Xenon headlights - MINI Cooper Forum

opTHOMASprime · #1 (**permalink**) Mar 22nd, 2012, 05:03 PM

I have a 2001 Cooper and I would like to fit some xenon headlights to it. What problems will need to over come. E.g. Will I need to install a new washer pump so I can use the washers on the headlights, would I need to fit a transformer for the xenon bulbs ect...

minicore · #2 (**permalink**) Mar 22nd, 2012, 05:26 PM

Countless threads on this subject already - see here for example, or search for "retrofit xenon" or similar.

Either way, welcome to the forum.

harvey94 · #3 (**permalink**) Mar 22nd, 2012, 07:23 PM

Hey,

You must follow the new standards now or it will not pass an MOT , in my honest opinion its not worth the hassle, buy some nice new headlights with maybe some LED DRL's and get some white light bulbs.

The Nun · #4 (**permalink**) Mar 29th, 2012, 03:07 PM

I think now if you fit Xenons, you have to have headlamp power wash and auto leveling fitted too? for the new MOT requirements.

Blusox · #5 (**permalink**) Aug 2nd, 2012, 12:59 PM

The UK government actually has the laws on Xenons wrong. The DfT site states that UK law regarding Xenons is based on EU directives. According to those EU directives a self levelling system is only required if your cars cut off moves by x% when the axels are placed under maximum specified load, ie people i the car or boot full. This means that if your car passed the displacement test with halogen lights then it will therefore also pass the same test with xenon bulbs in xenon designed projectors as the light pattern is the same as is the movement of the car under load. It then also states that washer systems are not mandatory UNLESS your car requires a levelling system. If these regulations were correctly followed by the DfT then all you would need is the correct projectors and bulbs, you could leave out the self levelling and washer system as they are not present on the halogen equiped cars, they have manual levelling.

I've sent these points along with copies of the EU article and regulations to the DfT and several tuning magazines but with no luck, it's a real shame that some one in a position to do so can't take this on as it would allow for a legal and relatively cheaper route to improved lighting on older cars.