MINI2

TheOfficeMaven · Jan 5th, 2005, 07:09 PM

Hi All,

I was just wondering if anyone knows the answer to this...

Starting with the January 1st 2005 builds of the MINI there is now a new auto headlight feature. Does anyone know what this actually is?

In California, a new law was enacted on Jan 1st that makes it so that you have to turn on your headlights while your windshield wipers are on (makes sense I guess). Anyway, I was just wondering if the new auto headlight feature of the MINI is simply going to turn on the headlights whenever the wipers are on (which makes some sense since the feature appears to be integrated, and only available, with the rain sensing wipers option), or if it will be like the auto headlights in the BMWs where the lights come on automatically when it gets dark out and then turn off automatically when it gets light out?

Does anyone know for sure?

TheOfficeMaven · Jan 6th, 2005, 05:02 PM

Never mind... I found the answer to my own question.

Acording to the online configurator on the MINI USA web site, the new auto headlamps feature does indeed turn on the headlights when it's dark out (and off when it's light out) just like the BMW cars do.

Cool as that's what I wanted.

Goonery · Jan 6th, 2005, 05:15 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by TheOfficeMaven

Never mind... I found the answer to my own question.

Acording to the online configurator on the MINI USA web site, the new auto headlamps feature does indeed turn on the headlights when it's dark out (and off when it's light out) just like the BMW cars do.

Cool as that's what I wanted.

I had a JCW 'S' from work with it on a week or so back, its very good , works er...... brilliantly

TheOfficeMaven · Jan 6th, 2005, 07:56 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by goonery

I had a JCW 'S' from work with it on a week or so back, its very good , works er...... brilliantly

Excellent! Thanks for the info.

Blacky · Jan 6th, 2005, 08:45 PM

Does anyone know if this is going to be retro-fittable to any previous models?
In particular we have an 05 built last year.
Thanks

TheOfficeMaven · Jan 6th, 2005, 10:16 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by Blacky

Does anyone know if this is going to be retro-fittable to any previous models?
In particular we have an 05 built last year.
Thanks

I don't have a clue if it will or not (although somehow I doubt it). I'd really love to have a retrofit version as well since we also have a November built 2005 MCS that I'd really like to have the auto headlamps feature put on.

The thing I'm wondering about is that in the U.K. we know that the new cars will come with an orange low washer fluid LED on the whiper stock (moving the red OEM alarm LED to the headlight stalk). I wonder if the headlight stalk has been completely redesigned to accomadate this, and if so, would this cause a problem with producing a retrofit kit? I'm over in the U.S. and I don't believe that we'll be seeing the new low washer fluid warning (and increased washer fluid capacity) until the 2006 model year. Bummer...

Rawhyde · Jan 20th, 2005, 02:39 AM

I'm getting ready to order an MCS and among other things, I plan to order the "Convenience Package" which in the US has the auto-headlights.

I understand what this is supposed to do, here's my question...

Does it have a switch? Can it be turned on and off at will?

My current car has (GM) has Twilight Sentinal. This can be turned off or has a dial that allows you to set how long the lights remain on after the key is turned off. (Similar to "Follow Me Home" feature)

BMW's with auto headlights have 4 positions on the switch. Automatic, Off, Parking Lamps, and Headlights.

Anyone have a post 1/05 build and can tell me how the MINI is?

Thanks,

Rawhyde

Goonery · Jan 20th, 2005, 08:08 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by Rawhyde

I'm getting ready to order an MCS and among other things, I plan to order the "Convenience Package" which in the US has the auto-headlights.

I understand what this is supposed to do, here's my question...

Does it have a switch? Can it be turned on and off at will?

My current car has (GM) has Twilight Sentinal. This can be turned off or has a dial that allows you to set how long the lights remain on after the key is turned off. (Similar to "Follow Me Home" feature)

BMW's with auto headlights have 4 positions on the switch. Automatic, Off, Parking Lamps, and Headlights.

Anyone have a post 1/05 build and can tell me how the MINI is?

