Not joined yet? Register for free and enjoy features such as alerts, private messaging and viewing latest posts and topics.

Driving abroad

Discuss your latest mods or ideas, and anything to do with the BMW X5 (E53).
Post Reply
User avatar
cognac
Member
Member
Posts: 86
Joined: Fri Aug 26, 2011 8:39 am
Location: Charente Maritime S/W France

Driving abroad

Post by cognac » Wed Mar 28, 2012 7:10 am

Hi,

Is it possible to set the xenons on my facelift 2005 for driving on the right ? :?

Steve
2005 3.0D Sport Highland green beige leather with some nice extras..
Previous toys.
White RS6 avant
CL55 AMG
S4 Avant

User avatar
Sanj
Lifer
Lifer
Posts: 5624
Joined: Sat Jul 31, 2010 11:45 am
Location: Berkshire

Re: Driving abroad

Post by Sanj » Wed Mar 28, 2012 7:23 am

Should be a lever on the back of the lights that just slides over.

PVR's used it (in his E53) when he goes to NL (I've never used/looked for it).
Scn Protect,Alarm Chirp,Ashtray del,Sub install,IV2,Screens,PS2 Media,Chrome rings,Schnitzer pedals,Reverse cam,Silver Grills,F/mirrors,Comp Spkrs,Heated S/W,20"168s,Splash scn,Arches,Remap,LED Tails,ACS Spoiler,'is' Bumper Trim,Rear heated seats,Rear blinds

Denis O
Member
Member
Posts: 545
Joined: Sat Oct 09, 2010 8:26 am
Location: Maidstone

Re: Driving abroad

Post by Denis O » Wed Mar 28, 2012 8:17 am

As`Sanj says, little levers under the dip beam flap. Move then the opposite way to which they are and you're sorted.

Your handbook is your freind.
06 Range Rover Vogue SE 4.2 SC
05 Mercedes SL350

User avatar
cognac
Member
Member
Posts: 86
Joined: Fri Aug 26, 2011 8:39 am
Location: Charente Maritime S/W France

Re: Driving abroad

Post by cognac » Wed Mar 28, 2012 4:37 pm

I have located the lever on the nearside light but I'm unable to find any lever/switch on the offside :?

The BMW main dealers here in Cognac have looked at it and say it can't be done even though it states otherwise in the handbook
they seem only interested in fitting a new set of xenons at €2000

Any more advice please

Steve
2005 3.0D Sport Highland green beige leather with some nice extras..
Previous toys.
White RS6 avant
CL55 AMG
S4 Avant

User avatar
Powercat
Member
Member
Posts: 162
Joined: Tue Feb 08, 2011 9:34 pm

Re: Driving abroad

Post by Powercat » Wed Mar 28, 2012 6:57 pm

[quote=""cognac""]I have located the lever on the nearside light but I'm unable to find any lever/switch on the offside :?

The BMW main dealers here in Cognac have looked at it and say it can't be done even though it states otherwise in the handbook
they seem only interested in fitting a new set of xenons at €2000

Any more advice please

Steve[/quote]

The BMW main dealer is only interested in fitting a new set of xenon's at €2000 :evil: :x :roll: :telloff:
02 x5 3.0d auto cat D

User avatar
X5Sport
Global Moderator
Global Moderator
Posts: 18777
Joined: Fri Sep 03, 2010 4:09 pm
Location: Planet X6......

Re: Driving abroad

Post by X5Sport » Wed Mar 28, 2012 7:18 pm

Sounds typical of a BMW Dealership! Some really are absolute pirates!!

BMW = Burgle My Wallet... :headbang:
:ant: Never anthropomorphise computers. They hate that.

User avatar
pvr
Lifer
Lifer
Posts: 5254
Joined: Fri Jul 30, 2010 5:13 pm
Location: West Sussex

Re: Driving abroad

Post by pvr » Wed Mar 28, 2012 9:09 pm

I drive to NL all the time, and never adjust my lights anymore. Not seen any issues with it.
X5M F85,  Golf Clipper, Abarth 595 Competizioni, Jeep

911 50th anniversary -
Site & Forum Admin Team Member.

Raj
Lifer
Lifer
Posts: 4512
Joined: Tue Sep 21, 2010 11:30 pm
Location: Midlands

Re: Driving abroad

Post by Raj » Wed Mar 28, 2012 9:50 pm

[quote=""pvr""]I drive to NL all the time, and never adjust my lights anymore. Not seen any issues with it.[/quote]

Agreed. Been to the Ring quite a few times and myself as well as all the other guys never worry about it.
Image

User avatar
Chompers
Snr Member
Snr Member
Posts: 1287
Joined: Mon Aug 02, 2010 12:08 pm
Location: Co. Down

Re: Driving abroad

Post by Chompers » Wed Mar 28, 2012 10:11 pm

German & NL police must be easier going. French rossers are getting harder and harder work :evil: I do flick the lever on my lights every time I go over so no probs but have seen drivers being pulled over after getting of the ferry and given a good going over. It will soon be law to carry an unused alcohol breath tester kit in the car or face a fine from November onwards :thumbsdown:
Current
09/59 e61 520d MSport Touring Business ED - Platinum Grey / Cream Beige Leather
Previous
06/06 e53 X5 4.4i V8 Sport - Titanium Silver / Black Nappa Leather

User avatar
cognac
Member
Member
Posts: 86
Joined: Fri Aug 26, 2011 8:39 am
Location: Charente Maritime S/W France

Re: Driving abroad

Post by cognac » Thu Mar 29, 2012 7:31 am

[quote=""Raj""][quote=""pvr""]I drive to NL all the time, and never adjust my lights anymore. Not seen any issues with it.[/quote]

Agreed. Been to the Ring quite a few times and myself as well as all the other guys never worry about it.[/quote]

Agreed. I've also been driving on the continent for over twenty years and haven't bothered with the lights, but now that I live in France I need to register the X5 here to do this I a certificate de conformite (MOT) as Chompers said the French police are getting very hot on putting over anything with a British plate....
2005 3.0D Sport Highland green beige leather with some nice extras..
Previous toys.
White RS6 avant
CL55 AMG
S4 Avant

User avatar
Chompers
Snr Member
Snr Member
Posts: 1287
Joined: Mon Aug 02, 2010 12:08 pm
Location: Co. Down

Re: Driving abroad

Post by Chompers » Thu Mar 29, 2012 7:37 am

Cognac, while the lever on the headlights allows the beam to deflect from on coming traffic I'm not sure that this will be good enough to pass the certificate de conformite. Most people I know who live in France have had to Chang to genuine lhd headlights
Current
09/59 e61 520d MSport Touring Business ED - Platinum Grey / Cream Beige Leather
Previous
06/06 e53 X5 4.4i V8 Sport - Titanium Silver / Black Nappa Leather

User avatar
X5Sport
Global Moderator
Global Moderator
Posts: 18777
Joined: Fri Sep 03, 2010 4:09 pm
Location: Planet X6......

Re: Driving abroad

Post by X5Sport » Thu Mar 29, 2012 9:46 am

Sounds like an eBay search for lamp units is going to be needed..... :(

At least the bulbs and wiring will be re-usable.. :)
:ant: Never anthropomorphise computers. They hate that.

Post Reply