Aftermarket HID help

[CT MINI]

Has anyone out there added an aftermarket HID headlight system to their MCS? Somebody must have.
I am dying to get an HID setup but I don't know which is best or how to install, where does the counterweight go?
Any and all help will be appreciated.

[aphix]

Hi,

I intend to do this my self soon, I have also spoken to people in the past about converting E46 Coupes to HID, from what I can understand if you securely mount the ballast somewhere behind the headlight, then replace the existing bulb and holder with the supplied HID units, I wasn’t aware that there was any major modifications to be made.

However, I would be very concerned if you hadn’t specified Xenon’s as a factory option, as I’m sure most people have noticed that with Xenon’s, when they turn on their lights when parked in front of a wall, the lights auto level.

I love the idea of HID and the majority of people I have spoken to say a HID conversion gives a much brighter light than the factory xenon’s, however without the auto levelling etc you could dazzle other drivers, I don’t know the legalities of just bolting on HIDS, I’m sure its not as straight forward as that.

I’m sure there are others on this board who have more knowledge than me

Rob

[pkrehbiel]

Check out a couple websites and call them to discuss the requirements for the conversion. The lowest risk and posssibly the lowest total cost might be the MINI factory kit.

www.sigmaautomotive.com/ECB/bodymainecb.html

http://www.eautoworks.com/html/home-...cfm?search=HID

www.midnightmoose.com

[nparker]

If you're going for the look as well as a little brighter beam, try out this link: http://www.piaa.co.uk/index.htm

Sorry for the UK link, the US site doesn't list the H7 bulb.

Also look at this auction: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...category=36476

I will be putting these into my "S" when it arrives. The best part is that PIAA also makes an H3 version so my fogs will match the headlights. With factory HID's, it's hard to match the fogs with the headlights.
Cheers!

[sniece]

OK, so on the topic of just changing bulbs (I have the factory Xenons, but would like to keep the colour consistent with the high beams on...so will likely upgrade the highs and perhaps the fogs), what about higher wattage bulbs. Now, before everyone gives me crap for considering it, I'm just looking for opinions. Is the melting of the factory harness due to extra current draw a genuine concern? What about the higher heat out of higher wattage bulbs melting the lamp housing? Any experience with this on MINIs or other cars?

Steve