confused : xenons OR adaptive xenons ? physically different?

[fatgaz]

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.

[fatgaz]

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.