Headlights for France -please help.

[Rpp999]

Fantastic information. I am a out 15 k from the geographical centre of France. A lovely little medieval village called Hérisson. It was recently voted 3rd best village 2021 in the whole of France by TF1 ( french number 1 tv channel) in a competition that took about 6 months of knock out rounds to complete. You obviously know France well so you know how many amazing villages there are. I only moved here end of October last year. Just got my Carte Séjour. Like I say, central France isn’t really considered a great tourist region and I get that, but we are 5k away from the biggest natural oak forest in Europe. For a small village there is a hell of a lot of entertainment here. We have an international theatre company based here, An Oscar winning song writer (think Commitments and Once) and erm ….Me! Lol. So anyone who has helped, Pm me if you are passing

Ok, probably about 1 hour from us.

 

[JohnyCat]

I would say....:

1. If you can sort it out from the instrument cluster menu as suggested, then great.

2. If not, you may have a case against the selling dealer under the Consumer Protection Act 2015, the goods are both 'not as described' and 'not fit for purpose', as long as you have proof that you explained to them that you needed the car to be legal in France, in essence try and get them to fit EU headlamps at no cost to you or (threaten to) take them to court.

3. If neither 1 or 2 above work for you, the only people I would trust with this conversion are forum members Richard and Alfie at www.comandonline.co.uk in Lightwater in the UK (SE).

Thank you for taking the time to advise me. I managed to follow the advice on here and access the system menu for the lights and switch to "right hand driving". Hopefully that gets me through the MOT. I will know in the next few days. I foolishly didn’t get anything in writing when I bought the car and I think that I must have bought it from the worst MB dealership in the UK. I won’t go into details in this thread but my experience with all contact with this dealership -Buying the car, after sales, Multiple requests for a receipt…..has been abysmal. I hate to say it, but my experiences with BMW were light and day better. Which is a shame, because I love the car. I am totally proud to own a Mercedes. I have had a lot of good performance cars but this car is perfect for my lifestyle. I could tour continents in it with ease. In France the MB badge is considered in a different class to BMW (just like it used to be in the UK) . I look after my cars and detail them. It would break my heart to have to sell it in the UK .
But hopefully, fingers crossed , I am going to be ok. Thanks for the link to Richard and Alfie

 

[JohnyCat]

I get all my genuine MB parts here:

https://www.teile-profis.de/page_3_1.php.

You need to know the part number to be sure.

R

Brilliant. Thanks for that link !!!

 

[JohnyCat]

Ok, probably about 1 hour from us.

Ok, probably about 1 hour from us.

Great, come and take a bike ride to Hérisson and grab that beer and a meal and overnight stay if you want it. I used to have A GS too.
i was thinking if I did have to sell my car, I might grab an old banger for the dog and get a bike for my daily ride….Shame we have missed the summer because this little place Has music events every week -June to the end of August.

 

[markjay]

Aren't you glad you posted here...? Imagine how you'd have felt if you posted your question after spending €4000 on new headlamps...

All's well that ends well

 

[JohnyCat]

Aren't you glad you posted here...? Imagine how you'd have felt if you posted your question after spending €4000 on new headlamps...

All's well that ends well

You have. No idea. lol. I am not counting my chickens until it is checked (hopefully tomorrow). I bought a nice Mercedes ( at least the best that I could afford) for my retirement in France. 4K plus fitting in France is a big hit for me at the moment. In all honesty, I came on here with a ‘what have I got to lose ‘ attitude. I am stunned by the nice people who have taken time out of their busy lives to help me. And I really do appreciate that.
No negative comments. Mercedes forum members are definitely a class above other forums I have been on, where some people like to gloat in the face of your misery…lol (schaden freude). I will let you all know how it goes at the test. But even if it doesn’t end well, connecting with genuinely nice people who want to help you out of a difficult situation with no gain for themselves, reminds you that in a crazy world, there are some awesome people out there.

 

[tonysmb]

Fingers crossed that it works out for you.

