[CP911]

Hello all,

I posted this question in another thread, but it seemed to go unnoticed. Can the adaptive LED lights be fitted and coded to work on a base m240i without the Premium Package?

I ordered my car without PP to avoid all the extras, but I do, however, want the adaptive LEDs quite badly if they can still be fitted. There have been so many times where I've been driving winding, mountainous roads and wished I could see around the bend a bit to give me more awareness of what lies ahead.

Can it be done or is there additional equipment on the Premium Package cars that enables them to function?

Thank you and Merry Christmas everyone!!!

[morphomeman]

There are several threads on the internets about this. The minimum cost I have seen is $2.5K without labor but none of the installs that I have read about are trouble-free. Bottom line: if you really want those big ones, pay for them up front. Remember also that any mods you do on your car will lower the value.
Sorry to burst your Christmas bubble, but try to have a good one anyway.

[morphomeman]

I just checked and the list price of the LEDs and the Premium Package is just a bit over $3K altogether.
At that price, the retrofit really makes no sense at all.

[CP911]

Originally Posted by morphomeman

There are several threads on the internets about this. The minimum cost I have seen is $2.5K without labor but none of the installs that I have read about are trouble-free. Bottom line: if you really want those big ones, pay for them up front. Remember also that any mods you do on your car will lower the value.
Sorry to burst your Christmas bubble, but try to have a good one anyway.

There are? I tried searching Google and nothing came up about the m240i LCI adaptive lights specifically. Can you please point me towards these install write-ups you are referring to?

Thanks!

[CP911]

Originally Posted by morphomeman

I just checked and the list price of the LEDs and the Premium Package is just a bit over $3K altogether.
At that price, the retrofit really makes no sense at all.

I would prefer not to have the extra gadgets from the PP in my car, so the price of the Premium Package vs. adaptive retrofit is irrelevant to me. My question is, can it be done and what is involved?

[morphomeman]

Nothing directly on this vehicle but a few on retrofitting LEDs to BMWs.
Just google the phrase.

[p912guy]

Just curious CP911, what parts of the Premium Package didn't you want?

[CP911]

Originally Posted by p912guy

Just curious CP911, what parts of the Premium Package didn't you want?

Everything. I bought the car to drive it, and $2250 is a set of dedicated track wheels plus some rubber. Added weight + more useless gadgets = waste of money to me.

I see the headlights as a performance upgrade, so it's annoying that BMW forces me to spend $2250 for unwanted luxury items before I can spend another $800 on the actual LED lights.

Based on the m235i/m240i non-LCI Active bi-xenons price, I was hoping for a retrofit cost of around $1800 max. I can see myself paying that, but probably no more.

[CP911]

Okay, BMW techs out there... I know someone has access to this info! Pretty please?

I did some digging and all the retrofit threads out there seem to be non-LCI adaptive to LCI adaptive or halogen to xenon, etc. I'm not finding any threads that involve base model cars being upgraded to adaptive lights of the same model year.

If no one really has this answer, maybe I can get myself closer by asking a few more straightforward questions:

1. Does anyone have a link to a dealer's 2018 OEM parts catalog for the 2018 m240i similar to the link I posted above for 2017 non-LCI m240i/m235i?

2. Do BMW adaptive headlights in general have different steering wheel stalk controls than standard headlight models for the high beams? How does this work?

Thanks again!

[aerobod]

From realoem.com, part numbers are 63117469787 and 63117469788, $1,366.30 each at ECS Tuning.

[Cumberlandjames]

For the slight difference n the cost you're better off having them as part of the option package despite your dislike for the extra options you'll get with it. Makes the car more attractive on resale and factory install is probably better than retrofitting. IMHO

[morphomeman]

That is what I told OP two days ago.
He wants what he wants, regardless of sense or value.
Something about added weight, though one would have to weigh the parts to see what they actually add.
Let him have it. He is not harming anyone else and at some point we have to stop thinking that good advice will help. I learned that a long time ago with my children.

[morphomeman]

Somehow I can't get off this.
Heated seats and steering wheel plus nav. are the only hardware additions in the package. Others are software and services.
What are we talking about here? Somewhere between 1 and 2 kg. in total weight.
I don't have nav. and it is not necessary given all the phone apps out there but it does improve resale value. Warm buns are also nice, especially for those cold Indiana winters.

[CP911]

Originally Posted by aerobod

From realoem.com, part numbers are 63117469787 and 63117469788, $1,366.30 each at ECS Tuning.

Thank you!!

[CP911]

Originally Posted by morphomeman

Somehow I can't get off this.
Heated seats and steering wheel plus nav. are the only hardware additions in the package. Others are software and services.
What are we talking about here? Somewhere between 1 and 2 kg. in total weight.
I don't have nav. and it is not necessary given all the phone apps out there but it does improve resale value. Warm buns are also nice, especially for those cold Indiana winters.

Haha. I can understand why you think that, but consider the following:

- I simply have no use for nav
- I absolutely loathe the huge tablet placed on top of dash look. The smaller screen with more tapered black bar ends provides a more cockpit oriented feeling vs. literally looking and feeling like a damn huge tablet is the most important focal point of the cockpit
- I have no use for heated anything. I daily drive a luxurious Volvo XC70 and it has heated seats and any creature comfort I'd need. I also ordered M-perf alcantara red stripe steering wheel for the bimmer, so I'd lose heated wheel anyhow. I'm also strongly considering buying Recaro Sportster CS seats (without airbag or heater) and having the seat backs painted Melbourne Red a la "painted hardback seats" along with a more BMW-appropriate upholstery job.
- In 15-20 years when there's a chance I might sell it, the manual transmission and slicktop roof will bring in much more money than the (by then) outdated electronic tech.

Now, at $2000+ there's no way I'll do the retrofit. Even my hopeful $1800 target was a stretch. I do plan to enjoy the car more on the track than the mountains, so I can easily live without the adaptive lights. Just not worth $2k+ with or without the premium package...

[morphomeman]

Now we can both feel better. You won't have all the extra crap but you won't spend the money foolishly.
Enjoy the car and Happy New Year.

[pz619]

I don't have the LED but I do have the adaptive xenon and can tell you it's barely noticeable. I forget I have it unless I'm actively paying attention to it. The graphics and marketing materials make it seem like it turns 45 degrees into turns but the reality is that it goes maybe a degree or two because you never realistically go lock to lock on turns.

[cxp213]

I thought it was pretty noticeable. I don't do much highway driving though so maybe that's why I notice it more (since the "active" is dependent on speed/steering).

[aozer]

When I turn the wheel from a dead stop the amount of turn of the light seems to be irrelevant to the amount of turn of the wheel. Not sure if this is also the case when moving as I never really notice it when driving.

[cxp213]

I don't do much night driving so I forget if it does while stopped but try driving slowly and watch the edge of the lighting out the side window and you'll see it move.

[pz619]

If I recall (I can't remember if this was from a previous car), from a dead stop it'll only swivel to the right. It won't turn to left so it doesn't blind other drivers.

[CP911]

Originally Posted by aozer

When I turn the wheel from a dead stop the amount of turn of the light seems to be irrelevant to the amount of turn of the wheel. Not sure if this is also the case when moving as I never really notice it when driving.

This would make sense as they are intended to be used for cornering in the night at speed, not lock-to-lock turns in parking lots! I have never experienced them myself, but I imagine they would be pretty noticeable when, for example, driving the NC backroads after leaving a track day @ VIR.