MINI2

superdupercooper · Dec 28th, 2007, 01:34 PM

It might be me, I'm quite new to the owner thing (first mod goes on this week

) and don't drive that often at night ... but the Xenon lights are not good.

I can see the threads here about how good they are, etc, but mine seem to be weak, I keep them clean and regularly polish them off, but they are not good in the countyside darkness.

Anyone got any suggestions about what I can do to Thunderbird 3 to make the lights better?

It is afacelifted 04 MCS

Many thanks

ALD0 · Dec 28th, 2007, 01:39 PM

I find the Xenons to come across dull on different weather conditions, but usually they are pretty good?
Have you found they are pointing too high upmaybe or too far down, they may need aligning at the dealers possibly?

Tigger, Eeyore & Roo · Dec 28th, 2007, 02:06 PM

I'm using the same facelift R50/53 Xeons as you and they are far and away the best headlamps I have ever used (and I am currently on car number 22 since I started driving

).

It definitely sounds like a fault to me

Randall Raines · Dec 28th, 2007, 03:05 PM

The headlamps in MINIs (xenons & non-xenons) have faults where one or the other of the headlamp motors have failed for whatever reason, this can be either the left or right hand side (you normally notice this, as one seems brighter than the other and you can notice it as you have the OK one to compare it against), if you are very unfortunate you could have had both go faulty (I have seen it happen)

, resulting in both lights pointing down towards the ground resulting in you not being able to see much and giving the appearance that they are not very bright, or as "ALDO" says they may just need aligning, either way you need to get them checked out, even more so with the dark nights & bad weather conditions were having at the moment, "better to be safe than sorry!"

.

If I know MINIs, my bet is as "Tigger, Eeyore & Roo" says "it sounds like a fault to me"

.

Meeerrrk · Dec 28th, 2007, 04:40 PM

it could be a fault in this case, but i dont rate the mini xenons either.

supa-dupa-cooper · Dec 28th, 2007, 04:53 PM

Ive not driven a MINI with Xenons (that is yet to come

)

But I have had MINIs with Xenons following me, and they are always very bright (or at least they seem it, especially on the R56's)

I'd get them checked out

slim_boy_fat · Dec 28th, 2007, 05:07 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by superdupercooper (original)

It might be me, I'm quite new to the owner thing (first mod goes on this week

) and don't drive that often at night ... but the Xenon lights are not good.

I can see the threads here about how good they are, etc, but mine seem to be weak, I keep them clean and regularly polish them off, but they are not good in the countyside darkness.

Anyone got any suggestions about what I can do to Thunderbird 3 to make the lights better?

It is afacelifted 04 MCS

Many thanks

To be honest i kind of think they are not as good as some of the other cars i have owned that had HID lamps.

Not sure i would tick the box if i was specing a new car. Maybe the R56 HID's are better.

Meeerrrk · Dec 29th, 2007, 11:08 AM

im with you, i wouldnt tick the box, id do what i did in my leon cupra and buy an aftermarket set, £150 and they are amazing. Passed 2 MOTs with them fitted now aswell (my mate now owns the car)

Tigger, Eeyore & Roo · Dec 29th, 2007, 07:01 PM

In order to make them genuinely legal, you'll need to go about fitting headlamp power wash and self levelling while you're at it!

Meeerrrk · Dec 29th, 2007, 08:16 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by Tigger, Eeyore & Roo (original)

In order to make them genuinely legal, you'll need to go about fitting headlamp power wash and self levelling while you're at it!

sure, but in 2yrs of using them, no issues and 2 passed MOTs. Says it all really.

Tigger, Eeyore & Roo · Dec 29th, 2007, 08:25 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by Meeerrrk (original)

sure, but in 2yrs of using them, no issues and 2 passed MOTs. Says it all really.

What it says is that your MOT tester is blissfully ignorant of the rules

So, as you both live in Hampshire, you'd best pass the tester's contact details on to superdupercooper!

Meeerrrk · Dec 29th, 2007, 08:50 PM

lol. to be fair, i dont think any MOT tester is ignorant of the rules, i just think they dont pay enough attention to notice things like this.

