2004 5 series - converting headlights for use in France
Discussion
Hi everyone.
I am heading over to France and Germany this weekend and need to swap the headlight beam over for use in Europe. The headlights are halogen, which I understand therefore does not have a switch behind the lights to make the change. Looking at the light covers, there doe not appear to be any sort of marking to indicate what area to mask off. The local BMW garage do not have the BMW headlight beam converters so popped into Halfrauds for their version, but cannot see where to stick the converters.
Can anyone shed any, er, light?
thanks
M
I am heading over to France and Germany this weekend and need to swap the headlight beam over for use in Europe. The headlights are halogen, which I understand therefore does not have a switch behind the lights to make the change. Looking at the light covers, there doe not appear to be any sort of marking to indicate what area to mask off. The local BMW garage do not have the BMW headlight beam converters so popped into Halfrauds for their version, but cannot see where to stick the converters.
Can anyone shed any, er, light?
thanks
M
If you have the converters like this...
You only need the round bit, and only need it on the passenger side light.
The night before paek about 2-5ft from a wall and move it round the light, as you look at the light you will slightly below and to the right of the bulb. This is enough to cut the beems height and stop it from going to far to the left and dazzling oncoming traffic.
Job done and only one bit used.
You only need the round bit, and only need it on the passenger side light.
The night before paek about 2-5ft from a wall and move it round the light, as you look at the light you will slightly below and to the right of the bulb. This is enough to cut the beems height and stop it from going to far to the left and dazzling oncoming traffic.
Job done and only one bit used.
on a serious note, they are cracking down on this these days, so it maybe worth popping into your local MOT station and put them on using the beam tester.
Plus make sure you get a yellow hi-vis jacket and keep it in the front of the car, its an offence to keep it in the boot as you have to get out without the jacket on.
Big fines in France, as they are really cracking down and they will single out a UK car in a line of speeding traffic. (through experience)
Don't worry too much about the cameras at the moment, they can not trace back to the UK, but they are very good at catching speeders very sneaky, look out just after bridges etc.
Great roads and great lane discipline.
Plus make sure you get a yellow hi-vis jacket and keep it in the front of the car, its an offence to keep it in the boot as you have to get out without the jacket on.
Big fines in France, as they are really cracking down and they will single out a UK car in a line of speeding traffic. (through experience)
Don't worry too much about the cameras at the moment, they can not trace back to the UK, but they are very good at catching speeders very sneaky, look out just after bridges etc.
Great roads and great lane discipline.
phelix said:
gizlaroc said:
... and only need it on the passenger side light.
Not sure I understand that one...I do quite a few European miles a year, dis about 7,000 last year, and on cars without the switch this is all I use.
gizlaroc said:
It is only the left beam that dazzles people, so only need to put it on the left lens.
I do quite a few European miles a year, dis about 7,000 last year, and on cars without the switch this is all I use.
Can't say I would agree; even on a straight the flare on the right dipped beam will partially dazzle oncoming drivers and on the slightest of bends right hand bends you'll really dazzle them. Is it really worth saving a couple of quid?!I do quite a few European miles a year, dis about 7,000 last year, and on cars without the switch this is all I use.
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