OK, I have a few question regarding my R56's xenon (and somwhat associated) lighting:

-First... What's the best way to check and confirm that the auto-leveling system is working? The movement of the lights was much more noticable before I had the lowering springs installed on my car. Since then, the xenons appear to be aiming a bit lower than before and I'm not noticing the auto-leveling check when I turn the lights on. Granted, the time I've noticed them was starting on a steep incline facing uphill. I generally park on level ground at work and at home. Any suggestions?

As mentioned the xenons are aimed a tad low right now. I believe I see the three 8mm bolts to adjust them but wanted to confirm and see if anyone else has adjusted theirs, or has pics confirming the adjustment screw position for the R56.

-Secondly... I saw a thread elsewhere about using a different type of bulb in the fron parking lights, fog lights and driving lights. Somthing that produced more of a "white" light similar to the xenons. As much as I've searched, I cannot re-locate the thread where it gave some suggestions on getting away from the more "yellow" lights up front. Any ideas?

-And finally... Any suggestions for turn signal bulbs up fron that look clear but flash orange? I have the clear turn signal kit but there's still a hint of orange on the bulbs up front. It would be nice if I could find somthing to replace them with.

Any help would be appreciated.

 

The auto leveling works if the car is not level. Just b/c the car is dropped doesn't mean the headlights need to readjust. Now, if you put weight in the rear, i'm sure you'll see the headlights readjust.

And of course your cut-off line is lower, you dropped your Mini. Just adjust the cut-off line up a bit.

 

Do you mean white indicator lights? Are they legal in the U. S.?

 

I'm also interested in this info.

I haven't noticed my Xenon's adjusting but then I've only driven it twice in the dark, I'll have to watch more carefully for that.

 

regarding the turn signal bulbs up front, search for Philips Silver Vision bulbs.
http://www.lighting.philips.com/auto...vervision.html

 

Thanks, I'll be trying these out in the near future, I'll look for the side indicators too if they have them.

 

Newministuff.com also stcoks them

 

I believe the other thread also mentioned 194 NA's (natural amber) as replacement for the parking lights.
was this the thread? https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ad.php?t=98384

 

Just accelerate or decelerate quickly from a moderate speed.

If the system is working, it will maintain the aim of the headlights during the acceleration or deceleration.

If the system is not working, the beam spot will move away from you during accel or toward you during decel.

 

How do you know your headlight washers are working?

 

For some reason, I haven't been able to find the Philips Silver Vision bulbs in any US retailor or sites, so I went OEM when I replaced all my turn signal bulbs just recently.

If you got the clear turn signal option for your MC, both the front and rear amber bulbs are of type PY21W (as shown in your owner manual). The side ones are W5W. Simply search the web for the OEM versions that have a silver coating. For PY21W, the OEM version is called 7507 (be careful not to mix up with 7506. they look very much alike, but won't fit!!), while the W5W ones are called 194.

Here is an example on ebay:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/7507-...QQcmdZViewItem

 

You can paint the amber bulbs with silver spray paint. Works fine.

 

So the lights don't automaticly check the auto-leveling when you turn them on? I guess that's possible, since the only time I really noticed them move was while parked facing uphill in my friends STEEP driveway. I just thought they did a check every time you turn them on and was worried that somthing got unplugged or damaged during the spring swap. I double-checked today. Both sensors are plugged in tight, wires in tact and routed well away from any moving parts and no signs of damage to either sensor. Maybe I gotta go back to my friend's driveway and try them out there again.

As far as the cut-off line... it needs to come up a bit. I'm overrunning the low beams at about 70-75 MPH.

 

Yeah, this is me and another reason I went with amber is because in the stock headlight housing the turn signal lense is amber so why not have the parking lights amber to match, it looks great IMO. When combined with the way the housing makes the bulbs "appear" to be LEDs its a nice touch

 

OK, I figured this part out for myself, but wanted to post the answer should anyone else have the same question in the future.

When I was turning my car on, then turning my lights on (no daytime running lights), the lights would not visibly dip and rise (doing the auto-leveling check).

With the car off, and the headlight switch "ON"... when I start the car they dip and rise as designed. So I now know they are working fine. I assume they were doing the check upon start-up when the headlights were "OFF", too... I just didn't notice (since the lights were off, duh). So now I know.

Now to get them adjusted up a bit...

 

Thanks, I'll have to try this tomorrow morning. I was beginning to worry a little myself, never saw any movement.

 

I start mine in my garage with the auto headlight feature on, and they dip up and down upon starting the car.

 

If you still want to adjust them, check out this link:

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ad.php?t=77164

Good luck.