Changing Headlights to Continental

Mater · 06-06-2007, 16:02

Ive seen that a few people have been buying beam converters for there octavias for driving in mainland Europe. This is not necessary as all Octavia II headlights whether Xenon or not come with the ability to be what is termed "flat Beamed". This is all that is required by EU law. I am a serving soldier living in germany and this is what i had to do to get my UK spec car to pass the German equivalent of an SVA test.

The tutorial is in .PDF format. If anyone needs it in word format then PM me your e-mail address and ill e-mail it to you as it is too big to upload

If i have posted this in the wrong place then i apologise to the site owners and could you please move it to the relevant location if i have

Be warned though neither i nor Briskoda will in no way be held liable for anything that goes wrong. Should you decide to undertake the procedure detailed in the tutorial then you do so at your own risk

Hope this helps and ultimately saves people money

Carl

http://www.briskoda.net/forums/attac...n-tutorial.pdf

bertJ · 06-06-2007, 17:34

Brilliant (literally!) - many thanks.

charlie Brennan · 06-06-2007, 17:46

Hi Mater, great post. By the way have you heard the latest though on the BFG, I heard from the test center at sennelager that as of next year, they will not allow the "flat beam" approach. Typical hey!!

Mater · 06-06-2007, 18:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by charlie Brennan

Hi Mater, great post. By the way have you heard the latest though on the BFG, I heard from the test center at sennelager that as of next year, they will not allow the "flat beam" approach. Typical hey!!

Yeah i had heard that but they were the muppets that told me that i MUST have winter tyres. However you only have to have them if you are a german national. British Forces Germany get dispensation till Dec 08 (i think they are going to make it so you can claim off the MOD for them but dont quote me on that). Luckily ill be back in the uk by then so

to that

So until i see it official in Black and White then i wouldnt pay much attention to Sennelager Test Centre.

If you ever get really stuck see Itchy & Scratchy (not there real names!!) at Osnabruck and as long as you can put up with their double act they are generally pretty helpful

Carl

charlie Brennan · 06-06-2007, 19:29

I have the old octy, and had to get some original headlights. I too was told about winter tyres, so went and bought some for all of the 3 times it snowed here in Detmold!!

Mater · 06-06-2007, 19:37

The ony reason i found out that we had dispensation till dec 08 is beacause i went into the pay office and gave them a receipt for £425 for tyres for my omega and asked if there was anyway i could claim for having to put the tyres on the car. I was then told about the dispensation and that i couldnt claim. Luckily the receipt was just so i could get them tax free so i left it and stuck with the normal tyres . We too had that avalanche of snow in osnabruck!! so would have been well worth it not!

gadgetman · 06-06-2007, 21:27

Cool, thanks.

We need a Xenon guide too me thinks, as there are differences and IIRC you HAVE to remove the headlight.

Mater · 07-06-2007, 10:37

im told that the process is the same for xenon you just have to take extra care when removing the bulb however dont quote me

Carl

lozparry · 17-06-2007, 10:29

Hi Mater,
Nice guide, nice shiny boots btw too! how is BFG these days? I did 11 years there until '94, I left the Army just over 2 years ago! Reminds me of the times I was doing the 'Licht tests' at the LAD and buying/selling UK/Conti hdlts, quite a profitable business! I will take note for when I plan to visit Germany again and do a tour of some of the old haunts Lemgo/Bunde/Sennelager and Birgelen all seemed to close just after I left except Sennelager!

ndicki · 12-07-2007, 08:30

Cheers, Mater - you've just saved me a bob or two, I have to change a headlight bulb on my new (to me) Octy II and have just found out I don't know how, and I am taking it (continental specs) to the UK in a couple of weeks - useful tutorial.

Fair enough about winter tyres for this past winter, but I wouldn't knock them for normal winter use in Germany. I swop over every year in December, and back in March-April. Having full mounted sets means it only takes an hour or so, and they do work better than normal summer tyres, especially in the snow.

Say hello to Achmer for me next time you're out that way!

smstext · 12-07-2007, 20:50

i beleive you can change the xenons on a VAG

sail away · 17-07-2007, 14:30

Yes it's the same for Xenons, I asked a dealer who told me roughly how to do it, but the tutorial is pretty much spot on. The back cover has two extra screws to remove, and the bulbs also fixed in with two screws. It is possible to do it without removing the bulbs. When moving the restriction over to the continental position, turn slightly back to UK position, but dont push down as if you are switching it back.

