LED vs. Xenon

[Wah]

Was really looking the LEDs today on the M4 at the NY auto show. It looks way better than the xenons. I know its one of those things that I would regret not getting every time I see another M4 with LEDs. They just look sharper and more modern.

[Lups]

Mascara on a car, it has my seal of approval, and the dealer has a signed note saying I won't change a thing anymore, so makeup it is for me. Though the full leather is starting to bother me as not taken option.

[r3dbimmer89]

Originally Posted by Wah

Was really looking the LEDs today on the M4 at the NY auto show. It looks way better than the xenons. I know its one of those things that I would regret not getting every time I see another M4 with LEDs. They just look sharper and more modern.

+1 I see tons of LED equipped F10s and F13s around here and the LEDs look SO much more modern than the Xenons. I can spot an LED equipped car a mile away. It's mostly because of that pure white cast rather than the purplish xenon cast. So many cars have Xenon lights now a days so I feel that the LEDs are worth the money to stand out. I also want the LED front turn signals. I think BMW is being cheap by not at least allowing rear LED turn signals when you are already paying $2k for the front set-up.

[ss134]

The fact that we are even discussing this is ridiculous - the new M3 should have standard LED lighting all round IMO. Cars costing half as much have them. Not impressed that they'll keep the tail LEDs for the LCI either. Even if you cough up for these lights the rears still won't be LED. BMW really know how to extract maximum cash from your wallet!

[deletedelete]

Originally Posted by ss134

The fact that we are even discussing this is ridiculous - the new M3 should have standard LED lighting all round IMO. Cars costing half as much have them. Not impressed that they'll keep the tail LEDs for the LCI either. Even if you cough up for these lights the rears still won't be LED. BMW really know how to extract maximum cash from your wallet!

Agreed. We should protest.

[DeejAus]

If it's any help, I have Xenon on my 2007 M3 and LED on my 2014 535D so have experienced both and I think the LED is far superior and have therefor ordered them in my M4.

I do allot of country runs into regional Western Australia where I have a property so I am not talking aesthetics, I am talking actual real world road lighting performance. The high beam assist on the LED is also absolutely brilliant and faultless.

[tooch]

cool video

[Mako]

Originally Posted by DeejAus

If it's any help, I have Xenon on my 2007 M3 and LED on my 2014 535D so have experienced both and I think the LED is far superior and have therefor ordered them in my M4.

I do allot of country runs into regional Western Australia where I have a property so I am not talking aesthetics, I am talking actual real world road lighting performance. The high beam assist on the LED is also absolutely brilliant and faultless.

Too bad in the US the high beam assist are really worthless compared to what is offered in other countries (because of our DOT regulations, which are stuck in 1980).

[Mako]

Originally Posted by Lups

Oh I weep every time I buy milk, I'm probably the cheapest bustard in the world, so 2 k for light bulbs is something I do not do. Still, I think I can't over look this one, even tough I will not get the full benefits out of it.

There is a reason you can afford a M3 (being cheap has its benefits), deciding to buy a $100 blender over a $400 one and going on a $2K family vacation over a $5K family vacation adds up...

PS, my wife is the milk buyer for Walgreens, so I know all about milk pricing, she got a kick out of it being discussed in a BMW M3 forum...

[Lups]

Originally Posted by Mako

There is a reason you can afford a M3 (being cheap has its benefits), deciding to buy a $100 blender over a $400 one and going on a $2K family vacation over a $5K family vacation adds up...

PS, my wife is the milk buyer for Walgreens, so I know all about milk pricing, she got a kick out of it being discussed in a BMW M3 forum...

Haha, tell your wife that you are not insane to buy one of these, you know a female who is doing this and justifying it solely with fetching milk. I'm getting the four, so that the possibility of not well closed doors will not affect the temperatures of the white gold.

I'm sorry, I'm pathetic, but I really do not need an other car, and since the spouse doesn't drive ever, it takes a lot to come up with excuses for this one.

