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BMW's high beam assistant (HBA): Difference between revisions

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'''[[BMW]]''' have created a subscription model for their auto-dimming headlights.<ref>[https://www.bmw.ie/en/shop/ls/dp/FLA_Offer_ie High Beam Assistant]</ref>
'''[[BMW]]''' have created a subscription model for their auto-dimming headlights.<ref>[https://www.bmw.ie/en/shop/ls/dp/FLA_Offer_ie High Beam Assistant] ([http://web.archive.org/web/20251211055532/https://www.bmw.ie/en/shop/ls/dp/FLA_Offer_ie Archived])</ref>
==High beam assistant subscription==
==High beam assistant subscription==
While some car manufacturers have included auto-dimming headlamps in their vehicles as standard, BMW has charged for this feature since 2005. [[Media:Night_Vision_highbeam.doc.doc]]
While some car manufacturers have included auto-dimming headlamps in their vehicles as standard, BMW has charged for this feature since 2005. [[Media:Night_Vision_highbeam.doc.doc]]
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*unlimited €250
*unlimited €250


[[File:BMW's HBA Pricing Model.png|thumb|BMW's High Beam Assistant Pricing model, taken from bmw.co.uk.<ref>[https://www.bmw.co.uk/en/shop/ls/dp/FLA_Offer_gb High Beam Assistant]</ref>]]
[[File:BMW's HBA Pricing Model.png|thumb|BMW's High Beam Assistant Pricing model, taken from bmw.co.uk.<ref>[https://www.bmw.co.uk/en/shop/ls/dp/FLA_Offer_gb High Beam Assistant] ([http://web.archive.org/web/20251015062146/https://www.bmw.co.uk/en/shop/ls/dp/FLA_Offer_gb Archived])</ref>]]
The problem lies with the components needed for this feature already being installed in the car at purchase, rather than installed after an additional fee.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Groves |first=Jake |date=26 Mar 2021 |title=‘The uncomfortable future of in-car upgrades has begun’ |url=https://www.carmagazine.co.uk/features/opinion/jake-groves/in-car-upgrades/?utm_source=chatgpt.com |url-status=live |access-date=1 Apr 2025 |website=carmagazine}}</ref>
The problem lies with the components needed for this feature already being installed in the car at purchase, rather than installed after an additional fee.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Groves |first=Jake |date=26 Mar 2021 |title=‘The uncomfortable future of in-car upgrades has begun’ |url=https://www.carmagazine.co.uk/features/opinion/jake-groves/in-car-upgrades/?utm_source=chatgpt.com |url-status=live |access-date=1 Apr 2025 |website=carmagazine |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250708192507/https://www.carmagazine.co.uk/features/opinion/jake-groves/in-car-upgrades/?utm_source=chatgpt.com |archive-date=8 Jul 2025}}</ref>


===BMW's response===
===BMW's response===
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==Consumer response==
==Consumer response==


Many people who have purchased a newer BMW are shocked to find out that the HBA requires an activation fee, and have looked for ways around it believing it should come standard.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Is there a proven way around paying £200 to activate high beam assist? |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/BmwTech/comments/1b2d99v/is_there_a_proven_way_around_paying_200_to/?utm_source=chatgpt.com |url-status=live |access-date=1 Apr 2024 |website=[[Reddit]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=21 Nov 2022 |title=Just picked-up a demo G30 545e Xdrive. It has the high-beam assist hardware and BMW want €225 to turn it on. Anyone know whether Bimmercode could throw the switch on this for me and get it working? |url=https://g30.bimmerpost.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1971756 |url-status=live |access-date=1 Apr 2025 |website=Bimmerpost |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250708192459/https://g30.bimmerpost.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1971756 |archive-date=8 Jul 2025}}</ref> Others wonder if the purchase price is simply worth it.<ref>{{Cite web |date=17 Sep 2022 |title=High Beam Assist. |url=https://www.babybmw.net/threads/high-beam-assist.147073 |url-status=live |access-date=1 Apr 2025 |website=babybmw |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20220927052119/https://www.babybmw.net/threads/high-beam-assist.147073/ |archive-date=27 Sep 2022}}</ref>
Many people who have purchased a newer BMW are shocked to find out that the HBA requires an activation fee, and have looked for ways around it believing it should come standard.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Is there a proven way around paying £200 to activate high beam assist? |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/BmwTech/comments/1b2d99v/is_there_a_proven_way_around_paying_200_to/?utm_source=chatgpt.com |url-status=live |access-date=1 Apr 2024 |website=[[Reddit]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260223033552/https://old.reddit.com/r/BmwTech/comments/1b2d99v/is_there_a_proven_way_around_paying_200_to/?utm_source=chatgpt.com |archive-date=23 Feb 2026}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=21 Nov 2022 |title=Just picked-up a demo G30 545e Xdrive. It has the high-beam assist hardware and BMW want €225 to turn it on. Anyone know whether Bimmercode could throw the switch on this for me and get it working? |url=https://g30.bimmerpost.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1971756 |url-status=live |access-date=1 Apr 2025 |website=Bimmerpost |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250708192459/https://g30.bimmerpost.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1971756 |archive-date=8 Jul 2025}}</ref> Others wonder if the purchase price is simply worth it.<ref>{{Cite web |date=17 Sep 2022 |title=High Beam Assist. |url=https://www.babybmw.net/threads/high-beam-assist.147073 |url-status=live |access-date=1 Apr 2025 |website=babybmw |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20220927052119/https://www.babybmw.net/threads/high-beam-assist.147073/ |archive-date=27 Sep 2022}}</ref>


