Not joined yet? Register for free and enjoy features such as alerts, private messaging and viewing latest posts and topics.

European Driving

Specific discussion about the E89 2009 Z4 (sDrive35is, sDrive35i, sDrive30i, sDrive23i)
Post Reply
Z4_Newbie_007
Newbie
Newbie
Posts: 19
Joined: Fri Dec 28, 2018 2:33 pm

European Driving

Post by Z4_Newbie_007 » Sat Dec 29, 2018 2:27 pm

Hello,

I'm planning a Euro trip in the new Z, just wondering if there is a way to flip the headlights over to LHD mode on the iDrive/HL Units or is it a sticker on the headlamps jobby?

Whilst on the headlight subject, has anyone swapped out the Xenon lamps for a cooler colour? Any recommendations on lamps if so?

Cheers :thumbsup:

User avatar
buzyg
Legend
Legend
Posts: 26511
Joined: Fri May 20, 2011 6:11 pm
Location: Cornwall

European Driving

Post by buzyg » Sat Dec 29, 2018 2:33 pm

The Xenon units for the E85, have a manual switch on them. Hopefully something similar on the E89.
Image

djstan
Member
Member
Posts: 589
Joined: Wed Jul 09, 2014 1:31 pm
Location: Bristol

European Driving

Post by djstan » Sat Dec 29, 2018 8:20 pm

No need on the E89 - lots of us have gone to Europe without changing anything and not had any issues. :thumbsup:
10-plate E89 35i, Deep Sea Blue
67-plate F15 X5 35d, Space Grey

User avatar
Smartbear
Lifer
Lifer
Posts: 13685
Joined: Wed Feb 05, 2014 6:54 pm
Location: a barn in Somerset

European Driving

Post by Smartbear » Sat Dec 29, 2018 8:43 pm

djstan wrote: Sat Dec 29, 2018 8:20 pm No need on the E89 - lots of us have gone to Europe without changing anything and not had any issues. :thumbsup:
Yep, flat beam on the e89 lights with no kick up at the side-no need to alter them :thumbsup:
Rob
Image

e89 Sdrive 20i, plenty of mumbo & good economy-the thinking bears z4
e89 Sdrive 30i, this ones busted, pass me another...
e85 3.0si sold

User avatar
ronk
Lifer
Lifer
Posts: 14221
Joined: Tue Feb 24, 2009 11:50 am
Location: Durham

European Driving

Post by ronk » Sun Dec 30, 2018 7:21 pm

Smartbear wrote: Sat Dec 29, 2018 8:43 pm
djstan wrote: Sat Dec 29, 2018 8:20 pm No need on the E89 - lots of us have gone to Europe without changing anything and not had any issues. :thumbsup:

Yep, flat beam on the e89 lights with no kick up at the side-no need to alter them :thumbsup:
Rob
I’ve got an email from BMW to confirm this (E89) - prior to this, three different main dealers gave me three different bits of advice.
It should be noted that BMW do emphasise that the headlight should be switched on manually and not used on the Automatic switch setting,
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. :thumbsup:

User avatar
Jembo
Lifer
Lifer
Posts: 6030
Joined: Sat Jun 25, 2011 11:59 pm
Location: 1066 Country

European Driving

Post by Jembo » Sun Dec 30, 2018 7:37 pm

ronk wrote: Sun Dec 30, 2018 7:21 pm It should be noted that BMW do emphasise that the headlight should be switched on manually and not used on the Automatic switch setting,
Why’s that... I’ve always in all cars driven on auto lights... avoids fines in tunnels during daylight?
Joined the dark side with a ///M Hell Bronze Sepang Coupe :happyclap:
Ex Aug 2005 Maldives Blue 3 litre cruizer, lots of toyz,

Lifer 54

User avatar
ronk
Lifer
Lifer
Posts: 14221
Joined: Tue Feb 24, 2009 11:50 am
Location: Durham

European Driving

Post by ronk » Sun Dec 30, 2018 7:49 pm

Jembo wrote: Sun Dec 30, 2018 7:37 pm
ronk wrote: Sun Dec 30, 2018 7:21 pm It should be noted that BMW do emphasise that the headlight should be switched on manually and not used on the Automatic switch setting,

Why’s that... I’ve always in all cars driven on auto lights... avoids fines in tunnels during daylight?
They say as my cars have Adaptive Headlights they should be used manually .
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. :thumbsup:

Z4_Newbie_007
Newbie
Newbie
Posts: 19
Joined: Fri Dec 28, 2018 2:33 pm

European Driving

Post by Z4_Newbie_007 » Mon Dec 31, 2018 3:01 pm

Awesome, thanks chaps!

