ML270 driving in Europe

[spenserwright]

Is it a simple job to adjust the headlight beams and if so how?

 

[psmart]

Have you got BiXenons or Halogen lights?

If you have BiXenons, there is a lever, just behind the main connector to the lights. You set this lever opposite to what it is currently (cant remember direction). This basically sets the beam to a Neutral pattern, which is road legal in Europe.

If you have Halogen lights, then you need to buy a stick on deflector, which blocks a component of the light beam. This you can buy on the Ferry, or Halfords etc.

 

[spenserwright]

Thanks for the info.

They are Halogen lights. I noticed there is a small arm connected to the top of the rear of the light unit and the body with a screw on the body side which appears to offer some adjustment. Is that of any use or am I barking up the wrong tree!

On my 300TD (1991 & 256,000 miles) there is an area on the lense that I used to mask out with Insulation tape but the lenses on the ML have no markings at all which is why I wondered if the beam deflectors/blockers would work and where abouts to place them.

 

[psmart]

I originally had halogens and I bought deflectors on P&O ferry, which were puzzling to install, as, like you say, there are no obvious markers.Just had to line up according to the instruction manual pictures (sort of)!

The arm, I cant say for 100%, but would put it down as the beam adjustment arm, ie. for setting the lights up, not the deflection angle. Perhaps another member with more insight knows more on this?

I'll just add, that for years in Europe, I didnt bother with deflectors, no one bothered me. I just set the adjustment down to minimum. Its only when i read my insurance after having to get a European MOT, that I decided it would be worthwhile, because theres a getout clause in the insurance if you dont have correctly adjusted lights

I took the easier option out, having my car mainly in Europe, by buying LHD BiXenons! When I come back to the UK, just flick the lever and just change the lights back to the original RHD for 1 hour, long enough to pass the MOT!!!

FYI, if you can get hold of BiXenons, makes the car look a lot better and if your doddering on in your 40's, makes nighttime driving like it used to be at 18!