It's surprising how much misunderstanding there is with the 'left/right side traffic' setting: years ago a friend was moaning about his headlights (ILS) not being as good as he expected, I eventually looked at the settings and they were set for 'right hand' traffic. He was reluctant to change them, stating that the UK is RHD, so his was correct (he hadn't set it, car (not new, but fairly new) came set that way). I've also heard other arguments that the oncoming traffic is 'right side'.

Anyway, changed over, much better.

 

[markjay]

Fingers crossed that it works out for you.

It's surprising how much misunderstanding there is with the 'left/right side traffic' setting: years ago a friend was moaning about his headlights (ILS) not being as good as he expected, I eventually looked at the settings and they were set for 'right hand' traffic. He was reluctant to change them, stating that the UK is RHD, so his was correct (he hadn't set it, car (not new, but fairly new) came set that way). I've also heard other arguments that the oncoming traffic is 'right side'.

Anyway, changed over, much better.

MB's LHD/RHD headlamps designations are based on the side of the road that the car is driven on, as observed from the driver's seat.

UK cars should have 'headlamps for LHD traffic' (and that's also what the Datacard will say).

 

[SpikyMikey]

MB's LHD/RHD headlamps designations are based on the side of the road that the car is driven on, as observed from the driver's seat.

UK cars should have 'headlamps for LHD traffic' (and that's also what the Datacard will say).

Yep, just checked on my S204;
"headlamps with ILS, left hand traffic"

 

[jdrrco]

Glad you've got the lights sorted. We are on holiday in Villandry at present - a trip I have done for the last 17 years (except 2020, for obvious reasons) and have always found that the under-bonnet switchover for Xenons and now dashboard for ILS LEDs worked perfectly well without any angry flashes from oncoming traffic.

One part of the ILS system which still works when driving on the right is the automatic switching between main beam and dipped headlights, which is very useful.

Perhaps when we finally get to make our permanent move here, we could tap your knowledge on how to go about things?

 

[JohnyCat]

Glad you've got the lights sorted. We are on holiday in Villandry at present - a trip I have done for the last 17 years (except 2020, for obvious reasons) and have always found that the under-bonnet switchover for Xenons and now dashboard for ILS LEDs worked perfectly well without any angry flashes from oncoming traffic.

One part of the ILS system which still works when driving on the right is the automatic switching between main beam and dipped headlights, which is very useful.

Perhaps when we finally get to make our permanent move here, we could tap your knowledge on how to go about things?

Thank you for taking the time to reply. I went to the test station today and the change to ‘Right Side Driving" has worked as others stated they would and will now pass the French MOT. Good to hear the high beam/dipped switching will work. I really like that function. Please feel free to PM if you do decide to make the move. my experience is that there is a lot of disinformation on the internet, especially in the forums. People will advise you to pay agents to help you, and it really is not necessary. Even post Brexit, France is very welcoming. Anything I can do to help will be a pleasure.

 

[JohnyCat]

A BIG THANKS - To everyone who helped. I took my car to the test station today and I have been told that after the adjustment through the system controls on the steering wheel, it will now pass. So this forum has saved me a fortune and a whole load of hassle.
Probably selling the car that I love back in the UK. You have all been amazing. Beers are definitely on me

 

[AMGeed]

A BIG THANKS - To everyone who helped. I took my car to the test station today and I have been told that after the adjustment through the system controls on the steering wheel, it will now pass. So this forum has saved me a fortune and a whole load of hassle.
Probably selling the car that I love back in the UK. You have all been amazing. Beers are definitely on me

Good news. Glad my photos helped and the MOT will pass your lights.

 

[JohnyCat]

A BIG THANKS - To everyone who helped. I took my car to the test station today and I have been told that after the adjustment through the system controls on the steering wheel, it will now pass. So this forum has saved me a fortune and a whole load of hassle.
Probably selling the car that I love back in the UK. You have all been amazing. Beers are definitely on me

Good news. Glad my photos helped and the MOT will pass your lights.