Tigger, Eeyore & Roo · Dec 29th, 2007, 08:53 PM

Long may it continue

Lawrothegreat · Dec 29th, 2007, 10:04 PM

It does sound as though they are set too low. If they were too high, they'd probably be blinding other drivers. I can't speak for the R50/R53, but I asked the dealer to raise the auto-levelling range on the Xenons on my R56 (within legal limits) and in traffic at night they appear to illuminate other vehicles brighter than pretty much anything else.

Dec 28th, 2007, 01:34 PM	#1
superdupercooper Thunderbird3 Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Hampshire Local Time: 09:28 PM Posts: 14 Offline	Is it me? Xenons dull It might be me, I'm quite new to the owner thing (first mod goes on this week ) and don't drive that often at night ... but the Xenon lights are not good. I can see the threads here about how good they are, etc, but mine seem to be weak, I keep them clean and regularly polish them off, but they are not good in the countyside darkness. Anyone got any suggestions about what I can do to Thunderbird 3 to make the lights better? It is afacelifted 04 MCS Many thanks

Dec 28th, 2007, 02:06 PM	#3 (permalink)
Tigger, Eeyore & Roo May '08: Bye bye Mini2... My Classifieds Join Date: May 2004 Location: Kernow, near England Local Time: 10:28 PM Posts: 4,512 Offline	I'm using the same facelift R50/53 Xeons as you and they are far and away the best headlamps I have ever used (and I am currently on car number 22 since I started driving ). It definitely sounds like a fault to me May 08: Thanks to all of my friends on Mini2 for a lot of great times over the last 4 years. In future I can always be contacted here!

Dec 28th, 2007, 03:05 PM	#4 (permalink)
Randall Raines MINI & other ½ both whine Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Messing with a MINI Local Time: 10:28 PM Posts: 521 Offline	The headlamps in MINIs (xenons & non-xenons) have faults where one or the other of the headlamp motors have failed for whatever reason, this can be either the left or right hand side (you normally notice this, as one seems brighter than the other and you can notice it as you have the OK one to compare it against), if you are very unfortunate you could have had both go faulty (I have seen it happen) , resulting in both lights pointing down towards the ground resulting in you not being able to see much and giving the appearance that they are not very bright, or as "ALDO" says they may just need aligning, either way you need to get them checked out, even more so with the dark nights & bad weather conditions were having at the moment, "better to be safe than sorry!" . If I know MINIs, my bet is as "Tigger, Eeyore & Roo" says "it sounds like a fault to me" . Destined to live life £5 behind. Disclaimer

Dec 28th, 2007, 04:40 PM	#5 (permalink)
Meeerrrk MINI2 Senior My Classifieds Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: South Local Time: 10:28 PM Posts: 357 Offline	it could be a fault in this case, but i dont rate the mini xenons either. 2002 Dark Silver & Black Cooper S : Loads 'a Mods

Dec 28th, 2007, 04:53 PM	#6 (permalink)
supa-dupa-cooper In S Club Heaven!! Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Cloud MINI Local Time: 10:28 PM Posts: 18,996 Offline	Ive not driven a MINI with Xenons (that is yet to come ) But I have had MINIs with Xenons following me, and they are always very bright (or at least they seem it, especially on the R56's) I'd get them checked out * The Italian Job 2008......Team 50 - Sponsor Us Here!* UNION JACK OWNERS CLUB GB002

MINI2

Fuel for your MINI obsession

From bodykits to bonnet stripes, discuss them here

Today
Sponsors	Sponsored Links Registered members do not see Google Ads posts, they can also post messages, pictures, and classified adverts. Register your free account today and become a member of MINI2 - MINI Forum

Dec 28th, 2007, 01:39 PM	#2 (permalink)
ALD0 MINI2 Master My Classifieds Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Chester Local Time: 10:28 PM Posts: 9,432 Offline	I find the Xenons to come across dull on different weather conditions, but usually they are pretty good? Have you found they are pointing too high upmaybe or too far down, they may need aligning at the dealers possibly?

