MINI2

SNJ · Jan 8th, 2007, 08:06 PM

I'm thinking of an R56 Cooper and would like to ask if Bi Xenons are really that much better than regular headlights?

Are they a necessity when speccing or choosing a Cooper? Any disadvantages (apart from the extra expense)?

Thanks!

beken · Jan 8th, 2007, 08:23 PM

My opinion is, properly set up bi-xenons (like those that come from the MINI factory) are like a drug. You probably don't really need it, but once you have it, you can't live without it.

My family has two cars. When it comes time to trade in the family saloon (sedan on this side of the pond), bi-xenons will be near the top of must have options.

You simply see the road better, especially when it's raining.

Having said that, many have bought their cars (not necessarily a MINI) with normal halogen headlights and then retrofitted aftermarket xenons. You would need to be very careful on what is legal and not legal where you are. The aftermarket ones have a tendency to blind the driver of the in oncoming traffic as well as the car you are following. It puts you and two others in what I would consider very dangerous traffic conditions.

There are also other thread around discussing benefits and drawbacks of xenons.

Good luck on your MINI purchase and welcome to MINI2.

Hat · Jan 8th, 2007, 08:25 PM

anything that improves your safety is worth more than something like chrome bezels or an upgraded stereo.

Fin · Jan 8th, 2007, 08:27 PM

Definitely go for Xenons. They light up the road much better

BRG-Mini-One · Jan 8th, 2007, 08:30 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by Hat (original)

anything that improves your safety is worth more than something like chrome bezels or an upgraded stereo.

... And a lot cheaper that a crash that could occur in reduced visibility... (read my other thread!)

Lozzer · Jan 8th, 2007, 08:51 PM

Agree with Fin - I initially went for them for them cos' they look better than the std lights. So glad I did, they are fantastic.

One thing I have noticed is that I tend to get flashed every so often from oncoming traffic. I suspect it's because they are a lot brighter than std lights and being mounted on the bonnet makes them more prone to judder.

jcwjim · Jan 8th, 2007, 08:56 PM

That's everyone so far reckoning it's a option worth going for, me included.

You know they're bright when people flash you even with a properly adjusted beam.

It's pretty rare I use the full beam even on roads I don't know.

daffodildeb · Jan 8th, 2007, 09:08 PM

I started a thread on NAM, and it's run to 4 pages.

MINI COOPER :: North American Motoring - Xenon headlights?

MyMiniTakesMyMoney · Jan 9th, 2007, 03:50 AM

Yep go for xenons. I have xenons on my 2005 cooper and I honestly can't imagine being without them. On a safety level they light up the roads so well (in fact driving with normal headlights for me is plain scary now). Apart from safety, think about how they look! just from looks they are amazing on the car! If your'e ever in the mood to impress onlookers there's nothing better than watching people's faces as the washers pop out and clean the headlights. I feel it's purely for show as i've never needed headlight washers before but I love them!

SNJ · Jan 9th, 2007, 07:29 AM

Thanks very much for the advice so far....seems like xenons are the way to go!

Jan 8th, 2007, 08:06 PM	#1
SNJ MINI2 Newbie Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: SE London Local Time: 03:00 AM Posts: 42 Offline	Bi Xenons a necessity or not worth the extra expense? I'm thinking of an R56 Cooper and would like to ask if Bi Xenons are really that much better than regular headlights? Are they a necessity when speccing or choosing a Cooper? Any disadvantages (apart from the extra expense)? Thanks!

Jan 8th, 2007, 08:23 PM	#2 (permalink)
beken 05 MCS BEP Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Delta, BC, Canada Local Time: 06:00 PM Posts: 1,229 Offline	My opinion is, properly set up bi-xenons (like those that come from the MINI factory) are like a drug. You probably don't really need it, but once you have it, you can't live without it. My family has two cars. When it comes time to trade in the family saloon (sedan on this side of the pond), bi-xenons will be near the top of must have options. You simply see the road better, especially when it's raining. Having said that, many have bought their cars (not necessarily a MINI) with normal halogen headlights and then retrofitted aftermarket xenons. You would need to be very careful on what is legal and not legal where you are. The aftermarket ones have a tendency to blind the driver of the in oncoming traffic as well as the car you are following. It puts you and two others in what I would consider very dangerous traffic conditions. There are also other thread around discussing benefits and drawbacks of xenons. Good luck on your MINI purchase and welcome to MINI2. 05MCS BEP - Alta 22mm rear anti-swaybar, Madness CAI, Alta 15%, NGK BRK7EIX

Jan 8th, 2007, 08:30 PM	#5 (permalink)
BRG-Mini-One Leeds + Harrogate Run My Classifieds Join Date: Oct 2006 Local Time: 03:00 AM Posts: 434 Offline	Quote: Originally Posted by Hat (original) anything that improves your safety is worth more than something like chrome bezels or an upgraded stereo. ... And a lot cheaper that a crash that could occur in reduced visibility... (read my other thread!) 2007 Audi A3

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Jan 8th, 2007, 08:25 PM	#3 (permalink)
Hat ITS RAINNIN' SIDEWAYS My Classifieds Join Date: Oct 2002 Local Time: 02:00 AM Posts: 15,920 Offline	anything that improves your safety is worth more than something like chrome bezels or an upgraded stereo.

Jan 8th, 2007, 08:27 PM	#4 (permalink)
Fin Giggity-goo! Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Dangling by a thread Local Time: 02:00 AM Posts: 2,640 Offline	Definitely go for Xenons. They light up the road much better

Jan 8th, 2007, 08:51 PM	#6 (permalink)
Lozzer MINI2 Newbie Join Date: May 2006 Location: Kent Local Time: 03:00 AM Posts: 17 Offline	Agree with Fin - I initially went for them for them cos' they look better than the std lights. So glad I did, they are fantastic. One thing I have noticed is that I tend to get flashed every so often from oncoming traffic. I suspect it's because they are a lot brighter than std lights and being mounted on the bonnet makes them more prone to judder.

Jan 8th, 2007, 08:56 PM	#7 (permalink)
jcwjim Jimmer Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Oxfordshire Local Time: 02:00 AM Posts: 36 Offline	That's everyone so far reckoning it's a option worth going for, me included. You know they're bright when people flash you even with a properly adjusted beam. It's pretty rare I use the full beam even on roads I don't know.

Jan 8th, 2007, 09:08 PM	#8 (permalink)
daffodildeb Waiting... Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Lake Conroe, TX Local Time: 08:00 PM Posts: 18 Offline	I started a thread on NAM, and it's run to 4 pages. MINI COOPER :: North American Motoring - Xenon headlights?

Jan 9th, 2007, 03:50 AM	#9 (permalink)
MyMiniTakesMyMoney Go Go Gus!!! Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: County Durham Local Time: 02:00 AM Posts: 68 Offline	Yep go for xenons. I have xenons on my 2005 cooper and I honestly can't imagine being without them. On a safety level they light up the roads so well (in fact driving with normal headlights for me is plain scary now). Apart from safety, think about how they look! just from looks they are amazing on the car! If your'e ever in the mood to impress onlookers there's nothing better than watching people's faces as the washers pop out and clean the headlights. I feel it's purely for show as i've never needed headlight washers before but I love them!

Jan 9th, 2007, 07:29 AM	#10 (permalink)
SNJ MINI2 Newbie Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: SE London Local Time: 03:00 AM Posts: 42 Offline	Thanks very much for the advice so far....seems like xenons are the way to go!

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