Anti-dazzle and VLD in 2018 cars?

[adc]

Hi,

I just had a reputable board sponsor code my 2018 ZCP for anti dazzle, which apparently includes the variable light output feature. But I cannot tell that either of these are working...

Are these features incompatible with 2018 models? if not then how can I tell they are working?

Perhaps I’m not looking at it the right way I don’t know... any help is appreciated.

[candidgoat]

Hi adc --

I would read the thread linked below, from around page 64 to the end. It appears to me at least that whether or not these items work properly is highly dependent on when your car was manufactured -- for example, mine was made in the middle of July 2017 and anti-dazzle doesn't work correctly (I get headlight motion that looks generally correct but a lot of light leakage onto cars in front of me), but people with 2018-model cars manufactured earlier in 2017 seem to be able to enable the features without a problem. Apparently there was a headlight hardware switch at some point.

In any event, good luck!

https://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...086530&page=64

[Almaretto]

Originally Posted by adc

Hi,

I just had a reputable board sponsor code my 2018 ZCP for anti dazzle, which apparently includes the variable light output feature. But I cannot tell that either of these are working...

Are these features incompatible with 2018 models? if not then how can I tell they are working?

Perhaps I’m not looking at it the right way I don’t know... any help is appreciated.

Pre-LCI (2015-2017 with LHM/TMS): Possible & works
LCI (2018 with FLE): hardware not capable of NGHB.

[adc]

Thanks guys!

[NPuter]

Originally Posted by Almaretto

Pre-LCI (2015-2017 with LHM/TMS): Possible & works
LCI (2018 with FLE): hardware not capable of NGHB.

Isn't it just a matter of it not working as well with 2018 lights? I haven't been closely following the thread, but I coded mine with whatever the consensus was during the summer, and it definitely did something.
I never drive on dark straight roads, so I'm not able to fully test it to determine if I have the "light leakage" issue, but with what I was able to see NGHB was definitely working to some extent (or at least trying to work -- I could see the beams moving around/turning off on oncoming cars).

[Almaretto]

Originally Posted by NPuter

Isn't it just a matter of it not working as well with 2018 lights? I haven't been closely following the thread, but I coded mine with whatever the consensus was during the summer, and it definitely did something.
I never drive on dark straight roads, so I'm not able to fully test it to determine if I have the "light leakage" issue, but with what I was able to see NGHB was definitely working to some extent (or at least trying to work -- I could see the beams moving around/turning off on oncoming cars).

No. Hardware is not capable.

[CanAutM3]

Originally Posted by Almaretto

No. Hardware is not capable.

It seems to work decently well on my 2019 M4cs.

[NPuter]

Originally Posted by CanAutM3

It seems to work decently well on my 2019 M4cs.

That's what I'm trying to say as well. Seems to be working on my '18. If it works as well as it did with the old lights is a different story. But to say flat out that the hardware is not compatible seems like a misstatement.

[CigarPundit]

Works well on my 2018 F80 built in August 2017.

[Almaretto]

Originally Posted by NPuter

That's what I'm trying to say as well. Seems to be working on my '18. If it works as well as it did with the old lights is a different story. But to say flat out that the hardware is not compatible seems like a misstatement.

Gray statements are misleading and confusing. That is why I prefer to state that North American LCI's lack necessary hardware to function as designed by BMW. To use a half system is dangerous as it can blind and dazzle other drivers.

EDIT: Here is list of capable cars.

[CanAutM3]

Originally Posted by Almaretto

Gray statements are misleading and confusing. That is why I prefer to state that North American LCI's lack necessary hardware to function as designed by BMW. To use a half system is dangerous as it can blind and dazzle other drivers.

EDIT: Here is list of capable cars.

That's very interresting. Coming back from friends last night, we had an hour drive in a combination of dark country roads and highways passing through lit towns. The GFHB seemed to work decently well on my car and not once did I get flashed by other drivers. When following cars/trucks, turning off the AHB, I could see the side of the road get darker. When turning on the manual high beam when following a truck, I could see the the back of the truck light up. What should I be looking for as an indication that it is not working appropriately?

[Almaretto]

Originally Posted by CanAutM3

That's very interresting. Coming back from friends last night, we had an hour drive in a combination of dark country roads and highways passing through lit towns. The GFHB seemed to work decently well on my car and not once did I get flashed by other drivers. When following cars/trucks, turning off the AHB, I could see the side of the road get darker. When turning on the manual high beam when following a truck, I could see the the back of the truck light up. What should I be looking for as an indication that it is not working appropriately?