Thanks,

Rawhyde

On the control stalk there are 4 positions, Off, Auto, Manaul Side/Dip, and Manual dip/side
So in auto , the twilight is sensed and the lights come on automatically, dip and side lights that is.
You still can use headlights or side lights as running lihts ala Volvo by using manual switching .
Hope this helps

Paul · Jan 20th, 2005, 09:56 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by goonery

I had a JCW 'S' from work with it on a week or so back, its very good , works er...... brilliantly

So it really was a bright idea.

Rawhyde · Jan 20th, 2005, 10:38 AM

Thanks Goonery. That is great news to me!

Rawhyde

Jonesy · May 10th, 2005, 09:22 PM

Hmm... I've just got a 53 plate (Feb '04) which the dealer said had the visiblility pack but I don't seem to have the auto lights (even though they said that they did!). Is the auto light thing a new (05 model) addition or is it supposed to have been there from the beginning?

Nick666 · May 10th, 2005, 10:57 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by Paul Mullett

So it really was a bright idea.

Booo hisss

ThomB · May 11th, 2005, 03:11 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by TheOfficeMaven

I'm over in the U.S. and I don't believe that we'll be seeing the new low washer fluid warning (and increased washer fluid capacity) until the 2006 model year. Bummer...

I've got a Yellow end to my Washer stalk. (2005 Cabrio built in April.)

jas72 · Jun 19th, 2006, 08:39 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by Jonesy

Hmm... I've just got a 53 plate (Feb '04) which the dealer said had the visiblility pack but I don't seem to have the auto lights (even though they said that they did!). Is the auto light thing a new (05 model) addition or is it supposed to have been there from the beginning?

Me 2. Same 53 MCS with vis pack but don't think I have the auto lights. Where is the sensor? How will I find out if I have it?

Paul · Jun 19th, 2006, 08:50 PM

Auto lights came with the '05 model year (July 2004 builds onwards).

Shamster · Jun 19th, 2006, 10:07 PM

Are you sure Paul? My MCS is a Aug 04 build but doesn't have it

Paul · Jun 19th, 2006, 10:10 PM

Nope, not certain, but I was pretty sure it was an '05 thing. Might have to do some reading back to find out!

It was certainly some time IN 2005, if not actually '05 model year.

Paul · Jun 19th, 2006, 10:15 PM

January 2005 builds I think.

tnoy66 · Jun 19th, 2006, 10:16 PM

It started Jan 05, with the other minor updates at the time

Paul · Jun 19th, 2006, 10:17 PM

Yeah, I got there in the end.

Jan 5th, 2005, 07:09 PM	#1
TheOfficeMaven MINI2 Senior Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Orange County, CA Local Time: 11:06 PM Posts: 382 Offline	New Auto Headlights Feature? Hi All, I was just wondering if anyone knows the answer to this... Starting with the January 1st 2005 builds of the MINI there is now a new auto headlight feature. Does anyone know what this actually is? In California, a new law was enacted on Jan 1st that makes it so that you have to turn on your headlights while your windshield wipers are on (makes sense I guess). Anyway, I was just wondering if the new auto headlight feature of the MINI is simply going to turn on the headlights whenever the wipers are on (which makes some sense since the feature appears to be integrated, and only available, with the rain sensing wipers option), or if it will be like the auto headlights in the BMWs where the lights come on automatically when it gets dark out and then turn off automatically when it gets light out? Does anyone know for sure?

Jan 6th, 2005, 08:45 PM	#5 (permalink)
Blacky MINI2 Regular My Classifieds Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Melbourne Local Time: 06:06 PM Posts: 245 Offline	Retro Fit? Does anyone know if this is going to be retro-fittable to any previous models? In particular we have an 05 built last year. Thanks

Jan 20th, 2005, 09:56 AM	#9 (permalink)
Paul Trained Monkey My Classifieds Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Bedfordshire Local Time: 08:06 AM Posts: 41,220 Offline	Quote: Originally Posted by goonery I had a JCW 'S' from work with it on a week or so back, its very good , works er...... brilliantly So it really was a bright idea. There aint no party like my nana's tea party

