Oh my, I had one of these behind me the other night.....nasty!!! Thing is, I'm sure they were quite proud of their improved visibility (in many ways since they are up higher), but their effect on everyone else around them was unconscionable.

I will say that these discussions are illuminating (sorry) and over the years, because this comes up now and again, I have learned alot about Xenons and their benefits, which I cannot deny. I do not choose them and therefore it's not worth the money (duh), but if I felt they were an enhancement to my MINI, sure I'd get them in a heartbeat. Spec out your MINI the very best you can...hang the cost (so some extent).

 

but i have read of too many high cost replacments after warranty in the bmw boards..

i am quite happy with bmw/mini halogens.

 

I definatly wanted the xenons its alot better at night as well when driving down backroads with the highbeams help. I would reccomend them. I told my MA I had to have em

 

I drive late at night on the freeways, and always wished I could see better, especially in the rain. I love the xenons.

 

Lol, it's hard to avoid the whole SUV issue in Texas too, since it's so trendy to have one here. I think SUV's 'get the hint' about blinding me when I turn on my rear fog for them until they back off or switch lanes.

For me, I liked them because 1. I used to live out in BFE and I didn't want to run into a deer or anything on my late night drives going home and 2. had them on my previous car; once you get used to HIDs, it's hard to deal with anything less.

 

Buying the xenons without comparing them to the standard halogen lights would not be worth it unless you think the look or name alone is worth the price.

The latest halogen implementations are much better in most all cars. Are all xenon reflector and bulb designs the same?

 

This is true, daff. And that is why the same complaints were made about halogens when they were first introduced in the US.

 

After reading all the posts on here, I have been paying very careful attention to the headlights in oncoming traffic the past few days! Now that the spots have cleared from my vision, I agree that the Xenon headlights that are bothersome tend to be hack jobs done on older cars by people trying to get the benefits of xenon headlights without the cost of professional grade installation. I am looking to order a new MINI soon and will definitely go Xenon based on the positive experience most have had with them.

 

I had the same concerns you did when I started looking at the Mini. I didn't like the output on my Honda Civic, where, even with my brights on, only one or two drivers out of 100 would ever flash me. I wanted a better set of headlights for this car, but I was worried about the Xenon blindness.

A website that talked about Xenon technology talked about the aftermarket lights and how stock systems shouldn't be blinding and I started looking at cars that had the blue lights and saw it really was true.

I've been very happy with the Xenons in this car. Very much worth the extra money, for me.

 

people who complain about the saftey of oncomming traffic with Xenons must be looking at cars that have them retrofitted the ebay way. If you have a properly adjusted Xenons, they shouldnt blind oncoming traffic. thats why you see the sharp cutoff.

 

Honestly, I can't imagine driving a smaller (as in smaller than a Semi Converted Into An SUV) car in Texas /without/ Xenons these days. They let the vehicle next to me know I am there. Sometimes. Now and then. Okay. Hardly ever.

But if they crush me in a leisurely lane change with no indicator light, and aren't aware of the CONES OF LIGHT in the lane I am in, I'd at least feel better about my ghost haunting them.

They are also incredibly useful if you live in a rural area. Helps you see the deer (or person crossing the road from their mailbox at 12am) in time.

I can appreciate that they can be annoying to oncoming drivers. I feel a little bad about that. But chances are, in the grand accounting of things, I can't roll over on /every/ detail. I drive a small car. I haven't joined the Might Makes Right size escalation. At what point do I just put a sign on myself that says: 'Run me over?'

 

I do think they look cool - however, has anyone check to see what one cost to replace??? can't be cheap

 

The Xenons on the R56 are much improved over the R53s. The R56 has bizenons are much better. They throw a wider beam. I drive on rural roads with lots of deer lurking in the brush. It also rains a lot in the Pacific Northwest where the light from standard beams wash out on the wet pavement. MINI is one of the few small cars that offers them. They are pricey but one of best safety items you can have.