Xenon headlights.

[sapphireblack]

I'm sure i have read here that xenon equiped E70/71s don't need beam adjustment for LHD traffic. Their beam is flat or some such. I'd like to be sure and Google searching has my head spinning.

How do i establish the true facts?

[X5Sport]

Correct. They have a flat beam. However, if you are permanently exporting then depending upon the country, you may need to change them. Germany for example insists on RHD cars being converted with LHD lamps in order to pass their TÜV approval.. Doesn’t apply to visitors. As far as I’m aware, you mustn’t use ‘auto-headlights if you have adaptive units though. Something to do with the amount they move on corners being wrong for LHD. I’m going to France this year and driving (air fares are just silly!) and that was the advice I was given.

[sapphireblack]

As ever the TZ guru has the knowledge. Thank you Can i assume (should i?) that all BMWs equipped with xenons have the same feature? You could probably have guessed that Greece would be the ultimate destination, where the rules are reasonably flexible.

[X5Sport]

As far as I know, all BMWs equipped with OEM Xenon (not halogen conversions/aftermarket) have flat dip beam lights, as do LED equipped cars. All of the BMWs (and a Škoda) I’ve had since 2004 had/have these beam patterns. I’m not even certain that there’s a lever in them any more.

The TÜV test has caught a few folks out. Other countries have a more pragmatic approach shall we say…

[sapphireblack]

Fantastic input, more thanks for that. I won't go into personal stuff, but I've been thinking of a return to Greece, solo this time, and on my terms.. A budget E70 was the first focus but has crept around to include an X1 possibility. Given my E71 is only a Euro 4 and therefore a budget E70 would also be, there would be financial penalties. The X1 is a Euro 5 which would be more welcomed in Greece with lower import tax applied. But Xenon headlights would obviously be necessary.

Why import another car, you may ask? Well, prices in Greece are very much higher than the UK and i prefer RHD to avoid the car swallowing ditches as well.

I've found a decent looking X1 in Space Grey so a car change, but in the same colour, possibly. I am waiting on the dealer to confirm what headlights it has.

[StuBeeDoo]

As far as I’m aware, you mustn’t use ‘auto-headlights if you have adaptive units though. Something to do with the amount they move on corners being wrong for LHD.

I remember reading that ^^^ when I was researching for a roadtrip to Italy.