[VegasG42]

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 ?



Top Left: Base. Top Right: Shadowline Black

Bottom Left: Gold Strip. Bottom Right: Adaptive

[VegasG42]

Am I mistaken about the 'adaptive' part ? Are all the upgraded headlights considered adaptive ?

[MPR]

Arent the top right and bottom right the same? Adaptive shadowline

[7ssainf]

I think there are 3 types

Base
Adaptive (gold line)
Shadow line adaptive

[VegasG42]

Originally Posted by MPR

Arent the top right and bottom right the same? Adaptive shadowline

Originally Posted by 7ssainf

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 ...

[MPR]

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.

[Kramers oddly shaped hair]

Originally Posted by MPR

Arent the top right and bottom right the same? Adaptive shadowline

no, top one lacks the DRL stripe

[MPR]

Originally Posted by Kramers oddly shaped hair

no, top one lacks the DRL stripe

They both have the wavy drl

[VegasG42]

Originally Posted by MPR

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

[VegasG42]

Anyone know if it is in any way possible to be programmed to a car that came with base model lights ?

[Mech Spec]

Originally Posted by VegasG42

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.

[MPR]

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.

[VegasG42]

Originally Posted by IanH

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

[Kramers oddly shaped hair]

Originally Posted by MPR

They both have the wavy drl

ooof for some reason i zeroed in on the top left