Dec 28th, 2007, 05:07 PM	#7 (permalink)
slim_boy_fat MINI2 Regular Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Glasgow Local Time: 10:28 PM Posts: 119 Offline	Quote: Originally Posted by superdupercooper (original) It might be me, I'm quite new to the owner thing (first mod goes on this week ) and don't drive that often at night ... but the Xenon lights are not good. I can see the threads here about how good they are, etc, but mine seem to be weak, I keep them clean and regularly polish them off, but they are not good in the countyside darkness. Anyone got any suggestions about what I can do to Thunderbird 3 to make the lights better? It is afacelifted 04 MCS Many thanks To be honest i kind of think they are not as good as some of the other cars i have owned that had HID lamps. Not sure i would tick the box if i was specing a new car. Maybe the R56 HID's are better.

Dec 29th, 2007, 11:08 AM	#8 (permalink)
Meeerrrk MINI2 Senior My Classifieds Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: South Local Time: 10:28 PM Posts: 357 Offline	im with you, i wouldnt tick the box, id do what i did in my leon cupra and buy an aftermarket set, £150 and they are amazing. Passed 2 MOTs with them fitted now aswell (my mate now owns the car) 2002 Dark Silver & Black Cooper S : Loads 'a Mods

Dec 29th, 2007, 07:01 PM	#9 (permalink)
Tigger, Eeyore & Roo May '08: Bye bye Mini2... My Classifieds Join Date: May 2004 Location: Kernow, near England Local Time: 10:28 PM Posts: 4,512 Offline	In order to make them genuinely legal, you'll need to go about fitting headlamp power wash and self levelling while you're at it! May 08: Thanks to all of my friends on Mini2 for a lot of great times over the last 4 years. In future I can always be contacted here!

Dec 29th, 2007, 08:16 PM	#10 (permalink)
Meeerrrk MINI2 Senior My Classifieds Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: South Local Time: 10:28 PM Posts: 357 Offline	Quote: Originally Posted by Tigger, Eeyore & Roo (original) In order to make them genuinely legal, you'll need to go about fitting headlamp power wash and self levelling while you're at it! sure, but in 2yrs of using them, no issues and 2 passed MOTs. Says it all really. 2002 Dark Silver & Black Cooper S : Loads 'a Mods

Dec 29th, 2007, 08:25 PM	#11 (permalink)
Tigger, Eeyore & Roo May '08: Bye bye Mini2... My Classifieds Join Date: May 2004 Location: Kernow, near England Local Time: 10:28 PM Posts: 4,512 Offline	Quote: Originally Posted by Meeerrrk (original) sure, but in 2yrs of using them, no issues and 2 passed MOTs. Says it all really. What it says is that your MOT tester is blissfully ignorant of the rules So, as you both live in Hampshire, you'd best pass the tester's contact details on to superdupercooper! May 08: Thanks to all of my friends on Mini2 for a lot of great times over the last 4 years. In future I can always be contacted here!

Dec 29th, 2007, 08:50 PM	#12 (permalink)
Meeerrrk MINI2 Senior My Classifieds Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: South Local Time: 10:28 PM Posts: 357 Offline	lol. to be fair, i dont think any MOT tester is ignorant of the rules, i just think they dont pay enough attention to notice things like this. 2002 Dark Silver & Black Cooper S : Loads 'a Mods

Dec 29th, 2007, 08:53 PM	#13 (permalink)
Tigger, Eeyore & Roo May '08: Bye bye Mini2... My Classifieds Join Date: May 2004 Location: Kernow, near England Local Time: 10:28 PM Posts: 4,512 Offline	Long may it continue May 08: Thanks to all of my friends on Mini2 for a lot of great times over the last 4 years. In future I can always be contacted here!

Dec 29th, 2007, 10:04 PM	#14 (permalink)
Lawrothegreat Mini Design Philosopher Join Date: May 2004 Location: Berkshire, UK Local Time: 10:28 PM Posts: 747 Offline	It does sound as though they are set too low. If they were too high, they'd probably be blinding other drivers. I can't speak for the R50/R53, but I asked the dealer to raise the auto-levelling range on the Xenons on my R56 (within legal limits) and in traffic at night they appear to illuminate other vehicles brighter than pretty much anything else.

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search
Rate This Thread
Rate This Thread:

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Halogen headlights really dull?	Roofas	Exterior	16	Jan 9th, 2006 02:54 PM
2005 Xenons swappable with 2004 Xenons?	TomH	Exterior	9	Aug 26th, 2004 10:57 AM
Are new Coopers dull?	camini	MINI Cooper	15	Oct 31st, 2003 05:15 AM