MINI Adaptive Headlights

insightman

insightman

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This article's headline reads,
Adaptive headlights finally legal in US with Biden's infrastructure bill signed into law
What would it take to retrofit our MINI Cooper SEs with the adaptive LED headlights that have previously been illegal in the US? It would be cool if Bimmercode could do it, but I doubt it's that easy--the upgrade likely requires an expensive new set of headlights and software Bimmercode can't activate.

Here's a 2018 video demonstrating MINI's adaptive LED headlights.
 
These LED headlights are way too harsh to me, the glare off of reflections, like road signs, have a tendency to blind me. I'd prefer a good set of halogens to actually see much better or perhaps HIDS as thats about the only complaint/disappointment I have with the mini. The high beams are really nice out on the open road, however. Not as good as the 85 vettes sealed beams for lighting up the road, but OK.
 
bmartinez028 said:
On our 22s inquiry report “variable light decoding” is listed. I believe this is to deactivate the Adaptive/Matrix function before the car is shipped to the US. I’m sure the hardware is the same as UK cars just deprogrammed.
Click to expand...

Maybe or maybe not. On the clear plastic outer lense it says "DOT" which is a US thing and Europe has a different "ECE" beam cutoff so the assembly is definitely unique for North America.

They still could have left the adaptive matrix stuff in but I doubt it. The "decoding" could just be telling the computer that the car does not have the matrix hardware...

I'd love to be wrong though!
 
I'm getting my winter wheels put on next week, I'll ask service if it's possible to upgrade the lights. They might not know, however.
 
Puppethead said:
I'm getting my winter wheels put on next week, I'll ask service if it's possible to upgrade the lights. They might not know, however.
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Service hadn't heard of them, but their shop foreman saw a YouTube video showcasing them and is trying to find out if it's possible. I'm not entirely hopeful, but the SE does have fully-functional rear fog lights that are disabled in the US so there's a chance it could just be a parts upgrade.
 
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