What differentiates UK and European/US headlights?

C

Chris_D

Elite
 Mostly Holland. Sometimes UK.
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
headlights back.JPG
 
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

Kind regards,
Patrick
 
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.... :wink:
 
Chris_D said:
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 :)
Click to expand...

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 said:
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.... :wink:
Click to expand...

I did the same after importing my rhd to germany. I will check it and let you know.
 
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.
 
NickDE said:
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.
Click to expand...
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.
 
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".
 
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 said:
& you could do with a new phone patrick...
Click to expand...
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 said:
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?
Click to expand...
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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