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BFGLR2Man



Member Since: 17 Nov 2008
Location: Gutersloh
Posts: 167

Germany 2010 Freelander 2 TD4_e HSE Manual Alaska White
Headlights in the US and Canada

I am looking to purchase some xenon lhd headlights for my FL2. They are stupidly expensive at the German dealer and I have seen some on e-bay for much less, but they are US spec. I know that means that the indicator lenses are orange and not clear but the main question is this:

What shape is the beam that US or Canadian spec xenon lights produce? Are they flat ie _____ when they are shone against a wall or asymetric ____/ (kink up to the right). Would it be possible for a kind hearted US or Canadian member to shine their lights agianst a wall from about 5 metres (15'?) away let me know please what their cars do, so that I know whether or not to purchase from the US or Canada.

Thank you in advance of your replies Thumbs Up Freelander 2.2e HSE , Privacy, Fully debadged, 19" Chrome SHadow alloys

Post #39012 18th Mar 2009 9:33 pm
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Frobius



Member Since: 05 Aug 2008
Location: Lincolnshire
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United Kingdom 2009 Freelander 2 TD4 XS Manual Martinique Blue

AFAIK the continental US has a flat beam pattern. LHD kicks up to the right.

However, most xenons, and I'm pretty sure I've read a guide somewhere that the FL2s are no different but that you flick a switch in the back of the headlight to fligh the kick up from left to right - and thus pass your BFG test!

Scaming bastages. Even in Sixth Sense people still want almost retail for hadlights. Sad 09MY FL2 Td4 XS, Style Pack, Privacy Glass, Martinique Blue.. oh so very blue..

Post #39015 18th Mar 2009 10:27 pm
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yamaha-fan



Member Since: 11 Jun 2007
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The first thing to do if you import a car from the USA or Canada is to change the head lamps.
But I am not sure if this also applies to Xenon lamps.

YF

Post #39051 19th Mar 2009 4:29 pm
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BFGLR2Man



Member Since: 17 Nov 2008
Location: Gutersloh
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Frobius,

My lights are currently RHD and flat beamed, they cannot be further altered to kick up to the right, hence the question. Don't get started on BFG regs, especially as the German StvO allows flat beam lights for cars to pass the TUV test!

For all of those wandering what we are talking about (BFG) then let those in the know worry about it!! Freelander 2.2e HSE , Privacy, Fully debadged, 19" Chrome SHadow alloys

Post #39222 23rd Mar 2009 11:21 am
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chicken george



Member Since: 05 Dec 2007
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Post #39224 23rd Mar 2009 12:40 pm
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AndyC



Member Since: 30 Nov 2007
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chicken george wrote:
Big Fat Gits Question


Charming comments again from the One-eyed, Red-faced, Blue-topped Skinny-necked Chicken Rolling with laughter 2007 Freelander 2 HSE TD4 Manual with Premium Pack & Moonroof.
Stornoway Grey with Ebony Black Pleather, Clear Indicators, Body Side Mouldings etc.

Post #39230 23rd Mar 2009 2:02 pm
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Frobius



Member Since: 05 Aug 2008
Location: Lincolnshire
Posts: 326

United Kingdom 2009 Freelander 2 TD4 XS Manual Martinique Blue

BFGLR2Man wrote:
Frobius,

My lights are currently RHD and flat beamed, they cannot be further altered to kick up to the right, hence the question. Don't get started on BFG regs, especially as the German StvO allows flat beam lights for cars to pass the TUV test!

For all of those wandering what we are talking about (BFG) then let those in the know worry about it!!


If they're bog standard RHD lights, they'll have a kick up to the left.

See page 74 of your manual fr how to adjust them to be LHD versions!



Click image to enlarge


I've known people have a similar adjustment in their cars, particularly SAABs and pass their BFG tests by flipping the lever. Then there's muggins over here with his Honda who had to fork out €600 for new lights. Sad 09MY FL2 Td4 XS, Style Pack, Privacy Glass, Martinique Blue.. oh so very blue..

