are adaptive and non adaptive headlights hotswapable? i currently have non adaptive but have oportunity to pick up some adaptive cheap

They should be swappable, but they won't work any different than your current headlights unless you also install the necessary AFS control module, which must be wired through private LIN bus to the adaptive power module within each headlight assembly, and to the rest of the car's electronic network via CAN bus. You'd probably need to get the dealer involved for all that wiring and connecting - you can bet that a software upload to reconfigure the system would be required after all the hardware is in place - and I reckon it would turn out to be quite an expensive modification. 

Not swappable - and you can't just plug them in and use them as normal lights as the motors won't hold the lights up. They'll be pointing at the floor. A D3 not in drag....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GEr9N6EGFNg...Sv8zqkav9F

i'll be honest, i cant tell the difference with adaptive or not, the lights on my disco were just as good. i even try to turn fast around the twisties but cant notice. side bending beams are good though...all cars should have this