We picked up a (nearly) new 57 plate Mini Cooper on 26th Jan and, after taking it out one evening, were immediately aware that the quality of illumination when the headlights were set to main beam was nothing like the quality we got from our previous, 04 plate Cooper. When the main beam is activated the normal beam seems to switch off, leaving an unlit area directly in front of the car. Additionally, the light produced on main beam is not uniform – it is scattered resulting in an effect similar to light reflected from a wet surface. The only way to get a safe level of light is to use the ‘Flash’ option rather than the main beam position on the lighting stalk, in which case the road ahead is uniformly lit and visible. The car has ‘normal’ headlights rather than the Xenon option and the leveler on the steering column is correctly set. We’ve just returned from the dealership (very helpful) after having had the car checked over and were informed that it’s working to specification. We’ve invested in a pair of driving lights to compensate and get the car to a state where it feels safe to drive it at night.
I had the same problem with mine, so I swopped the standard bulbs for Philips Xtreme Power bulbs...........they are much better, the light is whiter and projects further.
Just been out in mine around the lanes with plenty of main beam use. Mine seam fine? I can see that the dip beams turn off when you're on main beam, and that the area immediately in front of the car gets dimmer, but at the speeds I was driving (50-65mph) I wasn't concentrating on the area 2m in front of the car?? If I put the front fogs on then the area in front was mostly filled in but again it was irrelevant, I was looking at the road 10-100m in front of the car which was lit up well. This is on a Jan 08 build car.
If you want to talk about visibility issues the windscreen wipers are freakin useless and the washer bottle runs out far too fast!!
The first time we drove ours on an unlit road the dipped beam was pathetic, to the extent that it felt dangerous. There is adjustment under the bonnet but I didn't see why I should do it and risk messing it up so I took it back to Park Lane. They adjusted the lights and they are fine now. The nearside headlight was set way too low - apprently a lot of them come out of the factory like it.
Hard work probably never killed anyone - but why take the risk?
Yes, it's a great shame, but someone in the BMW design department decided that they could get away with swapping to single optic headlamps Consequently, you are going to loose the illumination near the front of the car when going on to main beam This seems completely mad, as single optic halogen lamps now seem restricted to only the very cheapest new cars and vans.
Using the "headlamp flash" feature will allow you to use both dipped and main filaments simultaneously, but may burn the headlamp bulbs out very quickly.
The only answers seem to be either adding Bi-Xenons at the start or adding additional lamps. Why should we have to do this?
I used to have a Fiesta ST, and that had headlights just the same ie the dipped beam went off when the main beam was switched on. I think a lot of new cars must have that type of headlight, if xenons are not fitted. I've got used to the lights on my Mini now (probably cos they are the same as my old car) but if I ordered a new mini I'd make sure it had xenons I think!
The AutoGuide.com network consists of the largest network of enthusiast-owned enthusiast-operated automotive communities.
AutoGuide.com provides the latest car reviews, auto show coverage, new car prices, and automotive news. The AutoGuide network operates more than 100 automotive forums where our users consult peers for shopping information and advice, and share opinions as a community.