MINI Cooper Forum banner

R55/R56 Xeons - switching to left-hand side dipped beam

6.9K views 10 replies 4 participants last post by  J0nesy  
#1 ·
#3 ·
if you feel round the back of the unit, there is a small gap, just big enough for a few fingers.

If you feel in there, you shoudl feel a small lever which you can click from side to side. Simply flick it the opposite way to which it is now and you're done. Of course, on the return journey, just flick it back the other way for the UK
 
#5 ·
LH dip to RH Dip

I'm in the same boat, need to switch my R56 xenons over for a trip to Europe.

On my last car a Golf there was a lever.
On the R56 only the white lever although it does not seem to move, looks like the end of the plastic is designed to have a something put into it to make it easier to change.

Funny thing is if you look at page 96 in your handbook it mentions using a stick on film.
Which I thought was for the standard lights.

But in the index at the back of the book under the heading of Xenons it said to see page 96.

Confused:puzzled:

Is there a BMW/Mini workshop sheet?
 
#6 ·
I'm in the same boat, need to switch my R56 xenons over for a trip to Europe.

On my last car a Golf there was a lever.
On the R56 only the white lever although it does not seem to move, looks like the end of the plastic is designed to have a something put into it to make it easier to change.

Funny thing is if you look at page 96 in your handbook it mentions using a stick on film.
Which I thought was for the standard lights.

But in the index at the back of the book under the heading of Xenons it said to see page 96.

Confused:puzzled:

Is there a BMW/Mini workshop sheet?
I think the white lever will move but only up & down, I've not taken the plunge and moved it yet, I'm gonna have to test it soon tho, I'm away on the 6th June. I've also read that they don't allow the stickers in Europe when u have Xenons :(

Dave
 
#7 ·
R56 Xenon's changing for Europe

According to my local BMW_Mini technician it is the white lever that needs to move downward to convert for LHD configuration.
Change both headlamp levers to the down position.

In case anyone has Xenon's on the 1st generation - post July 2004 - model refresh.
The switch is located under the headlamp igniter.
According to Mini, you need to remove the igniter to get to the switch.
However, it is possible to do this without removing the igniter by using a long screw driver.
See attached images.
 

Attachments

#8 ·
According to my local BMW_Mini technician it is the white lever that needs to move downward to convert for LHD configuration.
Change both headlamp levers to the down position.

In case anyone has Xenon's on the 1st generation - post July 2004 - model refresh.
The switch is located under the headlamp igniter.
According to Mini, you need to remove the igniter to get to the switch.
However, it is possible to do this without removing the igniter by using a long screw driver.
See attached images.
Legend!!!

I will give it a whirl tonight when it gets dark :D

Dave
 
#9 ·
R56 Xenon switching

Hi J0nesy
I have talked to Mini UK, they said that the R56 switching is the same as the post July 2004.
:confused:

So I would take out the igniter and check to see if they are correct or the technician is correct.

As it is a choice of two, then it makes it much easier.

I did check on mine last night, but only by trying to move the white lever.
When you push the lever down there is a click noise, very faint. Only problem was I didn't have time to wait until it got dark to see if it made a difference.

I look forward to your response to confirm which of the two options it is.
 
#10 ·
Hi J0nesy
I have talked to Mini UK, they said that the R56 switching is the same as the post July 2004.
:confused:

So I would take out the igniter and check to see if they are correct or the technician is correct.

As it is a choice of two, then it makes it much easier.

I did check on mine last night, but only by trying to move the white lever.
When you push the lever down there is a click noise, very faint. Only problem was I didn't have time to wait until it got dark to see if it made a difference.

I look forward to your response to confirm which of the two options it is.
Yeah I had a go too but in the dark, it does make a very faint noise, and it seems that it does move them ever so slightly, now whether or not its enough is another question!! I think it probably is, but its a tricky one!! I've not looked into option 2 yet, might have another try soon, its not the easiest thing to test is it really!!

Cheers

Dave