24 replies to this topic

[Southy]

Right I'm after fitting a set of HID's to my Mini, now I know the law states that the lights need to be self levelling and need washers fitted. I'm just wondering if I can use the lights off an Mpi and fit them on my 1980 Mini?

What is involved with wiring up the self levelling function of the lights?What other bits are needed is it just the headlamps and bowls or are there other things which are required?

Does anybody have any good places as to where to buy decent HID conversion kits from for the Mini?

Edited by Southy, 28 August 2010 - 05:28 PM.

[stevede]

Check out Matrix's threads on here.(Oz from Moss Manchester) I'm sure he's fitted some.

I Can't help you with the leagilities though.

Moss do a kit also, you might be able to blag some discount via work??

Regards

Steve

Edited by stevede, 28 August 2010 - 09:39 PM.

[tomsbluemini]

MPi lights aren't self levelling... They are adjustable but not self levelling.

Good luck anyway...

[Dan]

As above, HID lamps need to be automatically self levelling. They have to sense the suspension height and automatically compensate the beam angle. The MPi lamps don't do this. You can fit the MPi / Land Rover headlamp if you like but you will need to create a way for it to sense the suspension height and calibrate it so that it compensates properly. You will need to slightly alter the headlamp aperture in the wing, the easiest way would be to fit MPi wings.

[Southy]

Ah right so basically these http://www.minispare...ty=pb&pid=32600 are advertised wrong then?As I thought I might of been able to fit these along with a HID kit and I'd be ok.

I know what you mean about the Mpi wing's Dan, I have Mpi wings fitted onto my shell so that's not a problem on that front.

[BLUE ITALIAN JOB]

you will also have to have hid headlight units - not the halogen units , they have a different beam pattern .......check out dept of transport or one of the other gov,m sites , they also state that the lights don't have to be self-leveling if the car has self-leveling suspension !!!!! trick hydraulic set up ??
i have them on mine with halogen units and pointing down lower in front , not legal but they are brilliant , no longer - well a LOT less than with halogens - get cut up when on the motor way in lane 3 when there on or on A B roads ,
touch wood have had no probs with the men in blue -- so far ..
mines a daily driver and now on about 165k miles , kit is an ebay item for a h4 and fitted in standard - not mpi bowls ,

[pikey7]

Regulations from the DFT on HIDs

[Dan]

I wonder if Hydrolastic counts as self levelling?

[danrock101]

Proper kits are stupidly expensive, you can get them for defenders, they're £1.5k

[Southy]

I've been looking at a few conversion kits, they seem to be in the region of £125-£150.

What headlights would people suggest either for STD H4 bulb's or using HID's as I'm in need of some new ones after mine got reversed into.

Edited by Southy, 28 August 2010 - 11:46 PM.

[pikey7]

I would spend £10 on some new bulbs, £50 on some decent hella or cibie lenses, and £50 (max) on some decent heavy gauge wire, some relays, nice connectors, and get the power from the battery working them properly.

Legal, neat, tidy, and simple.

[Guess-Works.com]

I've found the Wipac Freeforms to be the best headlight unit for night driving as well as looks, and the fact they're E marked.

http://www.mra-minis...ht-fittings.htm

[danrock101]

I've been looking at a few conversion kits, they seem to be in the region of £125-£150.

That's wont be the auto self leveling ones though

[rusty789]

I have HID's without self levelling and washers, they work fine.. I check the beam at work and it was identical to the standard bulbs..

If you do buy some 8k (More whitey blue but less lumens(Less light)) is good but can sometimes be overpowered by the likes of street lamps.. (But then you don't really need bright headlights then..)

They are awesome down country lanes!

So I'd imagine 6k was the best value!

See Here

Edited by rusty789, 29 August 2010 - 09:00 AM.

[Rich.]

However there stll illigal and whilst maybe an MOT man wont pick up on it, or pass it because as you say it is within the beampattern regs, i hear the traffic police are getting much hotter on these illigal kits being fitted now.

Rich