Dr Zoidberg · 17-07-2007, 14:44

Would doing this and leaving it flat cause any UK MOT problems?

I'm tempted to do it as the beam pattern looks like it would be more useful that way

Mater · 23-07-2007, 17:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr Zoidberg

Would doing this and leaving it flat cause any UK MOT problems?

I'm tempted to do it as the beam pattern looks like it would be more useful that way

Im told it would as you dont light up the pavement basically when driving through non lit urban areas (never seen many of these though

) that was from the blokes that do the testing here in germany as they MOT the car before you move back to the UK permanantly from being based here and they say you HAVE to put the beampattern back to normal

HTH

Carl

Mater · 15-08-2007, 15:26

Update - As of march 2008 if you are going to resident in the EU Mainland for longer than 3 months then you MUST purchase lights that reflect the beam pattern to the Right i.e

___/ ___/

The Flat Beam approach will no longer be Valid.

Again i Stress that this is only if you are going to be resident for longer than 3 months. Holidays Etc then the flat beam approach is fine

Carl

WW_VRS · 15-08-2007, 15:30

Seems odd - hope one day some manufacturer will use some sense and make it a toggle that you can get to easily AND that switches from __/__/ to \__\__ at push of button or flick of (two) lever(s).

It ought to be possible?

Mater · 15-08-2007, 15:35

you would think so especially with the cost of Xenons its causing a right bunfight back at work

charlie Brennan · 15-08-2007, 15:55

Hi Mater, I just got my L&K, with the Xenons, Do you know how much they are over here? as it looks like I am going to have to change mine. Its a joke to be honest as my lights now even though flat beamed, seem to be better than my old ones for Germany! Plus do you know where to get them?
Cheers

Mater · 15-08-2007, 16:03

ill ask around when i get back to Osnatraz on saturday mate. IIRC one of my mates was quoted 650 euros tax free for ONE xenon light unit for his Focus ST. Ill do some hunting and get back to you over the Weekend

Carl

nobby905 · 11-02-2008, 18:08

I ask at the army test place they say as of jan 2008 flat beams are nolonger valid and continental light must be fitted for the lights test or you lend a mates for thze test then put yours back in with flat beams especially if your only keeping it for a year

06-06-2007, 16:02	#1
Mater The Stig Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Folkestone Posts: 1,046 Thanks: 32 Thanked 43 Times in 30 Posts	Changing Headlights to Continental Ive seen that a few people have been buying beam converters for there octavias for driving in mainland Europe. This is not necessary as all Octavia II headlights whether Xenon or not come with the ability to be what is termed "flat Beamed". This is all that is required by EU law. I am a serving soldier living in germany and this is what i had to do to get my UK spec car to pass the German equivalent of an SVA test. The tutorial is in .PDF format. If anyone needs it in word format then PM me your e-mail address and ill e-mail it to you as it is too big to upload If i have posted this in the wrong place then i apologise to the site owners and could you please move it to the relevant location if i have Be warned though neither i nor Briskoda will in no way be held liable for anything that goes wrong. Should you decide to undertake the procedure detailed in the tutorial then you do so at your own risk Hope this helps and ultimately saves people money Carl http://www.briskoda.net/forums/attac...n-tutorial.pdf __________________ "And when he gets to heaven to Saint Peter he will tell... One more Soldier reporting Sir... I've served my time in Hell" Mods done so far : Revo Stge 2, Forge Adjustable Spacer, Forge Diverter Valve, Miltek CBE, Evoms, Stu's Cruise , Autotech Fuel Pump, Xenons Upgrade, Koni FSD, Eibach Springs, Forge Short Shifter, VF Torque Arm Insert, NGK Iridium Plugs, Sachs Clutch & Flywheel Mods to come: MFD3

06-06-2007, 17:34	#2
bertJ Briskodian Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Wirral, Merseyside Posts: 581 Thanks: 5 Thanked 14 Times in 12 Posts	Re: Changing Headlights to Continental Brilliant (literally!) - many thanks.

06-06-2007, 17:46	#3
charlie Brennan Briskodian Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Kent Posts: 251 Thanks: 14 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	Re: Changing Headlights to Continental Hi Mater, great post. By the way have you heard the latest though on the BFG, I heard from the test center at sennelager that as of next year, they will not allow the "flat beam" approach. Typical hey!!

06-06-2007, 19:29	#5
charlie Brennan Briskodian Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Kent Posts: 251 Thanks: 14 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	Re: Changing Headlights to Continental I have the old octy, and had to get some original headlights. I too was told about winter tyres, so went and bought some for all of the 3 times it snowed here in Detmold!!