==References==
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}
[[Category:BMW]]
[[Category:BMW]]

Revision as of 03:36, 23 February 2026

BMW have created a subscription model for their auto-dimming headlights.[1]

High beam assistant subscription

While some car manufacturers have included auto-dimming headlamps in their vehicles as standard, BMW has charged for this feature since 2005. Media:Night_Vision_highbeam.doc.doc

When first introduced BMW's High Beam Assistant (HBA) required specific hardware components for its operation. The system utilized a sensor at the front of the car to detect oncoming light sources, which was integrated into the rearview mirror housing.[2]

Additionally, retrofitting guides for models like the BMW E90 indicate that installing the HBA involves hardware modifications, such as replacing the rearview mirror with one equipped with the necessary sensor and connecting it to the vehicle's electrical system.[3]

These sources confirm that the original implementation of the High-Beam Assistant required additional hardware installations, justifying its status as an optional feature at an extra cost.

Photo from OzJedi in a Bimmerpost forum discussion in 2019.[4]

In 2019[citation needed] BMW started charging a subscription for their High Beam Assistant(HBA). This was originally a one time additional add-on for ~€115. Pricing for the subscription is as follows:

  • 1 month €15
  • 1 year €150
  • 3 years €200
  • unlimited €250
BMW's High Beam Assistant Pricing model, taken from bmw.co.uk.[5]

The problem lies with the components needed for this feature already being installed in the car at purchase, rather than installed after an additional fee.[6]

BMW's response

A BMW spokesperson said that the store of features it offered "allows new car customers flexibility to add additional features to their vehicle after production should their circumstances change and the need for the feature arises.

"This is similar for secondary owners and providing customers with the chance to specify features they deem necessary, even if previous owners hadn’t needed those features."[6]

Consumer response

Many people who have purchased a newer BMW are shocked to find out that the HBA requires an activation fee, and have looked for ways around it believing it should come standard.[7][8] Others wonder if the purchase price is simply worth it.[9]

References

  1. ↑ High Beam Assistant (Archived)
  2. ↑ "BMW announces Night Vision and High-Beam Assistant". BMW. 21 Jul 2005. Archived from the original on 13 Jun 2024. Retrieved 1 Apr 2025.
  3. ↑ "Retrofit FLA ( High Beam Assist )". e90post.com. 20 Apr 2016. Archived from the original on 8 Jul 2025. Retrieved 1 Apr 2025.
  4. ↑ "Get ready to pay for High Beam Assistant!!!". Bimmeropost. 25 Nov 2019. Archived from the original on 8 Jul 2025. Retrieved 1 Apr 2025.
  5. ↑ High Beam Assistant (Archived)
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 Groves, Jake (26 Mar 2021). "'The uncomfortable future of in-car upgrades has begun'". carmagazine. Archived from the original on 8 Jul 2025. Retrieved 1 Apr 2025.
  7. ↑ "Is there a proven way around paying £200 to activate high beam assist?". Reddit. Archived from the original on 23 Feb 2026. Retrieved 1 Apr 2024.
  8. ↑ "Just picked-up a demo G30 545e Xdrive. It has the high-beam assist hardware and BMW want €225 to turn it on. Anyone know whether Bimmercode could throw the switch on this for me and get it working?". Bimmerpost. 21 Nov 2022. Archived from the original on 8 Jul 2025. Retrieved 1 Apr 2025.
  9. ↑ "High Beam Assist". babybmw. 17 Sep 2022. Archived from the original on 27 Sep 2022. Retrieved 1 Apr 2025.
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