How much to replace xenon bulb if it fails

[BlueCooperR56]

I'm speccing my new cooper and thinking of having the bi-xenons fitted. Just wondering how much they are to replace when they eventually fail. I would like to have them replaced by the dealer if possible!

Thanks

[BlackMiniMac]

The 'tubes' for xenons are well over £100 each !!

[M1TCH]

how much over? cos if its near £100 thats cheap.

[BlueCooperR56]

me thinks me might remove them from the spec! How long do they last?

[M1TCH]

bloody ages

[BlueCooperR56]

i'll have the car at least 3 yrs. Will they last that long? If they're factory fitted are they covered by the warranty? Ta

[M1TCH]

looking on the net its hard to find a definate answer to how long they last, think about 10 times longer.

I dont think the 53 reg R53 we had ever had a bulb need replacing. I'd say your pretty safe for 3 years but its not just the bulbs they can die on xenon lights, theres other components that make them work which could fail at any point

[M1TCH]

Not sure what the R56 uses but from reading a previous thread the facelift R53 used D2S HID bulbs and theres are on here Power Bulbs - autobulbs, autolamps, xenon headlights, car bulbs, headlight bulbs, osram silverstar, silver star, philips vision plus, philips blue vision, bluevision for £98

and here for £50 D2S Bulb Osram or Philips - 49.99 - HID and Xenon lighting kit

not to bad me thinks, dealer probably more likely to charge £150, I've heard of mercs costing £350 at dealers before

[drumzz]

hi,
had xenons on a beemer for the past 5 years, used EVERY day, no problem whatsoever, so i wouldn't worry.

[BlueCooperR56]

Thanks very much for the info! Not sure what to do now! It's a lot of money if they fail!!! We'll see!

[BlueCooperR56]

I've just read a post where someone says bi-xenons are even better?? What's the difference between bi-xenons and xenons?

[memphisto]

Hi BlueCooperR56,

Bi-xenon just means that a single xenon bulb is used for both the high beam and low beam illumination (when in low beam a shutter is placed in front of the bulb to alter the spread of the light). Non bi-xenon lamps have a separate halogen bulb for the main beam.

The R56 Mini has bi-zenon lights unlike the earlier models.

Car Magazine were very critical of the standard halogen R56 Mini headlights saying "Terrible headlamps though; the kind of driver-oriented stuff you expect BMW to ace. They're the first thing to limit your speed on the Fens at night".

[Hyper Active]

Quote: Originally Posted by BlueCooperR56 (original)

Thanks very much for the info! Not sure what to do now! It's a lot of money if they fail!!! We'll see!

All i can say is that personally i would always choose xenon headlights over normal headlights. There much brighter than the normal headlights, and are supposed to last the life time of the car. Which i would guess is a lot longer than 3 years. Below is how Philips describe them.


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Products

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Philips HID D2S Capsule

For cars with HID already installed

More than twice the amount of light of a halogen bulb while consuming half the power of a halogen bulb. And more light means more safety on our roads. The clear white light enables driver to concentrate better. Reflects the road markings and signs better. Due to its lower power consumption, Xenon bulbs contribute to saving energy and are thus more environmentally friendly than halogen bulbs. The life span of a Xenon bulb equals that of a car, which means that the bulb will only have to be replaced in exceptional cases.

[BlueCooperR56]

If they are factory fitted by MINI do you think that they would be covered under the warranty, say if they failed after the first year?

[Hyper Active]

Quote: Originally Posted by BlueCooperR56 (original)

If they are factory fitted by MINI do you think that they would be covered under the warranty, say if they failed after the first year?

I'm not sure about warranty, in theory they should as 1 year would be a very short time for a xenon bulb. Though they might say any bulb is a wear and tear item. Try asking your dealer, and if they say it is covered get them to put it in writing .