06-06-2007, 19:37	#6
Mater The Stig Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Folkestone Posts: 1,046 Thanks: 32 Thanked 43 Times in 30 Posts	Re: Changing Headlights to Continental The ony reason i found out that we had dispensation till dec 08 is beacause i went into the pay office and gave them a receipt for £425 for tyres for my omega and asked if there was anyway i could claim for having to put the tyres on the car. I was then told about the dispensation and that i couldnt claim. Luckily the receipt was just so i could get them tax free so i left it and stuck with the normal tyres . We too had that avalanche of snow in osnabruck!! so would have been well worth it not! __________________ "And when he gets to heaven to Saint Peter he will tell... One more Soldier reporting Sir... I've served my time in Hell" Mods done so far : Revo Stge 2, Forge Adjustable Spacer, Forge Diverter Valve, Miltek CBE, Evoms, Stu's Cruise , Autotech Fuel Pump, Xenons Upgrade, Koni FSD, Eibach Springs, Forge Short Shifter, VF Torque Arm Insert, NGK Iridium Plugs, Sachs Clutch & Flywheel Mods to come: MFD3

06-06-2007, 21:27	#7
gadgetman Go Gadget Octy! Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 2,379 Thanks: 128 Thanked 80 Times in 73 Posts	Re: Changing Headlights to Continental Cool, thanks. We need a Xenon guide too me thinks, as there are differences and IIRC you HAVE to remove the headlight.

07-06-2007, 10:37	#8
Mater The Stig Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Folkestone Posts: 1,046 Thanks: 32 Thanked 43 Times in 30 Posts	Re: Changing Headlights to Continental im told that the process is the same for xenon you just have to take extra care when removing the bulb however dont quote me Carl __________________ "And when he gets to heaven to Saint Peter he will tell... One more Soldier reporting Sir... I've served my time in Hell" Mods done so far : Revo Stge 2, Forge Adjustable Spacer, Forge Diverter Valve, Miltek CBE, Evoms, Stu's Cruise , Autotech Fuel Pump, Xenons Upgrade, Koni FSD, Eibach Springs, Forge Short Shifter, VF Torque Arm Insert, NGK Iridium Plugs, Sachs Clutch & Flywheel Mods to come: MFD3

17-06-2007, 10:29	#9
lozparry Briskodian Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: N.Wales Posts: 333 Thanks: 4 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Re: Changing Headlights to Continental Hi Mater, Nice guide, nice shiny boots btw too! how is BFG these days? I did 11 years there until '94, I left the Army just over 2 years ago! Reminds me of the times I was doing the 'Licht tests' at the LAD and buying/selling UK/Conti hdlts, quite a profitable business! I will take note for when I plan to visit Germany again and do a tour of some of the old haunts Lemgo/Bunde/Sennelager and Birgelen all seemed to close just after I left except Sennelager!

12-07-2007, 08:30	#10
ndicki Briskodian Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 66 Thanks: 1 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Re: Changing Headlights to Continental Cheers, Mater - you've just saved me a bob or two, I have to change a headlight bulb on my new (to me) Octy II and have just found out I don't know how, and I am taking it (continental specs) to the UK in a couple of weeks - useful tutorial. Fair enough about winter tyres for this past winter, but I wouldn't knock them for normal winter use in Germany. I swop over every year in December, and back in March-April. Having full mounted sets means it only takes an hour or so, and they do work better than normal summer tyres, especially in the snow. Say hello to Achmer for me next time you're out that way! __________________ 2004 TDi140 Octy 2 Hatchback 1999 Tdi90 Octavia SLX Hatchback

12-07-2007, 20:50	#11
smstext 2.0 FSI Sport. Join Date: May 2007 Location: oxon Posts: 6,719 Thanks: 7 Thanked 180 Times in 163 Posts	Re: Changing Headlights to Continental i beleive you can change the xenons on a VAG __________________

17-07-2007, 14:30	#12
sail away Briskodian Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Yorkshire Posts: 1 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Changing Headlights to Continental Yes it's the same for Xenons, I asked a dealer who told me roughly how to do it, but the tutorial is pretty much spot on. The back cover has two extra screws to remove, and the bulbs also fixed in with two screws. It is possible to do it without removing the bulbs. When moving the restriction over to the continental position, turn slightly back to UK position, but dont push down as if you are switching it back.

