17 replies to this topic

[Frisco]

Yeah you go ahead and leave your seatbelt off and see how you get on in a crash

[mab01uk]

Fitting HIDs into cars like classic minis is nearly always completely illegal. A retrofit into a BMW mini is different though as they will have the self leveling suspension/lights and the light washers etc.

You cant compare the two.

 

Quote from MINI:

"The main difference as compared to the MINI xenon headlamps available ex-works (factory) is the reduced light flux of 2,000 lumen. This makes it possible to install the headlamps without retrofitting the headlamp cleaning system and using manual range control. By contrast, the 35-watt xenon headlamps available as an optional extra can only be fitted with an automatic height control function due to legal specifications."

Edited by mab01uk, 11 September 2013 - 11:23 PM.

[Ethel]

I don't think it's so much that safety features have a negative effect on attitude, that's more down to "refinements" that make 80mph feel more like sitting in an armchair in front of your telly.

 

A quick energy calculation (1/2mv²) will show the extra impact, of adding by just 50kg of safety features to a 1000kg car, on anyone you run in to: if it results  in a speed increase from 70 to 80, as mooted by the governmet on a similar precept that the safety stuff makes it safe to up the speed limit. It's about 37% more metal & bone crunching energy to dissipate.

 

All credit to MINI as it sounds like their retrofit HID's are as they all should be: more efficient, but not as dazzlingly bright. Self levelling lights might sound good but they aren't going to be much use if the oncoming traffic is in a dip on a non self levelling road.