What differentiates UK and European/US headlights?

Chris_D · Post by **Chris_D** » Wed Mar 29, 2017 1:58 pm

So I'll be importing the zed into Holland at some point when I can get some bleedin spare time.
Obviously as well as all the associated administrational bumflufferies I'll have to get the headlights swapped over to Euro or US spec ones. I've spotted a decent looking pair on marktplaats.nl but they will come without xenon bulbs or ballasts. No biggy, I'll just utilise my existing xenon bulbs and ballasts. The question is though, what exactly differentiates the Euro and UK xenon headlights? Are there different headlight internals, lens patterns etc?
http://link.marktplaats.nl/m1150775919

: headlights.JPG (46.85 KiB) Viewed 2331 times

: headlights back.JPG (49.4 KiB) Viewed 2331 times

Monaco84 · Post by **Monaco84** » Wed Mar 29, 2017 3:40 pm

Hi,

you have to change the Lenses, since RHD-Headlights are shining to the left and LHD-Headlights are shining to the right.
Otherwise you will dazzle the cars on the other side of the road.

Please see the picture attached. It's only an example and not the real z4 part. (i colored the important area which is different)
I have to look in my storage if i might have to spare LHD lenses for a conversion.

: lens.JPG (61.67 KiB) Viewed 2307 times

Kind regards,
Patrick

Monaco84 · Post by **Monaco84** » Wed Mar 29, 2017 3:41 pm

You could probably use your existing headlights in case you get EU/US lenses...

Chris_D · Post by **Chris_D** » Wed Mar 29, 2017 3:48 pm

Yes, i know there is an adjustment you can make to change the beam pattern on rhd headlights for driving in the EU mainland but this isn't sufficient to make it fully compliant when importing. I've made the adjustment and it does make a difference so hopefully i'm not dazzling oncoming motorists here in holland

So you think it's the lenses themselves then? Would be great if i could get away with just replacing those and retaining the uk headlight units and ancillaries....
Let me know if you do indeed have any spare LHD lenses, maybe we could do a deal....

Monaco84 · Post by **Monaco84** » Wed Mar 29, 2017 3:51 pm

Chris_D wrote:Yes, i know there is an adjustment you can make to change the beam pattern on rhd headlights for driving in the EU mainland but this isn't sufficient to make it fully compliant when importing. I've made the adjustment and it does make a difference so hopefully i'm not dazzling oncoming motorists here in holland

totally agree! And the part that was adjusted is the part that is the difference between UK and EU/US.
This metall part is mounted to the lens.

Chris_D wrote:So you think it's the lenses themselves then? Would be great if i could get away with just replacing those and retaining the uk headlight units and ancillaries....
Let me know if you do indeed have any spare LHD lenses, maybe we could do a deal....

I did the same after importing my rhd to germany. I will check it and let you know.

Chris_D · Post by **Chris_D** » Wed Mar 29, 2017 5:23 pm

...vielen dank

NickDE · Post by **NickDE** » Wed Mar 29, 2017 7:10 pm

My E46 with xenons didn't need new headlights when importing from NL to UK. Just flipped switches on the back and they passed UK MOT with no problems. I think with xenons the beam focus is not done by the outer lenses. Check your handbook to see if you can flip before paying out big money. Or ask BMW UK.

Chris_D · Post by **Chris_D** » Wed Mar 29, 2017 7:21 pm

NickDE wrote:My E46 with xenons didn't need new headlights when importing from NL to UK. Just flipped switches on the back and they passed UK MOT with no problems. I think with xenons the beam focus is not done by the outer lenses. Check your handbook to see if you can flip before paying out big money. Or ask BMW UK.

Thanks Nick but I've heard from a few sources now that UK headlights won't pass inspection when importing to Holland and that the 'flipping' of the passenger side headlamp anti-dazzle baffle won't suffice either.

Monaco84 · Post by **Monaco84** » Thu Mar 30, 2017 10:32 am

it is necessary to change the lenses, trust me.
The flipping of the inner part is just for temporary use of headlights in the "other area".

Monaco84 · Post by **Monaco84** » Thu Mar 30, 2017 2:24 pm

Here are some pictures of LHD lenses with the shutter to switch a LHD to NEUTRAL.

neutral

: IMG_2473.JPG (74.41 KiB) Viewed 2218 times

LHD

: IMG_2472.JPG (73.17 KiB) Viewed 2218 times

neutral

: IMG_2470.JPG (66.75 KiB) Viewed 2218 times

LHD

: IMG_2471.JPG (61.91 KiB) Viewed 2218 times

Scooba_Steve · Post by **Scooba_Steve** » Thu Mar 30, 2017 3:22 pm

If no kick up is required then why wouldn't a flat beam pass? If it is then obvs needs changing. What about a LHD set of Sonar units?

Chris_D · Post by **Chris_D** » Thu Mar 30, 2017 3:47 pm

Interesting.
& you could do with a new phone patrick...

Monaco84 · Post by **Monaco84** » Fri Mar 31, 2017 10:34 am

Chris_D wrote: ↑Thu Mar 30, 2017 3:47 pm& you could do with a new phone patrick...

hehe, it's my business phone. I would a get a new used one from the IT guys in case the damage is bothering me.

Scooba_Steve wrote: ↑Thu Mar 30, 2017 3:22 pmIf no kick up is required then why wouldn't a flat beam pass? If it is then obvs needs changing. What about a LHD set of Sonar units?

Flat Beam is a bad light option, trust me. Otherwise name me a reason why there is something like LHD and RHD lenses from factory.
I dont know what you mean with sonar units. If you mean non-OEM lenses: should probably work,too. However if you want to be in line with german Tüv for example, you are only allowed to use OEM parts to pass the Tüv check.

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