42 replies to this topic

[Vinay-RS]

I've noticed that whenever I'm driving in the evenings I get blinded by the lights of the cars behind me. I am sure it is because the mini sits so much lower than other cars on the road and thus their lights go through my rear window and reflect off the rear view mirror. Does anyone else experience this?

[spiguy]

Yes. Also the cars coming towards me. And not just in the mini either, although it is worse in the mini for the reasons  you suggest. In fact in the mini at night, I often find I have to look at the inside curb / line to set it as a reference as a car passes me because I literally can't see the road in front of me due to the lights. I do think it is mainly due to the type / intensity of modern car lights, as I drove a mini for over 10 years daily, and did not notice it being anywhere near as bad as I do now, returning after a few years being out of the mini scene.

[Carlos W]

I'm going to fit an auto dimming rear view mirror to my mini. 

 

The one in the Ibiza is superb

[Ethel]

Even worse in a Midas, and even more annoying as you can't really see much out the back window anyway.

 

I also get dazzled by oncoming cars with my eyes at about 6 foot up in my van. Whether it's idiots misusing beam adjusters or chavvy aftermarket bulbs I don't know, but it amazes me the lights on modern cars could actually be legal. Don't get me started on indicators in headlights 

[Carlos W]

 Don't get me started on indicators in headlights 

 

What do you think about indicators in headlights mate?

[scrumpix]

I hate the HiB lights

[cooperdan]

Yeh i do.. i just continue driving and hope for the best...

[Black.Ghost]

Modern lights ar horrendously bright and there is no need for it. People used to be able to see just fine before. 

 

Maybe carrot consumption is on the slide. 

[Richie83]

I'm going to fit an auto dimming rear view mirror to my mini. 
 
The one in the Ibiza is superb

is this difficult to do? Was thinking it would be a worthy upgrade myself.

[CityEPete]

There does appear to be a contest between new car designers to see who can fit the smallest and least orange indicators both front and rear doesn't there? The last shape Astra had white rear ones as good as from the factory that we would fail an mot for!

Edited by CityEPete, 06 May 2015 - 10:39 AM.

[Spider]

Same here. It's at the point for me that I just really avoid drive the Mini or the Moke at night now and those god aweful 'new fangly' blue lights, what's the score with them?  I hate them with a passion.

[Carlos W]

 

I'm going to fit an auto dimming rear view mirror to my mini. 
 
The one in the Ibiza is superb

is this difficult to do? Was thinking it would be a worthy upgrade myself.

 

 

Dunno, the sensor is in the mirror so I'm hoping there's not a lot to it.

 

I'll go down to the scrap yard down the road and get one, then work out how it works.

[mab01uk]

LED Headlights are becoming more common and seem even worse than Xenon for dazzle and brightness especially on high vehicles like Range Rovers. As cars get older the self-levelling systems on modern lights can go wrong and cause dazzle if not picked up at MOT time.

Edited by mab01uk, 06 May 2015 - 11:51 AM.

[JackF]

This is an interesting topic. I do struggle in the mini with oncoming headlights (not so much blinded from the rear) but my scratched windscreen does not help the situation in any way. I guess like the above point, modern lights are bright and the mini sits low - therefore we tend to be sat in the main shaft of light. The trick is not to look directly at the oncoming headlights - it sounds daft but I often find my eyes are drawn to them.

 

On the flipside, I drive a Volvo daily, it has HiD headlights, factory fitted with washers and automatic aim adjustment (ie they self level to avoid dazzling others, apparently) and I have to say, driving behind them is fantastic. The clarity of the road ahead is very impressive and I wouldn't hesitate to buy another car with them.

 

Edit, to go with Mab01uk - my level sensors and light motors are in full working order

Edited by JackF, 06 May 2015 - 11:52 AM.

[Cooperman]

In many modern cars you sit lower than in a Mini. Mazda MX5, BMW Z3 & Z4, Fiesta, Nova, early Corsa, etc.