39 replies to this topic

[rickb8585]

Hi all,
 
I'm looking at upgrading the candles on my car and found these on fleabay.
 
http://www.ebay.co.u...=item565e487eb0
 
Has anyone used this kit? Or does anyone have any other suggestions or recommendations?
 
Thanks in advance.

[FlyingScot]

Obviously just for " off road" use as stated by the vendor....

FS

[rickb8585]

Obviously just for " off road" use as stated by the vendor....

FS

Of course :)

[Spaceibiza]

I'm sure they would light the road better than the standard headlights, but be prepared to dazzle everyone driving towards you at the same time! For them to work properly, you need projector headlamps. These are the ones you see on modern cars that look like they have a little glass ball in the headlight. Mini's have reflector headlights. I've seen these kits fitted to other cars with reflector headlights like mk2 golfs for instance and they are very dazzling for other traffic. I'm sure if PC plod saw you, they would pull you straight away!

[zinzan]

I installed one of these kits (different manufacturer) on my Honda Pilot SUV a couple years ago over here in Canada.  Huge difference with brightness.  Upside is that it makes driving a lot easier during my daily trip to work in the dark in the countryside.  Downside is that they apparently aren't all that popular with some other motorists; I seem to regularly have cars in front pull over and let me pass.  Never any issues with the police over them, and they don't seem to be any brighter than the new Cadillacs, Audis, etc.

 

The kit itself is easy to install.  I have a 2nd one that I'm planning on trying in the Mini once it's back put together.

[mtymous]

The problem is that you get a crappy light output. It's "more" light, but it's inefficient and TERRIBLE. And you're blinding oncoming traffic and anyone that is in front of you like zinzan said. It's irresponsible and rude. I'm making generalizations here obviously and not calling anyone in particular rude, but if you are OK with blinding oncoming traffic, and blinding the people in front of you to the point that they can't safely drive and have to pull over to let you over... it's time to reconsider what you are doing. Is your ability to see the road just a slight bit better worth more than all of their safety? And saying that they don't seem any brighter than other modern cars is a falicy. Those other cars have a focused beam and a clear cutoff. That's why they are different.

Instead, why not go for the real solution and retrofit some projectors from another car like Spaceibiza said. I did it and it's a good amount of work, but the light output is AMAZING and lights up the road more than most modern cars. Here's a link to my retrofit. You can follow it if you'd like.

 

Here's an example of why you shouldn't use HID's in a halogen housing.

 

 

[rickb8585]

The problem is that you get a crappy light output. It's "more" light, but it's inefficient and TERRIBLE. And you're blinding oncoming traffic and anyone that is in front of you like zinzan said. It's irresponsible and rude. I'm making generalizations here obviously and not calling anyone in particular rude, but if you are OK with blinding oncoming traffic, and blinding the people in front of you to the point that they can't safely drive and have to pull over to let you over... it's time to reconsider what you are doing. Is your ability to see the road just a slight bit better worth more than all of their safety? And saying that they don't seem any brighter than other modern cars is a falicy. Those other cars have a focused beam and a clear cutoff. That's why they are different.

Instead, why not go for the real solution and retrofit some projectors from another car like Spaceibiza said. I did it and it's a good amount of work, but the light output is AMAZING and lights up the road more than most modern cars. Here's a link to my retrofit. You can follow it if you'd like.

 

Here's an example of why you shouldn't use HID's in a halogen housing.

 

 

 

This looks awesome on your mini!! However, mine is more of a standard looking mini and the above is a bit beyond my capabilities, if it don't go together like Lego I got no chance :) Is there any kind of an off the shelf upgrade that will make a difference and is road legal?

[Dan]

All forms of aftermarket HID kit are illegal. Even if you fit complete, E marked lamp units. I think you can get them through if you then IVA the car but if you don't then no dice. It has been decided that they are too much of a departure from the car's type approval and they require too much setting up that cannot be checked at a regular MOT.

Edited by Dan, 19 January 2014 - 06:35 PM.

[rickb8585]

All forms of aftermarket HID kit are illegal. Even if you fit complete, E marked lamp units. I think you can get them through if you then IVA the car but if you don't then no dice. It has been decided that they are too much of a departure from the car's type approval and they require too much setting up that cannot be checked at a regular MOT.

ok so what about non hid upgrades? is there an alternative? I literally can't see anything in the dark and am doing a lot more night driving now as my mini is my daily.

Edited by yeti21586, 07 February 2014 - 01:03 PM.
Dont try and avoid the swear filter

[1984mini25]

Some decent h4 halogen replacement headlamps and some decent bulbs, oh and some relays so you don't fry the standard cars unfused (I've still yet to be proved wrong on that point) wiring and headlamp switch. 

 

 

 

The blue/white led fogs are pretty useless to be honest

Edited by 1984mini25, 08 February 2014 - 11:52 PM.

[rickb8585]

Some decent h4 halogen replacement headlamps and some decent bulbs, oh and some relays so you don't fry the standard cars unused (I've still yet to be proved wrong on that point) wiring and headlamp switch. 

 

 

 

The blue/white led fogs are pretty useless to be honest

Thanks! I'll get looking for some lamps then, hopefully minispares will do them as I've got some vouchers knocking about. 

 

And the fogs may be useless but they look cool as ****!!

[mtymous]

I would go with a sealed beam conversion. Hella housings with a good H4 bulb. But if you do go this route, please install some relays. It will be a higher amp draw than what the stock harness had. And if that's not enough, you could always invest in a set of driving lights.

[rickb8585]

ote name="mtymous" post="2973762" timestamp="1390202304"]

I would go with a sealed beam conversion. Hella housings with a good H4 bulb. But if you do go this route, please install some relays. It will be a higher amp draw than what the stock harness had. And if that's not enough, you could always invest in a set of driving lights.[/quote]

I have been toying with the idea of some spot lights, im absolutely rubbish at knowing what to look for and what to buy though. Links would be appreciated :)

[1984mini25]

The other question is what year of mini and what headlamps are already fitted?

[rickb8585]

The other question is what year of mini and what headlamps are already fitted?

its a 92 Mayfair with the standard candle headlights...not gonna lie, I don't know what they're actually called!