So, not compelling at all then.

I wonder how much the dealers will charge for switching on DRL for those cars that can have it on but aren't currently activated?

Apparently I can get the Disco ones activated - and will call the UK dealer today.

I will check the Alpina at lunch today

I think I'll give the fitting of aftermarkets a miss.

After finding a Subaru forum where one poor soul, a decent mechanic, had fitted them, it was such a faff, and cost nearly double the price of the lights, in terms of new wiring, controller, etc, that I could buy 10 sets of bulbs for the price.
I've also measured the places I can mount them on the car, and it means either removing the bumper and cutting holes in it, or glueing them onto it. Neither option appeals to me, so I think I'll leave the normal lights on.

does anyone know where I can have them fitted for a BMW 3-series E91?
From what I understood on the internet, it should be quite easy but I wonder what it will cost.

edit: it has xenon lights

Before DRLs I drove a Mk4 Golf here for 9 years always driving with the headlights on. It became an instinctive reaction like turning the ignition with my right hand and switching the headlights on with my left.

In the 9 years I had to replace 5 headlight bulbs and a new battery after 5 years (which I was told is normal headlights or not), and other than new tyres, services and petrol, were the only consumables used.

Also in that period I didn't run over any pedestrians and no vehicles pulled out from side roads into me...

I'd just feel like such a prat (yes, moreso than normal ) driving around on a bright Summer's day with my headlights on.

And it makes my dash display dimmer:
"Officer, I was speeding because I couldn't see my speedomoter as it is too dim with my headlights on"

Which, here on the Dark Side, is about six days a year.

I do as Ab Fab mentioned above - automatically turn on the lights as I turn on the ignition. It's a habit - albeit one born of necessity, living in the Nebelsuppe.

So, not much of a change for me, then.



(I haven't noticed bulbs needing frequent changes. Perhaps I don't drive enough...)

Unlike the content of your posts, you can most likely adjust the dimness of the display.

Pot, kettle, black, calling, etc......

JUMBO is selling a set of running lights (authorized for lights as of 1.01.2014) for CHF 40 instead of CHF 79.90

They are on special as of this week (30.12.2013 until 18.01.2014 or while stock lasts).

Not sure what they are worth, but if you are looking for this type of solution it might be worth a visit to Jumbo soon to see them for yourself.

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Thanks, may have to pick up a few sets (my car, daughter's car, several motorcycles).

Tom

As they say "shop early for best selection".

In the fine print they say that it works with 12v and 24v and that they are 100% waterproof. They are small LEDs.

The poor-man's solution in the Disco is to set the lights to 'auto' and cover up the sensor with a piece of tape, fooling the car into thinking it's always night.

No idea if that's a typical price but three years ago, my Volvo dealer charged me 14.90 for labor plus 27.00 for the software to change the headlight programming. (=CHF 41.90 total)

As of 1.1.2014 now mandatory.

TCS are saying it increases fuel consumption by up to 2% if running with headlights on, however most modern cars have low energy running lights (e.g. LED) that don't impact fuel consumption measurably.

I ordered from here: http://www.miniinthebox.com/narrow/daytime-running-light_v78028t0/car-led-light-bulbs_c3103

These: http://www.miniinthebox.com/bd-0701-...t_p157489.html

I also ordered: http://www.amazon.de/gp/product/B002...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

As when the headlights come on, they need to turn off or Dim to 50%. Dectane do the dimming version too but this does cost more.

I read that too - I should have done it last week - when I had the time. I am back this weekend so will give it a go then. Have you done the RRS yet?

(FYI 10.7l/100km over 3,200km)

I can't find the bloody sensor! As far as I can tell, it's combined with the rain sensor behind the rear-view mirror, and can't be covered up from the inside without removing the mirror housing.

I think I'm resigned to paying the dealer to change the DRL setting using their whizzy computer -- I'm guessing they'll charge 30 minutes labor as part of another service? Or should we get this guy to take a Swiss vacation and upgrade us all at the same time?

(Still can't get much better than 16.8l/100km)

Ken, you do know your 10.7 indicated by the car is about 12l/100km?

Better off taking kms and litres and working it out. I'm using Fuely.com and see that I have a real 11.6 over 4300km....

It'll be interesting to see how it is with EGRs blanked....high-speed little difference, around town and up hill it's smoother and I expect improvement.

Been happily driving for the last few days with my lights firmly turned OFF. Hell hasn't frozen over and the 2nd coming hasn't. Even passed a police car the other day and nothing happened.