Headlight beam bending for Europe: November 2009

I bought my Superb Elegance earlier this year and was really looking forward to a continental tour until the practicalities of changing the headlight beam direction kicked in. I found an old string on this DG that basically said don’t worry about it but as I knew I’d be driving at night, in November, using country back roads, terrorising the Gastons with 400 volts of lightning wasn’t on even though some of them may deserve it!

The local Skoda dealer quoted £85 to change the beam which would include a return trip to the garage to have it changed back when we returned. My mate who has an Octavia assured me that there was a switch on the back of the headlamp units. Flick it and all would be well. I dismantled the nearside lamp as best I could without removing it from the car but could find no switch. All was not well. I have 2 trips planned to France this month so £85 a time was definitely a non-runner.

The old DG string referred to a part number for a set of headlamp protectors. £35 ish quid. A call to the dealer confirmed such a thing existed and added that the part is marked as obsolete and that the stock computer showed only 1 set left. So I bought them. They fit brilliantly. The fitting instructions for the Eurolites kit of patches didn’t really have the correct variation listed (imo) but a position was found that cut of the beam on the passenger side. The driver’s side headlamp did not have a Eurolite patch applied because it’s throw seemed OK.

In the dark, in France the one sided set up worked extremely well. The beam was cut off to avoid on coming traffic and the unadjusted beam lit up the pavements/bushes. I know there are aftermarket stone covers for these headlamps and frankly, for the money, you’d be daft not to use the covers/Eurolite solution. It makes better sense than messing about with these rather touchy headlamp units.

AND NOW FOR THE GOOD NEWS

If you’re considering a booze cruise to France to stock up on Xmas cheer, but have decided the £/Euro (must get a keyboard with a Euro symbol) is too parity to bother then here’s the latest info: Diesel (mine’s an oil burner) In 1500 miles we noted a variation of up to 18% in the price of diesel. Prices range from 0.999/l up to 1.18/l. At 0.999/l that’s significantly cheaper than UK (somewhere equivalent to low 90’s/l) whilst top end prices are about the same as UK.

And the booze…….. We were shocked at the price of everything in our favourite supermarket, the Auchan at Coquelles. All the old favourites like olive oil, coffee. cheese are now too expensive and wine in those outlets is not as good as it used to be. So continue on to Cite Europe and go to Tesco’s wine shop. Brilliant selection, all the stuff you see in the UK and more at prices designed to get your credit card out of your pocket. For instance in the UK Tesco have loads of 3 bottles for £10 offers. In France its 6 bottles for 10 euros so that’s actually less than £10. In plain English around £1.50/bottle. Ferry day trip tickets are about £30 return so as the Yanks would say… Go figure.

Ferry day trip tickets are about £30 return so as the Yanks would say… Go figure.

Or if you follow this link -> France for just £15 return until the 17th December 2009!

Thanks for the Cite Europe info.......

They even appear to have a website:- http://www.tesco-france.com for advance ordering

Edited 18 November, 200916 yr by john999boy

We didn't know of that website in advance but, Yes, you can order in advance and they will have it ready for you. Tesco are the only company on the site that have their own entrance directly from the car park so although you might not get parked up right outside it will be easier than pushing one of their carts through the crowded shopping mall.