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      02-23-2025, 09:16 AM   #1
VegasG42
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Headlight Differences ? Base, Upgraded, Black Shadow Upgraded Etc.

So when I ordered my M240 over a year ago, I stupidly made the mistake of ordering the base headlights thinking I was only passing on the adaptive (beam moving) headlights.

Shortly after receiving the car, I realized the difference between the base headlights, and the upgraded headlights with the beautiful DRL strip.

Now that the G42 has been available for a few years, there are available a fair amount of used headlights for sale , and even Alibaba is selling 'oem' headlights for our cars.

Doing some precursory research, it seems that there are at least 4 different upgraded headlights: The Shadow Black, The Gold strip, The Plain, and the Adaptive. Is this correct ?

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Top Left: Base. Top Right: Shadowline Black

Bottom Left: Gold Strip. Bottom Right: Adaptive
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      02-23-2025, 09:40 AM   #2
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Am I mistaken about the 'adaptive' part ? Are all the upgraded headlights considered adaptive ?
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      02-23-2025, 04:28 PM   #3
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Arent the top right and bottom right the same? Adaptive shadowline
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      02-23-2025, 04:36 PM   #4
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I think there are 3 types

Base
Adaptive (gold line)
Shadow line adaptive
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      02-23-2025, 06:04 PM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MPR View Post
Arent the top right and bottom right the same? Adaptive shadowline
Quote:
Originally Posted by 7ssainf View Post
I think there are 3 types

Base
Adaptive (gold line)
Shadow line adaptive
Thank you, I just discovered this.

But do all the adaptive headlights move the beam around and have anti-dazzle tech and auto-high beam tech?

Another major roadblock is whether or not the adaptive headlights can even be programmed to a car that came with base lights ...
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      02-23-2025, 06:49 PM   #6
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I’d assume both adaptive variants have the anti dazzle tech. It makes no sense that you would miss out on functionality for not going shadowline.

Last edited by MPR; 02-23-2025 at 06:56 PM..
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      02-23-2025, 07:13 PM   #7
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Arent the top right and bottom right the same? Adaptive shadowline
no, top one lacks the DRL stripe
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      02-23-2025, 08:20 PM   #8
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Quote:
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no, top one lacks the DRL stripe
They both have the wavy drl
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      02-23-2025, 08:55 PM   #9
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Quote:
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They both have the wavy drl
Yeah, just the top left is the base non-adaptive headlight. Just has the small strip at the bottom.

The other 3 all have the large question mark shaped DRL
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      02-23-2025, 08:57 PM   #10
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Anyone know if it is in any way possible to be programmed to a car that came with base model lights ?
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      02-23-2025, 09:01 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by VegasG42 View Post
Anyone know if it is in any way possible to be programmed to a car that came with base model lights ?
While you have probably read the same stuff I have in your process of researching this, It does not seem that anyone has done this swap successfully.

Typically these types of swap outs need some significant coding and someone with deep knowledge of the control systems to make the adjustments, then they provide a guide or info to help others.
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      02-23-2025, 09:06 PM   #12
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I am sure it can be done, but figuring out what has to be done is the challenge/unknown.

I do wonder if all cars get adaptive coding which ends up doing nothing on the base model without the hardware. It would be cool if you could get your hands on an adaptive headlight to test it out.

Last edited by MPR; 02-23-2025 at 09:07 PM..
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      02-23-2025, 09:09 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by IanH View Post
While you have probably read the same stuff I have in your process of researching this, It does not seem that anyone has done this swap successfully.

Typically these types of swap outs need some significant coding and someone with deep knowledge of the control systems to make the adjustments, then they provide a guide or info to help others.
Exactly right. I haven't come across anyone doing our particular swap. At most was a mention of a program needed using enys or bimmertech. Because the car wouldn't even recognize the new modules, and the car isn't even programmed to operate those particular headlight modules.

I could probably ask a dealership, but they would probably give the standard answer of they can only replace what the car came with from the factory
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      02-23-2025, 10:16 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MPR View Post
They both have the wavy drl

ooof for some reason i zeroed in on the top left
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