Lighting Package

HansRobert · 03-02-2016, 08:10 PM

I had it on my previous X5 and I have no complaints but I also have nothing to compare it to.

As you know the lighting package costs $1900. Is it really worth the cost?

MrTookies · 03-02-2016, 08:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HansRobert

I had it on my previous X5 and I have no complaints but I also have nothing to compare it to.

As you know the lighting package costs $1900. Is it really worth the cost?

Yes would not go with out it! It's a night and day difference.

alphaod · 03-03-2016, 12:34 AM

Yes, after coding for the glare-free stuff, it's worth every penny.

That said I would put it on the lower end of the options. I would pick other stuff like HUD, driver assistance, etc first. Xenon is very bright and functional standard.

Kzang · 03-03-2016, 05:39 AM

Here is the deal...

Owners with xenon lights will say no it is not worth it..
Owners with LED lights will say it is worth it...

I say research this on your own and make an informed decision.

By the way, I think its worth the cost.

patrobX5 · 03-03-2016, 08:21 AM

You're spending so much money already, might as well go all out! I would not be buying a high end car without full LED lights. Xenons are outdated IMO.

korben dallas · 03-03-2016, 08:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kzang

Here is the deal...

Owners with xenon lights will say no it is not worth it..
Owners with LED lights will say it is worth it...

I say research this on your own and make an informed decision.

By the way, I think its worth the cost.

This exactly... which is why I think it's worth it.

Line Drive · 03-03-2016, 08:32 AM

Another vote for LED!

F15GorDe · 03-03-2016, 10:25 AM

+1 for the LED lighting.

Terp335 · 03-03-2016, 12:46 PM

The LEDs are great. The light color matches the fogs better and the LED turn signal looks really nice. No regrets ordering the lighting package here.

alphaod · 03-03-2016, 01:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kzang

Here is the deal...

Owners with xenon lights will say no it is not worth it..
Owners with LED lights will say it is worth it...

I agree. Before when I drove vehicles with only Xenon lights, I did not believe LED lights were better. In fact the first ones seemed dimmer.

Now after driving LED lights on a lot of vehicles, Xenon lights seem a bit dimmer. Not much, but a little.

ano0oj · 03-03-2016, 06:38 PM

After comparing with a friend's X5, I think the real difference is in the DRLs only. Noticeable during the day time, his look faint and a thinner line of LEDs. Mine look SOLID and a thicker line of LEDs. You would have trouble seeing his LEDs at a distance if the sun was facing him directly. On mine - no issue at all they look as solid far away as they do close up.

Snow-Kidney · 03-04-2016, 01:44 AM

LED is not needed. You already get HID.

Research the forum and you'll see the debates.

Violator · 03-04-2016, 02:24 AM

+1 on the LED option

mdallas · 03-04-2016, 08:29 AM

LED

JNoSol · 03-04-2016, 08:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alphaod

Yes, after coding for the glare-free stuff, it's worth every penny.

That said I would put it on the lower end of the options. I would pick other stuff like HUD, driver assistance, etc first. Xenon is very bright and functional standard.

+1. I had an F80 w/o the LED package because I bought it off the lot that way. I had buyer's remorse shortly after I saw another M3 with LED. LED and Laser headlights are the future.

The LED with anti-dazzle coding is worth it. Plus, they're so much brighter and look cleaner.

Now, both my F85 and F06 have LEDs (photo of F85 headlight below). Will never go back.

I saw a brand new 6 series on the road the other day (daytime) w/o the Xenon headlights. It looks dated w/o the LED package. Everything on the car looks modern and sleek, but the headlights are from the early 2000s.. See comparison below.

The eyes are windows to the soul. IMHO, the headlights are one of the most important aspects of any car.

stewy604 · 03-04-2016, 10:02 AM

Its definitely the one option I wish I would have opted for. Especially here in Canada, where our Xenons aren't paired with LED fogs, they are halogens.

alphaod · 03-04-2016, 10:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JNoSol

+1. I had an F80 w/o the LED package because I bought it off the lot that way. I had buyer's remorse shortly after I saw another M3 with LED. LED and Laser headlights are the future.

Speaking of the future, just saw a new i8 with laser headlights. I was like damn that's bright!

