-2014, 04:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KennyPowers

to each their own on this one. im sure the LED lights, when on, look really cool

but, I hate the way the housings look. looks like old school 1980s halogen headlight housings. much less paying extra for them over the already excellent xenons.

I chose to allocate money to full leather, adaptive, hk audio and 19 inch wheels. JMO

I agree it looks horrible. The angel eye 3D rings themselves are gorgeous, but the actual "headlights" do not look futuristic. If anything they look antique.

ADRQ0811 · 08-06-2014, 12:36 AM

Well worth the 1900 I think LEDs are a must have makes the car look so much more premium.

crashtestdummy81 · 08-06-2014, 06:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smckenna

I wasn't going to order the really expensive $1900 LED lighting package until I found out that you can't order the auto-dimming headlights without this!
Not cool, BMW! Auto-dimming headlights used to be a $250 option!

I got the auto dimming headlights with adaptive xenons

rz3 · 08-06-2014, 06:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smckenna

I wasn't going to order the really expensive $1900 LED lighting package until I found out that you can't order the auto-dimming headlights without this!
Not cool, BMW! Auto-dimming headlights used to be a $250 option!

Before I added the LED's, my build had the auto-dimming feature. My CA was unable to remove it. I ended up going with the LED's after doing a bit more research on them.

smckenna · 08-06-2014, 06:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crashtestdummy81

I got the auto dimming headlights with adaptive xenons

Well they must have heard the outrage and complaints, and finally changed it. Four months ago when I ordered my M4, this was not an option. My dealer here in Florida even escalated the issue with BMW NA, and the rep even supposedly contacted BMW Germany and got declined on this option as a stand-alone option.

smckenna · 08-06-2014, 07:00 AM

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.

Wah · 08-06-2014, 07:25 AM

Got LEDs... the drove last night and didn't really notice the light was any different from my M3 xenons. Get them for the look... but $1900 is a lot.

Sir Loin · 08-06-2014, 08:56 AM

Quote:

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.

smckenna, would you please click the link below to go to the options and packages survey thread and submit a survey entry to the survey for your new car? Thanks.

http://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=999667

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wah

Got LEDs... the drove last night and didn't really notice the light was any different from my M3 xenons. Get them for the look... but $1900 is a lot.

Wah, I see you already submitted to the survey. Thanks!

smckenna · 08-06-2014, 09:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sir Loin

smckenna, would you please click the link below to go to the options and packages survey thread and submit a survey entry to the survey for your new car? Thanks.

Done.

Sir Loin · 08-06-2014, 11:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smckenna

Done.

Great! Thanks.

evanescent03 · 08-08-2014, 11:24 PM

xenons are great, but i just feel like if i don't get the LEDs i'm going to feel like i bought a "dated" car … especially since there is so much visibility regarding headlights (pun clearly intended) … i just think i would regret it but i do think it sucks that it's $1900. definitely not worth it from a functional standpoint but oh well. they got me on this one and the freakin' exec package that i really don't need but would also kick myself over not having.

either one really does look great though .. dated is what i'm worried about on a car i want to really LOVE and not be upset when i see a sexier version that i could've easily had. (heck, our 2014 X3 has HALOGENS which work just fine and since my wife primarily drives it and she doesn't care then i'm truly happy).

