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      02-09-2014, 01:54 AM   #1
Eu001939
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Adaptive headlights problem

Does anybody have problems with the adaptive headlights on their X5 ?

Last night I drove the car (got it on Friday) for the first time at night, and got very annoyed that dozens of cars flashed their lights at me.

I first thought it was because they loved the car

But no

Apparently the lights on my car are blinding those coming from the opposite direction. And even some cars I passed flashed their lights at me.

And the adaptive headlights do not have a manual height control button (it's all supposed to be automatic).

Any one else having this problem ?

FYI, I have the Xenon adaptive headlights, not the LED's...
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      02-09-2014, 04:38 AM   #2
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Sounds like a fault as I have the same system and it works perfectly. Not been flashed once, even on motorways. You should see that the blue main beam light remains lit on the dash, and actually see the beams modifying as traffic approaches. It's instant on the new version, dipping individual beams before cars even make it fully round the bend!

Last edited by archivedaccount; 02-09-2014 at 05:26 AM..
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      02-09-2014, 08:48 AM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Eu001939 View Post
Does anybody have problems with the adaptive headlights on their X5 ?

Last night I drove the car (got it on Friday) for the first time at night, and got very annoyed that dozens of cars flashed their lights at me.

I first thought it was because they loved the car

But no

Apparently the lights on my car are blinding those coming from the opposite direction. And even some cars I passed flashed their lights at me.

And the adaptive headlights do not have a manual height control button (it's all supposed to be automatic).

Any one else having this problem ?

FYI, I have the Xenon adaptive headlights, not the LED's...
Are You sure you pressed the automatic lights on from left bottom. It doesn't dip if you have high beams. In automatic mode it only puts high beam when necessary, not in city feg. Just checking. Auto Bild tested all led lights and they needed to calibrate all lights to get a comparable result, so sometimes automatic lights need to be checked also.
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      02-09-2014, 10:14 AM   #4
Eu001939
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Eu001939 View Post
Does anybody have problems with the adaptive headlights on their X5 ?

Last night I drove the car (got it on Friday) for the first time at night, and got very annoyed that dozens of cars flashed their lights at me.

I first thought it was because they loved the car

But no

Apparently the lights on my car are blinding those coming from the opposite direction. And even some cars I passed flashed their lights at me.

And the adaptive headlights do not have a manual height control button (it's all supposed to be automatic).

Any one else having this problem ?

FYI, I have the Xenon adaptive headlights, not the LED's...
I'm talking about having this problem even before trying the highbeam assist ! So with regular lights...
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      02-09-2014, 10:26 AM   #5
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I may be wrong, but I thought you had to upgrade to the LED lights to have the adaptive headlights that vary with oncoming traffic.
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      02-09-2014, 10:58 AM   #6
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No. I remember someone reported on this forum how well high beam work even with xenon. Cannot find the post, though. My dealer (in Europe) confirmed. Adaptive headlights is the requisite but works with both LED and xenon.
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      02-09-2014, 11:48 AM   #7
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OP tell us how do you turn on your headlights
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      02-09-2014, 11:52 AM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by atlantiQue View Post
No. I remember someone reported on this forum how well high beam work even with xenon. Cannot find the post, though. My dealer (in Europe) confirmed. Adaptive headlights is the requisite but works with both LED and xenon.
Probably my post. New anti-dazzle hba is the same with xenons as led. No difference.
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      02-09-2014, 04:51 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by eaglesrest View Post
Probably my post. New anti-dazzle hba is the same with xenons as led. No difference.
This is not interly true as in Europe the LEDs perform differently.

In this link there is a video in the middle of how the LEDs work in Europe, but I heard this is not for US.
http://autohullut.fi/english/autohul...0d-f15-review/
So, in Europe they are completly different. I ordered LEDs, because the technology is different. Volvo uses mirrors to have this function with Xenons, but I think al other manufacturers use LED.
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      02-09-2014, 10:16 PM   #10
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They are obviously adjusted too high. Adjust the aim down a bit. Park facing a blank wall and adjust a turn or two down and see how it goes. If people still flash you, adjust them a little more down.
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      02-10-2014, 02:19 AM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by kip1 View Post
This is not interly true as in Europe the LEDs perform differently.

In this link there is a video in the middle of how the LEDs work in Europe, but I heard this is not for US.
http://autohullut.fi/english/autohul...0d-f15-review/
So, in Europe they are completly different. I ordered LEDs, because the technology is different. Volvo uses mirrors to have this function with Xenons, but I think al other manufacturers use LED.
I hadn't seen that review, thanks. Yes, anti-dazzle HBA is not available in the US. However, the article is incorrect - in the EU anti-dazzle HBA is available with both Xenon's and LED. You do not need to purchase the more expensive LED's to get the fancy single beam movement as referenced in the article. I know this because I have it on my F15, and it's clearly described on the BMW UK website. This is the same for other models such as the new 3 series, not just the F15.

So if you are buying the LED's just for the Anti-Dazzle HBA tech, don't bother - just get the Adaptive Xenons with HBA and save yourself £1,000 GBP. The main (only?) reason to order the LED's is for aesthetics.

http://www.bmw.co.uk/en_GB/new-vehic...tml#antidazzle

To the OP - it's probably not this simple, but there is a setting in the Menu System which allows you to switch the direction the lights point, for when you travel to a country where you drive on the other side of the road. Maybe it's set incorrectly?

