Dynamic light spot and LED headlights

plob · 05-06-2014, 02:27 AM

I picked up my new car on Thursday (30d – UK spec). This F15 was to replace my new F06 650i Grand Coupe as the F06 was too low to the ground for my ageing knees to tolerate

For the F15, I loaded up the specification quite a lot – including LED headlights and night vision with dynamic light spot. Although the LED headlights were good in the F06 – they are fantastic on the F15.

I drove down some unlit roads and dropped in behind another car with the high beam assistant turned on. The headlights jumped onto high beam straight away but there was a noticeable ‘U’ shaped area of darkness around the car in front as the high beam assistant kept the beams from dazzling the driver. I was just blown away by how well the beams avoided the car in front as we weaved our way down the road – the headlights always ensured that the car in front remained in the ‘U’ shaped dark area whilst ensuring that it illuminated the area beyond.

For the UK spec cars, the fog lights are replaced by the dynamic spot lights if you order the night vision (see photo). I had chance to use these for real on the first night when they picked out a cyclist on an unlit road (the cyclist didn’t have any lights on). It caught me by surprise at first when one of the spots came on and lit up the cyclist in the distance – the projected light easily picked out the rider who I would otherwise have not seen until the last minute. I also got a warning on the HUD.

As for the rest of the car – I love it. As someone else on this forum mentioned, the car doesn’t drive – it seems to float along in complete comfort. I love the ride and the technology is excellent. I’ll get a few more miles on it and post some more when I have a better feel for the car.

Cheers
P.

1230vani · 05-06-2014, 03:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by plob

I picked up my new car on Thursday (30d – UK spec). This F15 was to replace my new F06 650i Grand Coupe as the F06 was too low to the ground for my ageing knees to tolerate

For the F15, I loaded up the specification quite a lot – including LED headlights and night vision with dynamic light spot. Although the LED headlights were good in the F06 – they are fantastic on the F15.

I drove down some unlit roads and dropped in behind another car with the high beam assistant turned on. The headlights jumped onto high beam straight away but there was a noticeable ‘U’ shaped area of darkness around the car in front as the high beam assistant kept the beams from dazzling the driver. I was just blown away by how well the beams avoided the car in front as we weaved our way down the road – the headlights always ensured that the car in front remained in the ‘U’ shaped dark area whilst ensuring that it illuminated the area beyond.

For the UK spec cars, the fog lights are replaced by the dynamic spot lights if you order the night vision (see photo). I had chance to use these for real on the first night when they picked out a cyclist on an unlit road (the cyclist didn’t have any lights on). It caught me by surprise at first when one of the spots came on and lit up the cyclist in the distance – the projected light easily picked out the rider who I would otherwise have not seen until the last minute. I also got a warning on the HUD.

As for the rest of the car – I love it. As someone else on this forum mentioned, the car doesn’t drive – it seems to float along in complete comfort. I love the ride and the technology is excellent. I’ll get a few more miles on it and post some more when I have a better feel for the car.

Cheers
P.

Great write up. A couple of weeks ago I was blabbing how money for full LED should have gone somewhere else. Well, after last weekend I am definitely happy to go with LED (euro spec). I drove on a "fast road" at night for 2 hours and having adaptive LEDs made it so much fun. Beams are constantly active, nobody seemed to mind (other drivers) as it was always spot on, always reducing the beam just about enough. At one other time while I was testing the light for about ten minutes (off highway) there were cops measuring speed (I guess) parked in pitch dark on the far left side and the lights flashed them so much they had to cover their eyes as I drove by which was kinda funny. There is a lot of wildlife on the way, so was also a bit more confident (although I do not have night vision). Maybe I would have gotten it if I saw this review a lot earlier bcs I heard ONLY bad stuff with regards to the previous gen of night vision. Fogs in the front seem kind of useless anyways and although I thought I did extensive research did not know there is a STRONG light instead of fogs. CONGRATS ON THE CAR! p.s. I do understand that even with Xenon you get this high beam assistance, but you have to pay for it a bit extra and I know they are good but not as bright and focused. Meaning there is a more clear line where the lights simply stop which I think helps with incoming traffic. Xenon lights are more disbursed, still good, but LED are a bit better.

wdimagineer · 05-06-2014, 08:06 PM

Great review! In the US, we don't get fancy toys like this thanks to our outdated and ridiculous automotive lighting laws.

I have the adaptive high beams coded and do see the behavior you describe. It's fantastic. At first I was a bit concerned I'd annoy other motorists, but in time I've learned to just trust the car. I've yet to be flashed from a car in the opposite direction.

I'm debating retrofitting the dynamic light spot (and have all the parts already), I just don't want to lose the traditional fog light functionality. It's a debate I've been having for some time now as to whether it's worth it.

