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2019+ BMW 3 AND 4-SERIES FORUMS (G2x Generation) Local Forums UK Adaptive LEDs in G20 - how good is their functionality?

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      11-02-2019, 04:27 AM   #1
drykoke
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Adaptive LEDs in G20 - how good is their functionality?

I'm planning to get a 330e after seeing all the very positive reviews here.
But am wondering about the standard adaptive LEDs which seem more limited in function than the very expensive Visibility Pack option.

Currently I have all-singing, all-dancing adaptive Xenons with High Beam Assist and Selective Beam etc. (a great set-up for the darkest Norfolk country lanes because the passenger side can be on high beam all the time).

Would like to hear experiences of G20 owners, now that the winter nights have set in and people have spent more time with the standard adaptive LEDs.

Many thanks.
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      11-02-2019, 07:34 AM   #2
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I live in a town with dark surroundings too. Adaptive led does the job perfect. Follows corners pro active and depending on your steering. Also, auto high beam is very useful. I drive some long straight roads and the led do reach a very long way.
Also the corner lights, which aim at a 90 degree angels in corners are helpful to see next to the road.

In the past, I used fog lights very often, No need anymore in normal conditions. And even with fog, the leds do perfect.

What is also nice, they are there and do work a lot. But unless you're paying attention, you won't notice it.
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      11-02-2019, 07:54 AM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DomiGijzen View Post
Also, auto high beam is very useful. I drive some long straight roads and the led do reach a very long way.
Unfortunately in the U.K. Auto High Beam (AHB) is only available as part of the visibility package which costs £1500. The package includes laser lights and AHB. I did want AHB but couldn’t justify the cost as mostly I drive in lit areas at night.
I did ask my dealer genius to check if it was a stand alone option for HBA but he told me no!

If as drykoke states he does a lot of unlit area night driving then the package is more useful.
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      11-02-2019, 08:14 AM   #4
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Maybe ask the dealer. In my case, it was not an option conform the booklet but was an option anyway.
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      11-05-2019, 04:08 AM   #5
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Very good, very effective, very pleased. And I'm a real critic of car headlights, which must be really good for me to be satisfied with them 👍
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      11-05-2019, 08:26 AM   #6
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I used them with HBA (High Beam Assistant) on my M340i for the first time this weke, they're pretty magical. Watching them change direction to match road direction and conditions is amazing.

To quote Arthur C. Clarke, "Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic"
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      11-05-2019, 12:37 PM   #7
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The laser lights are fantastic.
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      11-05-2019, 02:47 PM   #8
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Can't comment on the laser light option but the standard lights are very good. Better than the (already decent) LED ones in my old 2016 Mondeo. They still swivel around bends and alter the beam angle depending on speed/road conditions. Main beams is very bright but yeah, no HBA. Cynical marketing if you ask me... my 2011 Peugeot 508 had HBA as standard...
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      12-19-2019, 02:03 PM   #9
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Demos booked

I’m trying a 320D with laser lights followed by a 330e without so will post my thoughts as it’s a direct comparison within a few days of each other
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      12-19-2019, 02:19 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Osxboy View Post
I’m trying a 320D with laser lights followed by a 330e without so will post my thoughts as it’s a direct comparison within a few days of each other
I look forward to reading your opinion.
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      12-19-2019, 04:09 PM   #11
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Picked my car up today. I specced the visibility package as I'm often driving on country roads. It's not a cheap option but I'm glad I specced it.

Even my wife commented on the 'light show' going on in front of us as the lights seemed to dance around on high beam depending on following and on-coming traffic. Had a couple people go on to main beam (I was on dipped) as they thought I was on main and they soon came off when I gave them a courteous flash! In real terms I'm sure there's not a lot of difference in headlight performance irrespective of whether you have Laser Lights or not... the headlights are just damn impressive.
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      02-28-2020, 09:15 AM   #12
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Topic resurrection... and I've just joined so can't post a new topic...

Do the standard UK 'Adaptive LED Headlights' switch from main beam to dipped and back automatically according to oncoming cars or taillights ahead or do you have to toggle the switch manually every time a car appears ahead?

Currently drive a 230i with fully adaptive/selective xenon main beam masking with the camera and second stalk button. Had a 2019 520d for a courtesy car for a month in November and the lights seemed to be a big downgrade as I drive in the countryside on twisty undulating B roads, they didn't seem to do anything 'adaptive' despite having an 'A' position on the headlight rotary switch, and I had to manually dip the main beam.

