Newer Mini headlights..?

JustAnotherSaver

Mini's made in the last few years, their headlights, are they different to most other vehicles on the road or totally the same?

I'm finding that i'm being blinded a lot by the headlights on Mini's when they're oncoming. It's not the same Mini that i keep seeing who has particularly bright lights, otherwise i'd put it down to illegal bulbs or something and wouldn't even be asking this. It's various Mini's but all newer shape. Seem to have a bit of a bright white ring around it.

ElephantBoy57

Maybe the new Mini has LEDs that you are finding very bright. I find headlights in general are too bright. Some put their headlights on, way too soon, others don't have their lights on at all, so it makes it harder to see them.

[Deleted User]

Yes even the daylight running lights are ridiculously bright. 

JustAnotherSaver

Possible LEDs I guess. They look a bit different to when I’ve seen cars that have HIDs fitted. I guess they could be HIDs, they just look a little different. They’re whiter and brighter. 
Only time I ever saw LED headlights was on a YouTube review so I wasn’t sure about in person. 

The fiat 500 sport version. The Abarth? There’s a couple of those too knocking around here that are crazy bright. I don’t know if it’s new technology or bad alignment or what. 

Goudy

The Mini I think has LED's, the Abarth comes with optional Xenon's.
The trouble with them on these sorts of cars is they are meant to be self leveling, but the suspensions are so stiff it's doesn't really work that well.
The cars tend to skip and bounce over the bumps and humps quick quickly and the self leveling can't keep up, so they tend to flick about a bit and can dazzle.

JustAnotherSaver

Sure makes sense. 
On the drive in today I saw another Mini and it was pretty damn bright. I was able to see - they have a spot in the centre with a sort of horseshoe around it. I always hate driving with these cars oncoming. 

EmmyLou30

I have one of the offending minis! Yes they're LED headlights and are supposed to self level (they adjust themselves as you start the car up so you can see the adjustment is functioning ok - though as someone else pointed out, not quick enough over bumps which I think is a fault with most cars).

I regularly get oncoming people flash their headlights at me as if to say dip your main beams you idiot!!! So it clearly does cause issue for a lot of people. I've never had it on any previous car and can never see any other reason for people flashing me so have concluded it's the headlights as opposed to my driving. A work colleague who had me behind them one night told me the next morning my lights should be illegal as they're too bright. 

Mercdriver

I have LEDs on my CX5.  Also have intelligent auto dipping which turns off certain LEDs according to what the camera in the windscreen can see.  In comparison my wife has a newer Ford Edge with very dim halogens.  They pick out hardly anything.  I am glad I drove my car to the Lake District last night rather than hers.  

ElephantBoy57

Mercdriver said:

I have LEDs on my CX5.  Also have intelligent auto dipping which turns off certain LEDs according to what the camera in the windscreen can see.  In comparison my wife has a newer Ford Edge with very dim halogens.  They pick out hardly anything.  I am glad I drove my car to the Lake District last night rather than hers.  

In built-up areas with street lights on, there is no legal requirement for headlights. I prefer to use just sidelights, untill everyone has there headlights on.

With 'ordinary' sidelights, they are not bright enough, some LED are too bright, you cannot win. I think its time for mandatory sidelights, then people might be slower to put their headlights on, when set to manual.

DoaM

ElephantBoy57 said:
I think its time for mandatory sidelights, then people might be slower to put their headlights on, when set to manual.

I think that was the intention for mandatory daytime running lights (DRL) ... perhaps some manufacturers have taken it too far.

photome

I had one of the new minis coming toward me this morning and its headlights were very bright , not quite dazzling ,but very close