MINI2

mace · Nov 30th, 2004, 04:11 PM

Hi guys, I just purchased a 2005 MC-S and I have a question regarding xenon headlamps. When I hit bumps or irregularities in the roads, the Xenons flicker really fast. Is that normal? Thanks.

RedUn · Nov 30th, 2004, 07:21 PM

u sure it aint just the car moving on the road??

fadec · Nov 30th, 2004, 08:26 PM

"Flickering" is not normal. Probably should have it looked in to by your service dept.

If it's just "shaking" as you go over bumps... well that is normal. With the focused beams having a more noticeable illumination line it is much easier to see how bumps effect the direction of the light beam.

mace · Nov 30th, 2004, 09:24 PM

Yeah that's what I meant. It doesn't turn on/off really fast but it shakes which I thought it flickers. But now that you says if it "shakes", then I guess I'm ok.

Hat · Dec 1st, 2004, 07:08 AM

the xenon lamp piece is self-levelling, so as you go over a bump & the car's attitude changes, the bulb tries to stay level

fadec · Dec 1st, 2004, 09:46 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by Hat

the xenon lamp piece is self-levelling, so as you go over a bump & the car's attitude changes, the bulb tries to stay level

But only to a degree. They are limited on movement and aren't as fast in doing so then say a BMW 5 series. As much as I hate to say it... it's kind of a cheaper, lower grade version they installed on the Mini's. The self leveling feature has never preformed very well on my car or any other Mini I've known.

minigolf · Dec 1st, 2004, 10:33 AM

I have the old skool xenons (haha my car isn't even 6 months old yet!) ... anyway, flickering is normal IMO.

nadaCooperSyet · Dec 2nd, 2004, 12:09 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by fadec

But only to a degree. They are limited on movement and aren't as fast in doing so then say a BMW 5 series. As much as I hate to say it... it's kind of a cheaper, lower grade version they installed on the Mini's. The self leveling feature has never preformed very well on my car or any other Mini I've known.

As I understand it, the self-leveling isn't designed to react to changes in the road (bumps and such) but to changes in the car (weight distribution). So the xenons will be aimed correctly whether your 300 lb buddy is in the back seat or not.

Tom D · Dec 2nd, 2004, 01:06 AM

I have never noticed shaking or flickering of the xenon headlights on my 02 car. I would think it would be worth mentioning this at your next service visit. Even on rough roads mine seem perfectly still.

pocketrocketowner · Dec 3rd, 2004, 12:10 PM

Amen to Tom D's advise. The only time mine flicker is when you first turn them on, otherwise, solid as a rock.

EBMCS03 · Dec 4th, 2004, 06:48 PM

Ya get it checked out... unless you mean it shakes with respect to the car... as in the bump made your whole car move up one inch and the headlights also moved up one inch...

cooper4me · Dec 4th, 2004, 08:27 PM

I've experienced the same flickering/shaking as mace has (05 MCS). It seems as if the beam on the ground moves like a rather loose object mounted on the shaking car. Doesn't have a very quality feeling to it.

The leveling however reacts a bit slower and is basically working on bigger bumps only.

I think when you're going really fast at night and the surface is not 100% even, everybody who sees you in his rear view mirror will be properly frightened.

EBMCS03 · Dec 4th, 2004, 10:11 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by cooper4me

I think when you're going really fast at night and the surface is not 100% even, everybody who sees you in his rear view mirror will be properly frightened.

Hahahahahahaahah

mace · Dec 4th, 2004, 10:20 PM

Yeah, it gives me a feeling that there is a loose power connection when I hit bumps or small potholes.

cooper4me · Dec 4th, 2004, 10:25 PM

@mace: you mean yours is really going on-off-on. I'm pretty sure mine are just moving/vibrating up and down.

@ebmc..: When I first noticed this, it was actually me who was frightened

It does make people move out of my way though

Nov 30th, 2004, 04:11 PM	#1
mace MINI2 Newbie Join Date: Oct 2004 Local Time: 02:55 PM Posts: 34 Offline	ATTN please: Owners with Xenon headlamps Hi guys, I just purchased a 2005 MC-S and I have a question regarding xenon headlamps. When I hit bumps or irregularities in the roads, the Xenons flicker really fast. Is that normal? Thanks. RIP - 95 BMW M3 (extremely modded) NEW - 05 Mini Cooper S

Nov 30th, 2004, 08:26 PM	#3 (permalink)
fadec MINI2 Regular Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Wandering Nomad Local Time: 04:55 PM Posts: 112 Offline	"Flickering" is not normal. Probably should have it looked in to by your service dept. If it's just "shaking" as you go over bumps... well that is normal. With the focused beams having a more noticeable illumination line it is much easier to see how bumps effect the direction of the light beam. EB/W MCS

Nov 30th, 2004, 09:24 PM	#4 (permalink)
mace MINI2 Newbie Join Date: Oct 2004 Local Time: 02:55 PM Posts: 34 Offline	Yeah that's what I meant. It doesn't turn on/off really fast but it shakes which I thought it flickers. But now that you says if it "shakes", then I guess I'm ok. RIP - 95 BMW M3 (extremely modded) NEW - 05 Mini Cooper S

