[Egoy936]

Hey everyone, this is my first post on here. I have owned a 2016 BMW 535i xdrive for a couple of months now. It is pretty loaded with the exception of the ventilated seats and sun shades. The car came equipped with the led headlights which I really wanted for the modern look however I think the light output isn’t that great. I have already aimed the headlights up just a tad as I thought they were aimed too low. Does anyone else feel the light output is bad? I am considering coding the anti glare feature to these headlights to hopefully utilize the lights more but still I wish the low beams were brighter! I want to know everyone’s experience with the LED headlights and the Xenon headlights.

Thanks,
Evan

[Unspec]

You probably need the headlights professional aimed using an optical aimer (or whatever they're called)

[Pierre Louis]

I have the standard Xenon lights which were replaced under warranty for water leaks but needed to be properly aimed, even though they are self-leveling. Much better after my private mechanic aimed them since the dealer said they were not adjustable.

[ramman434]

I have no issues with my LEDs, except wishing that they had a sharper cut-off. I get plenty of light and can see the road perfectly in front of me.

[Qsilver7]

Has the OP tried coding VLD (variable light distribution) back on? There's lots of threads with the coding parameters given for giving back what the US DOT took away.

I love the adaptive LED headlights on my f06 and f15...I have 3 words for them... fab - beau - luss! And I have VLD coded back on for the f15 X5...unfortunately the 2013 f06 does not have the "3073 LaMaster1" parameters in the FRM (footwell) module when trying to code VLD back on.

[ramman434]

Pretty positive that you can't code VLD into the F10's, just like we can't get the "anti-dazzle" brights or whatever they're called. It does work on the F80s and X5s (don't know their chassis code)

[-Blue535-]

I'm wondering also if there is an aiming issue. I just got rid of an A8 with LED headlamps (non-adaptive) and thought the lights were good - my F10 adaptive LED's are even better. Plenty bright and cover the road completely. I also live in an area with lots of dark roads and I've been consistently impressed.

[philipm785]

The adaptive Xenon lights on my 2016 F10 are pretty good, but my father, who also has an F10, has adaptive LEDs on his and they are noticeably better than mine. It does sound like there might be something either not aimed correctly or otherwise amiss with yours.

[Qsilver7]

Originally Posted by ramman434

Pretty positive that you can't code VLD into the F10's, just like we can't get the "anti-dazzle" brights or whatever they're called. It does work on the F80s and X5s (don't know their chassis code)

Very well could be...since it worked for my f15 X5 but not my f06 650ix GC.

If anyone has Bimmercode and an f10 5 series and wants to give it a try...the parameters I changed to code VLD back on my f15 X5 is below. Do take note that the control of the headlights are in one of 3 modules listed below based on what BMW model and build date you have...so look for 3073 LaMaster1 in either the:

• FRM (footwell module)
• FEM (front electronics module)
• BDC (body domain controller)

For my f15 X5...it was the BDC module:

WARNING! USE THESE PARAMETERS BELOW AT YOUR OWN RISK...THEY ARE FOUND IN THE EXPERT MODE SECTION OF THE BIMMERCODE APP

[ramman434]

The nitty gritty of coding is still out of my realm, but i definitely looked for a while trying to see if I could do this when I 1st got the car last year.

[OnlyGerman]

Originally Posted by Qsilver7

Has the OP tried coding VLD (variable light distribution) back on? There's lots of threads with the coding parameters given for giving back what the US DOT took away.

I love the adaptive LED headlights on my f06 and f15...I have 3 words for them... fab - beau - luss! And I have VLD coded back on for the f15 X5...unfortunately the 2013 f06 does not have the "3073 LaMaster1" parameters in the FRM (footwell) module when trying to code VLD back on.

Ahh that's why one of my lights looked dimmer!

[Unspec]

I VO coded VLD on my car. Haven't tested it to see if it actually does anything though.

Fairly certain it does work though, since the headlights move towards the sides when I first start the car

[Qsilver7]

Originally Posted by Unspec

Fairly certain it does work though, since the headlights move towards the sides when I first start the car

If your headlights do the “test run” as mentioned in ENGINE START UP in the VLD info I posted above (the driver’s side light not only moves down/up...it also moves further to the left...then back to the right, too). That little movement indicates that VLD is initiated and functioning.

[ezaircon4jc]

Originally Posted by Unspec

I VO coded VLD on my car. Haven't tested it to see if it actually does anything though.

Fairly certain it does work though, since the headlights move towards the sides when I first start the car

I coded mine and notice no difference at all.

