Headlight adjustment for driving on the continent

D

DMZ

Member
Anyone have experience of headlights being adjustable for driving on the right (i.e., in France).

Have heard they are adjustable, they are not adjustable, you don't need to adjust them as you are so low (liked that one !) so I'm no clearer on what the truth is.

If you have driven on the continent - what did you do ?
 
Contrary to the handbook (although some had a paper insert that emended the paragraph!) the headlights seem not to be adjustable for continental driving. That said i have driven frequently on the continent and never had a problem as the beam is very flat in any case.

On an aside, I have always wondered why most euro countries require spare bulbs to be carried when on many modern cars you cannot simply change the bulbs?
 
E85 with Xenons have a lever & in this topic shows you where it is - standard bulbs I believe don't have this feature

http://www.z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=6150&start=30

For best results, open the bonnet & remove the rear plastic plate - reason for opening bonnet is that it lets much more light in & so let's you see the lever far easier.

The lever's a crafty little fella, bit like the G spot - difficult to find first time but once you're there you're cooking with gas.
 
Ibelieve it depends on the age of the car. I've previously been told the 2010 year onwards no. Adjustment is required,this may however be xenon only.
 
AlanJ said:
Handbook.....?
Click to expand...

Page 86 of Z4 handbook for late 2012 model says "you can get adhesive light bender converters .... etc.". The local BMW centre being your optimal choice for fitment, safety and wallet surgery.

The implication being that there isn't any other way?! Maybe different for earlier models where I have read there is a metal lever that can be adjusted. No idea on that as i don't do fiddling. Can't see anything in iDrive where it could be done electronically.

I asked when I bought the car new and the BMW service centre didn't know as indeed the sales 'executive' didn't. I have read before on other forums and elsewhere that it is fairly common for centres not to know about this! Bit worrying if they are fixing your lights.

Also many urban myths like xenons don't need adjustment etc.. No idea as i keep forgetting to check as follows.The simplest way (i'm told as I'm no expert) to decide whether adjustment is needed is to point your car at a wall at night and see whether your beams do dip to the left significantly.

I don't have the adaptive lights which apparently point the main beam differently as you steer. I would imagine there would have to be some adjustment with those for wrong side of the road driving.

The adhesive stickers are easy enough to use. Some users worry about getting them off and damaging the glass. Mine just peeled off and can be refixed. A bit of dental floss will help saw off stubborn stickers without damage to glass. Cheapskates make their own with a bit of black sticky tape positioned correctly. Tells the gendarmes you have done the adjustment and they can then concentrate on checking the breathalyser kits, yellow jackets, copious documentation to make life easier for car burglars, camera databases, rear EU plate, warning triangle(s) etc. .

Had benders on last visit to France with Boxster and never drove after dusk
 
MikeS said:
On an aside, I have always wondered why most euro countries require spare bulbs to be carried when on many modern cars you cannot simply change the bulbs?
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Most euro countries do NOT require you to carry spare bulbs. It is only recommended.

Most don't require a first aid kit and fire extinguisher either. First aid kit in Germany? Only if a German registered car.

AA and RAC sites explain all.

As for beam adjusting, I've never adjusted it in probably 60+ trips, never had a problem.
 
I went thro this process last year - I ended up taking the cautious approach and putting "beam bender" stickers on.

I'll probably do so again this year as I think that if the cops see a headlamp sticker they will also see somebody who probably has done all the other rubbish they require!
 
Beam bending stickers are definitely the way forward. When in champagne the other year parked up, I noticed a local bobby did check as he walked past my car. Clocked the UK plate and had a quick look.
 
An old post but:-

Just been into the dealership today and got a copy of which BMW cars need headlight foils - the Z4 E89 does need foils according to the BMW tech sheet.

If anybody wants / needs a copy of this sheet pm me.
 
I don't even bother taking the beam bender stickers off when I get back , I only put them for the sake of getting pulled , I don't think they really work as I've had them on my pick truck and I always get flashed in that but never in the car , it's a height issue .
Remember to take all your docs including log book , I've been checked a couple of times .
 
Is this a good time to state that my Porker has a menu on the computer to change the car to "continental", so the speedo goes in KM, the speed limits go in KM and the lights turn direction 8)
 
pvr said:
Is this a good time to state that my Porker has a menu on the computer to change the car to "continental", so the speedo goes in KM, the speed limits go in KM and the lights turn direction 8)
Click to expand...
The wonders of technology , my pick up has a handle that when turned in opposite circular directions causes the window to drop and lift , that's as much as it has to offer , I really need a new truck :rofl:
 
Assume as this E89 forum you are post 2009. Having checked my own car and spoken to the dealer,it appears there is no way to easily adjust the beam angle so on my trips to the south of France I did nothing. As i did not drive at night i cannot comment on whether my lights would be a problem to other drivers .I agree with previous comments that as the vehicle is low and the beam is flat I do not think it would be a problem.But if concerned then the stick on beam converters would be the only way to go.
 
As I said. I've got the tech sheet from BMW to say how each BMW model should be adapted for continental compliance.
 
For what its worth in this long conversation (I hope I am not too late!) my '11 plate 2.3i sDrive (with xenons) has the levers that are ref in the E85 handbook - see pic in following thread.
http://www.z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=6150&start=30

For what its also worth my BMW dealer was no help when I tried to find out back in 2012. It was a chap in his zed behind me in the ferry queue in Portsmouth who, after seeing me putting deflector pads on the lenses, came up to me and said "if you have Xenons you have the levers". He was right!!
 
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