Dec 1st, 2004, 09:46 AM	#6 (permalink)
fadec MINI2 Regular Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Wandering Nomad Local Time: 04:55 PM Posts: 112 Offline	Quote: Originally Posted by Hat the xenon lamp piece is self-levelling, so as you go over a bump & the car's attitude changes, the bulb tries to stay level But only to a degree. They are limited on movement and aren't as fast in doing so then say a BMW 5 series. As much as I hate to say it... it's kind of a cheaper, lower grade version they installed on the Mini's. The self leveling feature has never preformed very well on my car or any other Mini I've known. EB/W MCS

Dec 1st, 2004, 10:33 AM	#7 (permalink)
minigolf Blue is the colour! Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Canberra, Australia Local Time: 08:55 AM Posts: 14,071 Offline	I have the old skool xenons (haha my car isn't even 6 months old yet!) ... anyway, flickering is normal IMO. Sabine Schmitz: Fear disturbs your concentration.

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Nov 30th, 2004, 07:21 PM	#2 (permalink)
RedUn MUGEN POWER Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: s2ki.com Local Time: 11:55 PM Posts: 11,615 Offline	u sure it aint just the car moving on the road??

Dec 1st, 2004, 07:08 AM	#5 (permalink)
Hat cook pass babtridge My Classifieds Join Date: Oct 2002 Local Time: 11:55 PM Posts: 15,884 Offline	the xenon lamp piece is self-levelling, so as you go over a bump & the car's attitude changes, the bulb tries to stay level

Dec 2nd, 2004, 12:09 AM	#8 (permalink)
nadaCooperSyet MINI2 Newbie Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Seattle Local Time: 03:55 PM Posts: 22 Offline	Self-leveling prevents blinding oncoming cars Quote: Originally Posted by fadec But only to a degree. They are limited on movement and aren't as fast in doing so then say a BMW 5 series. As much as I hate to say it... it's kind of a cheaper, lower grade version they installed on the Mini's. The self leveling feature has never preformed very well on my car or any other Mini I've known. As I understand it, the self-leveling isn't designed to react to changes in the road (bumps and such) but to changes in the car (weight distribution). So the xenons will be aimed correctly whether your 300 lb buddy is in the back seat or not. 05 MCS HB/W w/ all 3 pkgs and a bit o chrome Born September 3, 2004!

Dec 2nd, 2004, 01:06 AM	#9 (permalink)
Tom D MINI2 Regular Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Derby, Kansas, USA Local Time: 05:55 PM Posts: 339 Offline	I have never noticed shaking or flickering of the xenon headlights on my 02 car. I would think it would be worth mentioning this at your next service visit. Even on rough roads mine seem perfectly still. Tom 02 EB/B MCS

Dec 3rd, 2004, 12:10 PM	#10 (permalink)
pocketrocketowner Best Personal Regards Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ile de Vaux, France Local Time: 11:55 PM Posts: 2,037 Offline	Amen to Tom D's advise. The only time mine flicker is when you first turn them on, otherwise, solid as a rock.

Dec 4th, 2004, 06:48 PM	#11 (permalink)
EBMCS03 M5 Extraordinare! Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: So Cal Local Time: 03:55 PM Posts: 6,777 Offline	Ya get it checked out... unless you mean it shakes with respect to the car... as in the bump made your whole car move up one inch and the headlights also moved up one inch... EB/W MCS Arrived (3/26/03) SOLD 4/25/06

Dec 4th, 2004, 08:27 PM	#12 (permalink)
cooper4me MINI2 Regular Join Date: Jul 2003 Local Time: 12:55 AM Posts: 76 Offline	I've experienced the same flickering/shaking as mace has (05 MCS). It seems as if the beam on the ground moves like a rather loose object mounted on the shaking car. Doesn't have a very quality feeling to it. The leveling however reacts a bit slower and is basically working on bigger bumps only. I think when you're going really fast at night and the surface is not 100% even, everybody who sees you in his rear view mirror will be properly frightened. vrooooooooooom

Dec 4th, 2004, 10:11 PM	#13 (permalink)
EBMCS03 M5 Extraordinare! Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: So Cal Local Time: 03:55 PM Posts: 6,777 Offline	Quote: Originally Posted by cooper4me I think when you're going really fast at night and the surface is not 100% even, everybody who sees you in his rear view mirror will be properly frightened. Hahahahahahaahah EB/W MCS Arrived (3/26/03) SOLD 4/25/06

Dec 4th, 2004, 10:20 PM	#14 (permalink)
mace MINI2 Newbie Join Date: Oct 2004 Local Time: 02:55 PM Posts: 34 Offline	Yeah, it gives me a feeling that there is a loose power connection when I hit bumps or small potholes. RIP - 95 BMW M3 (extremely modded) NEW - 05 Mini Cooper S

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Dec 4th, 2004, 10:25 PM	#15 (permalink)
cooper4me MINI2 Regular Join Date: Jul 2003 Local Time: 12:55 AM Posts: 76 Offline	@mace: you mean yours is really going on-off-on. I'm pretty sure mine are just moving/vibrating up and down. @ebmc..: When I first noticed this, it was actually me who was frightened It does make people move out of my way though vrooooooooooom

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