Laser Lights Coming to North America?

1ToBeOn2Wheels · 10-07-2018, 01:27 PM

I know in the past other manufacturers with laser lights haven't brought the technology to the North American market. I'm guessing some outdated US DOT standard keeps them away.

Has anyone confirmed if we will be getting the laser lights as an option in the US?

Does anyone know anything about the laser lights and how they differ from LED performance-wise?

Bryan M · 10-07-2018, 03:12 PM

That's a great question.. I am curious also

upsidedownfunnel · 10-07-2018, 03:28 PM

I don't think any other manufacturer has laser lights. BMW uses laser lights as an adaptive technology to prevent blinding oncoming traffic. Mercedes uses an array of 21 or so refelcted LEDs to do the same while Audi uses a smaller array.

All these technologies allow the car to always have high beams on while also not throwing light at oncoming traffic.

Laser Lights will be in America - if not already - on the G05 X5 and the upcoming G20 3 series. They are just not enabled for low-beam usage. They can only be used as high-beams which is kind of a waste of their adaptive capability. That's what the DOT regulations prevent. They don't account for adaptive low-beam headlights, basically. However, it might be possible that simple coding will re-enable this feature like the LED anti-dazzle functionality on the F30.

This is a good video of the different techs.

vp · 10-07-2018, 04:37 PM

I was at the dealership yesterday in Atlanta GA and the new X5 pulled in as I was in the wait area. It had the laser light headlights with internal blue features seen on laser light pictures online. So yes I believe that the G20 will also follow suit.

NYC_340i · 10-07-2018, 06:07 PM

I'm pretty sure it will be available in America. I know that the i8 initially didn't have it but now its a ($6,300

) option. Also looks like the new X5 has it but it seems much cheaper as it's part of the executive tier.

Hopefully it won't cost too much. I don't really need it here in NYC but it'll be cool to have and say you have lasers lol

solstice · 10-07-2018, 06:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NYC_340i

I'm pretty sure it will be available in America. I know that the i8 initially didn't have it but now its a ($6,300

) option. Also looks like the new X5 has it but it seems much cheaper as it's part of the executive tier.

Hopefully it won't cost too much. I don't really need it here in NYC but it'll be cool to have and say you have lasers lol

It’s just shy of a 2000 euro option for the G20 in Germany, I expect similar pricing in the U.S.

jlin101 · 10-07-2018, 10:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by solstice

It’s just shy of a 2000 euro option for the G20 in Germany, I expect similar pricing in the U.S.

Unless BMW bundles the laserlight with other features and sells it at a lower cost, I don't see many people willing to fork over the equivalent of 2000 euro for SUPPLEMENTAL lights that can only be used on roads with few other cars. Yes, the light housing and design look cool, but > $2000 for a set of super high-beams is outrageous in a $50k car, when the majority of driving will not be benefited.

jlin101 · 10-07-2018, 10:53 PM

Per BMW UK's configurator, Laserlights, in combination with High Beam Assist, is a 1500 pound, or just under $2000, option. A fully loaded 330i M-Sport, lists for 42k pound (or $55k) pre tax. Add $2000 for X-drive. If the pricing holds true for the US, then it's about the same as the 2018 model, with vast improvements.

MassBimmer · 10-08-2018, 10:14 AM

Man, that was absolutely going to be an option box I ticked off. Probably not now, no way it's worth $2k

Auricom · 10-08-2018, 11:25 AM

On the next G05 X5, it's a $1K individual option and included in the $2050 ZPX Executive Package (includes remote engine start, soft-close automatic doors, rear manual side window shades, heated and cooled cupholders, Icon adaptive LED headlights with Laserlight)

Doubt that it's going to be $2K USD on the new 3.

praxis218 · 10-08-2018, 03:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jlin101

Per BMW UK's configurator, Laserlights, in combination with High Beam Assist, is a 1500 pound, or just under $2000, option. A fully loaded 330i M-Sport, lists for 42k pound (or $55k) pre tax. Add $2000 for X-drive. If the pricing holds true for the US, then it's about the same as the 2018 model, with vast improvements.

I have high beam assist but living an an urban area I don't think I've ever turned on my high beams.

Having said that I'd pay maybe up to $1,000 for the blue accents and cooler looking DRLs

The regular DRLs just look kinda lame.

jlin101 · 10-08-2018, 06:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Auricom

On the next G05 X5, it's a $1K individual option and included in the $2050 ZPX Executive Package (includes remote engine start, soft-close automatic doors, rear manual side window shades, heated and cooled cupholders, Icon adaptive LED headlights with Laserlight)

Doubt that it's going to be $2K USD on the new 3.

