F56 Mini headlights brighter than the sun?
Discussion
I don’t tend to get dazzled by modern LED headlights thankfully, but Minis are very much the exception to that. If there’s one approaching from behind on a motorway I move my arm to block the door mirror until it’s gone past. I’m amazed they managed to get through any kind of certification/type approval.
SWMBO has a JCW and the lights are bloody bright, certainly at least as good as the F10 Dad had.
However surely the above issues are just a case of bad adjustment/not dipping the lights for load as appropriate? Me and her are both over 6 foot which effectively renders the rear seats useless and the car never has more than an overnight bag in the boot, so it's never loaded up and very rarely do the lights project anywhere near to the rear windows of the cars in front.
I don't believe the lights are self levelling like traditional xenons would be, but I could be wrong. If not, maybe that's the solution?
However surely the above issues are just a case of bad adjustment/not dipping the lights for load as appropriate? Me and her are both over 6 foot which effectively renders the rear seats useless and the car never has more than an overnight bag in the boot, so it's never loaded up and very rarely do the lights project anywhere near to the rear windows of the cars in front.
I don't believe the lights are self levelling like traditional xenons would be, but I could be wrong. If not, maybe that's the solution?
I drove an 2014 F56 Cooper with LED headlights for almost 5 years, before I got the Clubman.... which went last week... doh!
Anyway the LED lights are really good, loved the way the switch between full and dipped is instant. I did get flashed a few times, when I flashed back in reply you could see their little faces properly lit.
With my Cooper the indicators weren't very visible, but on the LCI models the whole DRL is the indicator, so that's a decent improvement.
AS for the F54 brake lights, I think that's one of the worst bits of them, and definitely easy to think they're running with fogs on.
Anyway the LED lights are really good, loved the way the switch between full and dipped is instant. I did get flashed a few times, when I flashed back in reply you could see their little faces properly lit.
With my Cooper the indicators weren't very visible, but on the LCI models the whole DRL is the indicator, so that's a decent improvement.
AS for the F54 brake lights, I think that's one of the worst bits of them, and definitely easy to think they're running with fogs on.
bristolracer said:
Love the fact those getting flashed have to put their main beam on just to show the already blinded driver how good their lights really are.
No! look this is my main beam isn't it bright?
Yep, they keep popping up don't they, there is a strange lack of connection going on it their brains.No! look this is my main beam isn't it bright?
Dont like rolls said:
bristolracer said:
Love the fact those getting flashed have to put their main beam on just to show the already blinded driver how good their lights really are.
No! look this is my main beam isn't it bright?
Yep, they keep popping up don't they, there is a strange lack of connection going on it their brains.No! look this is my main beam isn't it bright?
Don't suggest going to side-lights or a quick switch off, A) that's not really very safe, and might confuse the hard of thinking, B) MINI designed the light switches and their location last thing on a Friday afternoon, pretty much hidden by the wheel.
Aberdeen and the shire are awash with MINIs, I've never mistaken one for having full beams on, but If these really are that bad, please accept my sincere apologies.
Currently driving an '06 5 series kindly loaned by a mate, so I'm ok for now.
Limpet said:
Has to be an alignment issue. We have an F54 Clubman with LEDs and have never been flashed by an oncoming car in 30,000 miles.
Fantastic headlamps. Probably the best of any car I've driven.
I’ve no complaints about the LEDs in our Clubman. However, I think they’re engineered to illuminate at just under the level that requires headlight washers and auto levelling. 2,000 lumens I think. I’m pretty sure ours has neither, and so perhaps this is the cause of the problem? I’m away at the moment otherwise I’d check Fantastic headlamps. Probably the best of any car I've driven.
mikeswagon said:
Dont like rolls said:
bristolracer said:
Love the fact those getting flashed have to put their main beam on just to show the already blinded driver how good their lights really are.
No! look this is my main beam isn't it bright?
Yep, they keep popping up don't they, there is a strange lack of connection going on it their brains.No! look this is my main beam isn't it bright?
Don't suggest going to side-lights or a quick switch off, A) that's not really very safe, and might confuse the hard of thinking, B) MINI designed the light switches and their location last thing on a Friday afternoon, pretty much hidden by the wheel.
Aberdeen and the shire are awash with MINIs, I've never mistaken one for having full beams on, but If these really are that bad, please accept my sincere apologies.
Currently driving an '06 5 series kindly loaned by a mate, so I'm ok for now.
I’d get a few flashes in my old vRS too which had xenons.
I’m amazed at how bad old halogens are; the bulbs in my other half’s E87 were awful. They really been swapped out for some Philips jobbies which are much better.
Don't expect the MOT to pick up these sort of misalignments, their equipment isn't accurate enough to set the beams 'properly' but then again neither is the manufacturers kit.
Modern mini headlights are a right pain in the retina, one of my cars has led rear brake lights and I am conscious of not keeping my foot on the brake because they are so bright in the dark, others are less considerate I'm sure.
Modern mini headlights are a right pain in the retina, one of my cars has led rear brake lights and I am conscious of not keeping my foot on the brake because they are so bright in the dark, others are less considerate I'm sure.
gottans said:
...one of my cars has led rear brake lights and I am conscious of not keeping my foot on the brake because they are so bright in the dark, others are less considerate I'm sure.
Funny you should say that - I was sat behind an X3 at the lights the other evening and they had their foot in the brake the whole time.. I did consider giving them a blast of full-beam but thought the intention might be misinterpreted.However it did get me thinking, with autos becoming more popular and lights getting brighter (not to mention people becoming less considerate!) will this be more common place?
I remember my mates all making a thing of it when we all passed our driving tests 'Dude.. take your foot off the brake!!'...
Steamer said:
Funny you should say that - I was sat behind an X3 at the lights the other evening and they had their foot in the brake the whole time.. I did consider giving them a blast of full-beam but thought the intention might be misinterpreted.
However it did get me thinking, with autos becoming more popular and lights getting brighter (not to mention people becoming less considerate!) will this be more common place?
I remember my mates all making a thing of it when we all passed our driving tests 'Dude.. take your foot off the brake!!'...
The brake lights are probably only on because the car will have an auo hand brake which keeps the brake lights on regardless of whether feet are on the pedal....However it did get me thinking, with autos becoming more popular and lights getting brighter (not to mention people becoming less considerate!) will this be more common place?
I remember my mates all making a thing of it when we all passed our driving tests 'Dude.. take your foot off the brake!!'...
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff