Hi,
In the R series the non-xenon headlights were very poor. Are the Fxx halogen headlights worse/same/better than the R56?

On the R series the halogen lights/housings can be removed, the xenon ones installed, and might be good to go. Otherwise a footwell module reprogram at the dealer was needed. For the F series can the headlight upgrade be easily done after the fact?

Thanks!!

 

I can't compare them to the R56 but the standard halogen headlights suck on the F, The LED head lights are so much better.

 

Saw a couple justas while driving in Seattle in the rain tonight. Their halogens looked pretty sad.

 

If you are in the market for a F56, I would just splurge the extra little bit for the LED lights

 

Thanks for the replies. A purchase by a family member was made after posting but before the comments. I have not been in the new MINI with halogens at night. Any idea if the LED can be back fitted, and what the process/parts/cost would be? It was around $1000 for the 14 Countryman retrofit to BiXenons.

 

I haven't looked to much into it but it's not an easy mod if I remember correctly. No idea on cost.

 

The only upgrade I know that are plug compatible is the Chinese LED knockoffs that use HID headlights.

 

I wound up ordering a Justa with the halogens as the extras I did order (primarily the signature interior package and HK sound) put me at the limit of what I thought a Justa was worth (even with my negotiated discount). I struggled between choosing either the Halogens or HK system and while deciding found some youtube videos showing the car being driven at night with halogens, which convinced me that while the LEDs look great, the Halogens are bright enough. I would recommend searching for those videos and having a look before driving yourself crazy trying to decide if a mod is worth it. Of course, this is assuming that the car is on order and you can't see it in person anytime soon.

 

The first time you drive in the rain with the Halogens on poorly lit roads you will regret that decision. It might look bright enough in youtube videos but that means nothing. Cameras pickup light differently than your eyes. Change the exposure and it can look a lot brighter.

Test drive the car at night to judge the car's headlights. Almost no one ever does that. I have a Oxford edition cooper with halogens and a JCW with LEDS, both 2019s. The LEDs are almost twice as bright and their light pattern is much better. If we could've gotten the Oxford with LEDs, we would've but there were no options for it.

 

You may be right, but it's too late now, at least for me. Still think the videos are worth a look, although your points about cameras picking up light are fair. In any event, since I've never had LEDs at least I won't know what I'm missing.

 

As long as the car you ordered didn't go into production, you have a good chance of changing it.

 

Thanks, but my car is almost out of production so it's too late for me. In any event, I'm fine with my decision of the HK over the LEDs as I didn't see the value in the premium package and I couldn't order both without upgrading to the full package. As I said before, since I've never had LEDs I won't know what I'm missing.

 

I’ve had both, prefer the LED’s, but you can do a bulb swap easily enough and pick up about a 25% improvement with the halogens you are getting. I swapped some Sylvania Silver Stars into my wife’s Ridgeline and it made a big improvement. You’ll be fine. I really don’t like Mini’s “trim levels” system, but I guess it simplifies things for them.

 

I read the most recent led headlight reviews on bulbfacts.com. From what I read I can easily and vastly improve the headlights by changing the halogens with very bright leds. However, the site indicates the headlights might need adjusting to get the light pattern correct. I had no idea its possible to adjust the pattern. Can someone lead me to asource of information regarding how to do this.

 

Thanks for all it great input. I have yet toride in it at night. It is their new car so installing LED headlamps would void part of the warranty. I'll suggest the brighter Syivania light bulbs. Again thanks for all the great input!