[harrietb]

Hi,

I'm regretting not speccing xenon headights now on my new Cooper and I noticed you can purchase online. Has anyone done this? Should I get the dealer to fit them? Do I have to get special bulbs? How many do I need? Mini (BMW) Mini 2001- Mini Xenon Headlight Bulbs

[CC07ERS]

its lots of work to fit them you should have spec them instead of the sat nav ps lots of cash aswell to retro fit them

[Paul]

The link you've given just sells high performance bulbs to replace your standard halogen bulbs, they're not in any way the same as factory HID / Xenon headlights. They will improve things, I've used the Phillips Vision Plus bulbs before, and others, and they do improve the standard halogens, but are no match for genuine HID setups.

Motor Vehicle Lighting Council (MVLC)
Howstuffworks "How do the blue-ish headlights on expensive luxury cars work?"

[murmini]

As cco7ers states its a complex and frankly, very expensive mod. I have detailed the operation and the technology behind the MINI Xenon light system here. http://www.murmini.com/articles/2006...enon-headlamps

[wiggis]

Quote: Originally Posted by harrietb (original)

Hi,

I'm regretting not speccing xenon headights now on my new Cooper and I noticed you can purchase online. Has anyone done this? Should I get the dealer to fit them? Do I have to get special bulbs? How many do I need? Mini (BMW) Mini 2001- Mini Xenon Headlight Bulbs

You are stuffed. I wish I'm gone for the Xenons on my MINI too.

When I drive my BMW (which has Xenons), I really notice the difference. The MINI feels downright dangerous in comparison, even though I have upgraded the bulbs in the MINI since purchase.

Hey ho. When I trade the R56 at 12 months old for a new one, I'll upgrade to one with Xenons. And I may even go for a Cooper S, or a R56 Cooper Diesel with a chip ...

[popey]

My mate did his VW for just over £100, it was about half a days work to a confident DIYer. It can be done!!!!!

[Harpo]

I was recently quoted £550 for a full replacement of my standard lights.

When I asked about the posssibility of Xenons, that quote rose to over £1600.

I went with the standards.

[jjmyers]

keep an eye open on ebay i bought a pair of 2004 xenons for 450.00 second hand obviously but they are perfect simply un plug and screw the orginals and plug in the xenons and screw them in and they will worok straight away it take no time at all n verry simple

[harrietb]

I'm not DIY minded at all. Wouldn't have a clue how to change my car's headlights! But I've never tried so hey!

My dealer said I'd be cutting it fine if I left it later than Wed to change my spec.. I wonder how late the headlights are fitted on the cars.......

[Rakey]

Quote: Originally Posted by harrietb (original)

I'm not DIY minded at all. Wouldn't have a clue how to change my car's headlights! But I've never tried so hey!

My dealer said I'd be cutting it fine if I left it later than Wed to change my spec.. I wonder how late the headlights are fitted on the cars.......

Harriet, if you can add these to the spec do it, and do it fast!

Its virtually impossible to retrofit the OEM lights, and would be highly costly to do so, and at present there is no aftermarket alternative.

Although I do know of someone that has an alternative in the pipeline, but it would be better to get them from factory now if you can

[KenL]

Remember that aftermarket Xenons are illegal (and a pest to other road users) if they do not have an auto-levelling system. I think they may also need to have washers to be fully compliant.

[robble]

Quote: Originally Posted by jjmyers (original)

keep an eye open on ebay i bought a pair of 2004 xenons for 450.00 second hand obviously but they are perfect simply un plug and screw the orginals and plug in the xenons and screw them in and they will worok straight away it take no time at all n verry simple

sorry but you couldn't be more wrong.

It's a very complicated job.

I've seen the official instructions on how to do it with a first gen MINI. It is NOT at all simple.
6.5 hours of labor if you know what you are doing.

