Light Conversion for Continental Driving

no idea i'm afraid! :( i got bored & fed up cutting my knuckles on sharp bits of plastic. I couldnt finf it & gave up. i did wonder if it was easier to access tho wheel arch hole when on full lock but never looked any further. im not going continental driving anytime soon.
 
Hi, I am pretty sure all E89's have Xenon's as standard, and I am not sure what is meant by the light is pretty flat.They do produce a very intense light hence the need to be self leveled to prevent causing a hazard to oncoming traffic by being aimed to high but apart from that they work in the same way as a conventional headlamp. The switch on the headlight of my E89 (2009) affects the beam direction on dipped i.e. to the left for the UK and right for Europe, without redirecting the beam bias it would cause a hazard to oncoming traffic.

Regards
Paul
 
This is what is meant by flat light... On normal halogen lighting you would expect to see extra light at the left (uk) or right (europe/US), with Xenon there is no extra light at the edges, its a flat line, therefore unlikely to cause any issue or need to alter. On the second picture, the halogen lights clearly have a lift to one side, and its this lift that dazzles. My lights are like the first picture, with a flat beam and no lift on the left or right, hence little chance to dazzle no matter what. Clearly this is just an example I've lifted from the net.

Xenon:
Cutoff.jpg


Halogen (europe/US):
e-code-beam-pattern.jpg
 
Maybe that's the difference on my 09, the switch (lever) changes the cut off shield to change the beam pattern but on later cars they have a flatter more US pattern which does not have a bias left or right. But if that were the case it is strange some have a manual that say's they need stick on adapters. I think I prefer my lever!
 
This has just made me look in my manual as we are planning a potential road trip to Italy next year. Page 86 in my manual (this years reg) tells you to get adhesive light benders.
 
ok, i had a bloody good look this morning out of curiosity.
my 09 handbook also has a loose leaf amendment saying stickies are reqd.
you need to take off the wheel arch light cover to access the back if the HID bulb lens & i 'think' there is a lever, as indicated by the handbook, however the area is near as dammit inaccessible due to location & bodywork.
i draw the conclusion there is a switch to flip the lights, & these lights (or at least the internal gubbins) are common to other models which are more accessible & can be flipped, but in practice, it is not possible / practical / wort the effort on the e89 due to the position of bodywork, hence the change to say use beam benders.
thats my take on it.
 
I had another look this morning and like others, decided it wasn't worth the effort so I have bought some stick on ones from Halfords. I suppose this also has the added benefit that if I do get stopped, the police will see that an attempt has been made to convert the lights instead of trying to convince them that I moved the lever inside the headlight which is almost impossible to reach. I should also confirm that my handbook has the page showing the lever which was posted earlier in the thread. Thanks.
 
By the way the cheapest placeto get he plastic add on thingsfor the lights is at the AA man at the tunnel we have found. We go over to europe about every two months so get through quite a few.

Also remember to have your high vis jackets in the car and not the boot.
 
and breathalyser....(as of yesterday) http://www.theaa.com/motoring_advice/overseas/compulsory_equipment.html
 
Except that the manufacturers failure to supply demand for same has meant that its been formally announced in France that police will not enforce this law until at least Nov 2012.

But frankly, given that the fine for non-compliance is 11 euros, can I really be arsed? I think not.

More important to ensure you have a spare bulb kit and flourescent jackets (inside the car) for every occupant.

As for the potential for slightly dazzling oncoming drivers, given the number of continental lorry and car drivers who seem to think that dipping your lights on the autoroute is an open act of gayness, I gave up worrying years ago. :driving:
 
It states 'From the 1st July 2012 all drivers in France, including vehicles registered outside of France, must carry one unused breathalyser, to French certification. This includes motorcycles.

From the 1st November 2012, failing to produce a breathalyser will result in an on-the-spot fine.' So I guess it is not essential until 1 Nov :poke:
 
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