Headlight Converter / France Trip

UK forum for general and technical discussion about the Z3 roadster
Post Reply
User avatar
TomH84
Joined: Sun 15 Dec, 2013 15:22
Posts: 113

  Z3 roadster 2.2i

Headlight Converter / France Trip

Post by TomH84 »

Hey guys,

Off to France in the Zed for 2 weeks next Wednesday. Yeah!! Really excited about the first road trip in the car. Pics to follow!

I bought headlight converters (and breathalysers, high viz vest etc...) to avoid trouble with the French police. They are the standard self-adhestive converters.

Has anyone fitted these before to the Zed? Do I fit these to the outer plastic lens or to the headlight bulb itself? The instructions are clear on positioning, but don't say whether they go on the bulb/outer lens. On my other car, the headlight bulb is exposed and it's easy: they go on the headlight itself.

Cheers!

Tom
2002 BMW Z3 2.2i 82k
Image
1971(K) MGB GT - the 'other' car
Image
User avatar
Mint
Joined: Tue 01 Nov, 2011 18:43
Posts: 475

  blank

Re: Headlight Converter / France Trip

Post by Mint »

I'm off to Andorra tomorrow via France and I've attached mine to the outer plastic of the headlight. You'd have to split the headlight unit to fix them to the headlight lens itself.
Enjoy your trip...
User avatar
TomH84
Joined: Sun 15 Dec, 2013 15:22
Posts: 113

  Z3 roadster 2.2i

Re: Headlight Converter / France Trip

Post by TomH84 »

Cheers! Nice and easy :)

Have a great trip yourself!
2002 BMW Z3 2.2i 82k
Image
1971(K) MGB GT - the 'other' car
Image
User avatar
BladeRunner919
Joined: Fri 17 Feb, 2012 20:18
Posts: 2225

  Z3 roadster 1.9

Re: Headlight Converter / France Trip

Post by BladeRunner919 »

Phil
Joined: Sun 09 Mar, 2008 10:43
Posts: 2697

  M roadster S54
Location: Solihull

Re: Headlight Converter / France Trip

Post by Phil »

Be aware that the adhesive can react with your headlights and turn them cloudy. I fitted some cheapo deflectors some years ago and it ruined the headlights. Had a permanent shadow where they had been fixed. Now I only use the BMW ones and haven't had any problems with those.
There are some tiny marks on the front surface which show you where to fit them |_ One shows for left hand drive cars and the other for right hand drive.
Sapphire black/Imola red and black interior/ red roof/ S54 - the only RHD one made.

"The only time you have too much fuel is when you're on fire."
User avatar
Koolflyer
Joined: Fri 05 Jul, 2013 15:51
Posts: 586

  Z3 roadster 2.8

Re: Headlight Converter / France Trip

Post by Koolflyer »

Just back from France, fantastic top down all the way in blue sky! Have a really good trip guys......really envious! 8-)
Pete
Image
1997 Z3 2.8 (M52) Roadster Montreal blue
2013 330d (F31) M Sport Alpine White
User avatar
Mike
Joined: Wed 14 Apr, 2004 10:53
Posts: 288

  Z3 roadster 2.8
Location: la Gacilly, France
Contact:

Re: Headlight Converter / France Trip

Post by Mike »

I agree with Phil. The glue clouds the plastic if left on too long. Last time I tried them they only stayed fixed for about 100Km when whizzing to the south of France. I then used black plastic tape to mask off the light beam that tipped upwards on the passenger side the rest of the trip. Trouble is you then need fog lights on as its a bit dark. Good idea in France any way to light the deep ditches they favour alongside the roads in Brittany at least.
Bi11
Joined: Mon 05 Nov, 2012 21:26
Posts: 150

  M roadster S54
Location: Bedford

Re: Headlight Converter / France Trip

Post by Bi11 »

Last time couple of times I have been to France I took the converters with me, but didn't drive after dark, so never bothered fitting them.

Have a good trip, hoping to take the zed on a Continental road trip my self some day.
Image
User avatar
TomH84
Joined: Sun 15 Dec, 2013 15:22
Posts: 113

  Z3 roadster 2.2i

Re: Headlight Converter / France Trip

Post by TomH84 »

Cheers!

Am looking forward to it. Just trying to plan the route down from Liverpool to Dover - the worst bit. M25 Anticlockwise at 9.30 / 10am - arghh...

