Classic Mini Workshop - LED Halo Headlight Upgrade / Conversion

[@classicminiworkshop]

My images have been used by an E-bay seller to promote listings. These images have been taken without my permission and I know nothing about the headlights listed. I have asked the seller several times to remove my images but they ignore me. Please do me a big favor and do not buy from anyone using my images, if they are unscrupulous enough to steal my images, don't trust them with your money!

[@classicminiworkshop]

I get lots of Q's on the legality and UK MOT regulations. From my experience, these headlamps are for show only. The beam pattern and aim might cause you problems come MOT time!

[@Xpp.]

The brightness is insane !

[@angelsone-five7912]

Wow, what a difference! I shall get a pair of those to on my new Mini that I`m collecting on Friday. Awesome.

[@velmathemini]

The explanation was perfect. I might fit a set to mine as you made it look so easy. The results are staggering 😵😵.

[@neilwharton720]

They do look pretty cool on an old mini 👍👍👍

[@timashworth3983]

Fantastic Job and Video!!!! Bought myself a pair and I am looking forward to putting them in. Your hard work is much appreciated.

[@classicminiworkshop]

Much appreciated!

[@ThisIsABargain]

Perfect timing. My TCR lights arrived in post a couple of days ago and I had already begun to head scratch. Cheers.

[@SuperLEEEDWARDS]

Hi guys me again , just want to say THANKS A BLOODY LOT. I have just bought a brand new motorbike but after seeing those 4pots and the stunning minis you have AND all the new tech coming out for the BEST CLASSIC MINI i have literally just put the bike up for sale, Now will i get a decent mini for around the 5-6K as i have been out of the mini scene for a while. I know at that price i wont be getting anything really good but i want SOME cash left over for upgrades and probably the mini will need some work , But like i said in a prev vid i cut my teeth at only 13 years young on minis so i can do ALL the work myself plus my best mate owns an accident and repair shop so painting welding is going to be cheaper . Please keep these vids coming guys as i read the David Vizard bible years ago so if you could go over some of the newer stuff coming out from jack knight/ ,K.A.D /M.E.D/ MINISPORT i would really appreciate it many thanks for inspiring me SCOOBS UK [Wales] .

[@ClassicCarCave]

Keith, I have only fitted one side so i will take out the black box which i had some concerns about with possible heat build up with it being up against the back of the light! I wired my indicators in to the loom under the grille to keep it away from any water. Top video and shows everything you need to know thanks for putting us right on the black box! Cheers Dave

[@classicminiworkshop]

Didn't think about making the indicator connections behind the grille, good idea Dave

[@classicminiworkshop]

I get lots of Q's on the legality and UK MOT regulations. From my experience, these headlamps are for show only. The beam pattern and aim might cause you problems come MOT time!

[@steven-vn9ui]

I don't know about dazzling other drivers, I'm more concerned about 3rd degree burns!! Wow, they are a massive improvement.

[@Alexnse10]

Very nice Keith, I have seen some other videos of before and after but that was unbelievable 👍

[@stusoldcars4248]

i'm still undecided if I like the style of the lights but the difference is undeniable.

[@MiniMattTV]

It’s like there’s no cut off at all! Or it’s aligned very high!

[@classicminiworkshop]

I think that is more to do with the slope of the road. The car is level but the road slopes down

[@classicminiworkshop]

I did double check and yes the aim was way too high

[@MiniMattTV]

Keith Miller I thought you were going to mark your cut-off on the wall for you removed the headlights but then you marked the bottom of the beam?

[@classicminiworkshop]

@@MiniMattTV It was difficult to see a flat cut off with the old headlights so I just marked the bottom line which was defined and the center of the beam as a rough guide. Either way the new headlamp aim was at least 2" higher when I done the same check. Tried adjusting them but my adjusters are seized so now need new headlamp bowls too. Don't ya just love Mini's LOL

[@MiniMattTV]

Keith Miller haha yep, definitely sounds like a mini! Fix one thing for another thing to go wrong!

[@andyfry1970]

Hi Keith, great instructive video, they certainly are bright hey, they do look nice, just not sure if I like the look on a mini (that's generalising, not yours specific), maybe if your going for a more modern look they'd be ok rather than on a period look?

[@neilwharton720]

Maybe easier and neater to do the joins further up the loom on the inside wing?

[@purplepill1478]

Great video Keith. So what happened with the alignment, can you adjust the height of the beam at home/ with adjustments or changing the bowls out? Or does it have to go into shop. What bowls did you get out of interest if this solved the beam height problem? Thanks Al.

[@classicminiworkshop]

Hi Alex, I bought new bowls from Mini Sport at a show. You need a beam setter to set the height correctly. The new bowls did allow me to get the beam lower but to be honest the beam pattern is not great on these cheaper LED lights. You might have issues at MOT time but it doesn't take long to swap back to standard if you need to for the MOT.

