[fonfon22]

Hello everyone,

I need help. I own a BMW 5 series 535i from 2015
I recently purchased new Aftermarket Headlights, to look like the 2021 BMW 5 series.
Mechanic installed the headlights, the low beam, high beam, turn signal are fine, just that the daytime running halo lights stay on about 3 hours after the engine is off!! no matter what. And only one halo ring per headlight comes on.(see pictures)
Tons of headlights error messages on the dashboard, including adaptive headlight error...

Anybody experienced this??

What would you recommend a mechanic to do during my next visit?
Thank you very much!!

[ezaircon4jc]

I'm 99% sure that no aftermarket lights are adaptive-capable.

[OnlyGerman]

Buys aftermarket crap and expects it to work lol

[fonfon22]

When you turn on the headlights I do see them adjust by moving a little bit.
I don't know if that can be a sign of adaptiveness.
I saw somewhere from a different dealer that you MUST install the RIGHT headlight first and have the car "Learn" the new headlights. With some instructions for the "learning process". But I know that the mechanic installed the left headlight first and at that time I didnt see the instructions. So was too late. Now we have to take the headlights down again if we want to try that. which will cost money again.

[musclesmarinara75]

Originally Posted by ezaircon4jc

I'm 99% sure that no aftermarket lights are adaptive-capable.

I believe you are correct

[Flying_Squad]

I've queried these very lights with the seller on AliExpress. I asked whether they're compatible for cars with adaptive lights and high beam assist. The seller was 100% sure they're compatible, although he could just be clueless, I fear it's the latter.

If I were you, if you can't get them to work, I'd request a full refund, if all else fails and you've paid by credit card, take it up with them and initiate a chargeback.

Damn shame, as I personally think the headlight design looks good aesthetically and was hoping these would have worked.

Keep us posted either way and good luck!

[ezaircon4jc]

Originally Posted by Flying_Squad

I've queried these very lights with the seller on AliExpress. I asked whether they're compatible for cars with adaptive lights and high beam assist. The seller was 100% sure they're compatible, although he could just be clueless, I fear it's the latter.

If I were you, if you can't get them to work, I'd request a full refund, if all else fails and you've paid by credit card, take it up with them and initiate a chargeback.

Damn shame, as I personally think the headlight design looks good aesthetically and was hoping these would have worked.

Keep us posted either way and good luck!

Being "compatible" doesn't necessarily mean the adaptive function works.

[Flying_Squad]

The very meaning of (and most English speakers interpretation and meaning of) the word "compatible" is to

'(with something) (of machines, especially computers, or software) able to be used together...and able to exist or be used together without causing problems'.

Not sure how "compatible" with adaptive function, can be construed to mean anything else.

[fonfon22]

Originally Posted by Flying_Squad

I've queried these very lights with the seller on AliExpress. I asked whether they're compatible for cars with adaptive lights and high beam assist. The seller was 100% sure they're compatible, although he could just be clueless, I fear it's the latter.

If I were you, if you can't get them to work, I'd request a full refund, if all else fails and you've paid by credit card, take it up with them and initiate a chargeback.

Damn shame, as I personally think the headlight design looks good aesthetically and was hoping these would have worked.

Keep us posted either way and good luck!

Bought these from AliExpress too..took more than 2 months to arrive.I have initiated a partial refund though. They offered money back after return ,or $220 partial refund. Seen I have paid almost $500 to install them, and would cost the same amount to take them down, not worth it. I’m starting to like the look of it with just one halo ring working per headlight. The xenon are working, meaning no problem with low be high beam and turn signals. So my mechanic promised to do a little investigation/study to come up with a fix. I’m giving him enough time for his search. So that my next $500 labor charge won’t be vain.
The AliExpress seller promised to be just « plug and play »even no coding required. I have found online somewhere that I should try to use the OEM modules and maybe also the bulbs to this new headlights. I will suggest that to the mechanic.
They otherwise look amazing. Really amazing.
I will post some more pictures.

[fonfon22]

Originally Posted by Flying_Squad

I've queried these very lights with the seller on AliExpress. I asked whether they're compatible for cars with adaptive lights and high beam assist. The seller was 100% sure they're compatible, although he could just be clueless, I fear it's the latter.

If I were you, if you can't get them to work, I'd request a full refund, if all else fails and you've paid by credit card, take it up with them and initiate a chargeback.

Damn shame, as I personally think the headlight design looks good aesthetically and was hoping these would have worked.

Keep us posted either way and good luck!

I just uploaded some more pictures to my original post.
I want to believe they are adaptive. Each time you turn the headlights on , you see they are searching and repositioning . Very tiny motion of the bulbs.
Will find out more .

