Hi,

I have had such a good response to my new member introduction and I would like to thank all those who have provided help and guidance. As some will know my XK8 is an ex USA car brought back into the UK in 2008 and then came to France in 2010. I will be putting the car through a French MOT (Controlle Technique) in the next few weeks but I will need to change the headlight alignment. I have seen a pair of alignment plates on ebay
Item number: 380399840635 which claim to move the headlight alignment to LHD. Does anyone have any experience of these plates? The listing states that fitting takes about ten minutes and will make the car CT compatible. Any help would be appreciated.

These plates are a fraction of the cost of replacement headlights.

One other question does anyone have experience of Excite Autos?

Regards

Matthew

 

Mathew, moving this over to the XK8 section, which is where you need to post "Tech' questions.

This topic was recently addressed, although I can't remember the outcome. (might have been age related to headlamp type, I really don't recall).

Although I do seem to remember that you are in with a chance, if you are going for a 'permanent' rather than 'holiday' fix.

 

Matthew,

Do a search for 'UK Headlights switch to EU' thread. This has a lot of information on the plates you've seen and potential problems with the wrong ones.

Graham

 

I have a pair of the metal beam deflectors for the inside of the lights, but haven't got round to fitting them yet. Having said that, my UK XKR got through the French contrôle technique with 'illegal' RHD lights. The guy said the beam pattern just scraped into the 'acceptable' zone, so he let me off and gave me the certificate. This was on the understanding that I replace or adapt the lights before the next contrôle in a year's time, but you might want to try your luck - it would give you a bit more thinking time.

Be wary of Jaguar's so-called beam converters. These are plastic lens covers designed for temporary continental driving and are fitted on the outside of the lights. They will not be allowed at the contrôle technique, as they are not a permanent feature of the car.

 

Frog,

I'm frequently blinded by the left hand headlamp of oncoming cars in France and assumed this was because they were badly adjusted. Although this may be the case, is the contrôle technique check done the same way as in the UK MoT? From your description, it sounds less rigorous.

Graham

 

I accidentally left a bottle of red wine on the counter (seriously ) Maybe that helped?

 

Tremendous.

I see now why you're all so keen to re-register your cars in France!

 

This might help
https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...-lh-dip-65711/

I'm about to do mine as soon as the sun comes out.
The Rev Sam (praised be) says you can get at the dreaded 'third bolt' by taking off the wheel arch covers rather than the bumper.
Incidentally if you chat up the folk in the DREAL they can wangle a free way to avoid the £100 certificate of conformity you need for the Contrôle Technique.
Where in France are you moving to?

 

Hi,

I have asked the seller of the conversion kit for fitting instructions before I commit. I should have the CoC from Jaguar by early next week and may put the car through a CT and see what happens.

I would not like to comment on how rigorous the test is, it certainly seems comprehensive but when you see some of the cars around it makes you wonder.

Steve, I am living in the Dordogne in a little village called St Martial de Nabirat nearest town is sarlat.

Once again thanks for all the comments regarding lights.

mATTHEW

 

Matthew;

Avos is the go to guy on this subject and as Frog will attest it turned out that the very brackets you are looking at would not work on his car.

We could give better advice if we knew what year car and what type of lights yours has.

cheers,

jj

 

Hi,

The car is a 1997 model with halogen lights

Matthew

 

With halogen lamps the plates as shown in the eBay advert will work.

If you would have had original HID lights from Jaguar, then you could have turned them around, so no need to buy new.

 

umm...

If the car was originally a US market car, what happened to the LHD headlights that were on the car. Would they not do?

edit: I see Avos has arrived ... you're in good hands.

 

Matthew, I just looked at the eBay ad you were referring to. I bought mine from the same seller. I put in an offer of £50 and he accepted. Still outrageously expensive for what are basically two bent bits of galvanised steel.

 

Hi,

I have had an email from blackcountryjags with a couple of photographs of how the plates are mounted. It seems simple enough but I suspect that the headlight unit would have to be on the bench. How can I post the photograph? I think I will make a similar offer to you Frog.

Good point plums. I was told that the headlights for the USA are slightly different in that the dip angles are wrong, I cannot confirm this although some of our US members may be able to help.

As I said before, I should have all the documentation fro London by early next week and will book a CT and see what happens. What French insurers do you guys use? I have used AXA since we came here in 2002 but their quote for the Jaguar was horrendous.

Matthew

 

At some point in time the distinction between a DOT and E1 certification started to blur. Some manufacturers responded by having a single headlight with both DOT and E1 markings on them. If the E1 mark is on the US headlights, you should be good to go.

Or maybe DOT LHD headlights and a bottle of red wine

At least the DOT are LHD, so closer to the right thing than UK RHD headlights.

How about crossreferencing the US headlight with the EU headlight by part number? If they are the same ... that would be at least a good sign.

Perhaps a US owner of the same model could volunteer to go and look at the markings on their headlight(s) and post the info.

 

I use these guys
M ZUNINO ERIC
14 RUE DE THIONVILLE
75019 PARIS
Tél : 01 42 03 36 06
Fax : 01 42 03 05 56
Email : agence.zunino-paris@axa.fr
€558 fully comp for my jag with 50%NCB. They seem switched on and are Jag specialists.

 

Steve;

Yikes that is about a third of what Axa around here quoted me.....sure they got the R in there?

They are group 20 in the UK......

Do you have a multi-Tractor discount with them?

Will have to give them a call.

cheers,

jj

 

The AXA saga. I contacted the Paris Agency and was given a quotation of €431.88 which is less than the quote from Retro Assurance of €488 I went back to my local AXA agent who was astonished that another AXA agent could halve what he quoted, he called the agency in Paris and apparently they have a contract with Jaguar which is why they can offer such good terms, just what the contract is was not explained. He also pointed out that the excess were far lower than he could offer for my other cars.

Jaguar still have not provided the CoC!!!!

Matthew

 

There you go!
Tell Jag to stuff their CoC and go to the DREAL. If you chat them up they will 'open a dossier' on your car and give you a free attestation with all the details on it. Take that to the Contrôle Technique and ask if they will do the contrôle on that document. If they're any good they should.