Moving lights is not a sign that it is working. Visually looking at light pattern with clear margins will tell you whether shape is correct.

[CanAutM3]

Originally Posted by Almaretto

Moving lights is not a sign that it is working. Visually looking at light pattern with clear margins will tell you whether shape is correct.

Well if my lights do not glare anyone, isn't that anti-glare high beams ?

[Almaretto]

Originally Posted by CanAutM3

What should I be looking for as an indication that it is not working appropriately?

Look for beam pattern like this:

https://www.2addicts.com/forums/show...postcount=1852

[CanAutM3]

Originally Posted by Almaretto

Look for beam pattern like this:

https://www.2addicts.com/forums/show...postcount=1852

When time permits, I'll attempt at making a video of NGHB in action on my car. Maybe the experts can shed some light on this mystery (pun intended ) and indicate where it is not working appropriately.

[FlyingLow78]

Originally Posted by CanAutM3

When time permits, I'll attempt at making a video of NGHB in action on my car. Maybe the experts can shed some light on this mystery (pun intended ) and indicate where it is not working appropriately.

When I was trying to get it working on my ‘18, I put GoPro cameras on my GF’s car and had her pass me several times going the opposite direction so I could see how the lights looked. I also followed her for a bit. Italians are very communicative on the road and I got flashed tons of times in just a few days, so I coded back to US specs. The video revealed my right headlight was throwing a ton of light forward.

It’s not enough to just see it from your perspective when trying to verify it works. Try to film it with a second car.

[Almaretto]

Originally Posted by FlyingLow78

It’s not enough to just see it from your perspective when trying to verify it works. Try to film it with a second car.

If you are not critical enough, it is easy to accept subpar performance. I will believe capable when I see hardware that is equivalent and corresponding coding.

[CanAutM3]

Originally Posted by FlyingLow78

When I was trying to get it working on my ‘18, I put GoPro cameras on my GF’s car and had her pass me several times going the opposite direction so I could see how the lights looked. I also followed her for a bit. Italians are very communicative on the road and I got flashed tons of times in just a few days, so I coded back to US specs. The video revealed my right headlight was throwing a ton of light forward.

It’s not enough to just see it from your perspective when trying to verify it works. Try to film it with a second car.

Thanks for sharing. I will try this out also. I suspect I will observe the same thing.

It really makes you wonder why BMW went through the trouble of changing the headlight hardware on North American cars so NGHB does not work properly. It does not make sense to me why they would do that.

[danchee]

Originally Posted by CanAutM3

Thanks for sharing. I will try this out also. I suspect I will observe the same thing.

It really makes you wonder why BMW went through the trouble of changing the headlight hardware on North American cars so NGHB does not work properly. It does not make sense to me why they would do that.

And increase their cost of tracking different part numbers and inventory for spares. I found out the A/C compressor for the 2018 (June 2018 manufacture) is different from the 2017 as well. Given that it's 1-1.5 years left of manufacturing for F80s, why in the hell did they change this component as well?

[adc]

Originally Posted by danchee

And increase their cost of tracking different part numbers and inventory for spares. I found out the A/C compressor for the 2018 (June 2018 manufacture) is different from the 2017 as well. Given that it's 1-1.5 years left of manufacturing for F80s, why in the hell did they change this component as well?

BMW doesn’t make these parts or headlight assemblies. Sometimes I imagine the suppliers make running changes like in the case of the alternator.

I suspect the headlight changes have to do with US DOT compliance.

[fernisatree]

So I also have a 2018 F80. I did the coding and in Germany i get flashed every once in a while so i stopped using this. What hardware is incompatible? Can i swap out headlights or modules to be able to correctly use this? Any help is appreciated thanks in advance

[CanAutM3]

Originally Posted by adc

I suspect the headlight changes have to do with US DOT compliance.

My thought also.

Frustrating these archaic regulators that limit us having access to breakthrough technologies.

Transport Canada is no better, they just follow whatever the DOT does.

I have a feeling that there is a lot of politics and economics at play here from the regulators. Since American manufacturers do not yet offer that technology, I am guessing the regulators are banning the technology to avoid giving a competitive edge to the European and Japanese manufacturers.