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

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      07-13-2021, 01:07 PM   #23
hxsvn
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Does the standard LED modules work with the laser headlights, or do you need specific ones?
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      07-14-2021, 08:20 AM   #24
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Quote:
Originally Posted by seelark View Post
£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 👍🏻
Indeed. Even though I've had the full works dancing lights on both my F30s I'd be kidding myself if I thought I needed them. I just couldn't tick that box when I ordered this time, especially with a pano roof looking a much better option.

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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.
I imagine I'll last all of 5 minutes before spending the £160 once I'm up and running with it on Connected Drive.
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      07-16-2021, 01:34 AM   #25
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I believe Laser Lights only operate on full-beam above 37mph. Below that speed or on dipped, regular LED only.
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      07-16-2021, 02:36 AM   #26
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 4monks View Post
I believe Laser Lights only operate on full-beam above 37mph. Below that speed or on dipped, regular LED only.
So the dipped beams are just led and not laser as well then?
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      07-16-2021, 03:16 AM   #27
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 4monks View Post
I believe Laser Lights only operate on full-beam above 37mph. Below that speed or on dipped, regular LED only.
Well if that's the case I definitely will not bother. Massively expensive for something that probably equates to less than 5% of my driving.
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      07-16-2021, 04:48 AM   #28
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I think I might be in the minority in really not liking HBA, well at least not in my Mrs's car. Can never turn high beam on when you want it.

I know Laser Lights are very clever how they block out the light beam for oncoming traffic, as well as their extended range, but not being able to activate under 37mph would annoy me. I presume thought that there is some sort of high beam that you can use....or not?
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      07-16-2021, 05:43 AM   #29
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Charlie (Wessex) View Post
I think I might be in the minority in really not liking HBA, well at least not in my Mrs's car. Can never turn high beam on when you want it.

I know Laser Lights are very clever how they block out the light beam for oncoming traffic, as well as their extended range, but not being able to activate under 37mph would annoy me. I presume thought that there is some sort of high beam that you can use....or not?
Yes, you can still use full beam, push or pull on the indicator stalk as per norm.

The laserlights are fantastic though.
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      07-16-2021, 05:57 AM   #30
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Russ_M340i View Post
So the dipped beams are just led and not laser as well then?
Yes the dipped beams are LED but they’re the ‘dancing’ ones that cut out various parts of the beam to avoid cars etc..

When you’re travelling above 37mph the laser beams become available.

I specced the lasers on mine, I’ve had the dancing lights on a few Mercs now and couldn’t be without them - but I work long night shifts so most of my commuting is on fast and dark country roads so I make use of them for the majority of my journeys.

I can’t see a point where I would be on a road where I would be travelling less than 40 and would need the benefit of the lasers.
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      07-17-2021, 06:58 PM   #31
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The lasers only come into play with high beam, there’s some YouTube videos with comparisons.
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      06-27-2022, 03:24 PM   #32
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A lot of chat, but no answer!
Has anyone seen any success stories of retrofitting the laser lights or even the adaptive LED lights on a G series?
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      06-28-2022, 06:39 AM   #33
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mkizzo View Post
A lot of chat, but no answer!
Has anyone seen any success stories of retrofitting the laser lights or even the adaptive LED lights on a G series?
Going back to the original thread. I don't think fitting expensive retro fit extras to a car is ever a good idea. I'm not on about upgrading alloys, fitting a new grill etc, but complex technical items. IMO if you want something like Laser lights or for example X Drive buy a car with them on.
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      06-28-2022, 06:49 AM   #34
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Matrixsenior View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by mkizzo View Post
A lot of chat, but no answer!
Has anyone seen any success stories of retrofitting the laser lights or even the adaptive LED lights on a G series?
Going back to the original thread. I don't think fitting expensive retro fit extras to a car is ever a good idea. I'm not on about upgrading alloys, fitting a new grill etc, but complex technical items. IMO if you want something like Laser lights or for example X Drive buy a car with them on.
In an ideal world I agree with you. But let's face it, the days of a 15-20% discount on new BMW are over. And during the last 2+ years it's impossible to spec a fully loaded car due to chip shortages. So I think there are more people than you think who want to explore more complex retrofits.
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      06-28-2022, 06:55 AM   #35
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mkizzo View Post
In an ideal world I agree with you. But let's face it, the days of a 15-20% discount on new BMW are over. And during the last 2+ years it's impossible to spec a fully loaded car due to chip shortages. So I think there are more people than you think who want to explore more complex retrofits.
Good point mkizzo. Chip shortages and perhaps wallet shortages
I am of a generation where it was easy to swap parts of you car over, it was all just screws, brackets or a few wires soldered. Those days are gone, with coding and ecu etc its much harder now, of course the manufactures want to make it as difficult as possible to do anything, to keep you tied to the dealership.