17-07-2007, 14:44	#13
Dr Zoidberg Decapodian Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: On the back of an AA truck with a failed turbo Posts: 10,313 Thanks: 19 Thanked 165 Times in 124 Posts	Re: Changing Headlights to Continental Would doing this and leaving it flat cause any UK MOT problems? I'm tempted to do it as the beam pattern looks like it would be more useful that way __________________ Alex "I laugh in the face of danger, then I hide until it goes away" www.drzoidberg.co.uk

15-08-2007, 15:26	#15
Mater The Stig Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Folkestone Posts: 1,046 Thanks: 32 Thanked 43 Times in 30 Posts	Re: Changing Headlights to Continental Update - As of march 2008 if you are going to resident in the EU Mainland for longer than 3 months then you MUST purchase lights that reflect the beam pattern to the Right i.e ___/ ___/ The Flat Beam approach will no longer be Valid. Again i Stress that this is only if you are going to be resident for longer than 3 months. Holidays Etc then the flat beam approach is fine Carl __________________ "And when he gets to heaven to Saint Peter he will tell... One more Soldier reporting Sir... I've served my time in Hell" Mods done so far : Revo Stge 2, Forge Adjustable Spacer, Forge Diverter Valve, Miltek CBE, Evoms, Stu's Cruise , Autotech Fuel Pump, Xenons Upgrade, Koni FSD, Eibach Springs, Forge Short Shifter, VF Torque Arm Insert, NGK Iridium Plugs, Sachs Clutch & Flywheel Mods to come: MFD3 Last edited by Mater; 15-08-2007 at 15:34.

15-08-2007, 15:30	#16
WW_VRS Escorted Estate Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Oxfordshire/Berkshire Posts: 9,684 Thanks: 43 Thanked 67 Times in 58 Posts	Re: Changing Headlights to Continental Seems odd - hope one day some manufacturer will use some sense and make it a toggle that you can get to easily AND that switches from __/__/ to \__\__ at push of button or flick of (two) lever(s). It ought to be possible? __________________ WW --->> Project Journal (pic links in first post there) Fabia vRS alloys for sale incl tyres, spare wheel with tyre + spare tyre - make me an offer via PM

15-08-2007, 15:35	#17
Mater The Stig Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Folkestone Posts: 1,046 Thanks: 32 Thanked 43 Times in 30 Posts	Re: Changing Headlights to Continental you would think so especially with the cost of Xenons its causing a right bunfight back at work __________________ "And when he gets to heaven to Saint Peter he will tell... One more Soldier reporting Sir... I've served my time in Hell" Mods done so far : Revo Stge 2, Forge Adjustable Spacer, Forge Diverter Valve, Miltek CBE, Evoms, Stu's Cruise , Autotech Fuel Pump, Xenons Upgrade, Koni FSD, Eibach Springs, Forge Short Shifter, VF Torque Arm Insert, NGK Iridium Plugs, Sachs Clutch & Flywheel Mods to come: MFD3

15-08-2007, 15:55	#18
charlie Brennan Briskodian Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Kent Posts: 251 Thanks: 14 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	Re: Changing Headlights to Continental Hi Mater, I just got my L&K, with the Xenons, Do you know how much they are over here? as it looks like I am going to have to change mine. Its a joke to be honest as my lights now even though flat beamed, seem to be better than my old ones for Germany! Plus do you know where to get them? Cheers

15-08-2007, 16:03	#19
Mater The Stig Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Folkestone Posts: 1,046 Thanks: 32 Thanked 43 Times in 30 Posts	Re: Changing Headlights to Continental ill ask around when i get back to Osnatraz on saturday mate. IIRC one of my mates was quoted 650 euros tax free for ONE xenon light unit for his Focus ST. Ill do some hunting and get back to you over the Weekend Carl __________________ "And when he gets to heaven to Saint Peter he will tell... One more Soldier reporting Sir... I've served my time in Hell" Mods done so far : Revo Stge 2, Forge Adjustable Spacer, Forge Diverter Valve, Miltek CBE, Evoms, Stu's Cruise , Autotech Fuel Pump, Xenons Upgrade, Koni FSD, Eibach Springs, Forge Short Shifter, VF Torque Arm Insert, NGK Iridium Plugs, Sachs Clutch & Flywheel Mods to come: MFD3

11-02-2008, 18:08	#20
nobby905 Briskodian Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Burton on trent Posts: 20 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Changing Headlights to Continental I ask at the army test place they say as of jan 2008 flat beams are nolonger valid and continental light must be fitted for the lights test or you lend a mates for thze test then put yours back in with flat beams especially if your only keeping it for a year

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