Are the headlight susceptible to cracking under normal driving conditions.

Has anyone had there headlights crack by pebbles while freeway driving?

Just wondering if i should install 8 mill or 20 mill protection film for the lights.

 

No protection on mine. My 02 is a daily driver and haven't noticed so much as a pit on a h/l lense. I did have a turn signal lense bust....I figure a very lucky random shot, and I was ples'ntly su'prized how little the replacement part cost. Only happened once. 07 also daily driven and no problem yet.

I lived in CA for a few years - Bay area - and never lost a windshield, much less a h/l in any of my vehicles....and I was usually near the port industrial areas.

 

Knock on wood - we've not had any broken lights at all...

Donna

 

I'm glad none of you had any bad luck in that department.

Any close calls? I'm concern about the headlight lens actually getting hit by road pebbles, is the lens strong enough to withstand the impact. I realize if a good enough size one was in your direct path it would cause some damage, but It seem the plastic lens is quite durable.

 

Close calls? The times rocks have hit my windshield and broken it I haven't known where the rock came from. U ask about "near misses"?

If you believe the "sky is falling" attack of the sales person, buy the film....and the extended warranty....and the 3M seat stain protection....and the nitrogen tire fill...

Me...after buying once or twice I don't anymore. But me thinks I've only bought some 30 cars in my time....

 

We've taken MANY a road trip, lots of miles on each one of our MINIs...and no damage so far. But there is always that chance. We've had 1 cracked windshield but no lights.

Donna

 

Well I guess if spending $25 for headlight film protection helps me feel better, I'll do it it's not much money compared to a cracked headlight...if it ever happens. I guess it's just one of those things, bad luck , kharma, wrong place at the worng time. if a pebble decides to be in your path......

I guess I would be worried if I got alot of reponses frm other owners mentioning broken headlights.

 

so your real qustion would be 'has anyone with this film had a headlight or turnsignal busted?"

If 5 people with film say 'yes' I'd say the stuff is ......

No replies at all....the question would still be open in my mind. This is the outcome I'd expect so .... it is your $25 dude!

 

I just got my car 2 days ago, so its only natural for me to feel, I don't know, over protective ... I guess I should be more worried about big rigs than pebbles.

 

I have the Xpel film, which is rather thick. In addition to protecting against cracking due to big hits, it will also protect against pitting that makes headlights look hazy over the years.

 

Like Capt BJ, I have an '02 daily driver. Two windshields, nary a nick, scratch, or ding in the headlights. I know for a fact that one got whacked with a rock (I saw it ricochet off and up), but I couldn't find a mark where it hit. Damn tough stuff.

 

I've had headlight protectors on since the car was new, no damage. Later on I put protectors on the fog lights and turn signals.

 

The headlight lenses are rather tough otherwise you would see so many Mini's with cracked lenses on them driving around.

But to answer your question no nicks on either of my headlights.But I did buy a clear bra to protect the paint on the hood and mirrors from rock chips though.

 

Thinking about putting some simple film over my headlights.. better safe than sorry.... not sure which way to go... has anyone tried this stuff?? if the link doesn't work the EBay product # is 310287642628. at only $15...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Clear...item483e95b004

Any other opinions appreciated...

 

There are lots of MINIs in the SF Bay Area (I see dozens daily, hundreds weekly). In the past 6 years, I have never seen a MINI with a cracked headlight. Not even a single one.

I think a film on the headlight lens will tend to make it look cloudy. Certainly it will happen as the soft film gets abrasion from normal driving.

 

First... I'm not wanting the film to protect them from getting broken.. I want the film to protect them from the daily sandblasting, real-world road abuse. I'll assume you've seen headlights after long-term use that are so abused they look milky. I recenty had to re-surface the headlights on my wifes Honda Insight for this very reason....Just trying to avoid that with some cheap protection.

Second.. we've been selling 3M headlight protector kits for years for our BMW (motorcycle) customers and after years they still look crystal clear like glass. Zero cloudiness. If the Mini headlight wasn't so curvaceous.. I'd use some of our in house material... I'm just wondering A. if anyone has tried this Ebay kit or B. what alternatives are available to this newbie...

 

I had a pebble go through a welcome light... haven't come around to replacing yet, hope it isn't much.

 

In 30 years of driving, I've had one light cracked because of a pebble, that was an indicator lens not a headlight (and it wasn't on a MINI).

 

You've had a good history with it and 3M has a great reputation. I'd try to make it work before looking at other products. Would a hairdryer or heat gun soften it enough to make it work? As demonstrated here: https://www.xpel.com/support/install...murano.flv&f=1

 

I wish!... No.. the Mini headlight has zero flat surfaces on it.. it's more like an eye ball.. Getting flat material to bend to it even with a dryer would be virtually impossible. It could probably be done with multiple pieces of 3M, but it would probaby look like crap....

I wonder if anyone makes a pre-formed hard plastic cover similar to these?http://pirateslair.net/headlightS.htm

 

I installed the lamin-x film on mine a few months back. pretty east install, and looks great after a couple days. the small bubbles left behind breathe and disappear. my mom just got a new VW passat, we ordered the films from lamin-x for her car. easy installs on both and will prevent any hazing or cracking.

I'll never have another car without them. they save the headlights, and cost me I think $45?? definitely worth it... google lamin-x