May 11th, 2005, 03:11 AM	#13 (permalink)
ThomB MINI2 Regular Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Painesville, Ohio US Local Time: 03:06 AM Posts: 196 Offline	Quote: Originally Posted by TheOfficeMaven I'm over in the U.S. and I don't believe that we'll be seeing the new low washer fluid warning (and increased washer fluid capacity) until the 2006 model year. Bummer... I've got a Yellow end to my Washer stalk. (2005 Cabrio built in April.) Thom Thom * 2005 Hot Orange Cabrio * Pictures Here

Jun 19th, 2006, 08:50 PM	#15 (permalink)
Paul Trained Monkey My Classifieds Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Bedfordshire Local Time: 08:06 AM Posts: 41,220 Offline	Auto lights came with the '05 model year (July 2004 builds onwards). There aint no party like my nana's tea party

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Jan 6th, 2005, 05:02 PM	#2 (permalink)
TheOfficeMaven MINI2 Senior Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Orange County, CA Local Time: 11:06 PM Posts: 382 Offline	Never mind... I found the answer to my own question. Acording to the online configurator on the MINI USA web site, the new auto headlamps feature does indeed turn on the headlights when it's dark out (and off when it's light out) just like the BMW cars do. Cool as that's what I wanted.

Jan 6th, 2005, 05:15 PM	#3 (permalink)
Goonery You can put lipstick on.. My Classifieds Join Date: Aug 2003 Local Time: 08:06 AM Posts: 13,694 Offline	Quote: Originally Posted by TheOfficeMaven Never mind... I found the answer to my own question. Acording to the online configurator on the MINI USA web site, the new auto headlamps feature does indeed turn on the headlights when it's dark out (and off when it's light out) just like the BMW cars do. Cool as that's what I wanted. I had a JCW 'S' from work with it on a week or so back, its very good , works er...... brilliantly

Jan 6th, 2005, 07:56 PM	#4 (permalink)
TheOfficeMaven MINI2 Senior Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Orange County, CA Local Time: 11:06 PM Posts: 382 Offline	Quote: Originally Posted by goonery I had a JCW 'S' from work with it on a week or so back, its very good , works er...... brilliantly Excellent! Thanks for the info.

Jan 6th, 2005, 10:16 PM	#6 (permalink)
TheOfficeMaven MINI2 Senior Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Orange County, CA Local Time: 11:06 PM Posts: 382 Offline	Quote: Originally Posted by Blacky Does anyone know if this is going to be retro-fittable to any previous models? In particular we have an 05 built last year. Thanks I don't have a clue if it will or not (although somehow I doubt it). I'd really love to have a retrofit version as well since we also have a November built 2005 MCS that I'd really like to have the auto headlamps feature put on. The thing I'm wondering about is that in the U.K. we know that the new cars will come with an orange low washer fluid LED on the whiper stock (moving the red OEM alarm LED to the headlight stalk). I wonder if the headlight stalk has been completely redesigned to accomadate this, and if so, would this cause a problem with producing a retrofit kit? I'm over in the U.S. and I don't believe that we'll be seeing the new low washer fluid warning (and increased washer fluid capacity) until the 2006 model year. Bummer...

Jan 20th, 2005, 02:39 AM	#7 (permalink)
Rawhyde MINI2 Regular Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: NW Georgia, USA Local Time: 02:06 AM Posts: 146 Offline	I'm getting ready to order an MCS and among other things, I plan to order the "Convenience Package" which in the US has the auto-headlights. I understand what this is supposed to do, here's my question... Does it have a switch? Can it be turned on and off at will? My current car has (GM) has Twilight Sentinal. This can be turned off or has a dial that allows you to set how long the lights remain on after the key is turned off. (Similar to "Follow Me Home" feature) BMW's with auto headlights have 4 positions on the switch. Automatic, Off, Parking Lamps, and Headlights. Anyone have a post 1/05 build and can tell me how the MINI is? Thanks, Rawhyde