[Qsilver7]

Originally Posted by ezaircon4jc

I coded mine and notice no difference at all.

What software did you use, and what module did you find the two lines of code for VLD, and just to verify...you are using your LOW BEAMS, right?

Only asking the last question because lots of Bimmer owners get VLD and the anti-dazzle high beam features mixed up. . VLD only works with low beams.

The easiest way to see if VLD is working is on engine start up and you’re facing a wall, garage door, or a hill. You can see the driver’s side headlamp move downward/upward and to the left, then to the right.

[CrippledLucifer]

Originally Posted by ramman434

Pretty positive that you can't code VLD into the F10's, just like we can't get the "anti-dazzle" brights or whatever they're called. It does work on the F80s and X5s (don't know their chassis code)

VLD is successfully coded on my F10 LCI. The lights move exactly like the picture shown above and really do make a difference. I coded it using Bimmercode and honestly it's such a great feature.

GFHB is something I have not coded however because of mixed results.

[ezaircon4jc]

Originally Posted by Qsilver7

What software did you use, and what module did you find the two lines of code for VLD, and just to verify...you are using your LOW BEAMS, right?

Only asking the last question because lots of Bimmer owners get VLD and the anti-dazzle high beam features mixed up. . VLD only works with low beams.

The easiest way to see if VLD is working is on engine start up and you’re facing a wall, garage door, or a hill. You can see the driver’s side headlamp move downward/upward and to the left, then to the right.

BimmerCode and I used the "codes" (3073 LaMaster1 in FRM, I believe) in your post. There were 2 places I had to code. Yes, low beams; I rarely use the high beams.

Just went out and checked; vertical movement only, no horizontal.

[Surly73]

No need for fancy gizmos - there are aiming standards for headlights. Follow BMW's recommendation for setting the systems in the proper state prior to aiming (you'll need to look at TIS or ISTA) and then this guide is pretty much authoritative for E-Code style lighting.

https://www.danielsternlighting.com/tech/aim/aim.html

[ramman434]

After seeing further posts, I was mistaken as Unspec had guessed, and mixed up VLD & Anti-dazzle. I have VLD coded on my '16 LEDs, but its the Anti-Dazzle that we cannot code on the F10s

[Qsilver7]

Originally Posted by ramman434

After seeing further posts, I was mistaken as Unspec had guessed, and mixed up VLD & Anti-dazzle. I have VLD coded on my '16 LEDs, but its the Anti-Dazzle that we cannot code on the F10s

Thanks for the update.

Just an FYI (and for the record)...the videos below shows how the driver's side headlamp moves to the left upon start up (not just up/down)...and also moves right/left when switching between Drive and Reverse. This coding was done using the Bimmercode app on my 2014 f15 X5 50i:

[walmark]

Originally Posted by Qsilver7

Thanks for the update.

Just an FYI (and for the record)...the videos below shows how the driver's side headlamp moves to the left upon start up (not just up/down)...and also moves right/left when switching between Drive and Reverse. This coding was done using the Bimmercode app on my 2014 f15 X5 50i:

Is your steering wheel turned slightly to the left by any chance? If so, that would be normal for adaptive lights even without VLD.

[Qsilver7]

Originally Posted by walmark

Is your steering wheel turned slightly to the left by any chance? If so, that would be normal for adaptive lights even without VLD.

Nope, I'm not touching the steering wheel at all...I'm in a Burger King parking lot...stopped perfectly between the two yellow lines on either side of me (facing due west). The building the lights are shining on is built at an angle....the left side is slightly further away than the right side.

BTW, my 2013 650ix GC also has LED adaptive headlights...but those lights are controlled by the FRM module and it does not have the coding parameters to decode VLD in Bimmercode. Those headlights do NOT perform the driver's side headlight 12° movment to the left. So I am aware of how the adaptive headlights operate in the US market besides seeing the change in operating function on my f15 X5.

And if memory serves me correct...adaptive headlights won't pan to the left (in a LHD vehicle) when it is stationary...it will pan to the right, though. I believe this design default (not panning left) is engineered to prevent blinding oncoming traffic. The adaptive headlights only pan to the left when a speed criteria is met.

In the US market, if you have adaptive headlights w/VLD decoded (off)...the headlight still does the "reference run"...they move down/up upon engine start. But the driver's headlight never moves over the 12° like it does when VLD is active.

You can read the description of what occurs at ENGINE START UP (reference run occurs) and City/Urban Light Distribution (driver's headlight moves to the left 12°) in the description below: