I'm going to Spain at the end of the month and rang my local dealer to ask if my 2016 sDrive 35i had a means of adjusting the headlamp beams for continental driving or if I needed a lens adapter / foil to stick on the headlight as there is nothing in my handbook. Initially their advice was that I needed a foil but when I asked them to order one for me they rang back to say that BMW did not make one for the E89 and therefore "the headlights are probably a 'flat' beam and so nothing needs to be adjusted or changed".
From that I take it that they don't really have a clue!
Can anyone on here advise please?
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Headlight adjustment for driving in Europe?
- David-H
- Senior Member
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- Location: Prees, Shropshire
Headlight adjustment for driving in Europe?
BMW Z4 3.0i auto ¦ Titanium Silver
107's : Drexler LSD
BMW M6 Gran Coupe ¦ Black Sapphire Metallic
DCT box with competition pack
Audi R8 4.2 Quattro¦ Grey metallic
6-speed manual
107's : Drexler LSD
BMW M6 Gran Coupe ¦ Black Sapphire Metallic
DCT box with competition pack
Audi R8 4.2 Quattro¦ Grey metallic
6-speed manual
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- Senior Member
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- Joined: Fri May 26, 2017 3:40 pm
- Location: Plymouth
Headlight adjustment for driving in Europe?
I know in my last merc the computer had an option to switch headlights to the other side for driving abroad. I remember doing this in the Channel Tunnel train and being surprised that rather than the beam moving sides it just went 'flat line'.
So they may be right!
If you cannot get foils then it doesn't matter anyway as you have no other options..
So they may be right!
If you cannot get foils then it doesn't matter anyway as you have no other options..
Mark
Plymouth
E89
35i
Carmine Red
Black leather
Plymouth
E89
35i
Carmine Red
Black leather
- techathy
- Member
- Posts: 941
- Joined: Sat Jan 10, 2015 8:40 pm
Headlight adjustment for driving in Europe?
I suggest you find a nice flat wall to point your car at and look at your headlight pattern, can be done during the day but better at night, and see for your self.
Current: '09 Lotus Evora Launch Edition
Previous: '13 BMW 120dx, '15 BMW z4 35iS
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- ronk
- Lifer
- Posts: 14227
- Joined: Tue Feb 24, 2009 11:50 am
- Location: Durham
Headlight adjustment for driving in Europe?
I asked the same question at two main dealers and got two different answers!
I contacted BMW tech and got the answer in writing — my cars have adaptive headlights and they say if used / switched manually no adjustment is required for driving on the right hand side!
I’m in France now and nobody has flashed yet
I contacted BMW tech and got the answer in writing — my cars have adaptive headlights and they say if used / switched manually no adjustment is required for driving on the right hand side!
I’m in France now and nobody has flashed yet
Last edited by ronk on Sun Apr 15, 2018 6:54 pm, edited 2 times in total.
You don't stop playing when you get old - You get old when you stop playing!
So I bought a 35is with all the toys to play with.
So I bought a 35is with all the toys to play with.
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- Member
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Headlight adjustment for driving in Europe?
It's a flat beam, you don't need to do anything
Next Z landed ..... Z3 3.0i Sport Roadster
Z4 35iS ..... Gone to a new home
Z4 35iS ..... Gone to a new home
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- Location: Bristol
Headlight adjustment for driving in Europe?
Yep I drove to the Alps last year and didn't do anything with the headlights
10-plate E89 35i, Deep Sea Blue
67-plate F15 X5 35d, Space Grey
67-plate F15 X5 35d, Space Grey
- ronk
- Lifer
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- Joined: Tue Feb 24, 2009 11:50 am
- Location: Durham
Headlight adjustment for driving in Europe?
Bmw also sent me a summary of the passage in the hand book although it doesn’t make it particularly clear. For safety’s sake I take a hard copy of their reply to produce to any continental bobby who may not believe me - I will post when I get home.
You don't stop playing when you get old - You get old when you stop playing!
So I bought a 35is with all the toys to play with.
So I bought a 35is with all the toys to play with.