[Brady1984]

So what I am interested in is not so much the LED or Xenon but the ability to code 5AP Decoding for no-dazzle high-beam assistance. As far as I can tell it will work with either Xenon or LED as long as the vehicle has the KAFAS or FLA camera (forward facing camera in the rear view mirror) One of these cameras should be included with Driver Assistance Plus package. I don't think it is required for the parking assistance package (which would be the cheapest way to get the feature). I want to avoid getting Driver Assistance Plus and would love to skip on the 2K LED's and still be able to code the feature. Is the high FLA camera standard? Does it come with the LED package even? If it does not that means the ONLY way to code the feature is to get 6,200 of options I really don't want. Anyone have real insight?

[mrkhanna16]

Really debating the LED lights, does anyone have a pic comparing both?

[Viking123]

Pics in here: http://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho...&highlight=LED

Also, this M235i gives you a pretty good look at the Xenons when they are lit I think: http://www.2addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=992356

[mrkhanna16]

I was hoping for a more real life pic, but thanks guys

[aus]

Saw a 7 series come up behind me at night with the LED head lights and it looks BAD ASS- reminded me of the M3 DTM cars. Only the rings light up and it throws a HUGE amount of light out. I was wondering how it wasn't blinding me and other cars but was still so bright. It looks awesome with just the rings lit up at night and no light in the center like on the HID's.

.

[Lups]

Originally Posted by aus

Saw a 7 series come up behind me at night with the LED head lights and it looks BAD ASS- reminded me of the M3 DTM cars. Only the rings light up and it throws a HUGE amount of light out. I was wondering how it wasn't blinding me and other cars but was still so bright. It looks awesome with just the rings lit up at night and no light in the center like on the HID's.

.

It's mascara and fake boobs rolled into one. The face is pretty, and the promise of the ride is nice, but next morning you are going to wonder once again, why the department itches. I want those, but not enough, I'll be happy with more of a stripper, there I know what I'm throwing my money on.

Yes, I'm happy, this is happy writing.

[Sedan_Clan]

Originally Posted by aus

Saw a 7 series come up behind me at night with the LED head lights and it looks BAD ASS- reminded me of the M3 DTM cars. Only the rings light up and it throws a HUGE amount of light out. I was wondering how it wasn't blinding me and other cars but was still so bright. It looks awesome with just the rings lit up at night and no light in the center like on the HID's.

.

The HID's can do the same thing, and the corona rings are damn bright. Where have you been??????

[aus]

Originally Posted by Sedan_Clan

The HID's can do the same thing, and the corona rings are damn bright. Where have you been??????

I've never seen HID's light up the road ONLY using the rings as the main headlights. Please provide proof.

.

[Lups]

Hahah, Aus you can't take the care in to a rave party, you don't have to provide for us all.

[Sedan_Clan]

Originally Posted by aus

I've never seen HID's light up the road ONLY using the rings as the main headlights. Please provide proof.

.

Pay closer attention.


Seriously though, you're exaggerating. The rings of the LED's don't "light up the road" in the manner that you're making it seem (..I have an '14 X5 parked outside right now with LED's; I just purchased it tonight). They are bright, yes, but let's not go overboard. My 335's corona rings are pretty damn bright. A good portion of light in both applications is coming from the 'eyebrow'.

[aus]

Originally Posted by Sedan_Clan

Pay closer attention.


Seriously though, you're exaggerating. The rings of the LED's don't "light up the road" in the manner that you're making it seem (..I have an '14 X5 parked outside right now with LED's; I just purchased it tonight). They are bright, yes, but let's not go overboard. My 335's corona rings are pretty damn bright. A good portion of light in both applications is coming from the 'eyebrow'.

I'm not going to turn my head around to stair at the headlights WHILE I'M DRIVING. From my rear view mirrow, it looks like it's just the rings and some light around the headlight enclosure, but there's was no light from the center of the rings as far as I could see from my rear view mirror.... WHILE I WAS DRIVING. Little hard to "pay closer attention."

[AYEDEE]

Wow that videos mad