[patbrass]

On the M235i I ordered, I picked the $250 automatic high beams option (it requires Prem package). The description on bmwusa when you build your car is just mentioning it can switch on/off high beams based on conditions. Sounded cool enough for me to throw $250 at it (or $92 over 36 month for my lease).

But then. Then I saw this. OMG! Please tell me I'll get the following most coolestest tech ever!!

[disco4me]

It is not allowed in the U.S. BMW decodes it for U.S.

[CarFan]

But can it be coded back in?

[hyperzulu]

There was a thread some time back. Apparently you can code it in and t xenon bulbs will swivel and dim to do this...not quite as cool as the LED method, but it works.

[lichenlt]

Originally Posted by hyperzulu

There was a thread some time back. Apparently you can code it in and t xenon bulbs will swivel and dim to do this...not quite as cool as the LED method, but it works.

Nice! So once coded in the only difference would be Xenon vs. LED?

[hyperzulu]

The xenon lights are slightly different than the led as the led can turn off individually to keep from blinding forward traffic, where the xenon is just one bulb, vs led many.

[lichenlt]

but in terms of this non-dazzle feature, once coded in the xenon lights will still be able to swivel when oncoming traffic is detected and remain on until it has to be turned off, then turn back on once the cars pass each other like shown in the video?

I read it somewhere there's another Variable Light Distribution feature that can be coded in to have better light distribution in low beam, is that true?

[Oyinko]

Originally Posted by lichenlt

I read it somewhere there's another Variable Light Distribution feature that can be coded in to have better light distribution in low beam, is that true?

I would be interested to know too since I find the lights in the dark little bit too low.

[mankid247]

I had this coded on my m235, all I can say is it's awesome, it works very well and it's cool to watch it work. At night above speeds of 40-45 I think it turns on you never have to turn you hi beams off pretty much.

[Sportstick]

This is very interesting tech. But, I will never use automatic high beams again. I had them on another brand vehicle. They are supposed to detect the two red tail lamps of the car ahead and keep the head lamps on low beams. The system in my car did not "see" the car in front, turned on the brights, and created a road rage incident. The guy in front slammed on his brakes, dropped behind me, and "lit me up" me for a distance. No way to explain a "tech error" to another driver. This is definitely not worth a repeat performance.

[Oyinko]

Originally Posted by mankid247

I had this coded on my m235, all I can say is it's awesome, it works very well and it's cool to watch it work. At night above speeds of 40-45 I think it turns on you never have to turn you hi beams off pretty much.

Can you please give me more details? Did you code it by yourself? How do you activate it since you don't have the button in the car?

[mankid247]

Originally Posted by Oyinko

Can you please give me more details? Did you code it by yourself?

Just let me know what details you want to know. I did not code this myself a man my brother found on the 3 series forums I believe came and did all 6 of our bmws, however he did leave the software with me it's something id be able to do as I am an engineering student and very familiar with coding I just have not been able to use it since he did all of our cars.

Edit: also to the above comment of them not being able to read tail lights of the car ahead of you, BMW anti dazzle feature has never once failed me it will individually split each hi beam to the side so you can still have good side light without shining through the car in front of you.

[mankid247]

Originally Posted by Oyinko

Can you please give me more details? Did you code it by yourself? How do you activate it since you don't have the button in the car?

All you need is the $250 option for auto hi beams which I have. It's the same button

[patbrass]

I'm probably way over-simplifying but I'd guess you need 4 things for replicating what is shown in the video:
1) a camera that can detect upcoming vehicles (or catching up someone)
2) headlights that can independently swivel (left/right/up/down)
3) some software that can take the image from (1), figure out pretty quickly the optimal headlight position and pass the information to (2)
4) some way to activate this whole thing (switch, iDrive option, always on, etc.)

Now, the question is what comes standard, what comes with the premium package and what comes with the $250 automatic high beam option.

I think the (1) camera comes with the $250 automatic high beam option but not sure about anything else.

Anyone can shed some light?

[Sportstick]

Originally Posted by mankid247

Edit: also to the above comment of them not being able to read tail lights of the car ahead of you, BMW anti dazzle feature has never once failed me it will individually split each hi beam to the side so you can still have good side light without shining through the car in front of you.

The point is that the sensors use the input of the two red taillamps to keep the headlamps on low beam. The technology is less than 100% reliable. When the car in front notices they are being flashed, whether directly or not, the reaction is unpredictable. Using high beams manually is safer with the anger on the road these days.

[mankid247]

Originally Posted by Sportstick

The point is that the sensors use the input of the two red taillamps to keep the headlamps on low beam. The technology is less than 100% reliable. When the car in front notices they are being flashed, whether directly or not, the reaction is unpredictable. Using high beams manually is safer with the anger on the road these days.

Well it's a good thing I have my beretta fitted to my center console then

[Oyinko]

According to the manual, you need also a special button on the turn signal to activate it:

The High-beam Assistant can be activated when the low beams are switched on.
1. Turn the light switch to  or .
2. Press the button on the turn signal lever, arrow.

[mankid247]

Originally Posted by Oyinko

According to the manual, you need also a special button on the turn signal to activate it:

The High-beam Assistant can be activated when the low beams are switched on.
1. Turn the light switch to  or .
2. Press the button on the turn signal lever, arrow.

This is what the $250 auto hi beam option gives you

[creepy coupe]

I have adaptive headlights on my M235i and they work exactly like in the video. They're not LED's. Although I've only done about 100 of mixed road driving at night. I've not be flashed yet.

[patbrass]

Originally Posted by creepy coupe

I have adaptive headlights on my M235i and they work exactly like in the video. They're not LED's. Although I've only done about 100 of mixed road driving at night. I've not be flashed yet.

Awesome news - thanks for confirming! Looks like you're in the UK...but at least it should prove that it could be coded for US

[Lynn_228i]

Originally Posted by patbrass

Awesome news - thanks for confirming! Looks like you're in the UK...but at least it should prove that it could be coded for US

Patbrass, please let us know how much you like these as I did not order them with my 3 year leased car this time but maybe next time I will order them. I may buy my next car once I know exactly how I wanted everything to be in the car with the 2-series if they continue to make this car which I know I will love better than the BMW 128i that I have and love now. I loved that video!

[creepy coupe]

Originally Posted by patbrass

Awesome news - thanks for confirming! Looks like you're in the UK...but at least it should prove that it could be coded for US

Yes I am in the UK.

Just as a point of reference. Prior to owning my M235 I had the M135 with adaptive Xenon's. But they were completely different in as much as they only swivelled left/right when steering and dipped when cars approached. They were nothing like a fancy as in the 235.

The 235 lights appear to have mirrors and masking plates, which allow for very precise light beam cut off patterns.The camera mounted in front of the rear view mirror looks more complex in the 235. So I was wondering if you had some kind of combination of the two systems in the States?