E90Post
 


Studio RSR
 
BMW 3-Series (E90 E92) Forum > BMW E90/E92/E93 3-series General Forums > Regional Forums > UK > Headlamp conversion for driving in Europe



Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
      10-03-2006, 08:25 AM   #1
ShereKhan
Major
ShereKhan's Avatar
United Kingdom
96
Rep
1,134
Posts

Drives: BMW G20 330e M Sport MY20
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Bristol, UK

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
2020 BMW 330e  [0.00]
Headlamp conversion for driving in Europe

What is the best method for adjusting my headlight beams so that I can drive safely in mainland europe?

BTW I have standard headlights as opposed to Xenon.

Thanks in advance
Appreciate 0
      10-03-2006, 10:50 AM   #2
oneshare325
Brigadier General
oneshare325's Avatar
United_States
198
Rep
4,178
Posts

Drives: E90 325i, E82 135i
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Arlington, VA

iTrader: (11)

Garage List
2018 BMW M3  [0.00]
2006 325i  [0.00]
What do you mean adjust them? Why would you need to change anything?
Appreciate 0
      10-03-2006, 11:21 AM   #3
xrrr
a.k.a Simon
xrrr's Avatar
United Kingdom
3
Rep
78
Posts

Drives: 2008 E92 330i M Sport
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Guildford, UK

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
Quote:
Originally Posted by oneshare325
What do you mean adjust them? Why would you need to change anything?
We drive on the left, France drives on the right. If you don't adjust them you blind the cars in front because headlights shine into the pavement side of the car more.

ShereKhan, have you looked in the manual? I am sure on my E46 (non-xenon) you can slide a switch under the bonnet to change the direction. A bit like an Eagle Eye's action man
__________________
2008 E92 330i M Sport Coupe | Sparkling Graphite | Black Leather | 225M Wheels | 6FL | DAB | Bluetooth | Dim/Fold Mirrors


[Join my E92 Flickr Photo Group. Go on you know you want to!]
Appreciate 0
      10-03-2006, 01:18 PM   #4
SoYank
Major General
SoYank's Avatar
United_States
569
Rep
7,519
Posts

Drives: 2009 E90 335i MT
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Vinton, Virginia

iTrader: (1)

Garage List
Possibly the easiest way is to use gaffer tape or black electrician's tape to cover the part of the beam that shines to the left. To be most accurate you would need to take it to a garage with the light adjusting meter. However, you may still dazzle oncoming cars and the light output is diminished by nearly 20%.

The more expensive option is to buy a continental set of headlamps and change them over just before you leave and then back when you return. Oh, for the days of sealed beams.

Those silly orange or white fresnel lenses that stick to the headlamp are good only for taking your £ from your wallet and have absolutely no benefit for the first three or four miles that they are stuck on the light before falling off. Of course, if you really want them you can go to Coquelles and pull off onto the verge of the A16 about five miles from the Chunnel. There are bound to be numerous examples laying about. Damn, am I cynical or what?
__________________
2009 E90 335i Montego Blue · Black Leather · Burl Walnut · 6MT · US Spec
SatNav • ZPP • ZCW • 6FL • TPMS • iDrive • PDC • HWS • Xenons • BMW Assist • Power Rear Sunshade • Logic 7
European Taillights • Rear Foglamp • OEM Alarm • PicoTray • DataToys XM-DVR • Multi-view Processor
Quaife ATB LSD • Short Shift Knob • Hartge Anti-Roll Bars • AP Racing Front Brakes • 19" Style 269
Appreciate 0
      10-03-2006, 04:20 PM   #5
mjh93sa
Major General
mjh93sa's Avatar
145
Rep
5,080
Posts

Drives: 530d
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Gloucestershire

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
... or what
__________________

Gone: Fiesta - Focus - E46 320dSE - E91 330dMSport - E82 135iMSport - R55 JCW Clubman - M135i
Now: 530d
Appreciate 0
      10-03-2006, 07:13 PM   #6
ShereKhan
Major
ShereKhan's Avatar
United Kingdom
96
Rep
1,134
Posts

Drives: BMW G20 330e M Sport MY20
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Bristol, UK

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
2020 BMW 330e  [0.00]
I've had a look at the manual and can't seem to find any reference to this procedure that was done with its predecessor.

I know you shouldn't use gaffer tape as it will leave a heat spot on the plastic lense which will be in the form of a brown mark. So the lights will look dirty all the time and give a bad beam

I've had a scour through the forum and can't find any reference to the procedure. I went to see the local dealer who informed me that I need to put the bits plastic on the headlight lense. The service chap said I didn't really need to buy the BMW accessory and generic brand will do.

This begs the question how do I know where to place the patch/beam bender.
As the plastic lense doesn't have any markings on it.

