Headlight adjustment for France on X5
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Forum Name: Irish Forum
Forum Discription: where Irish members can discuss upcoming events, etc.
URL: http://www.bavarian-board.co.uk/forum_posts.asp?TID=45085
Printed Date: 05-May-2024 at 17:41
Topic: Headlight adjustment for France on X5
Posted By: blaze
Subject: Headlight adjustment for France on X5
Date Posted: 23-June-2009 at 09:58
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Hi, I have a 3l Petrol x5 2001. I'm going abroad shortly and need to know what do do about my lights. I know I have to get them sorted but just unclear whether they can be manually adjusted or if I need to buy some type of headlight patch. I have bi-xenon headlight. Thanks http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ln7k2p3tBfs" class="l" onmousedown="return clkthis.href,'video_result','','res','1','' - |
Replies:
Posted By: denishogan
Date Posted: 23-June-2009 at 10:04
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Hey, I'm not familiar with the Bi-Xenon Setup, but on the E39 Halogen and Xenon units, there is a circular cap on the top of each light unit which you can twist and lift off to reveal a lever within the light unit. If you move the lever to the other side (it will only move one way for you), it will flatten the cut off line of the lights - so it will be suitable for driving on the continent. I imagine the X5 shouldn't be much different. Post some photos when you figure it out - might be of use to others here! Enjoy the trip!  ------------- 
http://www.irishhillclimb.com - Irish Hillclimb and Sprint Championship |
Posted By: blaze
Date Posted: 23-June-2009 at 10:50
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I may just get some stickers. Might be easier. I see halfords sell then at a tenner. Saves having to re fix them too when I get back. Anyone else have any thoughts? thanks |
Posted By: denishogan
Date Posted: 23-June-2009 at 10:56
If the lights on the X5 are any way similar to the E39, it's a one minute job... and it's free! -------------
http://www.irishhillclimb.com - Irish Hillclimb and Sprint Championship |
blaze wrote:Posted By: blaze
Date Posted: 23-June-2009 at 11:34
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Hi, Ok thanks. I'll take a look when I get home and report back. Thanks again |
Posted By: beemerchris
Date Posted: 23-June-2009 at 12:15
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AFAIK there are some issues with discolouration on xenon lights when the patches are used due to the heat generated under the patch. ------------- Chris 3rock-Car-Electronics-Services Cars.: e34 540t 6sp e24 635csi |
Posted By: b318isp
Date Posted: 23-June-2009 at 12:37
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The HID lamps run cooler than filament bulbs AFAIK. ------------- 
http://www.esatclear.ie/~bpurcell/index.html - My E30 318is Site |
Posted By: larzyh
Date Posted: 23-June-2009 at 12:41
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Just to add to beemerchris' concerns; I used Halfords beam-
benders for my non-Xenon lights last summer and have a partial circular line consistent with the circumference of the stickers, etched into the glass of both my headlight; will not be using again! I also seem to have a memory of reading somewhere that beam-benders were unsuitable for Xenons. ------------- Larzyh. Previously or currently, in the family: '77 E21 320, '78 E21 320, '79 E21 320, '87 E28 520i, '88 E30 325iC, '95 E34 525i, '98 E39 528i, '98 Z3 2.5, '98 E38 740iL, '95 E36 Compact, '99 E36 318iT, '02 E46 318iT, '96 E34 525tdsT, '98 E38 740iL... |
Posted By: denishogan
Date Posted: 23-June-2009 at 13:04
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Halogens run noticeably hotter than Xenons, which may account for the lines on your headlight. Have you tried using a bit of petrol/solvent to see if you can get rid of the lines? (be careful if the lens is plastic not glass) -------------
http://www.irishhillclimb.com - Irish Hillclimb and Sprint Championship |
Posted By: blaze
Date Posted: 23-June-2009 at 14:16
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I don't plan to do any night driving it more just to prove I've conformed with the regulations. Also I assume its only an issue if I use full beams which again is even less likely. |
Posted By: b318isp
Date Posted: 24-June-2009 at 10:18
Huh? It's dipped beams you're talking about. High beams are not directional. -------------
http://www.esatclear.ie/~bpurcell/index.html - My E30 318is Site |
Posted By: larzyh
Date Posted: 24-June-2009 at 11:35
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I have tried polishing the glass but there is actually nothing on the surface. Having thought some more about it, I think the glass might be cracked; it looks like it's cracked. I run my car with Osram Nightbreaker bulbs and while they are 55watt like standard they do run hotter. Interestingly, it is the same in both headlights. I might try to take a picture and post it. ------------- Larzyh. Previously or currently, in the family: '77 E21 320, '78 E21 320, '79 E21 320, '87 E28 520i, '88 E30 325iC, '95 E34 525i, '98 E39 528i, '98 Z3 2.5, '98 E38 740iL, '95 E36 Compact, '99 E36 318iT, '02 E46 318iT, '96 E34 525tdsT, '98 E38 740iL... |
Posted By: denishogan
Date Posted: 24-June-2009 at 12:40
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@blaze: You only need to have the dips sorted for driving in France. And not sure if you know this already, but it's required by law that you carry a high vis jacket for each occupant in the cabin (they must be stored in the cabin), a spare set of bulbs and a warning triangle. @larzyh: Do, I'd be interested to see. -------------
http://www.irishhillclimb.com - Irish Hillclimb and Sprint Championship |
Posted By: larzyh
Date Posted: 24-June-2009 at 13:17
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denishogan - I tried to photograph it but it is very
difficult due to a combination of bright sun (not complaining!) and the pitting, crud and insects. I have angled the shot so as to put the mark just below the reflector. It is actually not cracked but marked, in the polycarbonate. The mark scribes the exact position of the beam-bender. Right lens [IMG]http://farm4.static.flickr/3328/3657037436_4322b c8a72.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://farm4.static.flickr/3376/3657038190_e0bb5 d5d50.jpg[/IMG] Left lens [IMG]http://farm4.static.flickr/3379/3656244675_96a2c f076a.jpg[/IMG] Might try again later, in different lighting conditions. ------------- Larzyh. Previously or currently, in the family: '77 E21 320, '78 E21 320, '79 E21 320, '87 E28 520i, '88 E30 325iC, '95 E34 525i, '98 E39 528i, '98 Z3 2.5, '98 E38 740iL, '95 E36 Compact, '99 E36 318iT, '02 E46 318iT, '96 E34 525tdsT, '98 E38 740iL... |
Posted By: larzyh
Date Posted: 24-June-2009 at 13:24
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Strangely my Flick'r links do not appear to be working! Anybody know why? ------------- Larzyh. Previously or currently, in the family: '77 E21 320, '78 E21 320, '79 E21 320, '87 E28 520i, '88 E30 325iC, '95 E34 525i, '98 E39 528i, '98 Z3 2.5, '98 E38 740iL, '95 E36 Compact, '99 E36 318iT, '02 E46 318iT, '96 E34 525tdsT, '98 E38 740iL... |
Posted By: kbannon
Date Posted: 24-June-2009 at 21:03
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whats the flickr gallery address?
------------- Current: 2009 E60 520d "Sport" tractor Previous: 1989 E30 320i SE 1997 E39 523i 2003 E39 525i Sport Individual |