Is it just me, or are the HID headlamps for the lowbeams only? It looks like standard halogens come on when I hit the highbeam switch. Kinda disappointing if you ask me...

 

Yes, HID only for low beam only... They are not bi-xenon like some cars today. But even most with bi-xenon still use a halogen to help the HID when they are on high beam..

 

Thanks...this is my first car with HID's so I wasn't sure.

 

Hmmm. I am not sure about that. At least with the E46 3 series with Bi-Xenons, the halogen lights are used for DRL function. When the DRL function is turned off, the Xenons provide both high and low beams (which is why they are called Bi-Xenon...). But definitely nothing like that on the MINI - only low beam for Xenons

 

Just the Xenons are brighter than the highs on my other car.
LOVE the Xenons

 

Xenons on the mini work great... Hardly ever use the high beams... I tried the high-beams and they seem quite effective... I see nothing to complain about..

 

Different cars use that differently.

For example, I know the Porsches use the Halogen bulb ONLY for "flashing", that is, too pass.

If DRLs are on the Xenon bulb is on full-strength which is a good reason why NOT to have DRLs on those cars.

BTW, with the highs on in the MINI, aren't the Xenon lows on at the same time. I thought so?

 

Yep

Love that as compared to the bimmer which turned off the lows when the highs were on.