A new study has shown that the BMW 3 series has the lamest headlights of all cars in the US. Is anyone surprised? I love my MINI, but the headlights on the car are the worst.
Thoughts?

 

Head this on the radio today as well. Seems about all brands/models received a black mark with exception to the Toyota Prius...

Since early 2000, due to insurance replacement costs, Big 3 and alike provide very little R&D $ put to head lights except for ways to make them as cheaply as possible since they are usually first to go in an auto crash....and on some cars they are the most frontal façade to the left and right front fenders...

My 03 MCS came with preface lift xenon's. At 65 mph you outrun your headlights.
I tried face lift xenon's - not much better.
Tried a few aftermarket ones with halogen upgrade bulbs and while somewhat better not the best.
Ended up with face lift halogens from 05/06 MCS and upgraded the bulbs to Sylvania ZXE's....so far the best of the lot.

 

Thank you for that information. I will have to give them a try.

 

What year and model of MINI do you have, son-of-mini?

I was running Sylvania Silverstar Ultras before my current LED "bulbs". Not a big fan of the LED's in the halogen reflectors, light seems to scatter. Much nicer and whiter light, but the pattern is not good. I would suggest some good Sylvania or Phillips halogen bulbs, and maybe adjust the headlights up a bit. Other than that, my next upgrade WILL be the Spyder headlights, maybe even with LED bulbs, or HID, as they should have the correct cutoff pattern on low beam.

 

Hello. I have a 2014 Non S Clubman.

 

Assuming yours are halogen? Could try upgraded bulbs or a swap with the Xenon headlights option.

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