I live in SF, where it is nearly perpetually foggy. Both would have value. I might just do the dynamic light spot for fun one day.

solo727 · 06-08-2014, 10:33 PM

Did you install the spots and get them working?

If so please tell me where to order them from and any tricks to the install.

variable229 · 06-09-2014, 12:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wdimagineer

I'm debating retrofitting the dynamic light spot (and have all the parts already), I just don't want to lose the traditional fog light functionality. It's a debate I've been having for some time now as to whether it's worth it.

Where did you get the dynamic light spot parts? Was it orderable from a US BMW dealer?

MysticBlue · 06-09-2014, 02:48 AM

Does anyone have any info on when, if ever, this will be available in the US. Is the approval process in the works, or did BMW make a decision not to offer it here due to the onerous bureaucracy?

wdimagineer · 06-09-2014, 02:19 PM

It's likely this will never be available here. The bureaucracy that exists simply won't pull their collective heads out of their rear ends to recognize the added safety benefits these new technologies afford.

Oh, and I never ended up installing them. Decided that I liked my real fog light functionality.

I instead retrofitted traffic jam assist. More coming on that later.

SpeedN8 · 06-09-2014, 04:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wdimagineer

Great review! In the US, we don't get fancy toys like this thanks to our outdated and ridiculous automotive lighting laws.

I have the adaptive high beams coded and do see the behavior you describe. It's fantastic. At first I was a bit concerned I'd annoy other motorists, but in time I've learned to just trust the car. I've yet to be flashed from a car in the opposite direction.

I'm debating retrofitting the dynamic light spot (and have all the parts already), I just don't want to lose the traditional fog light functionality. It's a debate I've been having for some time now as to whether it's worth it.

I live in SF, where it is nearly perpetually foggy. Both would have value. I might just do the dynamic light spot for fun one day.

Are you talking about how the lights will split as you drive up on someone then one light will lower for oncoming traffic? If so, I have the adaptive LED and was so bummed when I realized that didn't work in US. I'm hoping that can be unlocked.

Thanks,

Nate

wdimagineer · 06-09-2014, 04:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SpeedN8

Are you talking about how the lights will split as you drive up on someone then one light will lower for oncoming traffic? If so, I have the adaptive LED and was so bummed when I realized that didn't work in US. I'm hoping that can be unlocked.

Thanks,

Nate

Nate, with coding it can. And it is pretty awesome to see it in action.

JM71 · 06-25-2016, 08:17 PM

Old thread but was wondering if anyone has ever bought, retrofitted and coded the dynamic spotlight that comes with euro spec night vision?

F15GorDe · 06-26-2016, 01:21 AM

I'm curious about this also.

JM71 · 06-26-2016, 03:49 PM

Found a listing for the parts here:

http://www.etk.cc/bmw/EN/search/sele...CE/63/63_1483/

Looks like it would cost about $500+ shipping to US. Might be worth it if someone has figured out the coding.

Variante Alta · 12-26-2023, 07:57 AM

Really?? On a BMW enthusiast site??