I'll post some 'zed abroad' pics when I'm back.
2002 BMW Z3 2.2i 82k
Image
1971(K) MGB GT - the 'other' car
Image
User avatar
Gazza
Joined: Tue 04 Oct, 2005 20:58
Posts: 9521

  M roadster S54
Location: Romford Essex

Re: Headlight Converter / France Trip

Post by Gazza »

If you are going to Dover from Liverpool using the M25 it will be better to go clockwise and pay the £2.00 toll

https://maps.google.co.uk/maps?hl=en-GB ... CAgQ_AUoAQ
Gazza

"Understeer is when you hit the wall with the front of the car, oversteer is when you hit the wall with the rear of the car. Horsepower is how fast you hit the wall and torque is how far you take the wall with you"

Z3 S54 M roadster Image, BMW Z1, BMW M3 CSL, Z4M Coupe
ImageImage
Mike Fishwick
Joined: Fri 19 Jun, 2009 10:27
Posts: 2093

  Z3 roadster 2.8
Location: Daglan, France

Re: Headlight Converter / France Trip

Post by Mike Fishwick »

Why do people have this aversion to doing something with ther headlamps?

The idea that one does not need to fit converters unless driving at night ignores the basic legal requirement to do so, and also the possibility that you may have to drive in rain or mist, when you will dazzle oncoming traffic. In either case you could be fined if the gendarmes are having a bad day, or they stop you for any other offence.

Keep things simple and legal, and fit them before you get on the ferry.
A Z3 is not just for Christmas - it's for life!
User avatar
Davejue1
Joined: Sun 22 Sep, 2013 07:25
Posts: 1249

  Z3 roadster 2.8
Location: Mansfield

Re: Headlight Converter / France Trip

Post by Davejue1 »

That told you!! :D
Image

"Growing old is mandatory, growing up is optional!"
Mike Fishwick
Joined: Fri 19 Jun, 2009 10:27
Posts: 2093

  Z3 roadster 2.8
Location: Daglan, France

Re: Headlight Converter / France Trip

Post by Mike Fishwick »

People should not need to be told! This subject has long been a source of debate (if tha tis the correct word!) on the BMW Club (ie BMW motorcycles) forum, so many otherwise sensible people taking the attitude that they will 'get away with it' and ignoring their basic duty of courtesy to others, not to mention the legal requirement. Perhaps they find the whole idea as being too difficult for them to master, yet on a Z3 it is particularly easy, and even if you buy the BMW blanking kit is is not expensive.

Image

A lot of people tend to get rather stroppy when being criticised for this, the usual lame excuse being theat they do not intend to ride at night (forgetting about the legal requirement not to dazzle others, although a motorcycle must use dipped headlamps at all times) and the rain/mist problem. Another cop-out is that they 'know' the French (not the Dutch, not the Germans, not the Italians!) do not bother to do so when visiting the UK, so they feel entitled to get their own back. The same weak excuses are quite common in the car world too.

In a low car such as a Z3 a high-mounted headlamp on someting such as a motorcycle or white van is a real pain - and BMW GS trail bikes are some of the worst. Living in a popular tourist area like the Dordogne , and driving a Z3, I have a particular interest in this matter, but so many Brits seem to think that leaving their headlamp to dazzle others is acceptable in daytime, or regard it as some kind of revenge against the French forthem beating the Brits in the Norman Conquest!
A Z3 is not just for Christmas - it's for life!
bertiejaffa
Joined: Fri 26 Jul, 2013 09:28
Posts: 1733

  M roadster S50
Location: Manchester

Re: Headlight Converter / France Trip

Post by bertiejaffa »

Make them drive on the left like normal people - that will resolve everything
Here come the girls.....
Image
My //M Refurb
My First Zed Journal
Rafolian
Joined: Wed 27 Feb, 2013 08:41
Posts: 547

  Z3 roadster 2.8

Re: Headlight Converter / France Trip

Post by Rafolian »

I blame the Americans!!
John Wilson
Joined: Fri 12 Jun, 2009 12:11
Posts: 252

  Z3 roadster 2.0
Location: Diss

Re: Headlight Converter / France Trip

Post by John Wilson »

Mike, it's not a case of just being stroppy. My headlights were damaged by using converters. I'm just off to France again in a weeks time, and you can't blame me for being a bit worried about it. I've always complied with French regulations, but just would like to be sure that it won't happen again. I'd love to take the cheap tape option, but unless I know the adhesive is alright, I'm not going to risk it.
User avatar
Davejue1
Joined: Sun 22 Sep, 2013 07:25
Posts: 1249

