[Diesel_Lover]

Is the lighting package necessary?

[AVIMAX]

The LED lights are really bright, really white and look fantastic, but you would't miss them if you didn't have them before. If you are trying to save, you can skip this one I think.

[HighConcept]

Depends on your idea of necessary. Other than that, no -- more of a want...not a need.

[wrickem]

If you drive on a lot of rural unlit roads, you will definitely see a difference. On regular roads and highways, you won't even notice. The standard (on lines) LED fog lights are a huge improvement over regular fog lights though, they really light the road so you can see potholes.

[combatbmw]

It was a must for me, they look amazing. Makes the front of the car look very aggressive.

[Diesel_Lover]

Originally Posted by HighConcept

Depends on your idea of necessary. Other than that, no -- more of a want...not a need.

I want your idea of necessary. Do you think they are necessary? If you had to make tough choices on options would you cut the lighting package out?

[Diesel_Lover]

Originally Posted by wrickem

If you drive on a lot of rural unlit roads, you will definitely see a difference. On regular roads and highways, you won't even notice. The standard (on lines) LED fog lights are a huge improvement over regular fog lights though, they really light the road so you can see potholes.

I drive mostly on rural unlit roads, and I am getting old. My eyes aren't what they used to be. It is sounding like the lighting package is turning into a must buy...

[gblansten]

Originally Posted by Diesel_Lover

I drive mostly on rural unlit roads, and I am getting old. My eyes aren't what they used to be. It is sounding like the lighting package is turning into a must buy...

I think another part of the lighting package is aesthetics. The LEDs are the new look for the BMW brand and set the car off. I wasn't initially interested in the LEDs but the more I have seen of them the more they have grown on me. And the more the otherwise excellent xenons have become somewhat dated.

[wrickem]

Originally Posted by Diesel_Lover

I drive mostly on rural unlit roads, and I am getting old. My eyes aren't what they used to be. It is sounding like the lighting package is turning into a must buy...

I'd get them then. I came from an E92 with adaptive Xenon lights and I see a big difference in what is lit on the same roads I've always driven on with these LEDs. And they look good

[pillpusher84]

Originally Posted by Diesel_Lover

Is the lighting package necessary?

To me yes ... .as others have said ... much brighter than HID, as well they are aesthetically pleasing from the outside both on and off .... love the LED eyebrow/blinker ... the standard HIDs have halogen turn signals ... so right there you lost me ... worth $1900 ... i don't know ... but who cares ... get em anyway

[The X Men]

Originally Posted by Diesel_Lover

Is the lighting package necessary?

If you are trying to cut cost, this is a good area to cut almost $2000. The LED headlights are whiter, but not necessarily brighter lumens wise. Although I hate the incandescent front signal lights BMW downgraded to if you don't get the LED package, its not enough to justify the $1900 price tag. Take the money and upgrade to the M-sport line, the LED fog lights and the HID will light up the road nicely. Skip the sunshades and the luxury seats.

[AP]

Are they actually brighter than xenon? Do you mean a higher color temperature ( not the same thing).
(I'd'd certianly go for them if I were buying today)

[Diesel_Lover]

Isn't M-Sport package with Xdrive just an appearance package? So I"d be paying all that money for fog lights. Also, an extra $ 500 for paddle shifters.

I would love fog lights, but...

[The X Men]

Originally Posted by AP

Are they actually brighter than xenon? Do you mean a higher color temperature ( not the same thing).
(I'd'd certianly go for them if I were buying today)

If two difference light source have the same amount of intensity, lumens, the human eyes will perceive the higher kelvin temp light source to be brighter, simply because the whiter light source will reflect more off objects on the road. With that said, LED is a tad bit brighter in my opinion, but not by a lot. You are really paying $1900 to be unique and not for the performance. Now a days, one must ask how unique LED headlights really are. The Honda Accord has a LED option already and starting next year, even the Toyota Corolla will have them.

[raleedy]

Originally Posted by Diesel_Lover

Isn't M-Sport package with Xdrive just an appearance package? So I"d be paying all that money for fog lights. Also, an extra $ 500 for paddle shifters.

I would love fog lights, but...

Yes: air dam, rear and side skirts (body cladding), wheels and tires (for me this is a biggie -- the standard wheels on my 4-cyl car would have been unbearable), steering wheel, door sills, driver footrest, interior trim and, yes, fog lights. The wheels and tires are the main part of the option cost, I think.