Post #39261 23rd Mar 2009 9:13 pm
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BFGLR2Man



Member Since: 17 Nov 2008
Location: Gutersloh
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Germany 2010 Freelander 2 TD4_e HSE Manual Alaska White

The lever does adjust for driving on the oposite of the road, by making them go flat ie not dazzling road users on the oposite side of the road. Unfortunately the regs have now changed and they must dip right, going flat is no longer an option.

Therefore, can I please have some feedback to my original question by one of our US or Canadian members please.

Thankyou Freelander 2.2e HSE , Privacy, Fully debadged, 19" Chrome SHadow alloys

Post #39294 24th Mar 2009 9:25 am
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Frobius



Member Since: 05 Aug 2008
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United Kingdom 2009 Freelander 2 TD4 XS Manual Martinique Blue

Censored . Didn't realise it just made the beams flat.

I have a feeling that US lamps are flat too but then I might be wrong. Come on Americans, post your Xenon beam patterns! 09MY FL2 Td4 XS, Style Pack, Privacy Glass, Martinique Blue.. oh so very blue..

Post #39302 24th Mar 2009 12:22 pm
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npinks



Member Since: 28 Jun 2007
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United Kingdom 

you could try PM a few of the USA lot who would have xenon's by looking at their profile in the members pages

that way they'll get a email saying they have a message and might answer your question

Don't seem to have very many USA/Canadian members that post regularly Former Mod/Member, with the most post & Chicken George Arch nemesis

Post #39306 24th Mar 2009 1:28 pm
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m1964



Member Since: 21 Apr 2007
Location: NY
Posts: 97

United States 

npinks wrote:
you could try PM a few of the USA lot who would have xenon's by looking at their profile in the members pages

that way they'll get a email saying they have a message and might answer your question

Don't seem to have very many USA/Canadian members that post regularly


No HID here, sorry

Post #39634 29th Mar 2009 2:59 am
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Walter_F



Member Since: 05 Apr 2008
Location: Virginia, USA
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United States 2008 LR2 i6 SE Auto Whistler White

I've got HID. This is what the pattern looks like.



Walter F
2008 White SE

Post #41862 11th May 2009 8:51 pm
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mjb



Member Since: 30 Aug 2007
Location: Hessen
Posts: 47

Germany 

BFGLR2Man wrote:
Therefore, can I please have some feedback to my original question by one of our US or Canadian members please.

Thankyou

My guess is, if the lamp doesn't have an E (European) number on it, which US lamps don't, you won't get a vehicle TÜV without an "Ausnahmebescheinigung". Which is impossible to get if there is no European importer, which there isn't, because you can buy a European version. The police will also want to see that Ausnahmebescheinigung when they pull you over for having badly adjusted headlamps too.

The first thing you have to do when you import a US vehicle, is change the head lights, the TÜV is very strict about this.

I'd forget it, but I might be wrong.

P.S. the difference is not the beam shape, or whether it tails left or right, but the difference between light and dark. The US allows a much lighter dark bit that the EU. The beam must be much better masked on the EU version lamps, and therefore they're more expensive. - Mike

Post #41890 12th May 2009 11:43 am
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mjb



Member Since: 30 Aug 2007
Location: Hessen
Posts: 47

Germany 

This is interesting: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Headlamp

I still think you need the E number on the unit, although they might not be different to the US version in any other way. But you also by law MUST have the headlamp washers fitted with HID lamps - I never knew that! - Mike

Post #41893 12th May 2009 12:01 pm
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Natwest



Member Since: 06 Oct 2008
Location: North Cotswolds
Posts: 576

United Kingdom 

I assume you're swapping in place of Halogen? If so you'll have no method of adjustment that automatically compensates for load either, dazzling oncoming traffic with those really bright HID lamps Laughing

Post #41911 12th May 2009 5:22 pm
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