JNoSol · 03-04-2016, 11:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alphaod

Quote:

Originally Posted by JNoSol

+1. I had an F80 w/o the LED package because I bought it off the lot that way. I had buyer's remorse shortly after I saw another M3 with LED. LED and Laser headlights are the future.

Speaking of the future, just saw a new i8 with laser headlights. I was like damn that's bright!

Yeah, it's crazy bright.

Staszek · 03-04-2016, 02:14 PM

Its worth it if you get coded for anti dazzle. I have them and while they are slightly brighter then my xenon's on the M3 not hugely so that you can notice this crazy difference.

You will notice it once its coded though, I drove a coded car and its WOW.

I also like the looks better of the LED.

If you never plan on getting them coded though dont spend the $1900, except for appearance you will not notice the difference.

HansRobert · 03-04-2016, 07:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Staszek

Its worth it if you get coded for anti dazzle. I have them and while they are slightly brighter then my xenon's on the M3 not hugely so that you can notice this crazy difference.

You will notice it once its coded though, I drove a coded car and its WOW.

I also like the looks better of the LED.

If you never plan on getting them coded though dont spend the $1900, except for appearance you will not notice the difference.

So tell me about coding the headlights. I've seen several references to doing this but I'm not sure of the how and why (I did not code the headlights on my previous X5).

athanyel · 03-04-2016, 09:29 PM

HansRobert

Around here, coding means making changes to the X5's computer. If you're coding the headlights or the iDrive to silence a few nags, it's all through the same process. There's a combination of hardware (adapter for the OBD port) and software (Windows application and a copy of the X5's firmware) that makes everything work.

You can check out the coding thread here: http://f15.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho....php?t=1033991

MattBianco · 03-04-2016, 10:18 PM

I have LEDs. It has better low beam, worse high beam compared to the Xenon that was on a dealer loaner. The low beam advantage is pronounced if your code anti dazzle.

The high beams on the LED are inferior to my Merc bi xenon. The BMW xenons are close to Merc in high beam.

The front turn signal in the LED looks better in my opinion.

Is it worth it? Not sure. But it has aesthetic advantages and anti dazzle, and poorer high beams.

03-02-2016, 08:10 PM	#1
HansRobert First Lieutenant 71 Rep 315 Posts Drives: 2016 X5 xDrive 40e Join Date: May 2014 Location: South Central PA iTrader: (0)	Lighting Package I had it on my previous X5 and I have no complaints but I also have nothing to compare it to. As you know the lighting package costs $1900. Is it really worth the cost?
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03-03-2016, 12:34 AM	#3
alphaod Mmmmm… 1148 Rep 2,426 Posts Drives: F15 Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: New York iTrader: (0) Garage List 2015 BMW X5 xDrive50i [10.00]	Yes, after coding for the glare-free stuff, it's worth every penny. That said I would put it on the lower end of the options. I would pick other stuff like HUD, driver assistance, etc first. Xenon is very bright and functional standard.
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03-03-2016, 05:39 AM	#4
Kzang Major General 3239 Rep 5,066 Posts Drives: 2015 X5 35i Msport SG Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: East Coast iTrader: (0)	Here is the deal... Owners with xenon lights will say no it is not worth it.. Owners with LED lights will say it is worth it... I say research this on your own and make an informed decision. By the way, I think its worth the cost. __________________ 2015 F15 X5 35i Msport Space Grey M Performance parts MPPK, MPE
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03-03-2016, 08:21 AM	#5
patrobX5 Lieutenant 98 Rep 428 Posts Drives: 2020 Volvo XC90 T8 Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Toronto iTrader: (0)	You're spending so much money already, might as well go all out! I would not be buying a high end car without full LED lights. Xenons are outdated IMO.
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03-03-2016, 08:32 AM	#7
Line Drive Private First Class 98 Rep 192 Posts Drives: 2024 X5 50e Join Date: May 2014 Location: Northern Virginia iTrader: (0) Garage List 2024 BMW X5 50e [0.00]	Another vote for LED! __________________ Former: 2020 Volvo XC60, 2018 Volvo XC90 T8, 2016 X5 40e, Lexus RX 450h, Acura MDX First: 1963 Chevy Corvair (in 1984)
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Lighting Package

