[TonyS]

Driving in slightly foggy conditions on back roads in the wilds of Lincolnshire with auto-high beam on a couple of evenings ago, I suddenly noticed that my headlights were taking a few seconds to centre after turning left or right at junctions.

A couple of minutes later I could clearly see in the foggy conditions that when they switched to high beam the nearside headlight was pointed over to the right and up, and the offside one was doing a good job of illuminating the tops of the trees. Switching to manual didn't help. A few minutes after that and I got "adaptive headlights failure" displayed on the black panel.

We reached our destination for the evening shortly afterwards, and on the drive back a couple of hours later everything seemed fine at first, until the lights started swivelling around more than they usually do, although the warning didn't appear.

We drove 200 miles back to Sussex last night, most of it in the dark, and again all seemed fine until about 200 yards from home when the warning appeared again.

The car is already going in to the dealers next week for a gearbox replacement, so I've just added this to the list for them to deal with.

I must admit, after the car being rock solid for the first 9 months, it's now started to annoy me a bit with a succession of issues cropping up - first of all sudden wind noise from nearside, then a rattling vibration (which BMW UK say is the gearbox), and now this. Hopefully these things really do come in threes and that's it now.

Oh yes, I also discovered that the auto-high beam setting, brilliant though it is normally, is confused by any fog and often leaves just the low beams on - I assume it's seeing the reflected light from the fog and thinks it's street lights.

[F30AM]

Funny you should bring this up.
I just cannot understand how my Adaptive Lights work. I have them on Auto all the time. Is the way the adjust very subtle?

[Alkidrew]

Originally Posted by F30AM

Funny you should bring this up.
I just cannot understand how my Adaptive Lights work. I have them on Auto all the time. Is the way the adjust very subtle?

Subtle? No, it's the opposite! There is a difference between auto on the right hand side rotating light switch which you leave at 11 o'clock and you don't see much other than when you steer.

The OP is,talking about adaptive lights which is the button on the left stalk, this uses the camera to change the light patterns depending on traffic and is very obvious.

Adaptive is an option so you may not have it?

[F30AM]

Originally Posted by Alkidrew

Subtle? No, it's the opposite! There is a difference between auto on the right hand side rotating light switch which you leave at 11 o'clock and you don't see much other than when you steer.

The OP is,talking about adaptive lights which is the button on the left stalk, this uses the camera to change the light patterns depending on traffic and is very obvious.

Adaptive is an option so you may not have it?

I have the adaptive headlights as I have the visibility pack.
I've just discovered two buttons on the left hand stalk!
I presume it is the bottom one of the two for the adaptive headlights.
I've never used either button!!!!!!!

[browellm]

Originally Posted by F30AM

I have the adaptive headlights as I have the visibility pack.
I've just discovered two buttons on the left hand stalk!

Haha, OMG really? Oh boy, you're going to have some fun tonight.

[F30AM]

Originally Posted by browellm

Haha, OMG really? Oh boy, you're going to have some fun tonight.

I certainly am.
I am one massive idiot and so is my ex!!!
We have the exact sae cars. She did not know of this either!

[F30AM]

Can someone tell me how it all works. Don't have the manual at hand.

[rich100]

The adaptive headlights and high beam assist are two separate elements of the visibility pack.

Adaptive headlights are activated by switching your lights control as previously mentioned to the 11 o'clock position. Agree with the above and I just leave as is. This setting essentially means that the headlights will move in conjunction with when you turn the wheel left or right to illuminate your path around bends. Fog lights will also briefly come on when you are turning left or right at low speeds.

High beam assist on the other hand is activated using the little button on the left hand stalk. When this is switched on you will have a green light illuminated on the dash and this means that the headlights will switch between high and low beam automatically depending on certain conditions on and taking into account oncoming traffic. The system will be overridden however if you manually switch the high beam on or off.

That's it really, you really do need to have a go with it because it's a great piece of kit and really useful particularly on winding unlit roads at night.

[TonyS]

Originally Posted by F30AM

I certainly am.
I am one massive idiot and so is my ex!!!
We have the exact sae cars. She did not know of this either!

You are in for a real treat. Don't forget to pick your jaw up off the ground as you marvel at the little elves and pixies running around inside your headlights making all this magic work. That is, unless you get the "adaptive headlights failure " message like me!

[Alkidrew]

Originally Posted by F30AM

I have the adaptive headlights as I have the visibility pack.
I've just discovered two buttons on the left hand stalk!
I presume it is the bottom one of the two for the adaptive headlights.
I've never used either button!!!!!!!

I wonder what else you have that you don't know about? Have you found the radio yet?

[F30AM]

Originally Posted by Alkidrew

I wonder what else you have that you don't know about? Have you found the radio yet?

Yes, I found the Radio last year, but it took a long search!!

[RichardM]

This is almost as entertaining as last night

The other button is the trip computer. Have you never touched that either?

[F30AM]

Originally Posted by RichardM

This is almost as entertaining as last night

The other button is the trip computer. Have you never touched that either?

Today was the first time. Now how hopeless am I?
Well, I've not used the paddles, yet!

[RichardM]

Originally Posted by F30AM

Today was the first time. Now how hopeless am I?
Well, I've not used the paddles, yet!

Ah, but at least you knew they were there

[gatsojon]

Originally Posted by F30AM

I have the adaptive headlights as I have the visibility pack.
I've just discovered two buttons on the left hand stalk!
I presume it is the bottom one of the two for the adaptive headlights.
I've never used either button!!!!!!!

Oh I'm very much looking forward to your review

I find them just fabulous and make a dark wet drive so much easier. Easily one of the best options I picked

[dopper99]

Originally Posted by F30AM

Today was the first time. Now how hopeless am I?
Well, I've not used the paddles, yet!

Have you lifted the bonnet yet to see what is under there?

I must admit, I haven't looked under the bonnet on mine yet - I keep forgetting (although it is a bit dark at night)

[F30AM]

Originally Posted by dopper99

Have you lifted the bonnet yet to see what is under there?

I must admit, I haven't looked under the bonnet on mine yet - I keep forgetting (although it is a bit dark at night)

I sure have a number of times. It's ever so clean in there!

Did not have a chance to drive tonight to check the clever lights. Whilst stationary, switched the high beam on and noticed no change in the light pattern. I presume I should be driving around for them to work.

[dopper99]

Yes I think the clever lights only work on a pitch black road above around 30 mph.

[BMWSKI]

Do people not read instructions anymore???

[gatsojon]

Originally Posted by BMWSKI

Do people not read instructions anymore???

I believe women do

[BMWSKI]

Originally Posted by gatsojon

I believe women do

...and me then
When my car finally arrives, please feel free to ask any questions relating to the owners manual

[F30AM]

I've now looked at every button on the car and I think I know how most work. But I will read the manual this weekend.
How do the paddles work, I wonder .......