10-07-2018, 01:27 PM | #1 |
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Laser Lights Coming to North America?
I know in the past other manufacturers with laser lights haven't brought the technology to the North American market. I'm guessing some outdated US DOT standard keeps them away.
Has anyone confirmed if we will be getting the laser lights as an option in the US? Does anyone know anything about the laser lights and how they differ from LED performance-wise? |
10-07-2018, 03:28 PM | #3 |
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I don't think any other manufacturer has laser lights. BMW uses laser lights as an adaptive technology to prevent blinding oncoming traffic. Mercedes uses an array of 21 or so refelcted LEDs to do the same while Audi uses a smaller array.
All these technologies allow the car to always have high beams on while also not throwing light at oncoming traffic. Laser Lights will be in America - if not already - on the G05 X5 and the upcoming G20 3 series. They are just not enabled for low-beam usage. They can only be used as high-beams which is kind of a waste of their adaptive capability. That's what the DOT regulations prevent. They don't account for adaptive low-beam headlights, basically. However, it might be possible that simple coding will re-enable this feature like the LED anti-dazzle functionality on the F30. This is a good video of the different techs. |
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10-07-2018, 04:37 PM | #4 |
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I was at the dealership yesterday in Atlanta GA and the new X5 pulled in as I was in the wait area. It had the laser light headlights with internal blue features seen on laser light pictures online. So yes I believe that the G20 will also follow suit.
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10-07-2018, 06:07 PM | #5 |
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I'm pretty sure it will be available in America. I know that the i8 initially didn't have it but now its a ($6,300 ) option. Also looks like the new X5 has it but it seems much cheaper as it's part of the executive tier.
Hopefully it won't cost too much. I don't really need it here in NYC but it'll be cool to have and say you have lasers lol
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10-07-2018, 06:51 PM | #6 | |
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10-07-2018, 10:01 PM | #7 |
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Unless BMW bundles the laserlight with other features and sells it at a lower cost, I don't see many people willing to fork over the equivalent of 2000 euro for SUPPLEMENTAL lights that can only be used on roads with few other cars. Yes, the light housing and design look cool, but > $2000 for a set of super high-beams is outrageous in a $50k car, when the majority of driving will not be benefited.
Last edited by jlin101; 10-07-2018 at 10:53 PM.. |
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10-07-2018, 10:53 PM | #8 |
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Per BMW UK's configurator, Laserlights, in combination with High Beam Assist, is a 1500 pound, or just under $2000, option. A fully loaded 330i M-Sport, lists for 42k pound (or $55k) pre tax. Add $2000 for X-drive. If the pricing holds true for the US, then it's about the same as the 2018 model, with vast improvements.
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10-08-2018, 11:25 AM | #10 |
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On the next G05 X5, it's a $1K individual option and included in the $2050 ZPX Executive Package (includes remote engine start, soft-close automatic doors, rear manual side window shades, heated and cooled cupholders, Icon adaptive LED headlights with Laserlight)
Doubt that it's going to be $2K USD on the new 3.
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10-08-2018, 03:39 PM | #11 | |
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Having said that I'd pay maybe up to $1,000 for the blue accents and cooler looking DRLs The regular DRLs just look kinda lame. |
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10-08-2018, 06:13 PM | #12 | |
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Just noticed that Laserlights is not available in the new Z4! Last edited by jlin101; 10-08-2018 at 06:42 PM.. |
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10-08-2018, 09:57 PM | #13 |
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Cool looks apart, anyone have any experience on the illumination by laser lights vs. LED? I’m thinking that if it’s anything like the step from halogens to Xenons it’s worth the $1500 - $2k likely price tag. If however it’s more like Xenons vs. LEDs, I can do without.
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10-08-2018, 10:18 PM | #14 | |
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99% of the time it'd be useless to us U.S. customers as there isn't approval for the fully adaptive low/high beams which and create light tunnels as to not blind other cars like on the Euro models. |
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10-08-2018, 10:45 PM | #15 | |
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10-09-2018, 09:04 AM | #16 | |
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10-09-2018, 09:05 AM | #17 | |
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10-09-2018, 09:07 AM | #18 |
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the DRL on the non-Laserlights cars look ugly IMO--BMW did this to "encourage" buyers to opt for the more expensive Laserlights. Not sure if the Iconic Adaptive LED system (like the ones on X3) is available.
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10-09-2018, 09:09 AM | #19 | |
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10-09-2018, 11:53 AM | #20 |
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10-09-2018, 12:04 PM | #21 |
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I have it enabled on my F80
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10-09-2018, 12:19 PM | #22 |
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It's enabled via but not functioning exactly as intended. I did go deep in the rabit hole at some point in my research but gave up on it after finding out it was missing some bits and pieces of hardware (optic micro-shutters). Don't want the liability of glaring other drivers.
Edit: https://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...6&postcount=17 |
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