User avatar
Jembo
Lifer
Lifer
Posts: 6030
Joined: Sat Jun 25, 2011 11:59 pm
Location: 1066 Country

European Driving

Post by Jembo » Mon Dec 31, 2018 4:28 pm

ronk wrote: Sun Dec 30, 2018 7:49 pm
Jembo wrote: Sun Dec 30, 2018 7:37 pm
ronk wrote: Sun Dec 30, 2018 7:21 pm It should be noted that BMW do emphasise that the headlight should be switched on manually and not used on the Automatic switch setting,
Why’s that... I’ve always in all cars driven on auto lights... avoids fines in tunnels during daylight?
They say as my cars have Adaptive Headlights they should be used manually .
What’s different about adaptives, as regardless of manual or auto, they’ll still lift higher the faster you go / turn on corners - My AUDI had adaptives & there was no advice from memory similar in handbook
Joined the dark side with a ///M Hell Bronze Sepang Coupe :happyclap:
Ex Aug 2005 Maldives Blue 3 litre cruizer, lots of toyz,

Lifer 54

User avatar
ronk
Lifer
Lifer
Posts: 14221
Joined: Tue Feb 24, 2009 11:50 am
Location: Durham

European Driving

Post by ronk » Mon Dec 31, 2018 4:45 pm

Jembo wrote: Mon Dec 31, 2018 4:28 pm
ronk wrote: Sun Dec 30, 2018 7:49 pm
Jembo wrote: Sun Dec 30, 2018 7:37 pm

Why’s that... I’ve always in all cars driven on auto lights... avoids fines in tunnels during daylight?
They say as my cars have Adaptive Headlights they should be used manually .
What’s different about adaptives, as regardless of manual or auto, they’ll still lift higher the faster you go / turn on corners - My AUDI had adaptives & there was no advice from memory similar in handbook
I’m as puzzled as you!
Last edited by ronk on Mon Dec 31, 2018 5:44 pm, edited 1 time 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. :thumbsup:

User avatar
ronk
Lifer
Lifer
Posts: 14221
Joined: Tue Feb 24, 2009 11:50 am
Location: Durham

European Driving

Post by ronk » Mon Dec 31, 2018 5:29 pm

I’m as puzzled as you!
It’s what BMW told me and it verifies what it states in my 335 handbook (2015) so I’ll just accept they must know something I don’t - I will remain curious tho. The Z4 handbook (2016) isn't very clear on the subject so that's why I contacted the homologation team for a definitive answer to be confirmed in writing so I could, if necessary, present to the police if I was ever stopped whist abroad.
IMG_0033.jpeg
IMG_0033.jpeg (290.31 KiB) Viewed 872 times
IMG_0032 2.jpeg
IMG_0032 2.jpeg (284.57 KiB) Viewed 872 times
It suggests to me that if you don’t have Adaptive lights then strictly speaking you need benders. Experience of others on here would say unnecessary. :thumbsup:

Ps just noticed that they say the cornering lights might cause dazzle if on auto and as the z4 doesn’t have them we might be able to leave them in Auto’ mode?
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. :thumbsup:

User avatar
Jembo
Lifer
Lifer
Posts: 6030
Joined: Sat Jun 25, 2011 11:59 pm
Location: 1066 Country

European Driving

Post by Jembo » Mon Dec 31, 2018 10:07 pm

:thumbsup:
Joined the dark side with a ///M Hell Bronze Sepang Coupe :happyclap:
Ex Aug 2005 Maldives Blue 3 litre cruizer, lots of toyz,

Lifer 54

User avatar
Kingfisher
Member
Member
Posts: 379
Joined: Tue Nov 01, 2016 1:04 pm
Location: South of France.

European Driving

Post by Kingfisher » Tue Jan 01, 2019 6:54 pm

I've just had mine MOT'd for the first time, in France, with no alteration from the UK settings.
It passed …… :thumbsup:
Dec 2014 ... E89 35is sDrive M DCT ... Red ... :driving:

Z4_Newbie_007
Newbie
Newbie
Posts: 19
Joined: Fri Dec 28, 2018 2:33 pm

European Driving

Post by Z4_Newbie_007 » Thu Jan 03, 2019 6:23 pm

Perfect, thanks chaps!

Post Reply