I would certainly hope that's the case. It's interesting that BMW charges more in Germany (2000 euro or $2300) than in the UK (1500 pounds or $1963) for the same feature. Maybe BMW will take pity in us poor American cousins.

Just noticed that Laserlights is not available in the new Z4!

solstice · 10-08-2018, 09:57 PM

Cool looks apart, anyone have any experience on the illumination by laser lights vs. LED? I’m thinking that if it’s anything like the step from halogens to Xenons it’s worth the $1500 - $2k likely price tag. If however it’s more like Xenons vs. LEDs, I can do without.

praxis218 · 10-08-2018, 10:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by solstice

Cool looks apart, anyone have any experience on the illumination by laser lights vs. LED? I’m thinking that if it’s anything like the step from halogens to Xenons it’s worth the $1500 - $2k likely price tag. If however it’s more like Xenons vs. LEDs, I can do without.

Keep in mind the laser light is only for high beams. Regular low beams are still LED. Official name is "BMW Laserlight with Adaptive LED Headlights".

99% of the time it'd be useless to us U.S. customers as there isn't approval for the fully adaptive low/high beams which and create light tunnels as to not blind other cars like on the Euro models.

solstice · 10-08-2018, 10:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cupojava

Keep in mind the laser light is only for high beams. Regular low beams are still LED. Official name is "BMW Laserlight with Adaptive LED Headlights".

99% of the time it'd be useless to us U.S. customers as there isn't approval for the fully adaptive low/high beams which and create light tunnels as to not blind other cars like on the Euro models.

Oh, that sucks. So maybe we will get them for $1k if it’s mainly just for looks.

jlin101 · 10-09-2018, 09:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cupojava

Keep in mind the laser light is only for high beams. Regular low beams are still LED. Official name is "BMW Laserlight with Adaptive LED Headlights".

99% of the time it'd be useless to us U.S. customers as there isn't approval for the fully adaptive low/high beams which and create light tunnels as to not blind other cars like on the Euro models.

If I'm not mistaken, the car still has LED high beam, but under the right condition (vehicle speed and level of traffic) laserlight is activated to supplement the high beam and extend the range.

Greeney · 10-09-2018, 09:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cupojava

Keep in mind the laser light is only for high beams. Regular low beams are still LED. Official name is "BMW Laserlight with Adaptive LED Headlights".

99% of the time it'd be useless to us U.S. customers as there isn't approval for the fully adaptive low/high beams which and create light tunnels as to not blind other cars like on the Euro models.

Coding can usually fix that. Not sure if things have changed in the past few years though.

jlin101 · 10-09-2018, 09:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by solstice

Oh, that sucks. So maybe we will get them for $1k if it’s mainly just for looks.

the DRL on the non-Laserlights cars look ugly IMO--BMW did this to "encourage" buyers to opt for the more expensive Laserlights. Not sure if the Iconic Adaptive LED system (like the ones on X3) is available.

FlyingScot1050 · 10-09-2018, 09:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cupojava

Keep in mind the laser light is only for high beams. Regular low beams are still LED. Official name is "BMW Laserlight with Adaptive LED Headlights".

99% of the time it'd be useless to us U.S. customers as there isn't approval for the fully adaptive low/high beams which and create light tunnels as to not blind other cars like on the Euro models.

As long as the hardware is present, you're a coding session away from enabling it over here

praxis218 · 10-09-2018, 11:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FlyingScot1050

As long as the hardware is present, you're a coding session away from enabling it over here

Hopefully. For the U.S. F30 the hardware wasn't the same (it was missing some shields for blocking light).

Greeney · 10-09-2018, 12:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cupojava

Hopefully. For the U.S. F30 the hardware wasn't the same (it was missing some shields for blocking light).

I have it enabled on my F80

praxis218 · 10-09-2018, 12:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Greeney

I have it enabled on my F80

It's enabled via but not functioning exactly as intended. I did go deep in the rabit hole at some point in my research but gave up on it after finding out it was missing some bits and pieces of hardware (optic micro-shutters). Don't want the liability of glaring other drivers.

