[Hitz101]

If anyone ends up doing a retro fit when these release let me know. I might be interested depending on the cost. If it's to insane then forget it

[ChiTownM]

.....well it is over 6K if you spec it on a new i8 so it will be expensive to retrofit pending also parts availability. ...and programming.

[fsfikke]

Originally Posted by furby076

but not for the other cars? europe has this on 3/4.....its not like they have to do anything special. in fact their OpEx can go down as they only have to stock one type. what kinda malarky is this

3/4 don't have Laserlight, only the i8 and G11/12.

[Nomana]

Star wars promo?

[MKSixer]

Originally Posted by Nomana

Star wars promo?

The timing seems rather curious...

[MKSixer]

And if anyone is interested and would like to move, 'watching grass grow' and 'watching paint dry' down on their to-do list, here is some great reading. Welcome to my world...

http://www.fda.gov/Radiation-Emittin...et/default.htm

[Carac]

I've been told they had to severely retard the output to make it acceptable for US regulations since there has been no appreciable change in standards, lowering it to basically the same level as their LED output. So you're basically getting a slightly different color temperature light in the US compared to the standard LEDs.

[MKSixer]

Originally Posted by Carac

I've been told they had to severely retard the output to make it acceptable for US regulations since there has been no appreciable change in standards, lowering it to basically the same level as their LED output. So you're basically getting a slightly different color temperature light in the US compared to the standard LEDs.

That is rather disappointing. Yea DOT + FDA!!! A winning combination for the advancement of automotive techNOlogy. Emphasis on NO in this case!

[remmib]

Originally Posted by Dackelone

Laser lights are already an option for the new 7er(in Europe). I think the next car/platform will be the next 5er and 6er's.

Dackel

Do you know why it's so much cheaper on the G11 than on the i8?

[YWGT3]

Originally Posted by Carac

I've been told they had to severely retard the output to make it acceptable for US regulations since there has been no appreciable change in standards, lowering it to basically the same level as their LED output. So you're basically getting a slightly different color temperature light in the US compared to the standard LEDs.

If that's the case, I can think of better ways to spend my money on the i8.

[ChiTownM]

Originally Posted by MKSixer

That is rather disappointing. Yeah DOT + FDA!!! A winning combination for the advancement of automotive techNOlogy. Emphasis on NO in this case!

That was rather clever......but yeah, I have family in the healthcare industry and the stories I hear about the FDA are not very flattering to say the least, behind the times.......

I like the LEDs, they are plenty bright IMHO!

[PARTS@STBMW]

Can't wait to see in person!

[AWDBooSTIn90]

So how much does it cost if you were adding it on your new BMW i8 build sheet options list? I didnt see it mentioned anywhere.

I seen someone posted that its 10k$+ for retrofitting to current cars, but how much does BMW charge to add it as an option on a new 2016 i8?

Cool technology though. Does it offer an advantage as far as less blinding to oncoming traffic? How bad would it be driving straight towards an i8 equipped with laser or even LED headlights in high beam mode? Even xenons can be pretty blinding on dark curvy roads. Seems like lasers' would be even worse? Lol

Anthony

[AWDBooSTIn90]

Originally Posted by PARTS@STBMW

Can't wait to see in person!

+1 me too

Would love to test drive xenons, LED, laser lights back to back on the same dark curvy back road to really see the comparison...

[Imola.ZHP]

Sunroof coming on the 2016 i3 too but no mention of that on the front page. They even sold a special edition i3 of only 50 copies, also no mention on the front page.

I call shenanigans!!!

[AWDBooSTIn90]

Originally Posted by Imola.ZHP

Sunroof coming on the 2016 i3 too but no mention of that on the front page. They even sold a special edition i3 of only 50 copies, also no mention on the front page.

I call shenanigans!!!

Because i3 equals ugly expensive... Electricy motory thing...

And i8 equals expensive sexy... Work of art?

[CARTOON]

I've been thinking about ordering an i8 lately and this will be a nice addition to the order. I'd really like to drive one first before ordering though. Unfortunately, I don't know of any dealers in Houston that have one.

Maybe I could bribe a fellow Houston member with an i8 to let me drive theirs if I let them drive one of my Lambo's or other cars?

For those of you that own one, what is the power like? My fear about this car is that it will feel underpowered.

[MKSixer]

Originally Posted by CARTOON

I've been thinking about ordering an i8 lately and this will be a nice addition to the order. I'd really like to drive one first before ordering though. Unfortunately, I don't know of any dealers in Houston that have one.

Maybe I could bribe a fellow Houston member with an i8 to let me drive theirs if I let them drive one of my Lambo's or other cars?

For those of you that own one, what is the power like? My fear about this car is that it will feel underpowered.

I am about 285 miles east of you so the drive will be difficult but I can provide a bit of feedback.

For perspective, I also own a tuned E63 M6 with about 600hp. This is probably in the range of what you are accustomed to driving.

