[Romanb]

I brought my 2008 (2007 production) to France from the US and cannot find anybody to help me modify the headlights. The dealers don’t want to talk to me. So far I discovered that the parts numbers are identical for the US and EU headlights. It looks like they have to be reprogrammed. Is that right?
I need either info how to do that (I am comfortable with computers) or contact with a programmer whom I can pay for help and consultation.

I am stuck in Paris with a car I cannot register. A local garage gave up.

Thanks,

Roman

[lowrydr310]

What exactly needs to be reprogrammed? Are they xenons or halogens? If xenon, the auto leveling feature should be sufficient for France/EU requirements.

The only thing I can think of offhand is the amber side marker feature, where the front amber corner lights are on when the headlights are on. That's very easy to disable, the coding parameter is even named "SIDEMARKER_US" which can easily be set to "nicht_aktiv" if you are familiar with coding.

[ptpending]

the parts are not identical
the US e93 pre lci had only AHL headlights with numbers
63117182517
63117182518

while EU e93 pre lci had simple and AHL headlights with numbers

01 Bi-xenon headlight, left 1 63117182507
01 Bi-xenon headlight, right 1 63117182508

01 AHL-xenon headlight, left 1 63117182513
01 AHL-xenon headlight, right 1 63117182514

search for lithuanian or polish BMW mechanic and he will help to buy EU parts and do the swap.
also a indepedent BMW shops in Germany will do all needed

[Daaaaaaaan]

Originally Posted by lowrydr310

What exactly needs to be reprogrammed? Are they xenons or halogens? If xenon, the auto leveling feature should be sufficient for France/EU requirements.

The only thing I can think of offhand is the amber side marker feature, where the front amber corner lights are on when the headlights are on. That's very easy to disable, the coding parameter is even named "SIDEMARKER_US" which can easily be set to "nicht_aktiv" if you are familiar with coding.

The other thing I'm thinking of is the requirement for permanent daytime running lights in (most? all? of) Europe, but not required in USA.

I wonder if some rewiring could take care of that requirement instead of coding.

[GnomeChild]

Are you talking about activating the Euro Adaptive headlights?

Every adaptive headlight can be coded to run under the Euro function; it is coded out in the US for "safety" but is a feature I never thought I needed until I actually coded it

He starts at 1:33 for the coding

[sgtfury40]

What exactly needs to be "french spec" that you are trying to change with your US lights? Going the other way, I ordered EURO spec headlights to eliminate the yellow side marker to clear. I just changed the modules from my US lights to the Euro lights and did not need to code anything. Seems you could do the same.

[Romanb]

Originally Posted by ptpending

the parts are not identical
the US e93 pre lci had only AHL headlights with numbers
63117182517
63117182518

while EU e93 pre lci had simple and AHL headlights with numbers

01 Bi-xenon headlight, left 1 63117182507
01 Bi-xenon headlight, right 1 63117182508

01 AHL-xenon headlight, left 1 63117182513
01 AHL-xenon headlight, right 1 63117182514

search for lithuanian or polish BMW mechanic and he will help to buy EU parts and do the swap.
also a indepedent BMW shops in Germany will do all needed

The part numbers given to me by my US dealer are:
L 63117182517
R 63117182518

So, the guy on UK eBay claiming the same numbers for EU lights was wrong.
Basically you are saying that the lights are physically different.
Not sure what AHL is, but can I install either type?
Thank you for the info. I was trying to avoid driving to Poland. Long drive from Paris.

[Romanb]

Originally Posted by sgtfury40

What exactly needs to be "french spec" that you are trying to change with your US lights? Going the other way, I ordered EURO spec headlights to eliminate the yellow side marker to clear. I just changed the modules from my US lights to the Euro lights and did not need to code anything. Seems you could do the same.

I am going from US to EU. I need Euro spec headlights. Apparently I got a wrong info that they are identical so I concluded that maybe one just need to reprogram the computer.
When you say ‘changed modules’, what do you mean by ‘modules’? Sorry, I always drove BMW but never got so technical.

[Romanb]

Originally Posted by lowrydr310

What exactly needs to be reprogrammed? Are they xenons or halogens? If xenon, the auto leveling feature should be sufficient for France/EU requirements.

The only thing I can think of offhand is the amber side marker feature, where the front amber corner lights are on when the headlights are on. That's very easy to disable, the coding parameter is even named "SIDEMARKER_US" which can easily be set to "nicht_aktiv" if you are familiar with coding.

They are adaptive xenons according to my American dealer.
So, you are saying that my US spec lights would be ok as long as I disable the amber corner lights?
Btw after the local mechanic tried installing at first one light he ordered in France and decided there was no difference, I noticed that the right light beam is higher after I got back to my garage and saw the reflection on the wall. I am sure he connected to the computer. Any idea what might have happened?
It looks like I have to buy a cable and some software for Windows. Where can I find an explanation of all the parameters?

[Romanb]

Originally Posted by GnomeChild

Are you talking about activating the Euro Adaptive headlights?

Every adaptive headlight can be coded to run under the Euro function; it is coded out in the US for "safety" but is a feature I never thought I needed until I actually coded it

He starts at 1:33 for the coding

Hey, I cannot see the main part of your post. Just an empty space. I am on an iPad. Thanks.

[Romanb]

In my response I can see the embedded video. iPad is now vert buggy. I’ll watch your videos. Thank you.

[Romanb]

Originally Posted by lowrydr310

What exactly needs to be reprogrammed? Are they xenons or halogens? If xenon, the auto leveling feature should be sufficient for France/EU requirements.

The only thing I can think of offhand is the amber side marker feature, where the front amber corner lights are on when the headlights are on. That's very easy to disable, the coding parameter is even named "SIDEMARKER_US" which can easily be set to "nicht_aktiv" if you are familiar with coding.

I received from BMW France a homologation document, in which they say it’s partially conforming. The only element not conforming is lights.
Are you saying that if I turn off the amber corner lights as you describe, the lights will be fine for Europe? Thanks.

[sgtfury40]

There are two modules attached to each light. I switched them to the EU lights from my US lights, so no coding was needed. The EU lights worked as they should. The difference in EU and US lights are the amber side markers. That may be the issue. Whatever french entity that provided the homologation doc should be able to tell you what the problem is. But as far as the car is concerned, they should work properly without any coding if you switch the modules. In fact, they might work without changing the modules, but it was my understanding that the lights had to be coded to the ECM. That is why I just changed the modules, so the ECM was still reading the original modules.

[NikMN]

Could this issue be taillight related? US cars with red turn signals vs EU amber

[Daaaaaaaan]

Call more local garages that specialize in German cars/BMWs. Call 20 or more. Find one that knows what they're talking about and bring it there.

Ask in French (or get someone who does if you can't) if they have experience converting US cars into EU cars to satisfy homologation requirements. It's not the first time a US car has been imported into France by an ex-pat.

There are also firms that specialize in homologating non-EU vehicles, but looks like the cost is some thousands of euros: https://homologations.fr/tarifs/ https://www.americancarcity.fr/homol...ure-americaine

Report back with what you find.

[Romanb]

Originally Posted by Daaaaaaaan

The other thing I'm thinking of is the requirement for permanent daytime running lights in (most? all? of) Europe, but not required in USA.

I wonder if some rewiring could take care of that requirement instead of coding.

I had it setup in the US to have automatic running lights, always on.

[Romanb]

Originally Posted by NikMN

Could this issue be taillight related? US cars with red turn signals vs EU amber

My turn signals are amber.