[PABrian]

Originally Posted by IK6SPEED

In the EU versions up to now, the Laser portion only illuminates over roughly 70 KPH/45MPH.

LED is used under that.

This is the case with all US-spec cars, including the i8. High beams will be LEDs only under 44mph, and Laserlights and LEDs above 44mph. Also, headlights and high beams have to be set to auto, there is no manual control for the Laserlights.

Originally Posted by Poochie

Looking forward to this technology; I just hope the cost trickle down and it's not a $8,000 option, as it currently is on the US spec i8.

The US and Canada just approved "Selective Beam" for road testing on 10/2018. So we should have the same exact hardware/technology as the rest of the world by the time this hits the market - as oppose to currently..

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.cne...ed-headlights/

https://www.google.com/amp/s/insidee...n-germany/amp/

On the i8, it's a $6,300 option, not $8k...not that that makes it affordable.

As was mentioned, on the G20, the Laserlights are part of the $2,100 Executive Package. On the G05 X5, it's a stand-alone option for $1,000 or part of the $2,050 Executive Package. On the G07 X7, the Laserlights are only available on the 50i (not available on the 40i) in the $2,100 Executive Package. On the G15 8 Series it's standard.

Originally Posted by Influence

There is one small wrinkle to this. For the 2017+ 3-series, BMW removed the active shutters from the headlight modules that is required to ensure the anti-glare portion of this functionality works properly. If you have a 2016 or earlier 3 series with the Adaptive LEDs you can code the european highbeam stuff to work (and avoid glaring other drivers). 2017+, no dice. Yeah, the swiveling and such will work right, but you'll blind anyone in front of you or oncoming.

Also, until the headlights are actually tested, we don't know if the laser lights really offer any benefit (other than looking cool). I'll assume that they will offer better overall visibility, but we need to wait and see.

Here's the link to the IIHS headlight testing on the 2018 3-series sedan. The LEDs are noticeably superior to the lousy base (which I think are LEDS on 2017/2018 models too):

https://www.iihs.org/iihs/ratings/ve...s-4-door-sedan
Click the "Headlights" section on the left of the screen to see.

However, LEDS aren't always noticeably superior to even the older Xenon (or HID) lights we had. Check the testing results for the X5.

https://www.iihs.org/iihs/ratings/ve.../x5-4-door-suv

Again, click the "Headlights" link.

This is why I didn't spec the LEDs on my 2016 X5. The LED low beams are slightly better than the Xenon on the driver's side but noticeably poorer on the passenger side. Plus the Xenon high beams are noticeably better in all directions. Given that I live in primo deer country, high beam power/distance is very important to me.

I know everyone digs the look of the new lights but I'd make sure they actual perform better before spending more money on them.

Good pointing all this out!

If my experience with the i8 Laserlights is of any indication, they absolutely do make a difference, even in US-spec. I got myself on an unlit road with lights on automatic and cruised at ~30mph with the high beams on. As I accelerated over 44mph, there was a notable difference in visible light output straight ahead. The Laserlights seemed to further fill in what the LED high beams illuminated. Now, the headlight enclosures on the G05, G07, G15, and G20 with Laserlights are pretty differently designed, but I wouldn't hesitate for a second to upgrade to them.