LED vs. Xenon

[IMrMark]

I ended up changing my order to include LED specifically because I want to participate in coding around the full intelligent headlight a la that video. I had a little bit more room in my budget, wasn't in for DCT or full leather... Plus I'm too much of a nerd to pass it up.

If it weren't for the possibility of coding, tho, i'd have stuck with standard.

[MasterP]

Ordered LED with mine. The cutoff is sharper than the Xenon, and the color doesn't shift to white/yellow like Xenon.

[/// M sa]

Is this a mod that can be added later?

[SOM3]

Skipped LEDs and added Exec Pack instead.

[Sedan_Clan]

Originally Posted by //M sa

Is this a mod that can be added later?

Yes! ...and both headlight options offer the same potential once coded.

[IMrMark]

Originally Posted by Sedan_Clan

Yes! ...and both headlight options offer the same potential once coded.

It is my understanding that the Xenons will not offer the potential as they will lack the camera system required for the automatic headlights; being only offered with the LED package. Are you able to confirm?

[Bimmer4John]

Originally Posted by IMrMark

It is my understanding that the Xenons will not offer the potential as they will lack the camera system required for the automatic headlights; being only offered with the LED package. Are you able to confirm?

That's my understanding as well. Its really the auto high beam feature that provides the hardware needed to code that no dazzle feature. It used to be offered as a stand alone option so you could add it to the Xenons and code the feature. Then they removed it as a stand alone option so i think you'll be out of luck with the Xenons.

[/// M sa]

Originally Posted by Sedan_Clan

Yes! ...and both headlight options offer the same potential once coded.

Good to know, thanks as always officer :-)

[IMrMark]

Originally Posted by //M sa

Is this a mod that can be added later?

Originally Posted by Bimmer4John

Its really the auto high beam feature that provides the hardware needed to code that no dazzle feature. It used to be offered as a stand alone option so you could add it to the Xenons and code the feature. Then they removed it as a stand alone option so i think you'll be out of luck with the Xenons.

Yeah, I was told the same by CA and a couple coders on this forum... was really torn around adding the extra cost, but justified it for both the "cool" led tech and the possibility of maybe coding in the full intelligent package (and had a bit of room left to splurge). It is easy to get confused though, since some models have the stand alone option just as you describe. I will hate to see someone get standard expecting to be able to try to code this, but be stuck without the hardware

[Sedan_Clan]

Originally Posted by IMrMark

It is my understanding that the Xenons will not offer the potential as they will lack the camera system required for the automatic headlights; being only offered with the LED package. Are you able to confirm?

To be honest, I haven't looked into it much with regards to the F8X (..in terms of options/packages). I know with the regular F-Series, both have been coded as long as HBA was an included option. If the F8X HID's don't have the option for HBA, that will likely pose an issue where coding is concerned.

[Powaup]

Just get the LEDs... I tried adding them a week before production but it was too late, every time i see a pic of a car with LEDs I'm mad at myself

[Wah]

Not sure if this has been discussed, but on the F3x Xenon lights, the INNER lens is non-functional. I read a little bit about it, and they say that the fog lights light up the turns for the adaptive headlights. If you look at the inner lens, there is nothing inside, and serves only a cosmetic purpose.

In the e9x M3, the inner lens lights up the turns for the adaptive lighting. I hated looking at it because the yellowish halogen bulb completely ruined the white light of the xenon.

For the LED lights, both inner and outer lights are lit when the headlights are on. I am wondering if the xenon option also has dummy inner lenses like the F30.

[IMrMark]

Originally Posted by IMrMark

Yeah, I was told the same by CA and a couple coders on this forum... was really torn around adding the extra cost, but justified it for both the "cool" led tech and the possibility of maybe coding in the full intelligent package (and had a bit of room left to splurge). It is easy to get confused though, since some models have the stand alone option just as you describe. I will hate to see someone get standard expecting to be able to try to code this, but be stuck without the hardware

Originally Posted by Sedan_Clan

To be honest, I haven't looked into it much with regards to the F8X (..in terms of options/packages). I know with the regular F-Series, both have been coded as long as HBA was an included option. If the F8X HID's don't have the option for HBA, that will likely pose an issue where coding is concerned.

hey guys,

so wanted to drop a little bit of an update (though disclaimer; without all the facts of the situation). My very awesome CA sent me some photos of an M3 that arrived at the dealership today, and I was talking with an M5 buddy of mine going over the spec sheet (who is swaying heavily towards trading in)...

anyway, buddy and I were pretty focused on the usual options, but in looking at the pics I realized that this launch car had HIDs... and a $250 option-add for High Beam Assist. I'm hesitant to say that this confirms that the option is available as an add, but it does seem to confirm that the standard HIDs will not allow for the de-dazzle coding... but that you can add HBA.... maybe... ish?

Having been told more than once that the option is reserved for LED package only, it seems worth the mention to see if anyone else can dig up some info on it. Might be a changer for people who might be swayed towards LED in part because of the coding potential that seemed unavailable with HIDs due to lack of HBA. If I hear anything more from my CA around how it was added to the build, I'll post up here.

[Sedan_Clan]

Originally Posted by IMrMark

hey guys,

so wanted to drop a little bit of an update (though disclaimer; without all the facts of the situation). My very awesome CA sent me some photos of an M3 that arrived at the dealership today, and I was talking with an M5 buddy of mine going over the spec sheet (who is swaying heavily towards trading in)...

anyway, buddy and I were pretty focused on the usual options, but in looking at the pics I realized that this launch car had HIDs... and a $250 option-add for High Beam Assist. I'm hesitant to say that this confirms that the option is available as an add, but it does seem to confirm that the standard HIDs will not allow for the de-dazzle coding... but that you can add HBA.... maybe... ish?

Having been told more than once that the option is reserved for LED package only, it seems worth the mention to see if anyone else can dig up some info on it. Might be a changer for people who might be swayed towards LED in part because of the coding potential that seemed unavailable with HIDs due to lack of HBA. If I hear anything more from my CA around how it was added to the build, I'll post up here.

Sedan_Clan supports this endorsement. Run out young Bimmerphiles. Gather this information for the forum. I will do some gathering as well. Thanks for bringing this up IMrMark!

[hellrotm]

Some Xenon headlight pics. I like them actually.

[christof30]

Originally Posted by ss134

So the angel eyes will still be white with the xenons only not as bright/sharp?

yes!

[Sedan_Clan]

Originally Posted by christof30

yes!

The HID Corona rings ARE bright and sharp.

[ersin]

From reading about this option ad-nauseum, it seems the only real benefit of the LEDs over the Xenons are that they use less power. They also look better, but looks are subjective. To me, (I know I'm in the minority here) the Xenons look better. They are cleaner looking.

One last thing is that in the US the anti-dazzle features are disabled for both in the US. However, they can be coded back, but only the LED option comes with the camera to make this work. Is this right?


Cheers.

[G30 B58]

So 9 pages later and all I've learned is Sedan Clan wouldn't pay for LEDs.

[4/3rds]

Originally Posted by F32 N55

So 9 pages later and all I've learned is Sedan Clan wouldn't pay for LEDs.

I went with Xenon too. I got every other option (except CCB and LED)

[m3rxn]

Xenons here for me. Never looking back

[sherm]

I went xenon too.. $2K for LEDs is a bit crazy especially if it doesn't add it to the tail lights either IMO