HID lights which ones do i order?
Turbo Mini Forums

Im trying to order some HID lights for my friend for his mini, but which ones do i get? Are the mini halogen bulbs called a H7?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/XENON-HID-KIT-BULB-H...1QQcmdZViewItem

Thats what im going to get for him the white version, anyone else fitted these?

Previous Engine: 1040cc Morespeed engine, 1275 turbo head T2 Turbo Mirage Manifolds Megajolt
Previous engine: STD metro turbo, megajolt
Drives: 399bananahp (flywheel) Honda Civic Vtec b18c4 T28 Turbo 1968 Mini

Megajolt maps to download: http://www.jamesfawcett.co.uk/cms/index.ph...&gid=3&Itemid=3

most converson kits such as the wipac use a h4 bulb AFAIK

I've seen the future and tbh its Pie

Personally if you want improved lights I'd say just to fit some more powerful bulbs. I use 100/80W H4 bulbs in most of my cars and they are much improved without costing a small fortune.

are they not illegal though? would a 100/80 not fry the original equipment wiring?

I've seen the future and tbh its Pie

Yes they are illegal, but the difference although noticeable when driving, is not that noticeable when the lights are on and you are looking at them from the outside. The only way to check would be to remove the bulb and physically check, and I think you would be unlucky if it got that far. Even if it did, I reckon a plea of ignorance would probably see you on your way with no further problems.....

The wiring does need checking out on all cars, most modern stuff you can get away with it, but on a mini I can say for definate it needs some upgrading, the actual cabling to the lights is adequate, but the light switch itself won't put up with the current draw.
The easy way to sort this is to use relays on the inner wing near to the solenoid, wire a heavy cable feed to the relay direct from the solenoid (which also has alternator and battery direct feeds) and then break into the headlight wiring, use the original feed from the lightswitch to switch the relays (nominal current) and then the load is drawn from the solenoid. Might sound complicated to those not up on vehicle electrics but in reality its about a two hour job start to finish.

yep makes sense, cheers for the heads up

I've seen the future and tbh its Pie

nice one! ill warn him about all this and see if he still wants them.

Edited by jamesfawcett on 3rd Apr, 2006.

Previous Engine: 1040cc Morespeed engine, 1275 turbo head T2 Turbo Mirage Manifolds Megajolt
Previous engine: STD metro turbo, megajolt
Drives: 399bananahp (flywheel) Honda Civic Vtec b18c4 T28 Turbo 1968 Mini

Megajolt maps to download: http://www.jamesfawcett.co.uk/cms/index.ph...&gid=3&Itemid=3

I've always been slated on TMF for posting nasty things against HIDs, but I'll try on here!

99% of aftermarket HIDs are rubbish, for 2 main reasons:

1. A proper HID headlight has the refraction surface in the reflector and not in the lens as is the case when you retro fit kits to standard halogen lamp units. This just means that you're spending £300-odd to basically get the current draw on your battery down!
2. HID lamps are not effective. It has been proven that MOST of the excess light that they produce is in a spectrum, and of a frequency whereby the light is not picked up by the human eye. The excess light that IS produced and picked up,has also been proven to make the eye more fatigued and can lead to driving while tired causing accidents!

The other thing, which isn't exactly a slating of HIDs but is a viable alternative, is what Tom says. Basically you can fit higher wattage bulbs and get a better vision (at the right frequencies). However, I wouldn't reccomend the 100/80 bulbs. Purely and simply that 80W dip beams are not friendly to other road users. I use 100/55s in the Porsche, and while the dip is not better (well it is, but that's my next stroy) it doesn't really need to be. You shouldn't be "going for it" on a busy road anyhow. Wheras of course the main is highly improved. (although technically, they are still illegal to use on the road)

The other thing is the wiring. Voltage drop to the bulbs is of great importance, and correcting this can actually lead to an improvement without touching the bulbs! Basically your minis headlight current goes though old wiring and a usually tempermental switch (and cruddy old BL/lucas relay on younger cars). Dump it! You can wire up a relay system whereby you use the existing wiring to the headlights to operate a pair of relays (one main, and one dip) which then take current directly from the battery (off the starter motor connection) to power your lights.

So you can either spend £300 on HIDs and be tired, dangerous, and see no more than standard, or £10 on bulbs and £30 on a modified harness, and light the way!

Edited by pikey7 on 4th Apr, 2006.