retrofiting xenon headlight

[jonsibal]

I would like to replace my wife's mini cooper headlights with the MINI xenon factory headlights. I tried using the H7 hid kits but didnt work out. Is this mod possible? I don't need to have the washers to work, just need better lighting. :help

[Koopah]

Well, it may be a very expensive proposition. The xenons are probably around $800 each (I'm guessing). Their *may* also be some wiring issues and, I believe, a reprogramming at the dealer.

If the efficiency of the lighting is an issue, why not add some classic auxillary lighting?

Of course, you won't fool anyone into thinking you have xenons, but a carefully chosen and aimed set of driving lights (not spots or fogs) will do wonders for road illumination!

Theo

[umnitza]

Jon, I will check for you if the new Prolumen we carry will work for you.

I'm pretty sure they will, I'll visit the dealership shortly.

[J0kER]

Jon, I will check for you if the new Prolumen we carry will work for you.

I'm pretty sure they will, I'll visit the dealership shortly. do u know of an upgrade for the fog lamps on the Mini??

[umnitza]

Yes, we looked at those, it looks like an H11 bulb

[JCW MINI]

????

[Nics]

http://www.motoringfile.com/howto/Xenons%20%26%20Washers.PDF

dealer retrofit instructions.

[jonsibal]

I saw that instructions but its really just to retrofit the headlight washers more than anything. I wish it covered the actual wiring differences or adjustments when going from non xenon to xenon headlights.

Thanks though.:)

[umnitza]

Bring your car up here;) I'll take care of it:) really good care;)

[jonsibal]

Thanks Matt. Im sure you will:)

More than just converting to xenons. I want to convert it to the newer style xenon projector headlights.

I love this.
http://www.bmw.co.uk/apm/new_bmw/images/photos/MI/COP/exterior/5_enlarged.jpg

[jpropane]

jon,

Went the other way (Xenon->conventional) on the race car and it was plug+play. Can't see it being too involved the other way.

If you need igniters/control units, I have a pair for sale here:

http://www.northamericanmotoring.com/forums/showthread.php?t=53618



JP

[jonsibal]

JP, thanks for the offer. Sounds like a good deal.

Why did you switch to Halogens?

Would the ones that you are selling just be plug and play? The stock-non xenon housing uses an H7 bulb.

I wonder if the housing for the xenon equipped headlights are that much different than the halogens that I have.

[jpropane]

They come from a crash-damaged donor car. The parts were used to build a dedicated race car.

The non-Xenon were like $200 each vs $1,200 for Xenon (Canadian $$$). No brainer on a car where you'll only need lights when it rains. May be. And then the additional weight savings.

I can't confirm that the retrofit is plug in play going your way, but it was removing the Xenon. The connectors sure did fit my 2003 harness. Other than that I don't know. May be reprogramming?

There's actually 3 bulbs listed in ETK.

#1 is a 12V 65W H9
#3 is a D2-R up to 07/04 (replaced by a D2-S 35W from 07/04, facelift?)
#2 is a 12V 55W H7

#1 and #2 are both listed as for Xenon housing. May be #1 being for high beams? Can't see more than that for now

I'd offer to check the old housing but it's buried knee deep in snow in the shed.

PM in the spring!

Hope it helps!

JP