OK, now not only am I blinding drivers as they approach on our hilly roads, but on Thursday I get caught in some blinding snow - made MORE blinding by these $@&# Xenon lights and their inherent glare! I know from a bunch of research that the xenons put out a whiter light, and that whiter light glares more, but this isn't about how white the light is, it's about light escaping UP from the lights themselves and glaring off falling snow. Don't get me wrong, they put out a better light pattern than any other light I've had (and I've had quite a few) but for snow driving I'd rather have my old Hella flat-face euro H7's. Maybe there's a retrofit kit...

I'm considering taping or decalling over the top 1/3 of my headlight faces just to try to remove any light coming from the upper "ventilation ports" on my '06 Xenon "gun barrels".

Maybe it's time for a light bar...

Anyone have a solution? Would've gotten the regular halogens but the Xenons came with the Checkmate package... and they're great most other times but in heavy rain or snow .

 

i would try keeping the light low. a light bar wit lower powered lights could be good. in driving to new york every single weekend in incredible snow storms, we have found driving with your lights off is the best way to do it (in lit areas and with NO CARS AROUND YOU)

 

that sucks, but i know what you mean, my uncle lives in chicago and has em, and he had em replaced cause they bothered him to much

 

I should mention I was driving with no headlights as you've suggested BUT had the OE fogs on (which, ahem, aren't the greatest) and that worked OK but with the kindergarten-like range of those blasted things I couldn't see much. At least others could see me with them on. I'm thinking "real good" fogs (not "mini" fogs, but Hellas or something good), mounted just below the OE headlights, might be the hot ticket.

Good thing was traction wasn't a problem (16" Dunlop M3s), and handling was impeccable (naturally, it's a Mini).

 

Have you checked the aim on these lights? Sounds like they might be a bit high.

 

I agree with ScottinBend. We have had snow here for the last few days and I have not had a single problem with mine, they have made it actually easier to see.

 

i would gladly give you my halogens for your xenon lights..of course plus a little cash

 

Don't kn ow if I'm quite ready to give them up yet... was frustrating though. The auto-aimers seem to be doing a dcent enough job, I think it's a combination of the tilted lens face (can't do much about that) and the openings around the "gun barrel", which a simple decal might cover well enough to get through winter. I'm going to play around next weekend with the decal idea, maybe it'll warm up enough to put a coat of "clean" on the car by then.

 

I don't have the xenons but I do have the same problem because I can't freaking turn of my daytime running lights !
Sometimes it's better to drive at night with the lights OFF. It's very rare, but when it's the only freaking way you can see, it makes sense. There is always enough reflective light to see the road and other drivers, especially with flashers.

 

I think some good fogs mounted lower than the headlights, but not too low should do the trick. Definatly turn off the xenons with the foggers on, and you should be fine. Post pics!

 

i thought you could only run the fogs with the lights on?

 

i was meaning the aftermarket lights, not the stockers (they probably wouldn't help too much )

 

The fogs on my 04 can be on with only the running lights on.

The auto balance is just that......it only checks the lights at start up, you can still re-aim the lights for your own preference.

 

My '06 can run the fogs with just the parking lights on but the fogs are about useless . I'll have the dealer check the aim next time in, due for an oil change in 500 miles or so...

Thanks to all for the input... still checking a few options...