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2019+ BMW 3 AND 4-SERIES FORUMS (G2x Generation) Local Forums UK Retrofit of Laserlights?

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      02-10-2021, 02:35 AM   #1
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Retrofit of Laserlights?

Anyone know if Laserlights be retrofitted? Is it just a direct swap of the light units and the rest of the hardware already installed?

Just wondering really, in case one day I have a few grand to splash out on something I probably dont really need.
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      02-10-2021, 02:52 AM   #2
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Would certainly need to be coded as a minimum and would need HBA enabled. It may be with over-the-air activation there is already a KAFAS camera fitted capable of doing the variable light distribution. Would be way more expensive than adding at order though, even if it does work, but I guess you know that bit...

I've always specified the visibility pack in the past, or stand-alone xenons, but didn't go for it on this order for two reasons: 1) my profile has changed and I don't do anywhere near the night-time driving I used to do and 2) the standard-fit LEDs are adaptive and very good - not like the utterly appalling "candle in front of a Mr Kipling pie tin" shite of old. So for me it wasn't worth the £1500 but the laser lights are amazing if you do a lot of night driving, especially in the middle of nowhere.
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      02-10-2021, 03:27 AM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by xenon View Post
Would certainly need to be coded as a minimum and would need HBA enabled. It may be with over-the-air activation there is already a KAFAS camera fitted capable of doing the variable light distribution. Would be way more expensive than adding at order though, even if it does work, but I guess you know that bit...

I've always specified the visibility pack in the past, or stand-alone xenons, but didn't go for it on this order for two reasons: 1) my profile has changed and I don't do anywhere near the night-time driving I used to do and 2) the standard-fit LEDs are adaptive and very good - not like the utterly appalling "candle in front of a Mr Kipling pie tin" shite of old. So for me it wasn't worth the £1500 but the laser lights are amazing if you do a lot of night driving, especially in the middle of nowhere.
I must get flashed at least 1-2 times every time i'm driving at night when people think I have full beam on - does anyone else have this issue?! (Non laserlights)
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      02-10-2021, 03:29 AM   #4
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As Xenon says, it is down to your individual needs and driving profile. I think the LED lights are very good and find myself very rarely needing to use high beam.
If I had the spare cash or drove a lot at night on dark roads, I would have put them high on my wish list.
Saving £1500 gives me 3 years free road tax - just picking up on another thread here.
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      02-10-2021, 03:53 AM   #5
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I've no doubt they are very good, or at least would hope so for the price they charge. I left them off the order for similar reasons:
  • Dont do much night driving and when I do, its generally on the motorway.
  • Already overspent budget on other packs that I feel I'll get more use out of
  • Money better(?) spent elsewhere. (on new tyres by the sounds of things!!)

Just wondered whether anyone has enquired about getting them retrofitted, should I happen to have a few quid sitting around one day and/or my night time driving requirements change.
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      02-10-2021, 05:16 AM   #6
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I've driven a G20 with laser lights and one without - While the laser lights are an improvement, they're not a million miles ahead and the LED perform great at night too. I'd save the cash and stick with LED's.
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      02-10-2021, 12:44 PM   #7
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Here's a set, £2000. No idea on the cost of fitting and what you need though!

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-3-SER...-/313016259190
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      02-10-2021, 12:58 PM   #8
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I probably would have ticked the box if they were £500. But £1500, come on, that’s a lot of cash. As has been said, it’s not like the standard lights are poor. The amount of stone chips you seem to get worried me too - I’m guessing they’d cost a few bob to replace!?
I also watched a good video comparing different lights including laser lights. Whilst they were clearly better, it wasn’t by very much and didn’t convince me.
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      02-10-2021, 02:43 PM   #9
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And I see you can now get the laser lights in Shadow Line on the M340i at least. They take away the chrome so they look darker/tinted. The new BMW 128ti has them (without the lasers).
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      02-10-2021, 03:26 PM   #10
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£160 on the HBA upgrade seems the most logical option if you have the preparation built into the car (the A button on end of indicator lever). Remote Software Download via the ConnectedDrive Store on the My BMW app only takes 5 minutes once it becomes available 👍🏻
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      02-10-2021, 03:32 PM   #11
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Yeah but that’s nothing like laser lights or variable light distribution; it just switches high beam on or off. It’s a deplorable, insidious development by BMW too. It’s all very well allowing the customer to pick and choose options which suit them and not feel like they’re paying for things they don’t need or want but in the case of HBA all the requisite hardware is already present in the vehicle but BMW parsimoniously turn it off unless you pay the ransom, despite the fact you’ve already bought the hardware.
I can’t bear to have a button which does nothing so I’ll probably end up paying the ransom but that’s exactly what it is.
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      02-10-2021, 04:47 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by xenon View Post
Yeah but that's nothing like laser lights or variable light distribution; it just switches high beam on or off. It's a deplorable, insidious development by BMW too. It's all very well allowing the customer to pick and choose options which suit them and not feel like they're paying for things they don't need or want but in the case of HBA all the requisite hardware is already present in the vehicle but BMW parsimoniously turn it off unless you pay the ransom, despite the fact you've already bought the hardware.
I can't bear to have a button which does nothing so I'll probably end up paying the ransom but that's exactly what it is.
It does exactly the same as the HBA option I paid £695 for in my F30 330e. I don't recall if laser lights were available in 2016 🤔. High beam comes on in extreme darkness, then splits when cars are approaching, gently reduces the n/s high beam on the motorway when HGVs are being overtaken. The lights do whatever they need to keep the high beam on when driving on unlit roads, and split around cars driving a short distance in front. It isn't just the car taking over control of the high beam on / off lever.
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      02-10-2021, 04:51 PM   #13
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Not on the G series it isn’t. I had what you’re talking about on my F31 with visibility pack. On the G20/1 what you’re talking about now is VARIABLE LIGHT DISTRIBUTION (selective beam) which is only part of the visibility pack which also includes laser light and HBA.

