[ricci]

I am so so disappointed with my COOPER's headlights. Even on full beam the illumination is terrible. I've even upgraded the bulbs to HELLA XENON COOL BLUE and it has only made marginal difference...

I am seriously considering the auxiliary driving lamps (rally lights) but I need some advice from anyone else who may have had a similar problem. Are those driving lights worth the money? Are they really going to improve the night lighting that much?

Cheers from downunder!

[swamos]

Quote:

Originally posted by ricci
I am so so disappointed with my COOPER's headlights. Even on full beam the illumination is terrible. I've even upgraded the bulbs to HELLA XENON COOL BLUE and it has only made marginal difference...

I am seriously considering the auxiliary driving lamps (rally lights) but I need some advice from anyone else who may have had a similar problem. Are those driving lights worth the money? Are they really going to improve the night lighting that much?

Cheers from downunder!

Firstly, welcome to MINI2 There are a few lurkers on the board here from Brisvegas. We'll have to meet up some time. I think I saw your car a couple of months back in parked in Milton. Is that possible?

In regards to the headlight problem, I'm sorry that they don't live up to your expectations. I'm sure you can fit some auxillary lights that would help out.

However, you should be aware that it is illegal in QLD to drive (low beam) with more than one set of headlamps on. I got pulled up a few years back for driving with my fog lights on. Good luck!

[jtalarico]

I've just picked up my MCS with Xenons. I think they do a remarkable job illuminating the road, and high beams are quite intense. I have no complaints so far, but less than 200 miles are on the odo.

[GoMiniGo]

I got the Xenons and must say that they are the incredible! They really light up the road and the high beams are the best I have seen. No complaints here.

Plus it is fun watching the Xenon's level while driving!

BTW, the fogs also do a good job lighting up the side of the road too.

[duboy]

gominigo,

i have a MCS on order with Xenons....what do you mean that it's fun to watch the xenon's level while driving? sorry if that's a dumb question. i don't know much about xenon headlamps, i just know that they're supposed to be great headlamps. :-D

[DrkSlvrS]

duboy -
One feature of the Xeon headlights is that they automatically "level" themselves. When you first switch them on they will take a second and then move. If another person sits in the car they will "level" to the extra weight on the other side of the car. As you drive down the road they will continue to try and keep the light level no matter what the attitude of your car.
They are fun to watch

[ricci]

I think you guys might have misunderstood me... My Cooper came without Xenons, but since the lighting was so bad, I went out and bought some Hella Xenon bulbs and installed them myself...No improvement

[rjwhittington]

Ricci, I think you have been caught by a marketing con. The Xenon in your replacement lights refers to "Xenon like" e.g. they generate a blue aura around the beam. A nice effect for the children, but a bit useless otherwise.

I was wondering if anyone had tried putting spots in the lower grill area (oh er misses), or would this be too low to effectively act as a dipped beam?

[swamos]

We have xenons and they are fine. I've never been in a conventional mini, so can't make any comparisons. The xenon lights you are talking about are supposed to be 30% bighter than standard bulbs. However there's a chance that the mini had better than normal halogen bulbs to start with At least they will look blue

[Dom]

I've got standard halogen and don't find any problems

Is the lense dirty, have you tried adjusting the height with the dial down on the drivers side of the dash?

Dom

[Martin L]

Quote:

Originally posted by ricci
I think you guys might have misunderstood me... My Cooper came without Xenons, but since the lighting was so bad, I went out and bought some Hella Xenon bulbs and installed them myself...No improvement

Welcome to MINI2

I totally agree Ricci, it's one of the week features of the Cooper, IMO the lights just aren't bright enough and the pattern does not extend out far ahead enough of the car.
This is a reason why I have gone for Xenons on my S.

The only solustion as you have said is the driving lights. At least you can be reassured that they look pretty cool

[swamos]

Quote:

Originally posted by Martin L

Welcome to MINI2

I totally agree Ricci, it's one of the week features of the Cooper, IMO the lights just aren't bright enough and the pattern does not extend out far ahead enough of the car.
This is a reason why I have gone for Xenons on my S.

