C8 - Xenon Lights

[Lewis]

I am looking at buying an 2005 Exclusive model with Xenon lights. As I am Armed Forces living in Germany I need to have Continental lights and been quoted over 2000 Euros. The Lady in the German Citroen dealer said they are expensive because of the motors to change direction of the beam. Which led me to think, some cars have headlights that you can change the beam between LHD and RHD.

 

Is this something I've randomly thought up?

And does it exist on the C8?

 

I am not spending 2000 euros on xenon headlights when I can get a model without and the halogen will cost me 650. Also if the Xenon can change direction I don't have to spend any extra. 

 

Help Please, so can I can buy a new car and sort out headlights!

 

Thanks. 

[paul.h]

Welcome to the forum.

I have not had xenon lights but have read on here that they have a flat dipped beam pattern and do not kick up at the kerb side, hence when driving abroad from the UK, things like beam benders are not needed. One member I think carries a letter to this effect, from I think Citroen, so if stopped has some evidence why beam benders are not used. I believe the motors on xenon lights are to automatically adjust the light height depending on road and car loading to stop the lights dazzling other road users.

 

If you do a search on the full forum on xenon lights, you will find a few relevant posts, such as this one http://www.citroen-owners-club.co.uk/citroen/topic/14830-changing-xenons-to-lhd/?hl=%2Bxenon+%2Blights&do=findComment&comment=59112

[Johndouglas]

Paul is right in that xenon lights have, according to Citroen UK, a flat beam however, they do have a slight kick up to the left of the pattern.   However, it doesn't seem to dazzle oncoming drivers.   Never do I get flashed by them when driving on the Continent.   And yes - when I first bought my car I wrote to Citroen UK about the need for beam benders so I always carry a copy of their reply.

 

Of course if you buy a C5 in Germany with xenon lights, it will be fitted with Continental models.   As other members have found when they've considered importing a UK C5 into France, the xenon lights won't pass the French Côntrole Technique.   Similarly were you to bring back your German C5 permanently into the UK, the headlights would not pass the UK MOT.   To change them would be hugely expensive.

 

How C5 xenons compare with C8 xenons, I don't know bearing in mind that the C5 already has self-levelling suspension.