But in an ideal word it would be great to buy a set and just pop them in.
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      06-28-2022, 07:09 AM   #36
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I never for a minute thought it would be a case of buying a set and popping them in. If it was even possible, I was expecting it to likely be a complex process, probably involving a dealer.

At time of buying my car I was only intending to keep it 3 years max so didn't really justify the £40+ a month premium that spec'ing them would have cost; when taking into account the amount of night driving I do, and the roads I use.

However things change, and at the time of asking, was considering the possibility of keeping the car indefinitely. Again, things change, and not sure that's the case now.
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      01-13-2023, 09:29 AM   #37
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Just bought an X5 G05 without laser lights, and how I miss my Matrix Lights on a 2015 Audi A4 (small car compared to the X5). Audi is king when it comes to lights. BMW laser comes nowhere close to Audi's Matrix lights (or now Matrix Laser Lights)
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      01-13-2023, 10:49 AM   #38
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Arshad07 View Post
Just bought an X5 G05 without laser lights, and how I miss my Matrix Lights on a 2015 Audi A4 (small car compared to the X5). Audi is king when it comes to lights. BMW laser comes nowhere close to Audi's Matrix lights (or now Matrix Laser Lights)
Sorry, I am confused. Which one of your cars has Laser lights that you have compared to the Audi Matrix? Is the X5 only available with adaptive LED that are not very good?
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      01-13-2023, 11:08 AM   #39
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Arshad07 View Post
Just bought an X5 G05 without laser lights, and how I miss my Matrix Lights on a 2015 Audi A4 (small car compared to the X5). Audi is king when it comes to lights. BMW laser comes nowhere close to Audi's Matrix lights (or now Matrix Laser Lights)
Don't think I fancy my chances trying to retro fit Audi lights into my BMW. Nor could I probably justify switching brands just to get better headlights. Maybe next time around.
Thanks for the input though.
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      01-29-2023, 02:45 PM   #40
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mkizzo View Post
A lot of chat, but no answer!
Has anyone seen any success stories of retrofitting the laser lights or even the adaptive LED lights on a G series?
Looks like plug and play, but requires coding. I would guess you would have to be out of warranty, unless you want to void it. Damn, I want this so bad. I have no clue about coding though...


Last edited by Mirage_77; 01-29-2023 at 03:03 PM..
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      01-30-2023, 04:57 AM   #41
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That car looks brand new (or else the roads round there are very clean!)
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      06-03-2023, 01:17 AM   #42
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Good to know thanks. If I don't give up on it and decode to keep the car it's an option. Was this via a dealer? What was approx cost?

Mine has the HBA stalk and is already subscribed to in the ConnectedDrive store.
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      06-06-2023, 04:33 AM   #43
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As an aside....

If people aren't happy with their LEDs and aren't going to retro fit Lasers, have they tried adjusting their headlights? Mine came with them set pretty low and TBH they were fairly crap. Got my allen key out and lifted them up a fair bit and I don't get flashed at all.

If you do, tape some string to the allen key, so as when you drop it, you can recover it!
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      06-06-2023, 03:38 PM   #44
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Charlie (Wessex) View Post
As an aside....

If people aren't happy with their LEDs and aren't going to retro fit Lasers, have they tried adjusting their headlights? Mine came with them set pretty low and TBH they were fairly crap. Got my allen key out and lifted them up a fair bit and I don't get flashed at all.

If you do, tape some string to the allen key, so as when you drop it, you can recover it!
I did exactly this with my standard LED’s and it did make a difference.

Like you say they are set quite low from factory.
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