Bi-Xenon Or Aftermarket Bulbs

[airbusA346]

I was wondering if there were any aftermarket bulbs out there for the R56, so that I don't have to spend money on Bi-Xenon headlights.

Thanks
Tom.

[M800JCW]

...have a look here how to retrofit Xonon light: http://motoringfile.com/files/retrof...nsNewstyle.pdf

Quote: Originally Posted by airbusA346 (original)

I was wondering if there were any aftermarket bulbs out there for the R56, so that I don't have to spend money on Bi-Xenon headlights.

[Paul]

Go for the Bi-Xenons, the price for them is pretty good compared to many other manufacturers and the output is excellent.

[M800JCW]

Quote: Originally Posted by Paul Mullett (original)

Go for the Bi-Xenons, the price for them is pretty good compared to many other manufacturers and the output is excellent.

Found this in the news today, in German news magazine "Der Spiegel", TÜV-Studie: Xenonlicht senkt Unfallrisiko drastisch - Auto - SPIEGEL ONLINE - Nachrichten,
saying that according to a study by the German organisation TUEV, with cars with Xenon lights have been involved in 50% less accidents on country roads, and 30% less on the Autobahn!

Details, in German, on the TUEV web site, Presse - TÜV Rheinland Group, haven't found an English version yet.

[Tigger, Eeyore & Roo]

Given the choice always go for Xenons, especially where the alternative is only single optic halogens

Tigger.

[yorkslad]

Just waiting for my Cooper D but regreting not getting Bi-Xenons (had to draw a line with spec), how much does it cost to retrofit on a R56?

[valk009]

Retro fitting xenons can be very costly. It is not just a simple job of removing and replacing the headlights!

First, there is the need to get a new set of entire headlight unit, next are some electric gimmicks to sort the voltage for the high power output. Then there sre the changes needed to the dashboard, as xenon have auto levelling, those switches on non xenons have to go. There might be even more things to change, wiring, fuses etc.

[Tigger, Eeyore & Roo]

What's the betting that in 10 years Xenon headlamps will be standard equipment on most new cars? A bit like ABS, disc brakes and brake servos were all once seen as a luxury item and now essential....

[LeakyTurnip]

I collected my Dooper last Saturday and in an 11th Hour decision I specked the Bi-Xenon headlights. I've never had them on a car before but always wanted them, but they were quite expensive on my last car (Seat Leon) at around £800, so the £460 that MINI wanted was a bit of a bargain!

I've used them several times in the Dooper and it's hard to describe the difference. There is a fantastic white light which is extremely bright right up until the cut-off point. The full beam is like turning on a floodlight at a football pitch, it's really quite amazing.

Retrofitting them would be a lot of hard work, don't forget that you must install the headlight washer system as well as all the other stuff mentioned. Cars with the washer system also have a larger screenwash tank at 4.5 litres compared to the standard 2.5 litres, so there another thing that will need changed. No set of aftermarket bulbs will be as good as the real thing. I've tried both Philips and Osram and although much better that the standard units, they come nowhere near Xenon's.

If you still have time to spec them, do it!

Oh and when you first turn them on they are pretty cool to watch!

[Paul]

Quote: Originally Posted by Tigger, Eeyore & Roo (original)

What's the betting that in 10 years Xenon headlamps will be standard equipment on most new cars? A bit like ABS, disc brakes and brake servos were all once seen as a luxury item and now essential....

As soon as another safer option that can be charged for is common place on the market then the Xenons will be standard I'm sure.

[DerekH]

Xenons on man car great first time had them , on mini MCS i have standard lights so after out two nights ago saw how poor the dip was and ordered Phillips Extreme power Bulbs yesterday and will fit tonight will give you an up date. Main beam ok with my spots fitted but vibration spoils the beam a little, would be beeter if spots were switched not linked to main beam IMO

[DerekH]

Airbus new bulbs are very good on full beam and crisp white light but was not so pleased with dip may need to reset my lights will take it to friends garage to set, if i had the extra cash for the second car and was not worried about losing money at resale, buy the xenon as extra if you do a lot of night driving

[n1tr0]

Has anyone priced out replacement bulbs, I retro-fitted some plug-in aftermarket HID's to my little suzuki (which are cheap), but being a tech for SAAB, the thought of having to shell out $200-400 per bulb or the parts to repair the power wash function has me leaving that box unchecked on my build sheet

[LizzyG]

I drove my car at night for the first time the other night and was shocked out how bad the headlights are. I'd defo get the xenons for my next mini.

[Paul]

Quote: Originally Posted by n1tr0 (original)

Has anyone priced out replacement bulbs, I retro-fitted some plug-in aftermarket HID's to my little suzuki (which are cheap), but being a tech for SAAB, the thought of having to shell out $200-400 per bulb or the parts to repair the power wash function has me leaving that box unchecked on my build sheet

To counter that you have the expected life of the bulbs being about as long as the car itself, and the fact it COULD be a life/death accident/no accident decision.