HBA on its own (the £160 option) simply switches high beam on or off.

Last edited by xenon; 02-11-2021 at 02:32 AM..
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      02-10-2021, 11:48 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by xenon View Post
despite the fact you've already bought the hardware.
I wouldn't say that's necessarily the case. You might find they put in the £20 quids worth of hardware for free into every car in the hope that enough people will pay the £160 pound fee to cover their costs.

Saves them having to faff about on the production line, adding components to some and not others.
Apart from the camera, I'm not sure what else is needed for it to work.

Unfortunately for me, I too won't be happy with a button that does nothing so will probably pay the money and consider it a bit of a bargain over the life of the car (if it works). And probably the same for most people. So clever business by BMW really.
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      02-11-2021, 12:52 AM   #15
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Yes I suppose that’s one way of looking at it. However, knowing how automotive BOM costing works I think I can safely say that they haven’t included anything “for free”.

Also because the basic HBA simply takes over the on / off of main beam and does not do the clever splitting that the visibility pack does (aka dancing lights) it’s a bit of a meh function anyway.

I’ll still do the OTA subscription though so as you say, clever business.
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      02-11-2021, 02:38 AM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by willougs View Post
I wouldn't say that's necessarily the case. You might find they put in the £20 quids worth of hardware for free into every car in the hope that enough people will pay the £160 pound fee to cover their costs.

Saves them having to faff about on the production line, adding components to some and not others.
Apart from the camera, I'm not sure what else is needed for it to work.

Unfortunately for me, I too won't be happy with a button that does nothing so will probably pay the money and consider it a bit of a bargain over the life of the car (if it works). And probably the same for most people. So clever business by BMW really.
Haha yes I felt the same. No way am I being ripped off by BMW like that .... hmmm ... OK maybe I will.

I think I lasted 2 days before I coughed up! Thankfully it works well, unlike some of the other tech on board which are nothing more than gimmicks.
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      02-11-2021, 02:52 AM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by nil98 View Post
Haha yes I felt the same. No way am I being ripped off by BMW like that .... hmmm ... OK maybe I will.

I think I lasted 2 days before I coughed up! Thankfully it works well, unlike some of the other tech on board which are nothing more than gimmicks.


but it just switches high beam on/off, right? Nothing more fancy than that?
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      02-11-2021, 06:31 AM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by xenon View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by nil98 View Post
Haha yes I felt the same. No way am I being ripped off by BMW like that .... hmmm ... OK maybe I will.

I think I lasted 2 days before I coughed up! Thankfully it works well, unlike some of the other tech on board which are nothing more than gimmicks.


but it just switches high beam on/off, right? Nothing more fancy than that?
Yes all it does is high beam on off.

My 340 is only a couple of weeks old and the laser lights were not standard fit for me.

I have had that adaptive high beam technology in a VW Touarag R line Tech and they were amazing. Very clever indeed.

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      02-11-2021, 10:55 AM   #19
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I have the laserlights, One of my favourite options on the BMW, they are like a christmas tree. Although I agree with the above, I do get flashed ALL the time as people think I'm on fullbeam.
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      02-11-2021, 01:16 PM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jackrack View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by xenon View Post
Would certainly need to be coded as a minimum and would need HBA enabled. It may be with over-the-air activation there is already a KAFAS camera fitted capable of doing the variable light distribution. Would be way more expensive than adding at order though, even if it does work, but I guess you know that bit...

I've always specified the visibility pack in the past, or stand-alone xenons, but didn't go for it on this order for two reasons: 1) my profile has changed and I don't do anywhere near the night-time driving I used to do and 2) the standard-fit LEDs are adaptive and very good - not like the utterly appalling "candle in front of a Mr Kipling pie tin" shite of old. So for me it wasn't worth the £1500 but the laser lights are amazing if you do a lot of night driving, especially in the middle of nowhere.
I must get flashed at least 1-2 times every time i'm driving at night when people think I have full beam on - does anyone else have this issue?! (Non laserlights)
Happens to me as well. I have the laser high beams. The led low beams light up all 4 light so people may think you high beams are on. Perhaps this true with standard LED lights/ non laser.
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      02-11-2021, 01:27 PM   #21
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Yes it is true - all 4 elements light up and people wrongly assume you have main beam on.
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      02-12-2021, 06:11 AM   #22
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I think the standard LED headlights on my F36 are really good. Has anyone come from an F36 to a G2x and if so, how do the G2x's compare?\\

I don't think I need HBA, but it would be a 'nice to have'. I WILL resist...
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