LED headlights.

I'm planning on getting a 640i convertible later this year. The only must have option for me is the instrument panel with leather and the bigger wheels, but I'm also interested in the LED lights. Can someone let me know how they compare to the HIDs in terms of effectiveness. Or is the upgrade mostly cosmetic? Thanks for your help.

I have the LED's on the X5M and HID Xenon on the 650 & Z4. Honestly, I prefer the HID's and would never pay $1,900 for them again. If the cost differential was $0, I'd still choose HID's.

I drove the X5M through remote Idaho and Montana at night last weekend and really didn't like the illumination, pattern or cut-off.

dk

If you're indifferent to the looks of the LEDs, then you should probably just save the money.

I'm a big fan of the LEDs and wouldn't buy a 6er without them. I think they work well, but I don't have a lot of experience with BMWs HID lamps. If I say the LEDs are superior, it is likely that some bias is slipping in. For me, the looks are worth the $1900 asking price.

Originally Posted by southern6er22

If you're indifferent to the looks of the LEDs, then you should probably just save the money.

I'm a big fan of the LEDs and wouldn't buy a 6er without them. I think they work well, but I don't have a lot of experience with BMWs HID lamps. If I say the LEDs are superior, it is likely that some bias is slipping in. For me, the looks are worth the $1900 asking price.

Same here. They were a must for me. It gives the 6er a nasty look to it. It's always nice to see your headlights reflect off the rear bumper of the car in front of you.

I admit LED's look cool when viewing them from outside the car but...I'm usually inside looking out I hope to be able to build the '14 M6 vert without the LED's

Originally Posted by krischapel

It's always nice to see your headlights reflect off the rear bumper of the car in front of you.

+1. I've always loved that my car is so exclusive in my area (only 3 sightings of other 6ers in the last 12-14 months). However, the car's so beautiful in motion, it's sad that I hardly ever get that pleasure. I fear one day I'm going to smash through a store front.....

Every car I've had (six total, including three BMWs) since 1999 have all had HID's. The LEDs are MUCH better from behind the wheel. No comparison in my opinion. They are brighter, whiter, clearer and the pattern is excellent. They illuminate the road ahead like daylight. I will never go back to HIDs. Just like I would never go back to Halogen after HIDs came out.

I believe the LED package gets you more than just the headlights, but as always it's a personal choice. Either way it's a BMW 6 series.

Thanks everybody for your responses. I guess there are differences in opinion. I have a few months before I get the car so I have time to think about it.

Originally Posted by SFHusker

Thanks everybody for your responses. I guess there are differences in opinion. I have a few months before I get the car so I have time to think about it.

Best to go to a BMW dealer and test drive HID's and LED's back-to-back over the same route.

Probably pretty close in performance between the HID's and the LED's. But in appearance and looks to me it's not close with LED'S miles ahead.

Also feel the daytime running lights are so much better looking in the LED's as well.

Another thing to consider is resale (not an issue if you lease, obviously). The upcoming 4er, 5er LCI, 7er, X5, and X6 are all getting the LED option now. Pretty soon the exclusivity of this tech on the 6ers is going to be diluted and only the less expensive cars are going to wear the HID lights.

Pretty sure if you want the auto high beams then you have to get the LED's

I had the regular headlights on my '12 Coupe and now have the LEDs on my '13 GC. Aesthetics aside, it really seems as though the cornering lights are dramatically better with the LEDs. Anyone else notice this?

Originally Posted by Padre650i

Pretty sure if you want the auto high beams then you have to get the LED's

That is accurate.

I had HIDs on my 650ic and now have LEDs on my M6c. Frankly, I really can't tell the difference behind the wheel. While the LEDs MIGHT be marginally better looking aesthetically, I don't think they are worth $1900. Just my opinion.

I have the LED's and just the personalized factor and the small number of cars that offer them make them a must. I'm not sure if they actually light the road up much better but they definitely compliment the car visually. They appear to be a different whiteness then the HID's and are easily distinguishable, but I live in an urban area and can't tell you much about how they perform more in a rural area. Sounds like you'll have a great build either way.

Originally Posted by southern6er22

Another thing to consider is resale (not an issue if you lease, obviously). The upcoming 4er, 5er LCI, 7er, X5, and X6 are all getting the LED option now. Pretty soon the exclusivity of this tech on the 6ers is going to be diluted and only the less expensive cars are going to wear the HID lights.

I have the LED too and back then it was bundled with 19" wheel when I ordered it. I love it too but as the technology implementing throughout the rest of BMW lines it will appear less exclusive. Here is the next thing that will stand out when all the rest of series gets LED:
http://images.thecarconnection.com/m...00361657_m.jpg

Laser!!
Looks like it might be on the new i8.

Laser headlights make me inappropriately excited

Originally Posted by southern6er22

Laser headlights make me inappropriately excited

with proper mod it can be used as obstacles/annoyance eliminator...

Originally Posted by Roger Yeh

with proper mod it can be used as obstacles/annoyance eliminator...

LEDs = $1900.

Laser Lights = $3000.

Laser Gun Headlights (fired using the paddle shifters) = Priceless.

Originally Posted by southern6er22

LEDs = $1900.

Laser Lights = $3000.

Laser Gun Headlights (fired using the paddle shifters) = Priceless.

With a single press of a button named "automatic highbeam" to activate laser gun

I'm still waiting for a retrofit gun (laser or otherwise) to replace the backup camera.

I've been driving in rural Montana with the LED's on my X5M for a month now and remain convinced they are not better than the HID Xenons on my 650, and on "real dark" roads they aren't as good. Also, the auto high beam assistant on snowy white roads is useless. I'll have the dealer check out the lighting when I get it to a state with a dealer, but if they are per spec I will see if I can sell or trade someone for HID's.

Not sure what that might entail....

you have to do the led's,..its the new look of the bmw's..otherwise its going to make the car look like the old style halos, at this price point whats another 1900 bucks to make your car look hott, and have the latest technology,......when you drive with the park lights(position 2) and the fog lights on the car looks soooooooo sick...this one is a no brainer,...

Originally Posted by dkreidel

I've been driving in rural Montana with the LED's on my X5M for a month now and remain convinced they are not better than the HID Xenons on my 650, and on "real dark" roads they aren't as good. Also, the auto high beam assistant on snowy white roads is useless. I'll have the dealer check out the lighting when I get it to a state with a dealer, but if they are per spec I will see if I can sell or trade someone for HID's.

Not sure what that might entail....

I'm glad you mentioned that.

I'm going through the same issue with my F01, mine are too low. I turned on my LEDs and then turned on my HIDs on my SRT8 and it was noticeably lower. I am going to see if I can adjust them vertically, if either I cannot or it doesn't remedy the problem I will be very disappointed. The HID's I had in my '12 7er were the same, if not just slightly superior.

As others have mentioned though, they are a head turner. On the F01's the AE's are the lights as well, the inside is the high beams. Not sure if its the same with your F12's?



Chris