Martin Stuart Posted April 9, 2019 Report Share Posted April 9, 2019 Hi, I have just joined. I have bought a 2006 330ci Msport in the UK. I live in France and wish to register it there. I believe that the headlights, if they are xenons, can be adjusted to driving on the right. Firstly, how do you know if they are xenons and is this correct? I would greatly appreciate any advice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
momo Posted April 9, 2019 Report Share Posted April 9, 2019 Check the back of the headlight unit.. It'll have a ballast and all sorts of high-voltage warnings if it's Xenon. Open the dipped beam cover and check the bulb if you want to be absolutely sure. Yes, that's correct. There's a lever on the back of the headlight somewhere which you can push and it changes the shutter angle to LHD. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin Stuart Posted April 10, 2019 Author Report Share Posted April 10, 2019 Thank you very much, I'll have a look. Is there any way of telling if the lights are xenons by looking at them through the glass? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin Stuart Posted April 10, 2019 Author Report Share Posted April 10, 2019 I have taken the cover off as you suggested and there is no adjusting lever that I can see. I guess then they are not xenon lights. Is there any solution for driving on the continent without having to replace the entire headlight assembly? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
momo Posted April 10, 2019 Report Share Posted April 10, 2019 What type of bulb was in there? Standard H7 or D2S? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin Stuart Posted April 11, 2019 Author Report Share Posted April 11, 2019 Thanks again for your help, much appreciated. I took off the cover as you suggested and there was definitely no switch to convert to LHD. I also contacted BMW and they deduced from my my reg no and Vin that the lights are halogen, which is a bit disappointing. So I guess it will be replacement of the lights or see whether our local Controle Technique (like UK MOT ) will allow the deflectors. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
momo Posted April 11, 2019 Report Share Posted April 11, 2019 Tbh I wouldn't have thought it would be too difficult to get some LHD headlights over there and then retrofit them? Or get some aftermarket Depo headlights with Xenons from the US. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dontpannic Posted April 11, 2019 Report Share Posted April 11, 2019 (edited) Just a technical point - the switch doesn't convert from RHD/LHD - it basically just takes the side-specific beam off, so essentially switching between RHD and flat, or LHD and flat. It's OK for temporarily driving on the continent but is unlikely to pass any annual vehicle checks (MOT etc) as the beam pattern won't be blinding anyone, but it won't be correct for your side of the road. In the long run you'll have to buy LHD light units. It's a white plastic lever on the right or left side of the xenon projector behind the rubber or plastic cap for the dipped beam. Xenon are projector headlights, so you'll have a lens that looks like the end of a lightbulb, halogen is a bowl made of mirrors with the bulb central. Edited April 11, 2019 by dontpannic Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
momo Posted April 11, 2019 Report Share Posted April 11, 2019 All the facelift 330Ci's have projector headlights whether they have Xenons or not.. Something I found out recently! V.confusing.. lol. Pre-facelifts have projector/bowls as per Saloon/Touring. But coupe/vert facelift all had projectors! lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin Stuart Posted April 13, 2019 Author Report Share Posted April 13, 2019 Thanks again for the advice - I will act on it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...