[@markdraper7]

Great Video. Makes it idiot proof for the likes of us who are still learning!🙂

[@thedjse]

Awesome video pal. I think Tom should of sent you a free set for the instructional video haha

[@classicminiworkshop]

thedjse I’m practically TCR staff mate, Zero hours contract 😂 lol

[@thedjse]

@@classicminiworkshop I think we all are pal! Hahaha

[@ThisIsABargain]

Hi. I've got these and constantly get flashed by other drivers as they just too bright. Installed correct way up. Adjusted so they are pointed as down as possible. Have you seen this problem please?

[@classicminiworkshop]

Yes, had the same issue getting the aim low enough. I ended up fitting new headlamp bowls

[@ThisIsABargain]

@@classicminiworkshop thanks. Are your new bowles a different spec then somehow? How did the new bowles help if not. Cheers.

[@classicminiworkshop]

@@ThisIsABargain The old adjusters were a bit worn, the threads in the adjusting screws were not the best. The new ones allowed me to adjust a bit further. Either way, these cheap LED-type headlamps from E-bay are not ideal. Be prepared to have to swap back for MOT time. The proper versions that have a good beam pattern cost £300+

[@classicminidetails8887]

Professional.

[@idemchuk0506]

Great video!

[@LoneStarMini]

brilliant video. it will be a while before I'm actually doing this, but this was good to watch. what exactly was the 'wax' spray you used? Is that a lithium grease you use to help prevent corrosion? You made it look simple and straight forward. The only other question would be whether or not you had to adjust the lights at all..

[@classicminiworkshop]

That wax I use is Dinitrol or equivalent cavity wax. Yes I did need to adjust the headlights down quite a bit.

[@neevisits2957]

Are these road legal and pass an MOT?

[@classicminiworkshop]

The MOT rules have changed recently with regards to LED bulbs on classic cars that were not originally fitted with LED's so I cannot say 100% for sure. I think these might now cause a problem come MOT time.

[@nielsandersen8779]

Nice 👍

[@leemclaughlin3927]

hi just curious when sidelights are on what happens to the indicator ?does it over ride the halo as a sidelight ? cheers

[@classicminiworkshop]

lee mclaughlin the indicator over rides the halo sidelight but you don’t really notice it

[@stephenstokes8318]

I like the brightness but I don't like the way they look

[@paulsutton5896]

I absolutely agree.

[@Tyrekickingwetdreamer]

Definitely illegal because of the dazzle

[@paulhotson5820]

Buy some cibie spotlights a lot cheaper are more classic and look better!!!

[@demonlee1933]

How do you deal with this statement regarding LED Lamps being fitted to older Vehicles? New cars are fitted with LED lamps, which have been tested and pass Whole Vehicle Type Approval. Under British Road Vehicle Lighting Regulations, LEDs are not mentioned, because they were not invented, when the legislation was penned in 1989, meaning that they are not permitted at all. However, new cars fitted with LED lights are allowed to be used in the UK, because the lamps pass European / UNECE technical standards (although some of these latest LED lamps seem more dazzling to me than ever before). Nonetheless, the ‘bulbs’ on those newer cars thus equipped, at the time of writing, cannot be renewed. If an LED module fails, the whole lamp has to be replaced. Not only do conversion bulbs fail to comply with the aforementioned European technical standards but also fitting them ensures that your lamp will not perform as designed and will prejudice the Whole Vehicle Type Approval of your vehicle.

[@classicminiworkshop]

It's the same for any modification you make, wheels, exhaust, lights, body kits, engine, etc. The vehicle will not perform to the WVTA standard or whatever the standard was when the car was built. Some countries such as Germany are very strict on vehicle modifications, far less so in the UK. It's a risk you take, get pulled by VOSA and be prepared to face the consequences. The lights might say they are E marked, UK compliant, MOT pass etc. but you are quite right they will not be type approved for the vehicle. Thankfully, unless someone is really looking to make an example of you it's unlikely to be an issue, but drive around with no MOT, Tax, Insurance, Bit's hanging off the car etc. then someone will be looking for a reason to make an example. I'm not aware of anyone enforcing the EU technical standard in the UK in such a case? You might get a prohibition notice for headlamp aim/alignment/beam pattern.

[@demonlee1933]

@@classicminiworkshop - as long as you notify your insurance company of the mod you might get away with it or if the car is old enough to be exempt from mot etc.

[@twillum]

I had these fitted... EPIC fail come MOT time. No beam pattern whatsoever. Don't bin your old lights folks and be prepared to be pissing other road users off with your headlight aim.

[@classicminiworkshop]

Completely agree, show lights only unless you spend £300+ on the proper ones!

[@RobinTheMini]

Don't like those led lights in a Mini. Tends to look like a drag queen's eyes with excesive make-up