What do owners that have the optional adaptive headlights on their cars think about them?

Our 2012 did not have them because you could not order them with the black headlight lenses, but that was changed for model year 2013, and when we ordered the 2013 we did specify them.

We did not think that ours were working correctly, but I read the manual this morning and found out that they only work when the headlight switch is in the automatic position. Since we usually do not leave the headlight switch in the automatic position (We choose to turn on and off our headlights manually) we are wondering if we wasted $100 for nothing.

 

They work and I wish they were an available option on my '09 & '10 cabrios. And considering the way MINI/BMW prices their options, for $100 IMO they represent a relative bargain.

 

You can basically click the light switch back to auto and forget about ever messing with on/off/adaptive/non-adaptive again. Auto takes care of everything but parking lights only. The adaptive part is amazing! You can see it turning the light beam around turns and straightening up on the straights. I like it a lot more than I thought I would have, and now look forward to seeing them work. My wife also thinks it was a great idea adding them.

 

+1

I love em. You don't notice them much around town, but if you get out on a really dark winding country road they are awesome. I don't like driving the wife's car at night because I miss the adaptive lights.

Put the auto headlight switch on. Then like Ron Popeil would say.......you set it....and forget it. Works like a dream.

 

+1
Wish I had ordered the black out. Our MA indicated you could not get both for 2013. Oops!

Try the auto switch for a week or so. Possibly you'll get used to it?

 

Just wondering - why don't you use the Auto-Headlights?

 

I have them but could easily live without them. They're a little helpful on twisty mountain roads, but with the brightness of the Xenons it's not really necessary. Still, for $100, I don't regret getting them or anything.

I also turn my headlights on/off manually, and only put it on auto when I want to use the adaptive lights. I prefer to choose when my headlights are on/off rather than letting the car decide.

 

i would have gotten them if it was a $100 option, it was not, it was a $350 option because of the required $250 auto wiper option

i don't understand why those 2 options are linked, but it was a deal killer for me

that and i really wanted the black headlight housings

with the xenons, i don't lack light in corners anyway

scott

 

I have then the BMWs and as other mentioned they are great in poorly lit twisty conditions. That being said I have never thought to myself that I would rather be in the 650 because of the headlights as I drive around Tahoe and the Oakland Hills. I've made that wish for other reasons, but never the headlights.
On top of that it seems its one more thing to cause an error so I did not opt for them on the CM. The 6 series forums has reports of adaptive headlight error codes.

 

I guess that I am **** but when we had the 2012 I was concerned that when we had the switch in the automatic position the xenons were coming on every time we started the car in the garage, and every time we pulled the car into the garage, and every time we went under a bridge, etc. I read somewhere that xenon bulbs burn out based on the number of times that they are turned on, and I am under the impression that the bulbs are very expensive to replace. Am I being silly?

 

Scott, Just a guess, but maybe it has to do with the number of wiring harnesses there could be for the car based on different options combinations, and that they were trying to minimize this to holddown production costs and complications. Or perhaps the two features share some common relays.

 

Kinda

There is some intelligence built into the system. The sensor has to be dark for a set period of time before the lights will turn on - if it didn't then your lights would turn on every time you passed into the shadow of a tree, sign, under an overpass etc...

Regardless of cycles, the system is intended to "last the life of the car" but I would assume a minimum of 5 years, and yes they are expensive to replace.

 

I admit I choose adaptive or manual frequently, with lights always on and always selecting adaptive at night. I think I had to select options totaling about $1200 to end up with the adaptive xeons with the way things were structured for 2011, but, after experiencing them, there was no way I was getting the car without them. In fact, we rejected the first near-good-fit model that came in because, in part, of the regular lights.

 

The adaptive lights are by far, my favorite feature of the car. I love them in the mountains of course, but they have even been nice driving through the highway at night in Utah where there are a few places the highway makes significant turns...

They give you that slight edge on being able to see something as you turn that I find invaluable.

Also, even if you don't want to use Auto mode on headlights - just turn your headlight switch to Auto when you want them on, and off again when you want them off. That way if they are on when you pull into your garage it will be because you pulled in at night.

 

+1. One of the coolest features of my car and I leave the headlights in Auto all the time with no issues/concerns.

 

I love the adaptives. Normally I do keep the headlights OFF, but I turn to Auto when driving at night, or any time when traveling away from the garage where we park outside for the night. I turn on normal lights during daytime in rainy or poor visibility conditions.

 

Definitely a must have. After having them on the X5, my wife would not get xenons without them, especially for twisty non city driving

 

I have the non-adaptive xenons, but it doesn't seem like the headlight lamps are actually fixed to one position. When I turn on my headlights, the beam definitely moves around vertically before settling on a final position.

Are the internal headlight parts all the same and essentially you're paying $100 for them to activate it?

 

That's the leveling system that is normal on all MINI Xenon systems, on the other hand adaptive headlights also move horizontally...

 

I really like the xenons would not have got the car with out them. I do agree the adaptive headlights are nice, but not worth the extra change for adding the auto lights and wipers. I will mention it's a steal to get al'a cart xenons for $500. Most cars you have to add the deluxe super diamond platinum package combined with lots of other things you may or may not want.

A buddy of mine has a 2007 BMW with the adaptive headlights and they do come in handy on dark mountain roads, especially the way he drives...

 

So I got lowering springs installed and now my adaptive headlights don't work.... What did the installer do wrong??? HELP anyone know??

 

Are you sure you have the headlight switch in "A" (auto) mode? The adaptive headlights do nothing with the switch in any other position.

 

The switch is on the on position... No auto available... Called installer and he said he had to unhook adaptive lights because they would act all crazy since car is lowered.... I think it's bs.... Should I check with dealership?

 

Sounds like BS to me. Did he just unhook a cable? Pull a fuse? You should be able to hook it back up without too much trouble. I wouldn't count on the dealer helping, but they might for a chunk of cash.

What country are you in? As far as I know, all the US MINIs have 4 headlight modes (in this order on the stalk): on, parking lights, off, auto.

 

I'm in the US... I'm gonna call him tommorow or better yet go by there and have him hook them back up.....