[MINI-Morgan]

Quote: Originally Posted by KenL (original)

Remember that aftermarket Xenons are illegal (and a pest to other road users) if they do not have an auto-levelling system. I think they may also need to have washers to be fully compliant.

What he sais ^^^... No autolevellers or washers means it should fail its MOT and be deemed illegal by VOSA. So never be caught by a stop check or its a walk home if anyone fits them. Also if you cause a crash because of your headlights and get caught it probably wont be a happy ending.

I did hear you can do retrofit but it will cost so much more than just paying for them during the build. Afterall you're saving the cost of the standard ones but upgrading before its built.

[jjmyers]

i honestly bought mine of ebay complete with charger unit and everything of a 2004 mcs and simply plugged them into my car and they work perfectly! never had a single problem 6.5 hours to plug them in? someone else must have done the same as me somewher e on here?

however if u can add them too ur spec do asap would be so much easier!!

[KenL]

Quote: Originally Posted by jjmyers (original)

i honestly bought mine of ebay complete with charger unit and everything of a 2004 mcs and simply plugged them into my car and they work perfectly! never had a single problem 6.5 hours to plug them in? someone else must have done the same as me somewher e on here?

however if u can add them too ur spec do asap would be so much easier!!

Did you need to follow a procedure to align them correctly?

Did your kit come with auto-levelling?

[robble]

Quote: Originally Posted by jjmyers (original)

i honestly bought mine of ebay complete with charger unit and everything of a 2004 mcs and simply plugged them into my car and they work perfectly! never had a single problem 6.5 hours to plug them in? someone else must have done the same as me somewher e on here?

however if u can add them too ur spec do asap would be so much easier!!

did you have to remove parts of the dash and remove a couple panels on the inside?

[harrietb]

Now now!

I think it's too late to add them to my spec and I don't really want to both my dealer again. Its another £460 - not cheap.

He said on Wed that if I left it any later than Wed evening I'd be cutting it fine, so I would think 3 days later is too late. Never mind. Something to bear in mind for my next Mini in 2 years time.

I would have thought the light would be one of the last things to be added when building the car, but I don't want to cause any delays. I can't cos I'm getting a courtesy car for the day, cos my car's MOT expires on 1st March - so don't want to delay it. Never mind

[Paul]

Quote: Originally Posted by harrietb (original)

I would have thought the light would be one of the last things to be added when building the car, but I don't want to cause any delays. I can't cos I'm getting a courtesy car for the day, cos my car's MOT expires on 1st March - so don't want to delay it. Never mind

It's not at what stage things are added that matter, the order is placed in one go with the factory when the status becomes "locked", and then parts are ordered to build your specific car "just in time". It doesn't take long for the car to actually get built once the process starts. The shell is put together, then that shell goes through paint and production quickly, with your order attached to it. It's not like half way down the line a guy can run down with a changed order just in time to add stripes, lights, or a different paint, once it's locked it locked. (Hope that makes sense).

[nylo]

Quote: Originally Posted by jjmyers (original)

i honestly bought mine of ebay complete with charger unit and everything of a 2004 mcs and simply plugged them into my car and they work perfectly! never had a single problem 6.5 hours to plug them in? someone else must have done the same as me somewher e on here?

however if u can add them too ur spec do asap would be so much easier!!

Quote: Originally Posted by KenL (original)

Did you need to follow a procedure to align them correctly?

Did your kit come with auto-levelling?

Yup, those would be my questions. There are sensors or something in the back suspension too, aren't there? What about the washer system, got that all hooked up too?

Not just a case of swapping halogens to xenons!

Good luck Harriet, I hope you manage to get the order to the factory in time to change it- you won't regret it!

[angeloti]

Dear Alls,
I´m have the same interest (plug XENON-After market HeadLights to my 2005`Mini Cooper)....but without install auto-levelling system and washers system too.

I have the question if i will need to do something in the car-computer system (upload, change something..etc..etc..) or its a real, PLUG AND PLAY?

Best Regards,
Angel,