confused : xenons OR adaptive xenons ? physically different?
Discussion
hi,
I'm looking at 2nd hand cars (1-seris hatch or 3-series touring) but am confused.
I fancy the adaptive xenons, as I do drive on country roads and they should be safer; and they have those nice angel eyes.
problem is I can't easily tell if a car has adaptive or non-adaptive lights.
Are the headlight units actually different ? I know both need to be self-leveling.
do bmw do cheaper non-turning lights - or is there just an actuator not added to the 'normal' xenons ? ie if a car has non-adaptive lights - can they be easily upgraded to adaptive without having to replace the whole headlight unit ?
also, i'm not sure what the cornering lights are, they may be extra lamps that come on to light a curb at a T-junction, are they only for the 3-series when the adaptive option is chosen ?
hope someone might know - I've found nothing of help via google.
cheers all !
G.
I'm looking at 2nd hand cars (1-seris hatch or 3-series touring) but am confused.
I fancy the adaptive xenons, as I do drive on country roads and they should be safer; and they have those nice angel eyes.
problem is I can't easily tell if a car has adaptive or non-adaptive lights.
Are the headlight units actually different ? I know both need to be self-leveling.
do bmw do cheaper non-turning lights - or is there just an actuator not added to the 'normal' xenons ? ie if a car has non-adaptive lights - can they be easily upgraded to adaptive without having to replace the whole headlight unit ?
also, i'm not sure what the cornering lights are, they may be extra lamps that come on to light a curb at a T-junction, are they only for the 3-series when the adaptive option is chosen ?
hope someone might know - I've found nothing of help via google.
cheers all !
G.
I know on the 1 series you get angel eyes with xenons, whether they are adaptive or not. My car doesn't have the adaptives but a mate of mine has, and with his if you put the main beam on, engine running, and get someone to turn the steering wheel whilst you stand in front of the (stationary!) car you can actually see the lamp moving...
I'm sure it'd be a full unit replacement to get the adaptive function and even then I doubt it's as simple as plug and play.
The cornering function turns the bulb slightly (so requires motors the standard unit wouldn't have) when you're moving forward. It adjusts the angle depending on speed and angle of turn.
They don't turn with steering in reverse but the turn lights, which is actually a reflector that send part of the beam out sideways, both engage to cast more ligh sideways. When you're at a junction it lights the path sideways too - I assume you need to use inidcators for this.
The cornering function turns the bulb slightly (so requires motors the standard unit wouldn't have) when you're moving forward. It adjusts the angle depending on speed and angle of turn.
They don't turn with steering in reverse but the turn lights, which is actually a reflector that send part of the beam out sideways, both engage to cast more ligh sideways. When you're at a junction it lights the path sideways too - I assume you need to use inidcators for this.
My 535 has adaptive lights (as did my old X5) and I really like them.
Assuming your lights are on (regardless of high beam or not) the lights are linked to the steering wheel and move as you drive along giving light into the corner rather than straight ahead and both cars have angel eyes and look exactly the same as normal non adaptive.
Assuming your lights are on (regardless of high beam or not) the lights are linked to the steering wheel and move as you drive along giving light into the corner rather than straight ahead and both cars have angel eyes and look exactly the same as normal non adaptive.
Bernie-the-bolt said:
both cars have angel eyes and look exactly the same as normal non adaptive.
I thought it might be the case that you can't tell the difference. unless I either drive the car of course or I guess BMW should have record of the car's spec. Given wintery driving in wales, I am quite tempted to choose a car with these adaptive lights - I note that no one has anything bad to say about them !
thanks all,
G.
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