The only solustion as you have said is the driving lights. At least you can be reassured that they look pretty cool

I'm sure the policemen will understand

[dcfkan]

I am happy with my standard Cooper headlamps. On the rare ocassions when I had to use full beam I was pleasantly surprised by their range and intensity of illumination.

No complaint here

DK

P.S. Welcome to MINI2 and happy MINI motoring

[dietcokeplease]

I don't have any problems with the standard headlights. I think it's a metter of perception. IMO the lights are very good compared to Jap cars. I had a 7 year old Saab and to drive that at night shows how far lenses and reflector technology has progresses in the MINI.

Xenon bulbs are a misnomer. They contain an amount of xenon gas which allows the bulb to run hotter and produce more light. The downside of runner hotter is that they burn out much much quicker. I was replacing "xenon bulbs" once a month (I do a lot of night driving) and at £10 a pop they aren't cheap. I reverted back to standard bulbs and they've lasted about 2 years so far.

As Dom says, check the headlamp leveller switch is on zero and failing that get your dealer to check the headlamp alignment.

[ricci]

Cheers for the advice everyone...

You know, the bloody Hella Cool Blue Xenons don't even have the slightest tinge of blue in them. I have my beam adjustment setting on zero so it can't be that. I've asked my dealer about it and he says that they may be able to adjust the trajectory of light...I doubt it will work since it just seems that lights don't have the illuminatory power I would have expected

i might have to convince my wife to let me get the Aux. Driving Lamps...Thing is, I hope that the $700 extra means at least double the lighting power I have now flood and range.

[jlivingood]

Are you sure your lights are adjusted up enough? Many of the MINIs are coming with the lights pointed down too much. Search the forum for "adjusting headlights" for directions.

I need to do it to my S with Xenons - the are way too low.

Jason

[pdubyab]

I agree the performance of the standard headlamps is not up to the performance of the car - particularly on unlit "twisties".

You might want to try some Philips Vision Plus bulbs in the low or high beams (or both). They are definitely brighter than the standard bulbs and offer some improvement.

Also, get your alignment checked. Mine were set too low at the factory and the effect was most noticeable on high beam on unlit roads. I had been seriously considering getting the aux. lamps fitted but since getting the headlamp alignment adjusted and the Vision Plus bulbs installed, I think it's less of a necessity (also, check out the threads on the aux lamps on the "exterior" forum - it seems they are not problem-free)

Subject to seeing the difference for myself I think I would definitely go for Xenons next time. If what others have said about their performance is correct, they seem to be the ultimate answer.

[photon]

as delivered, my MINI's xenon lamps put lots of light just in front of me, but barely any light down the road.

so, i had my dealership check the aim and they confirmed that the lamps were dipped too low. now that they've corrected the aim, i have plenty of useful light way down the road, and feel very comfortable at night.

hopefully this is the situation with your halogen lamp MINIs also.

[Bilbo Baggins]

ricci,
If you want to know why the "Xenon" bulbs didn't work, check out this site. http://lighting.mbz.org/
it will open your eyes about light and glare.

As for the auxilliary lights, the best way to be sure that the ones you buy will produce that light you desire is to do some research and find reviews of "driving" lights and "fog" lights. Only believe reviews from un-biased sources, such as, magazines, consumer report type organizations, car clubs, etc. Discount any articles provided by light manufacturers or retailers, they are just trying to push their product.

The use of bulbs that produce more candlepower than the factory lights is most likely against the law.

Good luck!

[billkrz]

Quote:

Originally posted by jlivingood
Are you sure your lights are adjusted up enough? Many of the MINIs are coming with the lights pointed down too much. Search the forum for "adjusting headlights" for directions.

I need to do it to my S with Xenons - the are way too low.

Jason

Ditto for me. My Cooper's headlights were pointed too low as wel. Once I adjusted them to the same height as my other vehicle's, they are just fine. Also, my fogs were also adjusted way too low. Now, they are great!!

I also have tried "alternative" bulbs and was disappointed in their performance. I've found that Phillips were the best for halogen.