Is it possible to scratch the lenses? How easy is it to remove these beam benders?
Appreciate 0
      10-04-2006, 02:39 AM   #7
ES-Jet
Second Lieutenant
United Kingdom
8
Rep
241
Posts

Drives: 2013 320i Sport
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Kent, UK

iTrader: (0)

A colleague of mine spends a few weeks every year in France so I asked him what he does.

He has an E46 and uses black insulation tape to cut off the beam. I asked him how he knows where to put the tape, and he told me that he drives up to a wall and works it out from there!

Make of that what you will . I'll be interested to hear how it should be done, as I may be driving to DisneyLand Paris next year.
__________________
320i Sport - AW, 397 alloys
Appreciate 0
      10-04-2006, 04:30 AM   #8
Dante
Enthusiast
Dante's Avatar
Germany
466
Rep
1,791
Posts

Drives: F87 M2 / F31 330d
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Bavaria

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
Quote:
Originally Posted by ShereKhan
What is the best method for adjusting my headlight beams so that I can drive safely in mainland europe?

BTW I have standard headlights as opposed to Xenon.

Thanks in advance
Give your SA at BMW a call. I think the direction switch only comes with the Xenons.
Appreciate 0
      10-04-2006, 07:37 AM   #9
ES-Jet
Second Lieutenant
United Kingdom
8
Rep
241
Posts

Drives: 2013 320i Sport
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Kent, UK

iTrader: (0)

Yes - I'd heard that too.
__________________
320i Sport - AW, 397 alloys
Appreciate 0
      10-04-2006, 12:16 PM   #10
SoYank
Major General
SoYank's Avatar
United_States
569
Rep
7,519
Posts

Drives: 2009 E90 335i MT
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Vinton, Virginia

iTrader: (1)

Garage List
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dante
Give your SA at BMW a call. I think the direction switch only comes with the Xenons.
If there's a switch on the Xenons then I'm going to a bit cross since I had to change my Xenons (Adaptive) from North American to UK at a pretty hefty price.
__________________
2009 E90 335i Montego Blue · Black Leather · Burl Walnut · 6MT · US Spec
SatNav • ZPP • ZCW • 6FL • TPMS • iDrive • PDC • HWS • Xenons • BMW Assist • Power Rear Sunshade • Logic 7
European Taillights • Rear Foglamp • OEM Alarm • PicoTray • DataToys XM-DVR • Multi-view Processor
Quaife ATB LSD • Short Shift Knob • Hartge Anti-Roll Bars • AP Racing Front Brakes • 19" Style 269
Appreciate 0
      10-05-2006, 01:58 AM   #11
Dante
Enthusiast
Dante's Avatar
Germany
466
Rep
1,791
Posts

Drives: F87 M2 / F31 330d
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Bavaria

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
Just checked the german manual for e90:

Page 106: There is no switch (neither hologen nor xenon), but you can get some black sticker from BMW to cover the headlight partial.

I have the direction switch on my e46 compact (Xenon), don't know why they got rid of this handy feature.
Appreciate 0
      10-06-2006, 02:06 AM   #12
carl_d
General
carl_d's Avatar
United Kingdom
38
Rep
683
Posts

Drives: E90 335i M-Sport N55 6SP Nov10
Join Date: May 2005
Location: UK

iTrader: (0)

I got special stickers from my dealer for my E46. Came with a template and instructions on how to fit them. Came off easily when I got back. Cost a few pounds - cheap. Well worth it. I assume there is the same for the E90?

Quote:
Originally Posted by ShereKhan
What is the best method for adjusting my headlight beams so that I can drive safely in mainland europe?

BTW I have standard headlights as opposed to Xenon.

Thanks in advance
__________________
2010 E90 335i M-Sport, 2005 E90 325i M-Sport, 2003 E60 520i, 2002 E46 330i Sport II, 2000 E46 325i Sport I, 1999 E46 318i, 1998 E46 323i SE, 1996 E36 323i SE, 1996 E34 518i, 1995 E36 320iA, 1994 E36 316i
Appreciate 0
      10-06-2006, 01:47 PM   #13
ShereKhan
Major
ShereKhan's Avatar
United Kingdom
96
Rep
1,134
Posts

Drives: BMW G20 330e M Sport MY20
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Bristol, UK

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
2020 BMW 330e  [0.00]
Just checked with my local dealer and BMW customer service.

The stickers are £14+VAT - Quite expensive for a few stickers in my opinion.
Appreciate 0
      10-06-2006, 04:16 PM   #14
ES-Jet
Second Lieutenant
United Kingdom
8
Rep
241
Posts

Drives: 2013 320i Sport
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Kent, UK

iTrader: (0)

£14+VAT? Looks like it's insulation tape and a brick wall for me
__________________
320i Sport - AW, 397 alloys
Appreciate 0
Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 05:36 AM.




e90post
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
1Addicts.com, BIMMERPOST.com, E90Post.com, F30Post.com, M3Post.com, ZPost.com, 5Post.com, 6Post.com, 7Post.com, XBimmers.com logo and trademark are properties of BIMMERPOST