Wookiee22

Rules changed in March 2008. Prior to that flat beams were fine, however now it's necessary to have pucka lhd lights. Somehow feel we're being screwed over! It's all here: http://www.acesales.co.uk/documents/Veh_Headlights.pdf

Thanks Adam - I'd somehow failed to pick up on that! Are halogens considerably cheaper than xenons then?

Tempting though! Honestly, you wouldn't believe how hard it is to get answers on this. Danny 350z is having exactly the same issues also! UK dealers refuse to give out the part number as it constitutes altering the vehicle from OEM spec, all the LHD units on eBay are DOT marked rather than E marked (and I have a feeling the inspectors might notice that...) and simply switching the beams across won't do it. Massive pain in the arse. Rant over. For now.

This is all starting to look a bit grim. Am now facing the possibility that I might have to take my brother's diesel Golf over with me instead!

Any progress on this? Would a switch to halogens reduce the financial hit?

The quest continues... Both Danny 350Z and I are on the hunt for LHD headlights, preferably without paying the earth for them. Thought it might be helpful if anyone knew the part number for a LHD (EU Spec) headlight for an 04 Zed. Thanks for your continued help with this! Andy

What's the difference between the US and continental headlights? Is it the whole flat beam issue again?

I'm about to encounter the exact same issues. Have you come up with a workable solution? Andy

Anyone got any ideas? I'm pretty much stumped!

Thanks for the response Zazur. This is actually starting to become a bit of a concern, do you know if the flat beam is due to them being HID and not xenon? The issue I have is that without the kick up on the correct side the car won't pass an inspection I need to put it through - a substantial problem! Anyone got any ideas?

Looking into getting a set of LHD headlights before moving to Germany - my understanding is that adjusting the standard ones won't cut it due to the flat beam (needs the 'kick up' on the kerb). My question is are the US spec units the same as those in the EU? In other words would the ones that spring up on eBay do the job? They are considerably cheaper than EU OEM units! Thanks, Andy

Is it definitely flat beam? From looking on the net I came across a PDF that reckoned the headlight markings would let you know if the lights were okay for both sides of the road. The important bit is the two-headed arrow and is near the bottom of this link: http://www.acesales.co.uk/documents/Veh_Headlights.pdf I'm a fair distance from my car at the moment so would really appreciate it if someone could have a quick check on theirs (mine is an 04 plate btw). If not, the rules seem pretty clear that it will fail the BFG inspection due to the flat beam and I guess the only option then is to find some EU standard headlights. Sounds pricey!

I take it that this needs to be sorted before you BFG the car? Or have you got around it somehow?

Thanks, that's great news! Need to find a long screwdriver now... Really appreciate the rapid response as well.

Looks like I'm going to be spending a year+ in Germany with work and want to take my 04 zed over with me. I've searched around for threads on headlight adjustment and they seem to end with suggestions of sticky strips - not a long term solution I feel. So, is there any way of adjusting the headlights for driving on the right or is the only option headlight replacement (sounds £££). Thanks! Andy

This all looks very interesting, looking forward to seeing what kind of results it achieves. What's the general opinion with regards ecu re-maps on stock cars? Is it worth it (implying that a stock ecu is somehow 'holding back' the engine's ability) without the addition of mods?

I have been looking at doing something similar, although it's a non-Bose system I'm replacing. It's worth bearing in mind, however, that the above system requires you to buy a seperate (Parrot) bluetooth module, which bumps the cost up considerably. As far as I'm aware there is no way to integrate it with the armrest BT system, although someone may prove me wrong Steering wheel controls etc are covered by the thread stated, I've been looking at this: http://www.sextonsdirect.co.uk/alpine/p~CDE-103BT.html?cat=0 Or the 104BTi (essentially the same unit in grey with the iPod lead included!), the advantage being that they both have proper iPod control, can be linked to the steering controls and have bluetooth actually built in (as opposed to being 'bluetooth ready'). They are single Din units and don't look quite as smart as the W203, but from reading around the sound quality is excellent and the phone system works pretty well too. Hope that's of some help!

A further dig about came up with this: http://www.sextonsdirect.co.uk/new_for_2009/alpine/p~CDE104BTi.html?cat=732 It's a single din unit (sure I can find some rubbish to stuff in a cubby below it ) with all the bt stuff built in and full iPod control. Seems pretty good to me. Anyone had any experience with these?

In which case I probably will have a crack at it myself. Hotrain's system looks awesome, although might be slightly over my budget. Although having said that, am I right in thinking that if I went for something like this: http://www.sextonsdirect.co.uk/alpine/p~CDE-W203Ri.html?PARTNER=Froogle ... I'd have to get a seperate bluetooth module? The thread with hotrain's on says that a steering wheel interface is about £70. Why so much? I'm really quite keen to have this feature but not at that price!

I had a feeling I might get nudged in this direction OK, so if I were to go with an all-in alpine hu, would I be able to use the mic already installed (assuming there is one??) and which unit would you recommend? How easy would it be to route a cable so that the ipod lived in the compartment next to the handbrake? Hotrain, what are the details of yours?

Having had my 350z (04 non-GT) for less than a fortnight, there are a couple of things I'd like to change with regards to the sound system! Normally I'd do this sort of work myself but I've never actually had a car that I cared all that much about before! There's a local car audio specialist whom I contacted before I left the UK for a bit, with the intention of getting it all done when I return. Essesntially I want to be able to use my iPod in the car (and have it controlled by the head unit) and have a decent bluetooth system installed. Toyed with the idea of the bluetooth adaptor but I'm not a massive fan of the current head unit (oem non-Bose) and from reading here it seems that trying to add an ipod is a complete pain. I have no need of a flashy double-din unit or a dvd player and I intend to mount a seperate sat-nav in the cubby hole. As far as I can see then, I have two choices: either get a hu with bluetooth and ipod control or a hu with ipod control and link it to a seperate bluetooth set-up, such as a Parrot. The audio guy recommended the latter option (for ease of use, although it also works out a bit more expensive as well ) more specifically a Sony CDX-GT45IP and a Parrot CK3100. Cost installed with all looms (including to steering wheel controls) and fascia adaptor was quoted at £300. Does that sound reasonable? Are there any other options I should look at? Thanks! Andy

Thanks again for the responses! Looks like I'll be off to Envy when I get back...

Thanks for the rapid responses! I move about quite a bit but spend most of my time in either Essex or Suffolk. Quite often around Nottingham too. Will get some pics up soon...

Hi all! 2 days in to Z ownership and I'm completely blown away by how great it is. My car is an '04 in gun metal grey with the Rays alloys (spent a while finding one with these, think they look great!) and has done 34k miles. I'm about to leave the country for a couple of months for slightly warmer climes but there are a couple of things I intend to do upon my return. Firstly the head unit is being replaced and a parrot bluetooth system installed. Normally I'd do this myself but I know a local guy who will do a good job without charging the earth. Getting a basic sony hu that will work with my ipod - not really after touchscreen or dvd players just yet! It's also soon due for a P3 service when it hits 36k and my questions revolve around this: - How much is a P3 likely to cost and is it worth using a main dealer given that the car is out of warranty? - Very tempted to get a motordyne plenum spacer installed, would it be worth combining this with the service? If not I'm pretty handy with a torque wrench so I'd probably fit it myself. Hope that's not too much extra for this part of the forum! -Wookiee