  Z3 roadster 2.8
Location: Mansfield

Re: Headlight Converter / France Trip

Post by Davejue1 »

Myself and "the good lady" are regular visitors to France. Love the place and would give our right arms to live there! We too carry all legal requirements. Breathiliser, hi-viz vests, warning triangle, spare bulb kit,can of baked beans etc. We too always put converters on the headlights but the last set we put on the wife's shogun (halfords) also damaged the headlights and we never managed to get them right again. We haven't been across in the Zed yet but are planning on doing so next year. I will put them on again of course but not from halfords next time. :)

Cheers
Dave
Image

"Growing old is mandatory, growing up is optional!"
frog farmer
Joined: Thu 18 Jul, 2013 15:01
Posts: 32

  Z3 roadster 2.8
Location: Charante Maritime, France

Re: Headlight Converter / France Trip

Post by frog farmer »

Dont bother with the breathalyzer it is not needed now
User avatar
Davejue1
Joined: Sun 22 Sep, 2013 07:25
Posts: 1249

  Z3 roadster 2.8
Location: Mansfield

Re: Headlight Converter / France Trip

Post by Davejue1 »

They'll make there mind up at some point! Well they've been sat in the glove box now since it became law so they might as well stop there now. :)
Image

"Growing old is mandatory, growing up is optional!"
User avatar
Mike
Joined: Wed 14 Apr, 2004 10:53
Posts: 288

  Z3 roadster 2.8
Location: la Gacilly, France
Contact:

Re: Headlight Converter / France Trip

Post by Mike »

The breathlyser law is currently suspended not removed. This means that it is illegal not to have them in the car BUT the fine for not having them is set to 0 euros so the police cannot fine you for it. My suggestion is to get one or to ( in French supermarket as they are a fraction of the cost of those on the ferrie ) so as not to have an issue.
Also be aware the STATIC speed cameras have a 0 KM/hr tolerace. 1 km/hr over and you get a fine. Its still 5 percent tolerance with handheld flicks speed camera so do not let them tell you otherwise. French Laws - such fun !!!!
Phil
Joined: Sun 09 Mar, 2008 10:43
Posts: 2697

  M roadster S54
Location: Solihull

Re: Headlight Converter / France Trip

Post by Phil »

John Wilson wrote:Mike, it's not a case of just being stroppy. My headlights were damaged by using converters. I'm just off to France again in a weeks time, and you can't blame me for being a bit worried about it. I've always complied with French regulations, but just would like to be sure that it won't happen again. I'd love to take the cheap tape option, but unless I know the adhesive is alright, I'm not going to risk it.
Get the BMW converters then.
Sapphire black/Imola red and black interior/ red roof/ S54 - the only RHD one made.

"The only time you have too much fuel is when you're on fire."
User avatar
OXO
Joined: Wed 31 Mar, 2010 08:32
Posts: 567

  Z3 roadster 2.2i
Location: France

Re: Headlight Converter / France Trip

Post by OXO »

Mike wrote: Also be aware the STATIC speed cameras have a 0 KM/hr tolerace. 1 km/hr over and you get a fine. Its still 5 percent tolerance with handheld flicks speed camera so do not let them tell you otherwise. French Laws - such fun !!!!
But if you are driving a UK registered vehicle, the French do not send the fine across to the UK, so you get away with it.

Of course if you get stopped by the gendarmes for speeding, it's a different matter.
Mike Fishwick
Joined: Fri 19 Jun, 2009 10:27
Posts: 2093

  Z3 roadster 2.8
Location: Daglan, France

Re: Headlight Converter / France Trip

Post by Mike Fishwick »

Fixed cameras are supposed to be set at plus 5%, but this cannot be relied upon - I was caught by a camera st to operate at plus 3 kph in a 90 kph zone - before I had my eyes tested I could not read the speed limit sign in time! This meant a 65 Euro fine, reduced to 42 Euros for payment within the month, and 1 point, which was removed after a year - rather more appropriate than the 'Public Enemy Number One' treatment given in the UK.

At least as a resident, if caught by the gendarmes the fines etc are very low (65 to 135 Euros, unless you are being a real hero!) compared to the level applied to Brits - because the UK has not signed the agreement for cross-border pursuance. I find it amazing how some Brits get upset at the idea of having to comply with French laws when in France - as though they think they have a right to ignore the laws of any country - particularly those of France! I would prefer French fines etc to the hysterical punishments being given in the UK. Up to £10k for speeding?
A Z3 is not just for Christmas - it's for life!
Post Reply