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

Xenon Lights, driving abroad.

Discuss your latest mods or ideas, and anything to do with the BMW X5 (E53).
Post Reply
philip600
Member
Member
Posts: 144
Joined: Sun Aug 29, 2010 7:25 pm

Xenon Lights, driving abroad.

Post by philip600 » Sun Oct 10, 2010 7:33 pm

Hi,
Just a quick question, we are driving to France next year for a holiday. Is there a way to set the xenon lights on my E53 X5 so they are correct for driving on the right ?
If not will I need silly black stickers ?
Thanks, in advance.
Regards, Phil.
2005 3.0d Le Mans auto - Now gone :-( but replaced with an Audi A4 Avant Quattro Black Edition 177PS :-)
1988 Porsche 911 Carrera Cabriolet - NOW SOLD.
1996 Lotus Esprit S4s in Mica Yellow.

Online
User avatar
gmc15
Member
Member
Posts: 404
Joined: Sat Aug 21, 2010 3:39 am
Location: Durham

Re: Xenon Lights, driving abroad.

Post by gmc15 » Sun Oct 10, 2010 7:43 pm

There is a small black rubber flap just in front/on top of the lights when you lift the bonnet on either side. Just lift up the flap and there is a silver lever down inside the hole. Move the lever the opposite way as it is set now. I can't remember which way they go off hand. They only move an inch or so :)

HTH.

Graeme.
x6 M50d

philip600
Member
Member
Posts: 144
Joined: Sun Aug 29, 2010 7:25 pm

Re: Xenon Lights, driving abroad.

Post by philip600 » Sun Oct 10, 2010 7:46 pm

Hi Graeme,
Thanks for quick reply ( I love this site )
Will have a look for this tomorrow.
Thanks, again. Phil.
2005 3.0d Le Mans auto - Now gone :-( but replaced with an Audi A4 Avant Quattro Black Edition 177PS :-)
1988 Porsche 911 Carrera Cabriolet - NOW SOLD.
1996 Lotus Esprit S4s in Mica Yellow.

Online
User avatar
gmc15
Member
Member
Posts: 404
Joined: Sat Aug 21, 2010 3:39 am
Location: Durham

Re: Xenon Lights, driving abroad.

Post by gmc15 » Sun Oct 10, 2010 8:25 pm

If you are not sure which way the lever has to go I can look at my car tomorrow and see where mine are set now.

Graeme.
x6 M50d

User avatar
535dboy
Lifer
Lifer
Posts: 5491
Joined: Sat Jul 31, 2010 11:38 am
Location: East Sussex

Re: Xenon Lights, driving abroad.

Post by 535dboy » Sun Oct 10, 2010 9:01 pm

Audi had to charge me for the privilege on the TT
Currently :
2012 Audi RS4 (B8)
2012 Porsche Boxster S (981)
2008 Lotus Exige S (a bit modified!)
2015 Nissan Leaf twin turbo with Nitros

Previously :
2008 BMW X5 3.0sd MSport
2005 BMW 535d MSport

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

Re: Xenon Lights, driving abroad.

Post by pvr » Sun Oct 10, 2010 10:28 pm

I never bother changing the lights ... :oops:
X5M F85,  Golf Clipper, Abarth 595 Competizioni, Jeep

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

User avatar
535dboy
Lifer
Lifer
Posts: 5491
Joined: Sat Jul 31, 2010 11:38 am
Location: East Sussex

Re: Xenon Lights, driving abroad.

Post by 535dboy » Mon Oct 11, 2010 6:42 am

[quote=""pvr""]I never bother changing the lights ... :oops:[/quote]

And that became more conclusion in the end too - after 2200 miles I never drove in the dark!
Currently :
2012 Audi RS4 (B8)
2012 Porsche Boxster S (981)
2008 Lotus Exige S (a bit modified!)
2015 Nissan Leaf twin turbo with Nitros

Previously :
2008 BMW X5 3.0sd MSport
2005 BMW 535d MSport

rconwa11
Newbie
Newbie
Posts: 33
Joined: Mon Sep 20, 2010 9:56 am

Re: Xenon Lights, driving abroad.

Post by rconwa11 » Mon Oct 11, 2010 9:26 am

i dont understand that comment about not driving in the dark... sureley foreign dark is the same as uk dark ?

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

Re: Xenon Lights, driving abroad.

Post by pvr » Mon Oct 11, 2010 9:34 am

Back at base before night :)
X5M F85,  Golf Clipper, Abarth 595 Competizioni, Jeep

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

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

Re: Xenon Lights, driving abroad.

Post by Chompers » Fri Oct 22, 2010 9:53 am

Like PVR, I also never changed my lights to dip the other way on my 'X' however I have started doing it on my e61 which is a similar process as discribed above. Mainly because quite a few brits have come a cropper after being stopped by the Gendarme and fined. It is also important that you have Hi-Vis jackets for everyone in the car and these must be kept in the passenger compartment not the boot!!!! otherwise a 90 Euro fine on the spot. Spot checks were being carried out last week as we came of the ferry in Caen and it looked like a few people were being fined.
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

squeaky2
Member
Member
Posts: 635
Joined: Sat Jul 31, 2010 4:13 pm
Location: South London

Re: Xenon Lights, driving abroad.

Post by squeaky2 » Fri Oct 22, 2010 10:10 am

The lever only needs a little flick over.......be careful not to exert too much force on it otherwise it goes ping and you have to take half the headlight apart to get it all back together. :cry:

Considering the ease of doing it i would......i have been blinded so many times by Brits coming off the channel crossings and havent been bothered to change them. Its just common courtesy really.

Online
User avatar
gmc15
Member
Member
Posts: 404
Joined: Sat Aug 21, 2010 3:39 am
Location: Durham

Re: Xenon Lights, driving abroad.

Post by gmc15 » Fri Oct 22, 2010 8:21 pm

Remember that in France it is law to use dipped headlights in rainy weather and when going through tunnels :)

Graeme.
x6 M50d

philip600
Member
Member
Posts: 144
Joined: Sun Aug 29, 2010 7:25 pm

Re: Xenon Lights, driving abroad.

Post by philip600 » Fri Oct 22, 2010 8:28 pm

Hi again,

thanks for all the usefull tips, I still haven't had chance to check the switch yet but not going untill May 2011 so plently of time ;)

thanks again, Phil.
2005 3.0d Le Mans auto - Now gone :-( but replaced with an Audi A4 Avant Quattro Black Edition 177PS :-)
1988 Porsche 911 Carrera Cabriolet - NOW SOLD.
1996 Lotus Esprit S4s in Mica Yellow.

Post Reply