Jan 20th, 2005, 08:08 AM	#8 (permalink)
Goonery You can put lipstick on.. My Classifieds Join Date: Aug 2003 Local Time: 08:06 AM Posts: 13,694 Offline	Quote: Originally Posted by Rawhyde I'm getting ready to order an MCS and among other things, I plan to order the "Convenience Package" which in the US has the auto-headlights. I understand what this is supposed to do, here's my question... Does it have a switch? Can it be turned on and off at will? My current car has (GM) has Twilight Sentinal. This can be turned off or has a dial that allows you to set how long the lights remain on after the key is turned off. (Similar to "Follow Me Home" feature) BMW's with auto headlights have 4 positions on the switch. Automatic, Off, Parking Lamps, and Headlights. Anyone have a post 1/05 build and can tell me how the MINI is? Thanks, Rawhyde On the control stalk there are 4 positions, Off, Auto, Manaul Side/Dip, and Manual dip/side So in auto , the twilight is sensed and the lights come on automatically, dip and side lights that is. You still can use headlights or side lights as running lihts ala Volvo by using manual switching . Hope this helps

Jan 20th, 2005, 10:38 AM	#10 (permalink)
Rawhyde MINI2 Regular Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: NW Georgia, USA Local Time: 02:06 AM Posts: 146 Offline	Thanks Goonery. That is great news to me! Rawhyde

May 10th, 2005, 09:22 PM	#11 (permalink)
Jonesy May the Mini be with you! Join Date: Feb 2005 Local Time: 08:06 AM Posts: 148 Offline	Hmm... I've just got a 53 plate (Feb '04) which the dealer said had the visiblility pack but I don't seem to have the auto lights (even though they said that they did!). Is the auto light thing a new (05 model) addition or is it supposed to have been there from the beginning?

May 10th, 2005, 10:57 PM	#12 (permalink)
Nick666 MINI2 Senior Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Leeds Local Time: 08:06 AM Posts: 400 Offline	Quote: Originally Posted by Paul Mullett So it really was a bright idea. Booo hisss

Jun 19th, 2006, 08:39 PM	#14 (permalink)
jas72 MINI2 Newbie Join Date: Apr 2006 Local Time: 08:06 AM Posts: 15 Offline	Quote: Originally Posted by Jonesy Hmm... I've just got a 53 plate (Feb '04) which the dealer said had the visiblility pack but I don't seem to have the auto lights (even though they said that they did!). Is the auto light thing a new (05 model) addition or is it supposed to have been there from the beginning? Me 2. Same 53 MCS with vis pack but don't think I have the auto lights. Where is the sensor? How will I find out if I have it?

Jun 19th, 2006, 10:07 PM	#16 (permalink)
Shamster Lord of The Four Rings Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Reminiscing Local Time: 08:06 AM Posts: 10,759 Offline	Are you sure Paul? My MCS is a Aug 04 build but doesn't have it 260909

Jun 19th, 2006, 10:10 PM	#17 (permalink)
Paul Trained Monkey My Classifieds Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Bedfordshire Local Time: 08:06 AM Posts: 41,220 Offline	Nope, not certain, but I was pretty sure it was an '05 thing. Might have to do some reading back to find out! It was certainly some time IN 2005, if not actually '05 model year. There aint no party like my nana's tea party

Jun 19th, 2006, 10:15 PM	#18 (permalink)
Paul Trained Monkey My Classifieds Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Bedfordshire Local Time: 08:06 AM Posts: 41,220 Offline	January 2005 builds I think. There aint no party like my nana's tea party

Jun 19th, 2006, 10:16 PM	#19 (permalink)
tnoy66 POP..POPPOP..POP Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Huddersfield Local Time: 08:06 AM Posts: 1,876 Offline	It started Jan 05, with the other minor updates at the time Pepper White MCS Registry All Welcome

Jun 19th, 2006, 10:17 PM	#20 (permalink)
Paul Trained Monkey My Classifieds Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Bedfordshire Local Time: 08:06 AM Posts: 41,220 Offline	Yeah, I got there in the end. There aint no party like my nana's tea party

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