2007 US Market Options Packages

Is the audio package the same as the DPSM? I just bought a MCS with this in it for over $2100. It’s worth every penny, but they lowered the price. That wasn’t very nice.

What is that oval chrome thing below the left-center vent?

Button to open the glove compartment. I love it.

I don’t want the nav in the speedo, but the “knob in space” you get below the CD without the nav is pretty hideous, too.

Guess they have to start making money off the MINI somehow.

> Ralph, not sure where you are getting your
> information about HID lights. DOT approved HID lights > blind no one. If you see an HID system that hurts
> your eyes odds are its an aftermarket system which is > not DOT approved. > I can speak to having a car with halogens and with > HIDs right now. And I don’t know if those studies > actually exist or what the testers were smoking…there > is a huge difference and the HIDS are much better at > lighting up the road.

Matthew, my girlfriend has a 2006 Lexus LS430 with HID lights. While they do provide improved lighting width wise (side to side) they do not improve or increase lighting down the road. She has had them checked by Lexus and they are aligned correctly. She has had to bring in her field of vision as the HID do not shine light farther down the road. My halogens on my 04’ Mini throw light farther our in front. I will add links to article at the end of my comment regarding HID glare and associated problems.

> I would also like to know who decided that HID don’t > improve road lighting. The difference is night and > day >(pun intended).

MINItron, yes you are correct, the difference is night and day, namely night glare. If you’ve ever had an SUV or CUV (a Nissan Murano) behind you that had HIDs, the blinding glare is terrible. The blinding light on to the outside and rearview mirrors just absolutely horrible.

From USA Today: > You can blame U.S. road-sign regulations for some of > the HID glare. U.S. signs aren’t universally lighted > and don’t all reflect light the same. In Europe, > glare seldom is mentioned. European road signs > routinely and consistently are lighted, so headlights > needn’t beam up and, in fact, are required not to. > That keeps the light out of other drivers’ eyes.

http://www.usatoday.com/money/autos/2001-06-07-xenon.htm

Other articles on HID glare:

Consumers Reports: http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/cars/maintenance-accessories/hid-headlights-403/overview/index.htm?resultPageIndex=1&resultIndex=1&searchTerm=Xenon%20Headlights%20study

Halogen Headlights Are A Driver Nuisance http://home.hamptonroads.com/stories/story.cfm?story=105269&ran=199150

http://www.dot.gov/affairs/nhtsa5001.htm

KTVU TV Consumer reporter has/had and excellent video on how HID lights cause glare and on some cars (Mercedes for one) the HID lights actually give off shorter distance illumination. I tired to get the video to play and it doesn’t.

oh, just saw that MINI Mobility System does not refer to the runflats. Interesting. Runflats only on the Cooper S, the cooper has a tyre repair kit and a compressor..The standard wheel for the Cooper over here in the Netherlands, and probably also in other European countries, including Germany, has always been 15″, non-runflat. Runflat starts with 16″ wheels and I think that’s always been the minimal size in the US, right?

Ralph, Minitron, et al

I think one key aspect most are missing is that a major benefit of HID is that the beam has a clean edge to it. A normal lamp fades off into darkness. As such, you can make the beam brighter while maintaining the proper concentration and direction. This is why sometimes they can blind you: if a car with HIDs hits a bump or undulation the lamps will momentarily bounce up and flash you. When on proper level ground, however, it’s not an issue. A normal lamp with HID levels of output would be much more blinding because it is more difficult to control the beam, especially vertically.

I drive a vehicle with HIDs and drive in an area where most cars and SUVs have HIDs. I have no problems with them. My problems are misaligned after market fog lamps people seem to love.

As for the USA Today article, it seems like it’s a problem with the direction of the headlights (to light signs) as opposed to the output. In that case it doesn’t matter if it’s HID or not.

I would like to see a new version of the “sport chrono pkg” this time including boost. Anyone know if one will surface?

And is it my imagination or has the water temp gauge disappeared?