just beating a dead horse here but.. thought i'd throw my 2 cents in

matt

08-02-2014, 08:55 PM	#222
IMrMark Captain 75 Rep 991 Posts Drives: 2015 BMW M4 Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Fairfax, VA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2015 BMW M4 [9.66]	I originally wasn't keen on getting them, but being able to code back in the full intelligent headlights possible with the LED package... Well, I'm a nerd, so stuff like that is my weakness. They do look fantastic in person, don't regret it at all. If you don't care about any of that stuff though, boom - instant savings. __________________ 2015 ///M4 F82 [ Mineral Grey \| SO Ext \| 19" Black \| 6MT \| CFRP Interior \| LED \| Executive \| Side/Top Cameras \| Adaptive M Suspension \| HK Surround ] :: will code locally for rum, beer, or chicken; PM as desired :: Instagram: IMrMark
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08-02-2014, 09:16 PM	#223
m3rxn Colonel 990 Rep 2,126 Posts Drives: boosted Inline 6's Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Southern Cali iTrader: (0)	Originally got Standard Xenons, but after looking at pic after pics of different M4s with LED vs Xenon on this forum, I called my sales manager and added LED lighting package today. Good thing my car was still 111 status! __________________ 15 F82 M4,YMB-6MT 17 G30 540i,AW-8spd ZF 24 G82 M4C x-drive, DY-Dakar Yellow ind-8spd ZF
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08-02-2014, 09:53 PM	#224
KevinM Brigadier General 2936 Rep 3,286 Posts Drives: 2002 M5;2007 M Coupe;2020 M2C Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Tucson iTrader: (0) Garage List 2020 M2 Competition [10.00] 2007 E86 M coupe [8.38] 2002 E39 M5 [9.00]	You are loading yours up anyway - go for it. I think you will regret not doing so. __________________ 2020 F87 M2C Hockenheim Silver/MT 2002 E39 M5 Sterling Gray/Caramel 2007 E86 Z4M Coupe Silver Gray/Black 2021 Kia Telluride (hauler)
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08-02-2014, 10:10 PM	#225
///M ARMY Brigadier General 1003 Rep 3,051 Posts Drives: F90 Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Cali iTrader: (2)	Go for it. I have seem a car without it and it was worth the 1900 __________________ 2022 RAM TRX 2021 Ford Bronco 2022 BMW M3
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08-02-2014, 10:31 PM	#226
F80JMcD First Lieutenant 44 Rep 308 Posts Drives: F80 M3 Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Raleigh, NC iTrader: (0)	Thanks for the input. After studying further pics, I'll definitely be adding the LED package.
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08-03-2014, 08:08 PM	#227
mil405 Private First Class 21 Rep 115 Posts Drives: G82 Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: SoFla iTrader: (0)	I definitely prefer the LED's to the Xenon's I had in my E92. The "High Beams" (Shutter lid open) are pretty impressive.
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08-03-2014, 08:11 PM	#228
Black Gold Major General 593 Rep 5,396 Posts Drives: M3 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Texas iTrader: (15)	to each their own on this one. im sure the LED lights, when on, look really cool but, I hate the way the housings look. looks like old school 1980s halogen headlight housings. much less paying extra for them over the already excellent xenons. I chose to allocate money to full leather, adaptive, hk audio and 19 inch wheels. JMO
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08-05-2014, 12:33 PM	#229
smckenna Private 31 Rep 90 Posts Drives: 2013 BMW M3 Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Tallahassee, FL iTrader: (0)	I wasn't going to order the really expensive $1900 LED lighting package until I found out that you can't order the auto-dimming headlights without this! Not cool, BMW! Auto-dimming headlights used to be a $250 option!
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08-05-2014, 02:44 PM	#231
SYT_Shadow ///M Powered for Life 11500 Rep 10,333 Posts Drives: E90M/E92M/M4GTS/M4GT4/X5M Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Greenwich, CT iTrader: (2)	It sucks that the coronas are completely different between LED and non LED Are they just as bright? Do we know they can be coded to work in the intelligent european mode?
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08-06-2014, 12:36 AM	#233
ADRQ0811 Second Lieutenant 36 Rep 272 Posts Drives: Current 2013 BMW F30 Past 2008 Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: 562/so cal iTrader: (0)	Well worth the 1900 I think LEDs are a must have makes the car look so much more premium.
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08-06-2014, 07:00 AM	#237
smckenna Private 31 Rep 90 Posts Drives: 2013 BMW M3 Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Tallahassee, FL iTrader: (0)	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.
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08-06-2014, 07:25 AM	#238
Wah IG@i.am.wah 2780 Rep 3,815 Posts Drives: M2 CS Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: NJ iTrader: (4) Garage List 2022 Tesla Model Y ... [0.00] 1974 BMW 2002 [0.00] 2020 BMW M2 CS [0.00]	Got LEDs... the drove last night and didn't really notice the light was any different from my M3 xenons. Get them for the look... but $1900 is a lot.
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08-08-2014, 11:24 PM	#242
evanescent03 Lieutenant Colonel 1033 Rep 1,997 Posts Drives: '24 M3 CS; '22 GT4 Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: USA iTrader: (2)	xenons are great, but i just feel like if i don't get the LEDs i'm going to feel like i bought a "dated" car … especially since there is so much visibility regarding headlights (pun clearly intended) … i just think i would regret it but i do think it sucks that it's $1900. definitely not worth it from a functional standpoint but oh well. they got me on this one and the freakin' exec package that i really don't need but would also kick myself over not having. either one really does look great though .. dated is what i'm worried about on a car i want to really LOVE and not be upset when i see a sexier version that i could've easily had. (heck, our 2014 X3 has HALOGENS which work just fine and since my wife primarily drives it and she doesn't care then i'm truly happy). just beating a dead horse here but.. thought i'd throw my 2 cents in matt
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