adaptive headlights - auto yes, manual no

[trueX5er]

Originally Posted by GPSnV1

Thanks for the clarification(s).

Its not only the garage, but other times they pop on that distract me. I assume that shortens the life of a xenon bulb.

My daily problem is that I go to the office early and either there is just a shade too much darkness and maybe clouds from coming rain that I prefer the combination of DRLs and fog lamps. But if its dark whatever time of the day and I'm having trouble seeing others then the head lamps are put to work so I can been seen as I weave through the traffic.

First of all, if the lights go on automatically during the day that is because they should be on at that point. When you are going to the office early in the morning, they should be on. The fogs should not, or the DRL.
Second, why are you weaving through traffic?
Yes, it might shorted the bulb life just a tiny bit. But I have never seen a burned out HID bulb...they last almost forever.

[GPSnV1]

Originally Posted by trueX5er

First of all, if the lights go on automatically during the day that is because they should be on at that point. When you are going to the office early in the morning, they should be on. The fogs should not, or the DRL.
Second, why are you weaving through traffic?
Yes, it might shorted the bulb life just a tiny bit. But I have never seen a burned out HID bulb...they last almost forever.

Sorry, but from my perspective the auto switch is too sensitive and the lights come on at times when they do not appear needed. And when they are on auto, I forget to turn them off when pulling into the garage.

Thanks for enlightening me about the life of these bulbs.

Weaving? Well, how else can you get anywhere on US roads? If we had the European system, then I would be fine.

[AzNMpower32]

Originally Posted by GPSnV1

Weaving? Well, how else can you get anywhere on US roads? If we had the European system, then I would be fine.

Slow down. You may get lower fuel consumption as well by not constantly accelerating when you change lanes.

Yes, German driving etiquette is much better. But since we're stuck here, that doesn't give anyone an excuse to drive faster. I'd love to set cruise at 120 km/h on the freeway. However, since folks here find that terrifying (), you may as just slow down, sit back, and follow along. It doesn't matter what car you drive.......we share the road. I get angry at BMW drivers who drive needlessly aggressively as well.

Foglamps are really designed for fog only. The Corona Rings on modern BMWs are bright enough to be seen in most daylight cloudy conditions anyways.

If you don't like the sensitivity of the automatic headlamp control, you can always just leave it off, and then click it to Auto when you feel like it. I do believe that low beams should be switched on whenever there is rain.

[GPSnV1]

Originally Posted by AzNMpower32

Slow down. You may get lower fuel consumption as well by not constantly accelerating when you change lanes.

Yes, German driving etiquette is much better. But since we're stuck here, that doesn't give anyone an excuse to drive faster. I'd love to set cruise at 120 km/h on the freeway. However, since folks here find that terrifying (), you may as just slow down, sit back, and follow along. It doesn't matter what car you drive.......we share the road. I get angry at BMW drivers who drive needlessly aggressively as well.

Foglamps are really designed for fog only. The Corona Rings on modern BMWs are bright enough to be seen in most daylight cloudy conditions anyways.

If you don't like the sensitivity of the automatic headlamp control, you can always just leave it off, and then click it to Auto when you feel like it. I do believe that low beams should be switched on whenever there is rain.

Very helpful reply, but I would ask that you not equate my off-the-cuff reference "weaving through traffic" to mean agressive dirving that puts me and everyone else at risk. I have 45 years of driving without causing a wreck and have little patience with agressive drivers or tailgaters for that matter (you know, 'follow the rabbit').
Whether I'm flying to then driving in another of 50+ countries or driving in OK or a densely populated area, my goal is always safety first.
Three of my last trips have been to Europe and it is impossible to not come back and be frustrated with the driving patterns on US roads. That's all I meant to say rather than trying to advocate reckless driving.
Ironically I do remember a driving trip in NC where I went the speed limit and did get great gas mileage, but I found the driving in that lane at that speed less safe than my usual approach of getting in the clear, a pattern which I have followed in any vehicle I drive.
Sorry to belabor this point, but I drove sedans until a job change forced me into SUVs. I drove conventional SUVs until I lost a brother-in-law who could not navigate a S-curve in his SUV. He rolled several times and was ejected. What I saw at Vanderbilt Hospital will never leave me.
My work requires driving through not only the main highways but also remote parts of Appalachia and an X5 seemed like the safest choice for my needs. I do make bad driving decisions at times, but those are despite my best intentions.