New Xenon Lights In Action

Sections: Uncategorized Jun 25th, 2004 17 Comments

Newmini-technik.de has a video of the new “gatling gun” Xenon lights in action. For those that like already like them – you'll probably like them more. For those you don't… you won;t. You can check it out: here (4.5 megs).

p>For those that haven't been following the changes to the 2005 the new xenon lights offer several advantages. First off they have what MINI refers to as automatic range control (a new self leveling system perhaps?). Secondly they have an additional ring of spots that “give the car another sign of distinction.” And finally they have the natural advantages of HID.

You can see more of the lights in our 2005 lighting gallery.

Written By: MF Staff

RB

Very interesting. Does this mean they track your path?

Boy can't wait to hear the comments on this…ye hah, merde boy howdy!!

RB
Matt

wow, i love them, i really (don't) need an 05 JCW S.
MG-BGT

If you watch the video closely, you can see that not just the xenon low beams adjust their level, but the high beams as well. In fact, the entire lighting assembly appears to pivot behind the chrome frame, just beforethe lamps fire up. Maybe that's one of the innovations in the 'automatic range control'. Quite nifty!
Chris

What are you talking about..? My 2003 MCS Xenons is doing the same leveling action, whenever I switch on the light (well, only the headlight, but still…), since this is required by official German law. People should not be dazzled…

US MINIs w/ Xenons don't have that?!
Ray

I love the new xenon lights– So much, in fact, that I am would be interested in replacing my current xenons for those. Is it possible, and if so, what do you think it would cost?
http://www.motoringfile.com/ Gabe

Chris you're right – all MINI xenons (including those in the US) have done the same things since 2002. But with the new lights it's much easier to actually see the process.
MG-BGT

Well on the old Xenons – like the ones on my 03 MCS – the low-beams only are auto leveling, not the high beams, or at least when I turn on the DRLs (which are high beams) they never do the neat leveling thingy. Look at the front of a car that has the old style xenons, and when turned on you can see the lo-beams doing their leveling thingy, but the high beam portion sremains motionless. In the video the high beam portion moves together with the lo beam, if you look closely.
pete

yeah well, my 03 jcw s soes the same thing with the xenon lights and the pivoting thing, its not that big a deal. i like the new headlights, but it would be better if the entire inside was chrome instead of that cheap silver, i hate the taillamps on the 05 though…
pete

also, i like the old ones better on the pivoting thing, you cant see the actual light move, and i thing thats kool, it makes it more low profile, i remember once with my xenon power washes, i pulled up next to a mercedes, and turned them on and sprayed water all over his E500 AMG, it was funny, but i dont think he likes minis now, it was all cleaned and waxed too, you could see the look on his face
http://www.motoringfile.com/ Gabe

MG – you're right I just noticed that today for the first time. The entire thing is one big self-leveling unit – pretty cool.
dave

I love 'em! I also read that the new “projector beam” design also illuminates better than the current Xenon's. Let's see…I could probably sell my 2004 MCS for close to what I paid for it and order a 2005(?)
Josh

Xenon lights are required by law to be auto-leveling so if you were to load up the back of the car and change the weight distribution, you are not blinding everyone else on the road. And for the record, both beams DO adjust on the '02-'04 cars, but only when the Xenons are in use.

I'm a big fan of the new gattling gun lights, give us something else to identify each other by before the car can be seen, just like BMW's angel eyes.
http://users.adelphia.net/~rocketboy/index.html Rocketboy

Me likes…
MickyD

I didn't used to like them, but they're growing on me…. I'd be interested to see if they work better than the current xenons.
M

For those considering retrofits; can unfortunately comment from first hand experience that the current xenon assemblies are ~ $700/ea from the dealer..
Kimes

Do all xenon's come with the power washer (I didn't get the sport package), or do you have to order it separately?
http://www.dna-business.com.br ANTONIO GOMES

I changed in my ML 430 2000 new look Bi-xenon headlights (model 2002 up to now). But I couldn’t do the autoleveling works the new autoleveling system look like diferent than my old one . what should I do to make it work properly ?

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