[ezaircon4jc]

Originally Posted by Flying_Squad

The very meaning of (and most English speakers interpretation and meaning of) the word "compatible" is to

'(with something) (of machines, especially computers, or software) able to be used together...and able to exist or be used together without causing problems'.

Not sure how "compatible" with adaptive function, can be construed to mean anything else.

The headlights are "compatible" with the car, i.e. they fit and will illuminate when plugged-in. Remember, we're dealing with Chinese interpretation of English.

[bake]

Good luck with getting them to function properly. Personally I am not a big fan of trying to get older cars to look like modern variants. I much rather my mods represent the best look from that period. Maybe it's just me.

[Flying_Squad]

I just think it's unacceptable for these sellers on AliExpress to falsely advertise and sell items which aren't fit for purpose. Granted they're cheaper than the OEM equivalent, but still not 'cheap' by any means, especially when they don't work as descried.

If they're trading to an international market, they should be able to use the English language appropriately to market and sell their products in an honest way. They shouldn't be allowed to hide behind the language barrier and their 'interpretation of English'.


Rant over!

To the OP, keep us posted how you get on with these, I'd be interested if you get them to work as intended, as I said I personally think they look good aesthetically.

[fonfon22]

Originally Posted by bake

Good luck with getting them to function properly. Personally I am not a big fan of trying to get older cars to look like modern variants. I much rather my mods represent the best look from that period. Maybe it's just me.

Just matter of taste. I fell for these headlights. My car is new from 2015. So I thought to give it a little cosmetic touch.
Headlights cost $1500 today. I wish they came up with better instructions.

[fonfon22]

Originally Posted by Flying_Squad

I just think it's unacceptable for these sellers on AliExpress to falsely advertise and sell items which aren't fit for purpose. Granted they're cheaper than the OEM equivalent, but still not 'cheap' by any means, especially when they don't work as descried.

If they're trading to an international market, they should be able to use the English language appropriately to market and sell their products in an honest way. They shouldn't be allowed to hide behind the language barrier and their 'interpretation of English'.


Rant over!

To the OP, keep us posted how you get on with these, I'd be interested if you get them to work as intended, as I said I personally think they look good aesthetically.

I sure will. Hesitating between going back to the original mechanic, or keep searching for the right guy. Each time you uninstall and reinstall the headlights, you loose $400 to $500 . Better make sure you get the right guy.

[lonestar22]

there is a bit of coding that needs to be done to get the headlights to work properly. i believe you need a mechanic that is more proficient in BMWs to get them to work properly.

[arysojit]

Hey guys, I ordered these same headlights and am going to get them installed by my local Euro mechanic next week.

Any advice/suggestions in regard to the coding?

I have thought of removing the Adaptive Headlights from the VO using ProTools.

Also, any updates about what happened to your headlights? fonfon22

Thank you!

[r2dmax]

I've been looking at these as well as my adaptive lights both have sealing issues and are not operating properly. Mine is a 2013 and I'm not willing to spend $3k on a set of adaptive lights. The seller I found on eBay said that you will have to have the adaptive option decoded and that from there they are plug and play./ Also, you would supply your own modules. I do want all the DRLs to work properly too if I purchase. I may rethink my purchase as $1000 is still too much to not work correctly

I DO, however know they are NOT adaptive after confirming with the seller. Again, I wasn't going to stress that too much at this point on my car

[r2dmax]

Originally Posted by fonfon22

When you turn on the headlights I do see them adjust by moving a little bit.
I don't know if that can be a sign of adaptiveness.
I saw somewhere from a different dealer that you MUST install the RIGHT headlight first and have the car "Learn" the new headlights. With some instructions for the "learning process". But I know that the mechanic installed the left headlight first and at that time I didnt see the instructions. So was too late. Now we have to take the headlights down again if we want to try that. which will cost money again.

Can you post a pic of the directions? I'm curious to see what is required per the company

[ezaircon4jc]

After having adaptive for 8 years now (two F10's and my current G30), I could never go back; ESPECIALLY on mountainous roada.

[Flying_Squad]

Totally agree, losing an amazing feature like adaptive lights, high beam assist etc, for what is a cosmetic upgrade, just doesn't make sense.

It is a shame though, as I feel these aftermarket headlights do make the F10/F11 look more modern. As classic as they are, the traditional round angel eyes for me are looking too dated nowadays.

[r2dmax]

I'd agree as well except in my case BOTH my adaptive light have seal issues and have affected the Control modules too. Since I need to replace them anyway, and to have them fixed/updated is about $2k+ I may got with the updated style LED light. Mine haven't been "adaptive" for a while as I have been researching options