E92 M3 Adaptive Xenons - Le Mans

[seech]

If anyone has the adaptive Xenons in the E92, I have been searching for an answer to the question of how I adapt the beam pattern for Le Mans next week.

I have read many different opinions. I also rang my local BMW dealership who were clueless (even the technician) and had to contact HQ for, what I have since learned, is the wrong answer (they tried to get me to book the car in so they can adjust some levers).

Anyway, BMW in Solihull told me with confidence that the beam pattern remains horizontal as long as the lights are set to 'on' (rather than 'auto') and therefore need no lens 'foils'.

Et voila.

Also, the AA website notes that carrying spare headlight bulbs are not common sense as they are a garage-fit item (and £210 each!)

Whether the Gendarmes believe me about the above is another story!

[pjv997]

I have adaptive lights on my M5 and I don't recall fiddling around with the lights last time I went across the channel.

I'm pretty sure they adjust themselves automatically with the Satnav recognising you are driving on the right once you get on the continent.

[nick1275]

As for bulbs just take anything, it's what we did when I to lm with ecain63 for tha last two years. I can't see the gendarme checking the fitment of them

[Palmball]

BMW are right in that setting the lights to just 'on' means they don't move about, but they'll still dip in the wrong direction. You therefore still need stuck-on beam adjusters or set the lights differently if you want to remain legal - I think the e92 has a lever in each light unit to manually change the dip direction. If I'm honest, I don't bother (and admit I'm therefore not complying) but I rarely rely get flashed, although I'm liable for a slapping if I get stopped.

As for the suggestion that the lights change automatically from the nav data knowing where you are, that's a BRILLIANT idea. But sadly not a reality, and given the worldwide demand for this need probably being very low (there's not many places where one car has to regularly drive on opposite sides) I doubt it'll ever happen.

[AW10]

Is there nothing in the owner's manual? On the E60/1 cars with adaptive xenons there's a small cover that's unscrewed and then a lever is moved to flatten the beam. This is described in the manual in the Rules of the Road section.

[ezakimak]

seech said:

Also, the AA website notes that carrying spare headlight bulbs are not common sense as they are a garage-fit item (and £210 each!)

Whether the Gendarmes believe me about the above is another story!

My Australian spec e91 owners manual states that thee xenon globes are only able to be changed at the dealership.

[Schermerhorn]

What if you fit beam benders made by Ring?

[seech]

I've looked through the manual and can't find anything at all! Just found an online version on M3post and still can't find anything via word searches.

Still puzzled, but as I doubt I'll be driving at night, shouldn't be an issue.

[Lignumopus]

Bonjour tosh, bienvenue en France. Je vois que vous avez un BMW très posh avec lez xenons. Avez vous fixéé les phares!

Pas de problem Monsieur Le Gendarme, 'ave un gander a cette page de mon manual de BMW

Try this mon ami...

E92 M3 with Xenons + Adaptive Headlights
Page 120 of 2012 M3 Owners Manual, quotes this:-
Rules of the Road
"The light distribution of the xenon headlights automatically avoids dazzling the drivers of oncoming vehicles if you are driving in countries where the traffic drives on the opposite side of the road to the country in which your car is registered. Turn the light switch to position 2, see page 116, even if your vehicle is fitted with automatic driving lights control."
If yours is not on page 120, try looking for it in the Controls/Lights section after Fog Lights and before Instrument lighting

I read that to mean that BMW want to ensure you do not activate those pesky Adaptive Headlights when driving on t'other side of t'road.
As for how they don't dazzle oncoming traffic….beats me.

Edited by Lignumopus on Monday 9th June 11:08

[W8PMC]

Doubt this helps, but on the F10 M5 you can a change the Xenons directly from the iDrive for LHD countries

[seech]

F10 M5 > Yes, this would be a great reason to buy one!


Lignum > Oui, mon BMW est tres POSH, MAIS ils est trop ancient (2008), hence why it's probably not pas dans my book <<manual de ownérs>>! I did check again, snot there.

I am sure I will forget to move the lights to non-adaptive anyway.

Merde

[W8PMC]

seech said:

F10 M5 > Yes, this would be a great reason to buy one!


Lignum > Oui, mon BMW est tres POSH, MAIS ils est trop ancient (2008), hence why it's probably not pas dans my book <<manual de ownérs>>! I did check again, snot there.

I am sure I will forget to move the lights to non-adaptive anyway.

Merde

Only found out last week when was doing the same as you & working out how to avoid putting those nasty headlamp diverters on my car for Le Mans

[creepy coupe]

My M135i had adaptive xenon's and the owners handbook states to leave the switch in a Non AUTO position.