[Boondox]

My wife and I are getting ready to order our MC. We live in the sticks, with all the associated hazards like icy patches, fallen tree limbs, and the occasional animal crossing the road. More light is better IMO.

So would we be better off with driving lights or the xenon light option? Is the Xenon a true HID option, or just different bulbs that we could install ourselves? And what is that retractable power wash thing all about? Does it actually work...or is it just something else that will freeze up in the cold of winter?

Pete

[ALD0]

Hi Pete-The Xenon option is a Gas Discharge lamp which has different bulbs to that of the Halogen-So is not Wannabee Xenons you do have the real thing. However they are only marginally brighter than the Halogens. So if I was to choose between the Driving Spot Lamps or the Xenons go for the Spots as these will give you more light further up the road.
The Washers for the Xenons are pretty cool-Not heard of any freezing up as yet as the Heat from the lamp will keep them De Iced-They don't actually clean the Lamp (IMHO) but are there for Law requirements.

Simon

[Sands]

I'm lurking a bit prior to a possible purchase of a MCS....

My e39s xenons are outstanding for night vision, far superior to my wifes Volvo v50's halogens.

Does the Mini use projectors for xenon, or do they use the reflector style more common to halogens?

I guess another way to ask the same question is; I thought xenon is far more bright then halogen?

[jonnyyellow]

projector for 05' baby!... they used to be reflection.. from waht i know.. and

the lam washing?.. it does use a different washer fluid tank than the normal wipers so.. you can pu in deicing, or non icing washer fluid!

[beken]

In Canada, the Xenons are standard equipment. After using them, I don't think I would go back to halogens. Whereas, if I had halogens, I would wish I had xenons. So if you can afford them, get Xenons. The color of the xenons allow you to see a lot more. Since you're living "out in the sticks", I would recommend you also consider fog lights (if it gets foggy where you are....it gets foggy in the spring and autumn where I am), and if you're REALLY out in the sticks, consider additional driving lights. Just make sure you turn them (the driving lights) off when there's oncoming traffic.

[Otter Boy]

I have the xenon with washers. The xenon is great, white light and I would not want anything else. The washers pop out and use a fairly high pressure spray over the lens of the headlights and does an effective job in the dirty, slushy snow and stuff. There is no wiper, but they do a very good job. There are 2 fill tanks, one on each front wheel 'fender' under the bonnet. One is for the headlight washers and the other of course is for the windscreen. . They never froze this winter and I was glad for that.

I have the fog lights, as it does get foggy here on the Maine coast. You can use them with just the parking lights, or low beam headlights. They switch off on high beam, automatically. The switch is on the toggles bar.

I also have the driving lights. They only go on with the high beam headlights, but you can see the man on the moon, very far down the road. I love em!! They switch on via a push switch near your left knee ( In US and Canadian at least, models) on the dash.