After driving the i8 for about 10 days straight then jumping back into the M6, I was stunned at the non-linear acceleration of the M6 when compared to the i8. The i8 just goes without any fuss and drama. The M6 requires a deft hand and good launch to move quickly off the line. The M6 is devastatingly fast...especially over 100 mph. The i8 just goes from the first touch of the throttle with really hard acceleration that gradually falls off naturally due to the lack of horsepower. I suspect that the crossover is about 75-85 mph between the two cars. In town and in the twisties, the i8 is superior. On the open road, the M6 is superior. They are two different cars with two different purposes but each is enjoyable in it's own right.

I don't think that you will be disappointed with the i8...I haven't been in any way.

I hope this helps.

Cheers-mk

[MKSixer]

Originally Posted by AWDBooSTIn90

So how much does it cost if you were adding it on your new BMW i8 build sheet options list? I didnt see it mentioned anywhere.

I seen someone posted that its 10k$+ for retrofitting to current cars, but how much does BMW charge to add it as an option on a new 2016 i8?

Cool technology though. Does it offer an advantage as far as less blinding to oncoming traffic? How bad would it be driving straight towards an i8 equipped with laser or even LED headlights in high beam mode? Even xenons can be pretty blinding on dark curvy roads. Seems like lasers' would be even worse? Lol

Anthony

$6,300 for the lights.

[CARTOON]

Originally Posted by MKSixer

I am about 285 miles east of you so the drive will be difficult but I can provide a bit of feedback.

For perspective, I also own a tuned E63 M6 with about 600hp. This is probably in the range of what you are accustomed to driving.

After driving the i8 for about 10 days straight then jumping back into the M6, I was stunned at the non-linear acceleration of the M6 when compared to the i8. The i8 just goes without any fuss and drama. The M6 requires a deft hand and good launch to move quickly off the line. The M6 is devastatingly fast...especially over 100 mph. The i8 just goes from the first touch of the throttle with really hard acceleration that gradually falls off naturally due to the lack of horsepower. I suspect that the crossover is about 75-85 mph between the two cars. In town and in the twisties, the i8 is superior. On the open road, the M6 is superior. They are two different cars with two different purposes but each is enjoyable in it's own right.

I don't think that you will be disappointed with the i8...I haven't been in any way.

I hope this helps.

Cheers-mk

MK, thank you for your comparison. Greatly appreciated. From things I've read, the power doesn't seem like it would be too lacking, but the whole electric motor is what I question. Not the reliability, but the lack of noise and just overall feel. I think we can all understand when I say, there's something special about driving a gasoline engined vehicle.

Just not sure I could get used to an electric vehicle? I was very close to ordering a Tesla a while back, but decided against it. I test drove one, and though it was a nice car to drive, I felt it was missing something. Also, thought the Tesla is a nice looking design, nowadays, it kind of just blends in with all of the other 4-door sedans.

Now, the i8 is something totally different. Yes, it's electric (though, not fully), it's still not 100% combustion. The design is what I'm more interested in. It's futuristic looking. My Aventador looks like a spaceship and futuristic. Same goes for how I feel about the i8. It's design is what will probably lure me in to purchasing one.

MK, if you're ever in the Houston area, let me know and we can meet up and you can drive a car of your choice.

[MalibuBimmer]

I haven't had a Lambo but I've owned an M6 and currently own an M4 along with the i8. In sport mode the i8 pumps in engine sounds that are quite convincing. But when you push the i8 hard it goes like hell without any real fuss. As I've written elsewhere, the i8 is a string quartet and the M4 is a rock band. I like them both. No need for me to have more than one rock band in the garage.

[MKSixer]

Originally Posted by CARTOON

MK, thank you for your comparison. Greatly appreciated. From things I've read, the power doesn't seem like it would be too lacking, but the whole electric motor is what I question. Not the reliability, but the lack of noise and just overall feel. I think we can all understand when I say, there's something special about driving a gasoline engined vehicle.

Just not sure I could get used to an electric vehicle? I was very close to ordering a Tesla a while back, but decided against it. I test drove one, and though it was a nice car to drive, I felt it was missing something. Also, thought the Tesla is a nice looking design, nowadays, it kind of just blends in with all of the other 4-door sedans.

Now, the i8 is something totally different. Yes, it's electric (though, not fully), it's still not 100% combustion. The design is what I'm more interested in. It's futuristic looking. My Aventador looks like a spaceship and futuristic. Same goes for how I feel about the i8. It's design is what will probably lure me in to purchasing one.

MK, if you're ever in the Houston area, let me know and we can meet up and you can drive a car of your choice.

Thanks and my pleasure.

I really think that you would enjoy the i8 from the technical standpoint as well as enjoying the driving sensation. The car looks is fantastic and garners attention at every stop.

I know what you mean about driving a gasoline engined car. I still love driving my V10 M6 especially since I have Tubi Section's 2 and 3. At full throttle it can be heard from a couple of miles away.

I recommend buying the car and know that you will enjoy it as much as I do.

Thanks for the offer of the drive, as well. The Aventador is one of my all-time favorites. The Top Gear episode featuring the Aventador is epic!
Cheers-mk