05-06-2014, 02:27 AM	#1
plob Private 7 Rep 90 Posts Drives: 650i GC Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Deepest, darkest Cheshire iTrader: (0)	Dynamic light spot and LED headlights - excellent I picked up my new car on Thursday (30d – UK spec). This F15 was to replace my new F06 650i Grand Coupe as the F06 was too low to the ground for my ageing knees to tolerate For the F15, I loaded up the specification quite a lot – including LED headlights and night vision with dynamic light spot. Although the LED headlights were good in the F06 – they are fantastic on the F15. I drove down some unlit roads and dropped in behind another car with the high beam assistant turned on. The headlights jumped onto high beam straight away but there was a noticeable ‘U’ shaped area of darkness around the car in front as the high beam assistant kept the beams from dazzling the driver. I was just blown away by how well the beams avoided the car in front as we weaved our way down the road – the headlights always ensured that the car in front remained in the ‘U’ shaped dark area whilst ensuring that it illuminated the area beyond. For the UK spec cars, the fog lights are replaced by the dynamic spot lights if you order the night vision (see photo). I had chance to use these for real on the first night when they picked out a cyclist on an unlit road (the cyclist didn’t have any lights on). It caught me by surprise at first when one of the spots came on and lit up the cyclist in the distance – the projected light easily picked out the rider who I would otherwise have not seen until the last minute. I also got a warning on the HUD. As for the rest of the car – I love it. As someone else on this forum mentioned, the car doesn’t drive – it seems to float along in complete comfort. I love the ride and the technology is excellent. I’ll get a few more miles on it and post some more when I have a better feel for the car. Cheers P. Attached Images
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05-06-2014, 08:06 PM	#3
wdimagineer Major 358 Rep 1,377 Posts Drives: 2015 X5 M Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: San Francisco, CA iTrader: (0)	Great review! In the US, we don't get fancy toys like this thanks to our outdated and ridiculous automotive lighting laws. I have the adaptive high beams coded and do see the behavior you describe. It's fantastic. At first I was a bit concerned I'd annoy other motorists, but in time I've learned to just trust the car. I've yet to be flashed from a car in the opposite direction. I'm debating retrofitting the dynamic light spot (and have all the parts already), I just don't want to lose the traditional fog light functionality. It's a debate I've been having for some time now as to whether it's worth it. I live in SF, where it is nearly perpetually foggy. Both would have value. I might just do the dynamic light spot for fun one day. __________________ Current: 2015 X5 M - Donington Grey/Mugello Red - DINANTRONICS Stage 2 + Free Flow Exhaust - Bimmerpost Featured! Past: Bimmerpost Featured 2014 X5 xDrive50i · 2014 Jeep SRT · 2013 Tesla Model S P85+ · Bimmerpost Featured 2013 F10 M5 · 2012 550 xDrive · 2011 M3 ZCP
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06-08-2014, 10:33 PM	#4
solo727 Registered 0 Rep 1 Posts Drives: X5 Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Canada iTrader: (0)	Did you install the spots and get them working? If so please tell me where to order them from and any tricks to the install.
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06-09-2014, 02:48 AM	#6
MysticBlue Lieutenant Colonel 369 Rep 1,887 Posts Drives: '20 M5C, '09 M3 DCT Coupe Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Eastern Oregon... They call 'em rigs here iTrader: (0)	Does anyone have any info on when, if ever, this will be available in the US. Is the approval process in the works, or did BMW make a decision not to offer it here due to the onerous bureaucracy? __________________ M5C 20% tint, Xpel full front, partial sides and rear. Spacers, 15mm front, 12mm rear. Turner Motorsport Oil Cooler Guard. M3: Active Autowerke filter, Dinan underdrive pulley, Dinan full exhaust and software, 3.45 Differential, Springs, Brakes, Dinan/HRE wheels, 275/30-19 w/10mm spacer, 295/30-19 w/3mm spacer, painted front reflectors, 30% tint, Escort 8500i & Lidar Jammer, LUX H8 V5 halos, Euro rear foglights, 3M ClearBra.
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06-09-2014, 02:19 PM	#7
wdimagineer Major 358 Rep 1,377 Posts Drives: 2015 X5 M Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: San Francisco, CA iTrader: (0)	It's likely this will never be available here. The bureaucracy that exists simply won't pull their collective heads out of their rear ends to recognize the added safety benefits these new technologies afford. Oh, and I never ended up installing them. Decided that I liked my real fog light functionality. I instead retrofitted traffic jam assist. More coming on that later. __________________ Current: 2015 X5 M - Donington Grey/Mugello Red - DINANTRONICS Stage 2 + Free Flow Exhaust - Bimmerpost Featured! Past: Bimmerpost Featured 2014 X5 xDrive50i · 2014 Jeep SRT · 2013 Tesla Model S P85+ · Bimmerpost Featured 2013 F10 M5 · 2012 550 xDrive · 2011 M3 ZCP
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Dynamic light spot and LED headlights - excellent

06-25-2016, 08:17 PM	#10
JM71 Private First Class 21 Rep 100 Posts Drives: P911 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Birmingham iTrader: (0)	Old thread but was wondering if anyone has ever bought, retrofitted and coded the dynamic spotlight that comes with euro spec night vision?
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06-26-2016, 01:21 AM	#11
F15GorDe Well versed in the care and feeding of BMWs 261 Rep 733 Posts Drives: F15d, F10 Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: NorCal iTrader: (0)	I'm curious about this also. __________________ B&O, parking assistant, executive package, 3rd row seats and the manual rear shades are the ONLY items we didn't order. Having everything else makes our F15d a NICE ride.
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06-26-2016, 03:49 PM	#12
JM71 Private First Class 21 Rep 100 Posts Drives: P911 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Birmingham iTrader: (0)	Found a listing for the parts here: http://www.etk.cc/bmw/EN/search/sele...CE/63/63_1483/ Looks like it would cost about $500+ shipping to US. Might be worth it if someone has figured out the coding.
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12-26-2023, 07:57 AM	#13
Variante Alta Second Lieutenant 93 Rep 270 Posts Drives: 2015 X5d M Sport Metallic Whit Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Woodstock, Ontario iTrader: (2)	Really?? On a BMW enthusiast site??
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