Xenon Brightness Thoughts

liebetrau88 · 10-25-2018, 10:37 AM

Anyone else feel that the xenon headlights aren't all that great? I know BMW has been ranked quite a few times at the bottom with regards to headlight brightness, but these things seem pretty dang horrible whenever any other car is around.

I'd like to think that a 2017 M240i fully loaded would be a bit better. Any thoughts or fixes?

delvec03 · 10-25-2018, 11:21 AM

maybe a little....I know I had to raise my lighta considerably after I got the car. factory had them pointing too low and I couldn't see shiitt at night.

since then, no major gripes, but yeah, nothing to write home about.

liebetrau88 · 10-29-2018, 02:56 PM

I adjusted the aiming point for my headlights and now it's much better. Still not amazing, but much better.

Avex · 10-29-2018, 08:46 PM

coded in max brightness on both angel eyes, enabled cornering wizard and i get blinded standing in front of the car when the sun's down...

Maynard · 11-08-2018, 07:32 AM

Get then re-aligned - often this is skipped at delivery and they are just roughly aimed. I had the same impression, asked dealer to check them out. They later told me 'they were fine, no changes' but I'm thinking they didn't want to admit they hadn't aimed them at delivery - clearly different, and much better afterwards. You can do a search for the procedure for DIY, but I'd start w/ the dealer since you're still in warranty.

liebetrau88 · 11-08-2018, 07:44 AM

Already re-aimed them as said in the post above. Definitely much better now.

MiamiM235iEstorilBlue · 01-10-2019, 12:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by liebetrau88

Anyone else feel that the xenon headlights aren't all that great? I know BMW has been ranked quite a few times at the bottom with regards to headlight brightness, but these things seem pretty dang horrible whenever any other car is around.

I'd like to think that a 2017 M240i fully loaded would be a bit better. Any thoughts or fixes?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Avex

coded in max brightness on both angel eyes, enabled cornering wizard and i get blinded standing in front of the car when the sun's down...

how??

hwntime · 01-10-2019, 10:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MiamiM235iEstorilBlue

how??

Coding max bright on angels has nothing to do with the HID and their brightness. It's just the halo LED that will be brighter. I coded mine via Bimercode to 50% vs the factory setting of 5%. Again, it will in no way improve the output of light from your headlights but will improve DRL light output.

Rahstyles.Com · 01-11-2019, 01:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hwntime

Coding max bright on angels has nothing to do with the HID and their brightness. It's just the halo LED that will be brighter. I coded mine via Bimercode to 50% vs the factory setting of 5%. Again, it will in no way improve the output of light from your headlights but will improve DRL light output.

How much and where do you get your lights coded?

hwntime · 01-11-2019, 10:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rahstyles.Com

How much and where do you get your lights coded?

Do it yourself with the Bimmercode app on iOS or Android. You'll also need a BT adapter that plugs into your OBDII. Bimmercode recommends this unit: https://www.amazon.com/Veepeak-OBDCh...403a356b82a4e8 I use it with no connection problems at all. Use code OBDCHECK for an additional 15% off. The Bimmercode app itself is something like $35 if I remember correctly but it's well worth it and much cheaper than comparable apps. You can code many things like lights, blinkers, mirrors, door locks, turn off ASD, comfort mode access, start/stop on/off, etc. There are so many things you can do with it so the $50-60 is well spent.

Rahstyles.Com · 01-11-2019, 11:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hwntime

Do it yourself with the Bimmercode app on iOS or Android. You'll also need a BT adapter that plugs into your OBDII. Bimmercode recommends this unit: https://www.amazon.com/Veepeak-OBDCh...403a356b82a4e8 I use it with no connection problems at all. Use code OBDCHECK for an additional 15% off. The Bimmercode app itself is something like $35 if I remember correctly but it's well worth it and much cheaper than comparable apps. You can code many things like lights, blinkers, mirrors, door locks, turn off ASD, comfort mode access, start/stop on/off, etc. There are so many things you can do with it so the $50-60 is well spent.

Thanks bud

Avex · 01-11-2019, 11:51 PM

Or if you're more savvy, you can buy a $10 enet cable off ebay and download the e-sys suite for free off this thread:
https://www.2addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=997749

Helps if you want less standard features coded in or out/on or off. Eg, I had my left and right blinkers on my rear view mirrors come on as part of my welcome lights when I hit the unlock button on my car along with the angel eyes and rear DRLs.

10-25-2018, 10:37 AM	#1
liebetrau88 Second Lieutenant 106 Rep 237 Posts Drives: 2017 M240i xDrive Join Date: Aug 2018 Location: Minnesota iTrader: (0)	Xenon Brightness Thoughts Anyone else feel that the xenon headlights aren't all that great? I know BMW has been ranked quite a few times at the bottom with regards to headlight brightness, but these things seem pretty dang horrible whenever any other car is around. I'd like to think that a 2017 M240i fully loaded would be a bit better. Any thoughts or fixes?
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

10-25-2018, 11:21 AM	#2
delvec03 First Lieutenant 90 Rep 351 Posts Drives: 228i Sport/ DSB Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: United States, DC iTrader: (0)	maybe a little....I know I had to raise my lighta considerably after I got the car. factory had them pointing too low and I couldn't see shiitt at night. since then, no major gripes, but yeah, nothing to write home about.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-29-2018, 02:56 PM	#3
liebetrau88 Second Lieutenant 106 Rep 237 Posts Drives: 2017 M240i xDrive Join Date: Aug 2018 Location: Minnesota iTrader: (0)	I adjusted the aiming point for my headlights and now it's much better. Still not amazing, but much better.
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10-29-2018, 08:46 PM	#4
Avex Second Lieutenant 51 Rep 219 Posts Drives: F22 M235i AW Join Date: May 2016 Location: Perth, WA iTrader: (0)	coded in max brightness on both angel eyes, enabled cornering wizard and i get blinded standing in front of the car when the sun's down...
	Appreciate 0 Quote

11-08-2018, 07:32 AM	#5
Maynard Colonel 3848 Rep 2,873 Posts Drives: 228iX & M2C Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Upstate NY iTrader: (1)	Get then re-aligned - often this is skipped at delivery and they are just roughly aimed. I had the same impression, asked dealer to check them out. They later told me 'they were fine, no changes' but I'm thinking they didn't want to admit they hadn't aimed them at delivery - clearly different, and much better afterwards. You can do a search for the procedure for DIY, but I'd start w/ the dealer since you're still in warranty.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

11-08-2018, 07:44 AM	#6
liebetrau88 Second Lieutenant 106 Rep 237 Posts Drives: 2017 M240i xDrive Join Date: Aug 2018 Location: Minnesota iTrader: (0)	Already re-aimed them as said in the post above. Definitely much better now.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-11-2019, 11:51 PM	#12
Avex Second Lieutenant 51 Rep 219 Posts Drives: F22 M235i AW Join Date: May 2016 Location: Perth, WA iTrader: (0)	Or if you're more savvy, you can buy a $10 enet cable off ebay and download the e-sys suite for free off this thread: https://www.2addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=997749 Helps if you want less standard features coded in or out/on or off. Eg, I had my left and right blinkers on my rear view mirrors come on as part of my welcome lights when I hit the unlock button on my car along with the angel eyes and rear DRLs.
	Appreciate 0 Quote