I just picked up GP #0601 and absolutely love it except for one thing...I can't remember to turn the damn manual headlights off! I also have an R52 JCW Sidewalk with the automatic headlights so I'm used to them just shutting off automatically. Is there any way to retrofit this functionality? It was funny when I first received the car I called the previous owner and tried to explain to him that the headlights were broken. We both had a good laugh. Coming from the R52 I thought all MINI's had automatic headlights.

 

The factory option was auto headlights and auto wipers combined (can't be ordered separately), because they both use the sensor unit that attaches to the windshield. The retrofit is fairly involved but you can also get auto wipers if you do it. There are threads on the topic:
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...-possible.html
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...-retrofit.html (edit: after all that, looks like he didn't get it working)

 

My '06 R52 JCW has auto headlights and rain sensing wipers......my '04 R53 only has rain sensing wipers, no auto headlights

Bryan

 

I see. Auto headlights first became available with the 2005 refresh, when it was combined with auto wipers.