Edit:
https://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...6&postcount=17

10-07-2018, 01:27 PM	#1
1ToBeOn2Wheels Freude am Fahren 31 Rep 703 Posts Drives: B9 Audi S5 Coupe Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Sierra Nevada Foothills, California iTrader: (0)	Laser Lights Coming to North America? I know in the past other manufacturers with laser lights haven't brought the technology to the North American market. I'm guessing some outdated US DOT standard keeps them away. Has anyone confirmed if we will be getting the laser lights as an option in the US? Does anyone know anything about the laser lights and how they differ from LED performance-wise?
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

10-07-2018, 03:12 PM	#2
Bryan M New Member 11 Rep 27 Posts Drives: 2018 330i Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Central Texas iTrader: (0)	That's a great question.. I am curious also
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-07-2018, 03:28 PM	#3
upsidedownfunnel Colonel 1996 Rep 2,499 Posts Drives: 2014 335i Join Date: Jul 2017 Location: SoCal iTrader: (4) Garage List 2014 BMW 335i [0.00]	I don't think any other manufacturer has laser lights. BMW uses laser lights as an adaptive technology to prevent blinding oncoming traffic. Mercedes uses an array of 21 or so refelcted LEDs to do the same while Audi uses a smaller array. All these technologies allow the car to always have high beams on while also not throwing light at oncoming traffic. Laser Lights will be in America - if not already - on the G05 X5 and the upcoming G20 3 series. They are just not enabled for low-beam usage. They can only be used as high-beams which is kind of a waste of their adaptive capability. That's what the DOT regulations prevent. They don't account for adaptive low-beam headlights, basically. However, it might be possible that simple coding will re-enable this feature like the LED anti-dazzle functionality on the F30. This is a good video of the different techs.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-07-2018, 04:37 PM	#4
vp Second Lieutenant 59 Rep 231 Posts Drives: MY18 430GC Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: Atlanta, GA iTrader: (0)	I was at the dealership yesterday in Atlanta GA and the new X5 pulled in as I was in the wait area. It had the laser light headlights with internal blue features seen on laser light pictures online. So yes I believe that the G20 will also follow suit.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-07-2018, 06:07 PM	#5
NYC_340i Lieutenant 207 Rep 547 Posts Drives: '20 M340i xDrive, '11 X3 28i Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: NYC iTrader: (0)	I'm pretty sure it will be available in America. I know that the i8 initially didn't have it but now its a ($6,300 ) option. Also looks like the new X5 has it but it seems much cheaper as it's part of the executive tier. Hopefully it won't cost too much. I don't really need it here in NYC but it'll be cool to have and say you have lasers lol __________________ Current: 2020 M340xi Previous: 2016 340xi
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-07-2018, 10:53 PM	#8
jlin101 First Lieutenant 107 Rep 398 Posts Drives: 2018 X3 M40i, 2016 750i Join Date: Oct 2018 Location: USA iTrader: (0)	Per BMW UK's configurator, Laserlights, in combination with High Beam Assist, is a 1500 pound, or just under $2000, option. A fully loaded 330i M-Sport, lists for 42k pound (or $55k) pre tax. Add $2000 for X-drive. If the pricing holds true for the US, then it's about the same as the 2018 model, with vast improvements.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-08-2018, 10:14 AM	#9
MassBimmer Major General 306 Rep 7,433 Posts Drives: 2023 i4 M50 Join Date: May 2009 Location: MA iTrader: (6) Garage List 2009 BMW [9.24]	Man, that was absolutely going to be an option box I ticked off. Probably not now, no way it's worth $2k
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-08-2018, 11:25 AM	#10
Auricom Brigadier General 4357 Rep 4,246 Posts Drives: 2020 X5 xDrive40i M Sport Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: DMV iTrader: (0)	On the next G05 X5, it's a $1K individual option and included in the $2050 ZPX Executive Package (includes remote engine start, soft-close automatic doors, rear manual side window shades, heated and cooled cupholders, Icon adaptive LED headlights with Laserlight) Doubt that it's going to be $2K USD on the new 3. __________________ Current BMWs - '20 X5 xDrive40i M Sport, '20 BMW M550i \| Past BMWs - '03 E39 540iT M Sport, '06 E53 4.8is, '11 E70 M Sport LCI
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-08-2018, 09:57 PM	#13
solstice Major General 5457 Rep 7,037 Posts Drives: 2015 M3 6MT Join Date: May 2013 Location: Seattle iTrader: (0)	Cool looks apart, anyone have any experience on the illumination by laser lights vs. LED? I’m thinking that if it’s anything like the step from halogens to Xenons it’s worth the $1500 - $2k likely price tag. If however it’s more like Xenons vs. LEDs, I can do without.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search