Last edited by archivedaccount; 02-10-2014 at 02:36 AM..
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      02-10-2014, 05:52 AM   #12
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When I bought my car, and the link you posted here doesn't contradict that, I was told the Xenon lights can move and turn off, while LEDs shape the whole lighting area based on need. So there is a difference and the LEds should work better. Anyone who has info contradicting this? I would like to save money on this.
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      02-10-2014, 08:08 AM   #13
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On my vehicle, I can actively see the lights moving with the main beam remaining illuminated. In the UK, driving on the left, if a car comes towards you the right headlight moves to the right and moves away from the car until dipping off. As you get closer to cars you are following directly in-front, the right light dips off, and the left light points further and further to the left until it dips off.

It works exactly as shown on the BMW video. I had the previous gen HBA on my F11, so can clearly tell the difference between the two

Obviously this is for the UK market, but I can't see it being any different for other EU markets.

I must admit I also assumed anti-dazzle HBA was only available with LED's, after watching the video - it's not 100% clear from the video, but the BMW UK link I provided is pretty clear:

"Adaptive LED Headlight or Adaptive Headlight must be installed to use the anti-dazzle high-beam assistant."
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      02-10-2014, 01:06 PM   #14
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thanks eaglesrest, you've eased my anxiety as I made exactly the same assumption: ordering adaptive headlight is the only prerequisite to get the intelligent high beam switch, no matter xenon or LEDs. Maybe you are both right, maybe the technology is different with LEDs and different with xenons but as long as the final result is same or similar it is fine. It is true however that this is another issue not clearly explained by BMW (just like the types of instrument clusters). BTW, the dealer whom I asked about it told me all I needed to get intelligent high beam was the high beam option for 150 EUR, i.e. without adaptive headlights (!). Cannot trust anyone
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      02-10-2014, 01:30 PM   #15
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Also noticed on the F15 that you cannot switch the fog lights on with just the sidelights. You used to be able to do that with the E70. You can now only switch the fogs on with the headlights.
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      02-11-2014, 11:07 AM   #16
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Just Read the 7-series brochure and it said both Xenon and LED are using mirrors to adapt the light, which would indicate my info was wrong. I am probably going to cancel and save 2000euros an order the adaptive xenons, unless my dealer gives proof otherwise. So the only difference could be the color, also in recent test by auto bild BMW LEDs received like 6/10 points.

http://www.bmw.co.uk/en_GB/new-vehic...lefreehighbeam

Last edited by kip1; 02-11-2014 at 12:04 PM..
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      02-11-2014, 10:07 PM   #17
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Not meaning to hijack a thread, but the Euro website is many times better than what we have in the states!!
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      02-12-2014, 01:12 AM   #18
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And actually the definitive answer is in the text of the original video...


Cancelling LEDs.

First introduced on the new BMW 7 Series (July 2012) as part of the optional Adaptive LED Headlights, this functionality is now also supported with Xenon headlights on all new BMW 3 Series Saloon and Touring models specified with a Visibility package.

BMW Adaptive Headlights are combined with BMW High-beam Assistant technology to provide an intelligent headlight system that optimises the illumination of the road ahead without glaring on-coming traffic and other road users. This ensures improved visibility and safety during night time and poor weather driving conditions.
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      02-12-2014, 07:24 AM   #19
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If you ordered LEDs only for the sake of having smart high beam then it is just about time to step back and make huge saving or have some fancy extras. It sucks though one needs to do a thorough research or turn to foras like this to get an answer all dealers should be able to give.
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      02-12-2014, 09:10 AM   #20
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Technology moves forward. VHS, DVD, Blu-Ray, etc. - same with Halogens, Xenons, LEDs, etc. Simply put: if you have the cash - just go for the latest technology.
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      02-12-2014, 09:20 AM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by kip1 View Post
BMW Adaptive Headlights are combined with BMW High-beam Assistant technology to provide an intelligent headlight system that optimises the illumination of the road ahead without glaring on-coming traffic and other road users. This ensures improved visibility and safety during night time and poor weather driving conditions.
Some of the LED high beam assistant technology as shown in the video is not available for NA market. According to my SA, the video and its full function is only available in Europe.
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      02-12-2014, 01:27 PM   #22
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Armen383 View Post
Technology moves forward. VHS, DVD, Blu-Ray, etc. - same with Halogens, Xenons, LEDs, etc. Simply put: if you have the cash - just go for the latest technology.
Yes, but I have seen no tests Where LEDs Would be better than Xenons, actually I think it has been exactly opposite. I am a technology freak, I want the hud, LCD panel, lane change assist, adaptive cc, night vision etc. I ordered everything, but I don't get what I would gain with LEDs, that's where I draw the line. If they would illuminate better or wider or something, but so far not one single thing has pushed me to the direction of LEDs after I found out the above facts. The same is with the traffic assistant, I find absolutely no point in having an automatic steering on a highway, below 40kmh, while holding one finger on the steering wheel, It helps me get distracted? I tend to have eyes on the road. That is not the type of tech that I want. If it would steer while I would fall asleep, and save my life, I would understand this. My salesman is on holiday so will post if I get new info on the LEDs, I live in Europe so I get all the gadgets.
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