I'd like to avoid the laser lights visibility pack as i'm considering a 320d touring in SE spec and keeping it under the 40k P11d price to save the extra VED for years 2-6. I think if the standard lights do automatically switch to dipped and back when a car passes the other way then that will suffice even though they lack the selective main beam masking.
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      02-28-2020, 11:29 AM   #13
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Short answer is no standard lights are manual high beam only. The 320D I tested with laser lights was amazing but the 330e without was still very very good. I’ll miss HBA but my 330e, on order, is without laser lights it made my company car lease stupidly expensive.

Last edited by Osxboy; 02-28-2020 at 11:30 AM.. Reason: Misspelled
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      02-28-2020, 12:57 PM   #14
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I’ve got a 330e in My sport with the standard adaptive headlights. I picked it up in November, so a full four months of winter driving. I do a minimum of 100 miles each work day with a mix of country, A road and motorways and I can honestly say I’ve never used the high beams. The standard lights are absolutely sufficient. It’s crazy that HBA isn’t standard on a 40k car but I can’t say I’ve missed it.
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      02-28-2020, 04:55 PM   #15
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I have to say my laser lights are well worth it although I agree expensive. I drive at least 30k per year on most rode types and they even activate on unlit motorways. The length of the beam is far greater than my 5 series and they even use the sat nav to look ahead at the bends in the road.

Visually I also think they look better with the DRLs and also when on side lights they have a blue tint to them. Fantastic light display in fog on a unlit road lol

I had to have one replaced recently luckily in warranty, would be 2.5k per headlight if out of warranty!!
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      03-02-2020, 02:44 AM   #16
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The laser lights are great especially on dark country roads. I am quite amazed at how well they work.
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      03-02-2020, 04:28 PM   #17
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I have laser lights too. I live out in the country and find the lights really good. I had adaptive LEDs on my F15 X5, and these are certainly a step up. The laser function only comes on above a certain speed but the amplified spot of light is quite prominent. The adaptive nature of the LEDs generally, with HBA, is better than on the X5 I think. Fast to react and better light tunnels.
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      03-10-2020, 04:26 AM   #18
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After a 400+ mile drive yesterday from the Highlands of Scotland, all I can say is the laser lights are exceptional. It was the only option I wasn't really bothered about when searching for the car but it came with the car and I'm so glad it did. Makes driving on speedy, unlit A and B roads much safer and easier than anything I've had before.
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      06-22-2020, 12:09 PM   #19
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Newbie here, I’m seriously considering a G20 3 series to replace my current 2018 MK7.5 GTI, which was ticked with pretty much all options. Concerning the lights, visually what’s the difference between the standard adaptive LED lights and the laser lights I.e are the DRL’s different etc.

Does anyone have a pic of both please ?
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      06-22-2020, 12:23 PM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Sootchucker View Post
Newbie here, I’m seriously considering a G20 3 series to replace my current 2018 MK7.5 GTI, which was ticked with pretty much all options. Concerning the lights, visually what’s the difference between the standard adaptive LED lights and the laser lights I.e are the DRL’s different etc.

Does anyone have a pic of both please ?
Here is a pic of the laser light DRL.

https://g20.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...65&postcount=1

As for laser v’s adaptive LED. There has been many threads on this.

Laser was the only option I didn’t get in my car, although I like the look of the blue DRL’s I couldn’t justify to myself the cost of the visibility package. I very rarely drive in really dark roads where the lasers come into their own.
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Last edited by Tam the Bam; 06-22-2020 at 01:16 PM.. Reason: Took out reference to colour
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      06-22-2020, 12:30 PM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Tam the Bam View Post
Here is a pic of the laser light DRL. The blue is the only difference in the DRL.

https://g20.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...65&postcount=1

As for laser v’s adaptive LED. There has been many threads on this.

Laser was the only option I didn’t get in my car, although I like the look of the blue DRL’s I couldn’t justify to myself the cost of the visibility package. I very rarely drive in really dark roads where the lasers come into there own.
The DRL’s are different between the laser and non laser lights. The DRL is longer and looks more like the ones on the F30 LCI.

https://g20.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1660325
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      06-23-2020, 03:17 AM   #22
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Sootchucker View Post
Newbie here, I’m seriously considering a G20 3 series to replace my current 2018 MK7.5 GTI, which was ticked with pretty much all options. Concerning the lights, visually what’s the difference between the standard adaptive LED lights and the laser lights I.e are the DRL’s different etc.

Does anyone have a pic of both please ?

Not on a UK car but this shows the different DLR's for each top being laser, bottom being adaptive.

I had the matrix headlights on my A4 and the main issue I had was on an A road or motorway, the camera which is part of the system struggles to pick up vehicles on the opposite side of the road, so you can end up inadvertently blinding other drivers or getting lots of people flash you. Not sure how the BMW handles these situations as I just have the standard adaptive.
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