mint Posted April 12, 2009 Share Posted April 12, 2009 Without having to plough through reams of specs, is there a quick way to find out models of cars with lights that dip both ways?Off back to the Ole Country in a month and I have seen the tempting prices of cars (new and used) back there. Eg Mazda 6 Break 1.8 £11 485 against over € 23 000 in Aramis Bordeaux.As the biggest expense with the re-registering process is the cost of replacing the headlights, I thought it worth investigating those cars that have adjustable lights.Any ideas of makes or models or even what to google? Go on, it's damp, it's wet, it's Easter: won't you get a lovely, warm feeling helping a fellow human being? Just point me in the right direction and away I'll go...............[:D] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dog Posted April 12, 2009 Share Posted April 12, 2009 Audi TT Mk I,BMW E46 3-SeriesBMW E39 5-SeriesBMW E92 3-Series coupesFord Focus IIFord Mondeo with bi-Xenon headlightsHonda Accords with Xenons have flat dip headlights so no need to switch.Jaguar X-Type has switch to prevent dazzle when driving on rightJaguar S-Type has switch to prevent dazzle when driving on rightLexus IS220d and IS250Most Mercedes can be switched to dip down rather than to the left.SAAB 9-3 Sports Wagon (lights dip down, not to the side)Vauxhall CalibraVauxhall Vectra 2002 - 2005Vauxhall Signum 2002 - 2005VW Passat from 2001 - 2005Volvo XC90 with Directional bi-Xenon headlights According to Honest John. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mint Posted April 12, 2009 Author Share Posted April 12, 2009 Dog, most impressive list. Thank you very much indeed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
just john Posted April 12, 2009 Share Posted April 12, 2009 Optional on the following that I have looked at, most people didn't seem to be aware if their car had it fitted:- High Spec Vauxhall/Opel (AFL) adaptive forward lighting 2005 on ish Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sunday Driver Posted April 13, 2009 Share Posted April 13, 2009 I suspect Honest John's list refers to UK RHD cars where the headlamps can be adjusted for temporary holiday travel in France.However, when it comes to passing a controle technique here, this [url=http://www.utac-otc.com/Upload/base_doc/1200/SRVF4-1_2008_ECLAIRAGE_b.pdf]UTAC Technical Notice[/url] sets down the actual requirements for vehicles subject to testing in France. It would seem that horizontal beam patterns are no longer compliant....[:(] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mint Posted April 13, 2009 Author Share Posted April 13, 2009 Thank you, SD, for your magisterial contribution. Unfortunately, lacking any sort of knowledge of trigonometry, I was unable to understand the diagrams with the beams illustrated.[blink]I suppose the savings could still stack up even if the lights have to be changed. Oh Temptation, why are you always out there, giving me ideas that I can't get out of my head? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chancer Posted April 13, 2009 Share Posted April 13, 2009 [quote user="Sunday Driver"]I suspect Honest John's list refers to UK RHD cars where the headlamps can be adjusted for temporary holiday travel in France.However, when it comes to passing a controle technique here, this [url=http://www.utac-otc.com/Upload/base_doc/1200/SRVF4-1_2008_ECLAIRAGE_b.pdf]UTAC Technical Notice[/url] sets down the actual requirements for vehicles subject to testing in France. It would seem that horizontal beam patterns are no longer compliant....[:(][/quote]Having read the document carefully SD I beg to disagree. The angle of the raised portion to the right is no longer tested, en revanche they are looking for a horizontal beam pattern on the left hand side cut off at 0.8m with a tolerance margin as expressed in 4.1.Good news for all those still passing their controle techniques with black sticky tape [:)] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mint Posted April 13, 2009 Author Share Posted April 13, 2009 JR, I am so relieved that someone can understand the diagrams.[:D] However, I don't understand your post any more than I did SD's document [:(]So, can you tell me in words of one syllable and in English, what the position is with headlamps that can be adjusted to dip either way or to have their beam lowered? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anton Redman Posted April 13, 2009 Share Posted April 13, 2009 Touch wood if I ever develope fingers strong enough to move the leavers on the S type I am pretty sure the headlamps will conform. There is I believe only one part number for European headlamps. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mint Posted April 13, 2009 Author Share Posted April 13, 2009 Anton, apologies for being so completely clueless; but what is this "one part number" you're talking about? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chancer Posted April 13, 2009 Share Posted April 13, 2009 I will try Sweet 17 but its not easy for me to use one word when many would suffice!I had not seen the document before but my reading of it is that headlights will no longer be required to dip to the left or right (as before according to the country) but to dip and not dazzle oncoming traffic.The traditional kick up to the left or right (according to country) that illuminated the kerbside verge is no longer necessary or tested, as more and more modern cars no longer have it with their "flat" beams.The testing regime in France is from heronin to only test the left hand portion of the dipped beam, i.e; the part that could dazzle oncoming traffic, this is the part difficult for me to correctly express simply but I will try; it must not shine "up" at all but must shine down at a slight angle. I hope that explains it better for you, in practical terms if you have the modern flat beam headlights and they are correctly set for UK use they will pass the French controle technique and not cause problems for oncoming drivers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mint Posted April 13, 2009 Author Share Posted April 13, 2009 Thank you so much, JR.What a good explainer you are! I have understood perfectly and that also is the information I need before making any decisions.You have been very helpful indeed so here is a [kiss] and a [B]Cheers! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anton Redman Posted April 13, 2009 Share Posted April 13, 2009 Sorry what I meant was that unlike say clutch cables which vary between RHD and LHD European spec headlamps seem to be the same part irrespective of whether the car is RHD or LHD but I have not checked yet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnOther Posted April 13, 2009 Share Posted April 13, 2009 Sweets, remember that the cost of changing lights can often be largely offset by flogging the old ones on eBay [;-)]By all means factor it in to the decision process but don't put it at the top of the list. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mint Posted April 13, 2009 Author Share Posted April 13, 2009 I was dull enough to just take my old lights to the decheterie last time around.But, Erns, the lights were more expensive than the registration fee. Oh well, I'm going to see if I could get myself a nice deal as I won't be part-exchanging. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob Roy Posted April 14, 2009 Share Posted April 14, 2009 We bought a secondhand Citroen C5 estate in the UK in December for the very reason you state - much cheaper than in France. The headlight beam can be changed on this, which the guy carrying out the CT very kindly did for me before he carried out the test.[:)] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Breton Networks Posted April 2, 2010 Share Posted April 2, 2010 [quote user="Chancer"]Having read the document carefully SD I beg to disagree. The angle of the raised portion to the right is no longer tested, en revanche they are looking for a horizontal beam pattern on the left hand side cut off at 0.8m with a tolerance margin as expressed in 4.1.[/quote]My x-type jaguar has just failed it's first CT because the beam pattern was flat, would it be possible for you to point out the section of the document SD provided, that says that the 'kick-up' is not tested.My technical French isn't good enought to figure it out.Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bugsy Posted April 2, 2010 Share Posted April 2, 2010 Sweet.Conventional beam pattern on a vehicle.[IMG]http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p211/Bugbear2/lighttape.jpg[/IMG]. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Please sign in to comment
You will be able to leave a comment after signing in
Sign In Now