03-03-2016, 10:25 AM	#8
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)	+1 for the LED lighting. __________________ 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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03-03-2016, 12:46 PM	#9
Terp335 First Lieutenant 116 Rep 381 Posts Drives: E90 2011 335i M Sport Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: No VA iTrader: (0)	The LEDs are great. The light color matches the fogs better and the LED turn signal looks really nice. No regrets ordering the lighting package here.
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03-03-2016, 06:38 PM	#11
ano0oj Captain 318 Rep 746 Posts Drives: '22 M3 AWD, '23 Macan S Join Date: May 2009 Location: Houston iTrader: (4)	After comparing with a friend's X5, I think the real difference is in the DRLs only. Noticeable during the day time, his look faint and a thinner line of LEDs. Mine look SOLID and a thicker line of LEDs. You would have trouble seeing his LEDs at a distance if the sun was facing him directly. On mine - no issue at all they look as solid far away as they do close up.
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03-04-2016, 01:44 AM	#12
Snow-Kidney Lieutenant 69 Rep 424 Posts Drives: F15 Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: SoCal iTrader: (0)	LED is not needed. You already get HID. Research the forum and you'll see the debates.
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03-04-2016, 02:24 AM	#13
Violator Living the dream 4588 Rep 2,194 Posts Drives: X5 w/MPPK, MPE & RC GTS Black Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: The Lone Star State iTrader: (2)	+1 on the LED option
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03-04-2016, 08:29 AM	#14
mdallas Private 31 Rep 89 Posts Drives: 2021 G05 40i Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: New England iTrader: (0)	LED
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03-04-2016, 10:02 AM	#16
stewy604 Lieutenant Colonel 289 Rep 1,547 Posts Drives: 2014 BMW X5 xDrive 35d M Sport Join Date: May 2014 Location: Vancouver, B.C. iTrader: (0)	Its definitely the one option I wish I would have opted for. Especially here in Canada, where our Xenons aren't paired with LED fogs, they are halogens. __________________ 2014 BMW X5 xDrive 35d M Sport Mineral White 2011 BMW 135i M Sport Space Grey 2007 Suzuki GSX-R 750
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03-04-2016, 02:14 PM	#19
Staszek Schumacher 786 Rep 2,278 Posts Drives: E30 325is,E93 M3,X7M50,F06 M6 Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Lake Forest, IL iTrader: (0) Garage List 2013 BMW M3 [9.00] 1990 BMW 325is [8.75] 2022 BMW X7 M50 [0.00] 2018 BMW M6 Gran Coupe [9.92]	Its worth it if you get coded for anti dazzle. I have them and while they are slightly brighter then my xenon's on the M3 not hugely so that you can notice this crazy difference. You will notice it once its coded though, I drove a coded car and its WOW. I also like the looks better of the LED. If you never plan on getting them coded though dont spend the $1900, except for appearance you will not notice the difference. __________________
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03-04-2016, 09:29 PM	#21
athanyel Private 42 Rep 86 Posts Drives: 2021 X5 xDrive45e Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: Texas iTrader: (0)	HansRobert Around here, coding means making changes to the X5's computer. If you're coding the headlights or the iDrive to silence a few nags, it's all through the same process. There's a combination of hardware (adapter for the OBD port) and software (Windows application and a copy of the X5's firmware) that makes everything work. You can check out the coding thread here: http://f15.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho....php?t=1033991
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03-04-2016, 10:18 PM	#22
MattBianco Lieutenant Colonel 1280 Rep 1,886 Posts Drives: 2015 X5 35d msport Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Marin, California iTrader: (0)	I have LEDs. It has better low beam, worse high beam compared to the Xenon that was on a dealer loaner. The low beam advantage is pronounced if your code anti dazzle. The high beams on the LED are inferior to my Merc bi xenon. The BMW xenons are close to Merc in high beam. The front turn signal in the LED looks better in my opinion. Is it worth it? Not sure. But it has aesthetic advantages and anti dazzle, and poorer high beams. __________________ Amber or Red Rear Turn Signals? Vote/have your say: LINK. Post your MPGs 100L/km here: LINK X5 F15 Engines Compared LINK Take the BMW X5 F15 Survey: LINK See the Results: LINK N57 Diesel Tuning Chips Compared LINK
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