Hey everyone, just wanted to see if anyone had advice on the use of Adaptive headlights. Since this is the first car I own that has them and I live in a place full of potholes I am afraid that it might hurt/unplug something if I leave them on ( Adaptive) all the time. What are your thoughts?

I must say I love them, they're very bright and super responsive.

Cheers!

 

Live in Pittsburgh, eh?

 

What do the lights adapt to? Do they steer around corners?

 

They are suppose to turn slightly when you turn either left or right. No, they don't see around corners. Have to get a periscope and lay it down to do that.

 

I wasn't aware that you could turn the adaptive feature on/off. I'd say the safe advice is to follow the owner's manual recs (if there are any).

 

They indeed turn with the car. I consider them one of the BEST futures on the car. They do not work if you turn on the lights manually. If you set it on Auto they will turn

Cheers!

 

OK , Dumb question here. My sticker on my 2011 MCS says I have the Xenon headlights I've noticed when I startup the headlights seem to "rise" when first turned on. Do I have adaptive or some kind of level control on my lights ??

 

All MINIs with Xenons have the self leveling feature. This doesn't mean that they are adaptive. I believe the sticker would actually read "adaptive" if you had that option.

 

Correct, the xenons have a leveling system. If you look at the lower control arm there is a small arm attached to a box the rides on the arm. This is the leveling sensor. There should also be one on the rear suspension some place.

If your xenons are pointing way high then check to see if this arm has been flipped up.

 

Indeed, another simple way to check is looking at your headlight's washer. If you have adaptive lights the "bump" where it is stored should be black. Look at my gallery to see what I mean.
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...0/ppuser/82297

Cheers!

 

Just checked on my JCW and it has that black on the bump by the headlight washers. The leveling is done with the Xenon system, as this was noted last year by mini owners.

 

I was playing around with the headlights and have to report some interesting discoveries:
-When set to the "Auto" positions, the light pattern changes with speed. Around the city it's much wider, while on the freeway it becomes narrower yet longer.
-When you turn on the Fog lights the lights dip down a few degrees. They also open a little(wide).
-I don't know if it depends on the country or just a glitch but I can use High beams and Fogs without a problem.

I'm loving these lights as much as I did the first day, so happy I got them!!!

Cheers!

 

"HEMISEDAN" Where did you get your Avatar made?

 

Very interesting...

 

I ordered the adaptive feature on my MCS. I am anxious to see how they work when my car actually gets here. We have the HID headlights on my wifes Mazda CX9 and I noticed the beam was much more focused with less light bleeding to the sides than with traditional halogen lights, so I figured for an extra $100 the adaptive feature might be nice on my new Mini.

 

Very interesting discoveries, CRM. I will be looking out for them on the next night-time drive

highlander709,you won't be sorry. Adaptive headlights are one of my favorite options (along with the auto-dim wing mirrors).

Of course my absolute no.1 favorite option is the turbo

 

+1 For the Turbo.
I would like to comment that some people don't like the sharp cutoff of the light pattern, however these are the best headlights I've ever seen/driven I've had a Volvo, a couple of Audis and a Porsche(all with xenons) yet none even come close!

Cheers!

 

The self-leveling Xenons were the one suggestion our MA made........ Love the gee-whiz level and cleaner spray jets. Twice the power of standard halogen per the MINI site...

 

Any others want to chime in? this is an important option to me but might not be able to

 

If your in doubt over getting the xenons dont be. Even you dont get the adaptive lights they are well worth the upgrade.

Coming from my 2008 GTI with xenons I told my MA that I would not get another care without them, period.

 

I'm definitely getting Xenons, my 2010 GTI doesn't have them. But I'm worried that I'll miss the adaptive feature.

 

If you're getting Xenon's, the extra $100 for the adaptive feature, is well worth it. I love them. The only reason not to get the adaptive is if you must have the black headlight housings, as the adaptive feature is not available with the black housings.

 

If I build mine then I will of course go with the adaptives. I'm taking a look tomorrow at a slightly used BMW Executive Cooper S (sold as new) with plain jane Xenons. It's also technically $350 more for me since I wouldn't have ordered auto headlights/rain sensor but it's still worth it to me.

 

My son has a 2009 MCCS that he purchased in the summer of 2009 as a BMW Exec. vehicle. It had about 4000 miles on it. He was able to get a pretty good deal on it and it has turned out the be a pretty good car so far.

 

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