You are an absolute star. As I said before. Your post was invaluable. Especially given how useless I am with menus. I can’t tell you how grateful I am. you can imagine the shock that I got when Mercedes Montluçon told me that they were not adjustable and wanted 4K just for the lights without fitting…. If I can beg your help once more… On another forum (where you also posted your photos -I think) the issue of rear fog lights has been raised. This is a big surprise for me too. I suppose I will find out more after the test. A set of rear lights will obviously be cheaper but I am hoping there will be a work around too. I have just stared looking in to it and I can’t find any information. But regardless of this, `I can’t thank you enough.

 

[AMGeed]

You are an absolute star. As I said before. Your post was invaluable. Especially given how useless I am with menus. I can’t tell you how grateful I am. you can imagine the shock that I got when Mercedes Montluçon told me that they were not adjustable and wanted 4K just for the lights without fitting…. If I can beg your help once more… On another forum (where you also posted your photos -I think) the issue of rear fog lights has been raised. This is a big surprise for me too. I suppose I will find out more after the test. A set of rear lights will obviously be cheaper but I am hoping there will be a work around too. I have just stared looking in to it and I can’t find any information. But regardless of this, `I can’t thank you enough.

No problem.
That is what the forum is for, to assist others if possible.

What is the issue with the rear fog lights?

 

[JohnyCat]

No problem.
That is what the forum is for, to assist others if possible.

What is the issue with the rear fog lights?

I honestly don’t know. it is new to me but I am told that it might illuminate on the wrong side ? For UK? If it lights up both sides then it will be fine.
A quick google found some threads on different branded cars where people Jerry rigged there fog light to come on the correct side. I haven’t got my head around this yet. I will know definitively on Thursday after the test. On the other forum where you posted -MB owners? Emily’s Dad told me I could have a problem . Whilst writing this he has just replied that I need to tell the car to make the switch to the appropriate side…..(thankfully he thinks I don’t need new lights) But I have no idea how to tell it……Anyway. No worries. I shouldn’t trouble you. you have definitely done enough.

 

[anglaslt]

I honestly don’t know. it is new to me but I am told that it might illuminate on the wrong side ? For UK? If it lights up both sides then it will be fine.
A quick google found some threads on different branded cars where people Jerry rigged there fog light to come on the correct side. I haven’t got my head around this yet. I will know definitively on Thursday after the test. On the other forum where you posted -MB owners? Emily’s Dad told me I could have a problem . Whilst writing this he has just replied that I need to tell the car to make the switch to the appropriate side…..(thankfully he thinks I don’t need new lights) But I have no idea how to tell it……Anyway. No worries. I shouldn’t trouble you. you have definitely done enough.

It might put your mind at rest (or otherwise) by just checking if rear fogs illuminate on both sides or just on the right. If it's just on the right side it will need to be changed to the left side.

I am intrigued by your earlier post about the present level of import costs for UK vehicles imported into France. Why is it so high? It can't be just VAT and there shouldn't be any import duty so is there a special import car tax?

Hope the test goes well for you.

 

[kcsun]

Just a guess but I wonder if the light changed over when you changed the headlights on the menu????
Also, I "thought" that if you have a CoC for the car that proves European conformity
kc

 

[SpikyMikey]

I honestly don’t know. it is new to me but I am told that it might illuminate on the wrong side ? For UK? If it lights up both sides then it will be fine.
A quick google found some threads on different branded cars where people Jerry rigged there fog light to come on the correct side. I haven’t got my head around this yet. I will know definitively on Thursday after the test. On the other forum where you posted -MB owners? Emily’s Dad told me I could have a problem . Whilst writing this he has just replied that I need to tell the car to make the switch to the appropriate side…..(thankfully he thinks I don’t need new lights) But I have no idea how to tell it……Anyway. No worries. I shouldn’t trouble you. you have definitely done enough.

Is this any help?
Rear Fog Lights - 2015 E350 | Electronics and Audio

 

[JohnyCat]

Is this any help?
Rear Fog Lights - 2015 E350 | Electronics and Audio

Yes. Thank you. I understand now that I do just have one. I will check today if my light switch to Right Side Driving has solved the issue. If not I will try and find out if I can change it from the car system menu. If not I will try and find an auto electrician. I will let you know how I get on. Thanks again