[Big G]

Hi all,

I've found that the headlights on my 54 reg BEP Cooper are really not bright enough when travelling down country roads at night. This was confirmed when a 3 series BMW came up behind me and was lighting more of the road ahead of me than I was!!! Anyway, I'm thinking can I just put better bulbs in my headlights and if so is it easy to do (as the headlights are joined to the bonnet). Or, should I go for the optional spot lights on the front grille, as I like the look of them, but am not sure how much extra lighting power they give? Please, please help me with any advice as I have nearly come a cropper twice now cos I can't see the damn corners!!
Also do you think the spot lights would look good on my Cooper?
Cheers
Gaz.

[fred3]

my dim setting for the headlamps seems a bit less than illuminating. Unlike you though I just switch to high beams when there are no cars that will be effected by them. The high setting is great. Plenty of light for seeing well ahead for turns, animals, pedestrians, cyclists, etc.

[MickPad]

Quote: Originally Posted by Big G

Hi all,

I've found that the headlights on my 54 reg BEP Cooper are really not bright enough when travelling down country roads at night. This was confirmed when a 3 series BMW came up behind me and was lighting more of the road ahead of me than I was!!! Anyway, I'm thinking can I just put better bulbs in my headlights and if so is it easy to do (as the headlights are joined to the bonnet). Or, should I go for the optional spot lights on the front grille, as I like the look of them, but am not sure how much extra lighting power they give? Please, please help me with any advice as I have nearly come a cropper twice now cos I can't see the damn corners!!
Also do you think the spot lights would look good on my Cooper?
Cheers
Gaz.

My headlight bulbs went recently and I replaced them v easy job, bit fiddly as you a are upside down peering into the headlight housing. Got the bulbs from powerbulbs.co.uk As reccomended on this site. 50% brighter, go with that first as I am not sure how brighter the spots are but I do know they are about £200 when the bulbs were £25. Bargain.

[MickPad]

Had a rummage around on the site and in the faults section is where I posted my original message concerning my headlight failure. This is what you need.
They are H7 bulbs if they are not Xenon lights - you might want to consider swapping them out for the 50% brighter Osram Silverstars or Philips Vision plus (see the Autoexpress product report for more info)
I ordered these on the above website I mentioned and they arrived the next day. Fitted and a brighter world awaits you. You either fit them as your main beam or dip.
Or go the whole hog and order four to replace the lot.

[Hat]

you might want to get your dealer to check whether the levelling mechanism is working - its a fairly common fault for this to fail, what happens is your headlights end up pointing down at the road instead of ahead.

[andy_leitch]

Upgrade the bulbs and also get the spot lights. Done.

Spoot lights complete the mini!

[cozzers]

I got some Hella 200 spots for £110 and fitted them myself.

The extra light they give out is really useful. I need to fine tune the alignment a little but the day I fitted them I found myself driving down my favourite night time road at least 20mph faster than I would normally expect.

[dr remulac]

Before panicking, try adjusting the high/low, in/ out screws on the back of the headlight housing first. When I took delivery of my 03, the headlights were adjusted way too low and it was downright dangerous motoring about after dark. A quick adjustment solved the problem.

[danb]

Quote: Originally Posted by dr remulac

Before panicking, try adjusting the high/low, in/ out screws on the back of the headlight housing first. When I took delivery of my 03, the headlights were adjusted way too low and it was downright dangerous motoring about after dark. A quick adjustment solved the problem.

So is this basically a manual / more extreme version of the electrical leveller? My headlights are absolutely useless at the moment, seems like they are pointing straight at the floor.

[rfibanez]

I got Philips Vision plus bulbs, way better then stock and they look great!

Got it from:

www.powerbulbs.com

[Tigger, Eeyore & Roo]

In answer to your original question; always get the headlamps that you've got working at their best first (headlamp adjustment and then bulb upgrade, as people have suggested) and then add extra lights as necessary.

Tigger.

[Flubby]

I fitted the Osram silverstar bulbs from powerbulbs and the effect was fantastic, really noticable. I then had the extra spotlights added and now i have a WALL of light on full beam Well worth it, though quite pricey !!! I also just bought another pair of Osrams for the full beam but haven't installed them yet.

[Nameless]

Quote: Originally Posted by Flubby

I fitted the Osram silverstar bulbs from powerbulbs and the effect was fantastic, really noticable. I then had the extra spotlights added and now i have a WALL of light on full beam Well worth it, though quite pricey !!! I also just bought another pair of Osrams for the full beam but haven't installed them yet.

Osram Silverstars. Fab!

[quentinberg007]

I'm most def. a fan of the spot lights. They seem to work very good.... as well as looking fantastic!

~~Quentin

[drfubar]

Anyone know if its possible to install the 2005 halogen headlight assembly on a 2003 Cooper S?

[danb]

Quote: Originally Posted by drfubar

Anyone know if its possible to install the 2005 halogen headlight assembly on a 2003 Cooper S?

Yes, MINI even do a retrofit kit if I remember rightly

[drfubar]

danb thanks.
Would it be as easy as ordering the assembly and screwing it in place of my current '03 headlamps?
Or are the connections different?

[Baker]

A screw in - screw out job

[drfubar]

Thanks!