All very true, but the beer is cheaper here.

 

Avos,

Is that plate reversal quick enough to be an alternative to using stick-on "beam benders" for those of us who cross La Manche a couple of times a year?

 

In a word, no. Fitting the plates requires dismantling the headlight. Beam-benders are fine for occasional trips over to the continent, particularly if you are on a UK number plate.

The only reason I am doing the permanent conversion is because stick-on beam-benders won't pass the French MOT: they are seen as a non-permanent 'fix'.

 

Frog....use Super glue....just trying to be helpful....and er, um don't tell them your Handle on here....

cheers,

jj

 

Frog,

Thanks - I'll "stick" with the beam benders or black tape.

What do you do about the French requirement to carry a set of spare bulbs in the vehicle? Any old set do to comply or must it actually include the super-expensive HID's?

 

In theory, bulbs that fit your car. In practice-----

To get hammered for that one you would already be in trouble for something else, especially if you are on foreign plates.

But you do remind me.

 

My 2003 XKR (US spec. LHD) arrived in UK undamaged and in tact.

Jaguar couldn't (wouldn't?) give me a Certificate of Conformance so it had to go through the VOSA exam I chose the Beverley test centre. The LHD headlights were pre-tested at a local MoT centre (Bob Trice Mechanics - excellent service close to VOSA) so the headlamps were not changed or adjusted and passed the tests. The only problem with the VOSA test was that the Pirelli front tyres didn't have the "97" load rating embossed on the side, although the max. axle loading was clearly marked in both lb and kg. However, a copy of the Pirelli spec. sheet from their web site showing conformance was sufficient proof. Getting a registration number and first tax disc only cost 275 pounds - which was a pleasant surprise because I thought I was going to have to pay more than 1,000 pounds.

The XKR will be living in France next year so I'll have to go through the CT there - but that will be another story!

Thanks all for your input. Cheers, RickDB