R56 Headlight upgrades: e-codes?
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2nd Gear
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From: CT
Headlight upgrades: e-codes?
I'm finding the headlights on my "new to me" r56 disappointing. I'm finding that despite having new bulbs and being adjusted correctly, they simply have no "reach". They have a super hot middle section and nothing that reaches out near the (admittedly fuzzy) cutoff. The lens cover are clear and not scratched, so I'm starting to consider upgrades.
Has anybody bought and installed e-code headlamps for their r56? The aftermarket assemblies seem to be less expensive, but I'm not sure what the beam pattern is like on them. I've always really liked the e-codes I've had on every other car I've had, so I figure that might be the best way to go. I'm not real interested in "halos" or "angel eyes", I just want headlights that light the road in front of me.
Has anybody bought and installed e-code headlamps for their r56? The aftermarket assemblies seem to be less expensive, but I'm not sure what the beam pattern is like on them. I've always really liked the e-codes I've had on every other car I've had, so I figure that might be the best way to go. I'm not real interested in "halos" or "angel eyes", I just want headlights that light the road in front of me.
E codes
I have asked this before on this site. I think when you say E code headlights you mean headlights that come on European model minis. I have always wondered if their Mini headlights were different. I know when I was in the VW world, we would upgrade to E code headlights, i.e. they were glass and gave a better light pattern.
Are there any European owners who could update us up on this.
I do know that European taillights are different than those in the US since European tail lights must have yellow turn signals. I put European taillights in my 2011 Clubman because I think they are much more visible at night when turning.
Are there any European owners who could update us up on this.
I do know that European taillights are different than those in the US since European tail lights must have yellow turn signals. I put European taillights in my 2011 Clubman because I think they are much more visible at night when turning.
Not that I know a lot, and not that it applies to Mini's, but I have E-code Hella's on my 67 Chevelle. The cutoff is sharper, and seems to point more left than right. I still love the light output, so not changing. E code has more to do with the pointing direction, IMHO, as they drive on the "wrong" side of the road. This is always up for debate...LOL.
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2nd Gear
Joined: May 2008
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From: CT
The preference of DOT vs E-code may be debatable, but the fact that they are very different light patterns is not. They're regulated and specified by the laws of the land where the vehicle is sold. E-code headlights apply to the whole of Europe, not just Britain. They're not limited to RHD specifically, though the upward "tilt" on the UK e-codes goes up to the left instead of up to the right. So yes, any MINI sold in Europe would have them. And yes, they are different. RealOEM confirms different part numbers, including housings for Xenons or halogens, and either type with clear turn indicators.
This website has a decent explanation of how they differ with a nice picture: http://www.headlightservices.com/FAQs.html
Unfortunately, we can't buy Hella/Cibie drop-in replacements. Our headlights have to be specific to our cars.
If you want to see more examples of the differences, put "e-code vs dot headlights" into your favorite search engine and look at the images it pulls up.
This website has a decent explanation of how they differ with a nice picture: http://www.headlightservices.com/FAQs.html
There are four basic differences between Hella Vision Plus DOT and a Cibie / Hella ECE/E-code lamps.
First is in the lighting pattern. For us in the US, the regulations date from the 50's. The US DOT mandates a dispersed pattern that puts a percentage of the light output UP and to both sides of the road so that overhead or roadside signs, which may not have other lighting or reflective characteristics, are lit for you.
The European standard allows all the light to go on the road - they have a law that any overhead or roadside sign has to have it's own, independent lighting or must be highly reflective. So not only is there more light on the road with your low-beams, the high-beams are more precise as well. There is also a triangle of light on the right side to light up roadside signs.
The effect is that the E-code lights actually put more light on the road for you to drive with, and offend oncoming traffic MUCH LESS because of the sharp cutoff in the lighting pattern; and all of this with the same wattage lamps as in the US. That's on low beam. Because of the DOT low-beam requirements, and the resulting lens and reflector design, it's impossible to get a good high beam.
First is in the lighting pattern. For us in the US, the regulations date from the 50's. The US DOT mandates a dispersed pattern that puts a percentage of the light output UP and to both sides of the road so that overhead or roadside signs, which may not have other lighting or reflective characteristics, are lit for you.
The European standard allows all the light to go on the road - they have a law that any overhead or roadside sign has to have it's own, independent lighting or must be highly reflective. So not only is there more light on the road with your low-beams, the high-beams are more precise as well. There is also a triangle of light on the right side to light up roadside signs.
The effect is that the E-code lights actually put more light on the road for you to drive with, and offend oncoming traffic MUCH LESS because of the sharp cutoff in the lighting pattern; and all of this with the same wattage lamps as in the US. That's on low beam. Because of the DOT low-beam requirements, and the resulting lens and reflector design, it's impossible to get a good high beam.
If you want to see more examples of the differences, put "e-code vs dot headlights" into your favorite search engine and look at the images it pulls up.
The E code cutoff point of the projector light is much better in my opinion and has better throw to the right. The Spyder projector headlights for the Gen 2 MINI R56- R59 and allot of the projector ones we carry from Helix and Depo are like this also for Gen 1 MINIs.
Here are some factory ones for the Gen 1 MINIs.
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...us-04-mcs.html
Here are some factory ones for the Gen 1 MINIs.
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...us-04-mcs.html
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