38 replies to this topic

[stevevx220]

Anyone know how to adapt the headlights for use in France? Many thanks Steve

[waverunner]

One of the VXs at Brunters had the patches on its headlamps for European use. Can't bliddy remember who it was though

[Robski]

I've been meaning to post exactly the same question for the last couple of weeks!!! ....just never got round to it!... (Waverunner - good to meet you at brunters! Done your remap yet???? You KNOW you want to!!!) I also saw the Brunters VX with the headlamp conversion ...not sure if this was the official VX conversion kit ... if there is such a thing??? Looked as if it might have made a bit of a mess of the plastic headlamp covers when / if they're removed... If the owner is out there - let us know! I think i might give the dealer a buzz .... see if they can 'en-lighten' me I'll keep you posted... You might need a warning triangle - legal requirement in some european countries. Check www.rac.co.uk for further details. Robski

[Robski]

UPDATE: Dealer has no idea - nothing listed.

[B4D_VX]

Or just blind some Frence motorists, no harm really....

[Mike9009]

I didn't bother when I went over to France a few weeks back. The lens on the VX are clear (no reflectors) and so the standard stick-on jobbies do not work. I think (and will stand corrected) that the whole headlight will need realigning. I decided against this, as I would have blinded more UK drivers on the way to Dover than French once over there. Mike

[Steve Crisp]

Spare LHD headlights at £1200 the pair? - Nah!

[Sicey]

While I have been out in DE with the VX I have not bothered adapting the lights, I do get the odd flashes from motorists and think why the feck are they flashing me - yeah I know I have a nice car This will all change next month as I am importing the car so will have to see what the TuV station says, I am hoping its just a sticker or something as theres no way I am buying new lights I will let you all know how I get on. John.

[R1 nur]

While I have been out in DE with the VX I have not bothered adapting the lights, I do get the odd flashes from motorists and think why the feck are they flashing me - yeah I know I have a nice car
This will all change next month as I am importing the car so will have to see what the TuV station says, I am hoping its just a sticker or something as theres no way I am buying new lights
I will let you all know how I get on.

John.

cheers John.

I have been thinking about this too. I deliberately limited my continental driving to day light hours but that is difficult now the winter is imminent.

I saw the headlight conversion at brunters too. Looked homemade to me!

And why not indeed!

[speedyK]

Do a search – it's all been discussed in depth! You CANNOT just stick tape on this type of headlamp – it's completely inappropriate . No easy solution.

[Mike9009]

Spare LHD headlights at £1200 the pair? - Nah!

I don't think you need to buy a complete set of new lights. The stick-on reflectors that you would buy for a 'normal' car simply block the path of the light which illuminates the the kerbside in the UK. Never used to buy the 'special' reflectors because you can easily do it with a bit of insulation tape. There are various web guides about for doing this mod yourself - but not to a VX.

Since the VX does not have these reflectors built into the lens, surely it is just a matter of readjusting the beam to the correct side (for the continent) as they would readjust the headlight aim in an MOT test?

Currently don't have my VX to check how easy this would be to do - but in other cars adjusting the beam is just two screws for each headlamp and a suitably calibrated brick wall.

To be honest it was too much hassle for me on my trip to France.......

Sorry to any Franch readers ... although I don't think there are many French Speedsters/ VXes, judging by the reaction I had over there earlier this month.


Mike

[andym172]

When I was in southern France for 2 weeks I didn't bother - didn't receive any flashes off irrate motorists either! One thing I would say is that the headlights are pretty crap to be honest - on normal beam you're driving blind quite a lot of the time and have to momentarily stick your full beam on to see which way the road's going. I had one or two occasions where I almost drove off the road thinking it went one way, when in fact it went the other! You'll notice it most when it's just going dark and you're on a motorway with few other road users.

[Mosi]

Hi ! So far I know the headlamps are built by Hella in Lippstadt/Germany. I'll try to contact and ask them about this problem, would be same problem when we visit GB. Yours Stephan

[Robski]

Thanks Mosi! Keep us updated. cheers Robski

[HiHo]

Hey guys, My dealer got a template from Vauxhall. This allows you to cut exactly the right shape and size for each patch. The patches I used were from Halfords Headlamp Converters (Code 151225 (clear)) - stripey DIY stick on ones. For positioning, my dealer set the patches up on their headlight alignment gear for free. I left mine on for several weeks after I came back home, and had no trouble getting them off, and no marks on the lenses either. Trouble is you have to repeat the process each time. I couldn't figure a way to mark the position, short of scratching the lens with a sharp implement. I may be able to scan the template and send as an attachment to those interested. Send me a PM if you want to try!

[HiHo]

I've now created a word doc. with all the detail. It's too big to send to the site (350Kb), so you'll have to send me a PM with your e-mail address and I'll send it that way.

[Robski]

HiHo - you're a STAR!!!! I've sent you a PM! Thanks again! Rob

[R1 nur]

HiHo - you're a STAR!!!!


I've sent you a PM!

Thanks again!

Rob

Likewise.

Thanks

[Mosi]

Good morning ! I just got a call from the Hella service engeneer and he told me as follows about our problem: For headlamps with DE technology there should be generally to possibilities: 1. The „touristic solution“: On the back of the headlamp we should find a little levarage that provides a small piece of metall is pushed to cover a part of the lense’s surface. Them we have a symmetric light on both headlamps 2. The „mechanic solution“: On each DE-modul (driving light, not high beam) we should find 3 screws, after loosing them a bit it should be possible to change the position of the DE-modul in the lamp 15 degrees up or down, so for GB cars you put the left one down and the right one up and get an assymmetric light for use on continent. I’m still waiting for my Speedster’s delivery, so I can’t check it my own, would be nice if someone would write if one of these ways work Yours Stephan

[Sicey]

Do you think this will be an easy thing to fix? how time consuming to make it a permanent change? I dont want to get stiffed by a local Opel dealer if it only take 10mins and he says the clam has to come off