I used to have a 08 Mazdaspeed3 Sport. And while the GT had the xenons, it was like 3k more. The only thing I wanted on the GT over the sport was xenon's. But for 3k difference, i could not justify it. Really tee'ed me off that mazda would not let me pick and choose what I want on my brand new mazda. But for 21k brand new it was a hell of a car. However, while fast in a straight line, the cars power fell off the face of the earth after 5500 rpm. I took it to the drag strip stock, and fighting wheel hop all the way, i ran 14.4@99. I'm sure the JCW could muster that.

If you are looking at getting a fully loaded MS3 vs a stripper JCW, I'd go with the JCW in a heartbeat, but I'd have to check that 500 dollar box for xenons.

I worked a deal on my mom's S, and it did not have xenons(she hates them) But I wanted to see if they can be retrofited, the cost to retrofit from the dealer is 4k. The tech said if you want factory xenons, get it from the factory it is a steal.

 

I have Mazda Xenons on our CX-9. They are the same as in the Speed3 (I have a normal 3 as well, no xenons).

They simply do not compare to the Mini bi-xenons. For one thing, they are entirely manual (no Mazda has auto leveling HIDs), and for another they are only available on low beams. The Mini Xenons are a hell of a deal and far better than the Mazda ones.

 

+LOTS!!!!!

Once you have gone Xenons, you can't go back!!

 

I think part of it has to do with what the dealers are receiving/ordering. I gladly would have paid for xenons and few other options. I just purchased an 09 JCW and the biggest issue I found was finding one with the correct options. They all seemed to be missing something critical option wise.

I found one with many options (prem, cold weather, xenons, etc) though it had cloth seats . I have read many posts how clothes seats can be advantageous though I could not bring myself to pay 30k for a car that doesn't have leather inside.

It was definitely frustrating trying to find a JCW with the correct options.

 

I know that it was possible to find leather seat-covers for r53's for about $1000 or so for quite a while.....with the special stitching for the airbags and all...(they were made by the same company that made the OEM covers)...not sure if they are available still, or have been ever made for the the newer cars thou......or ask the dealer to install the OEM leather seatcovers, they might be willing to do it to make the sale......anything is possible if a dealer really wants to makes a sale and you can agree on a value for the change...maybe split it or something?!

 

WE THINK

+7 X 2

 

I ended up sacrificing color and found one with leather.

 

for us older folks, xenons are wonderful at night

 

$4K?! Holy poop! I believe it though...and anyone that thinks the xenon kits on eBay are the same thing only cheaper is high. You cannot put HIDs in a housing that is not designed for them, period. That's why all those ricer idiots with 15K (color temperature) hyper blue lights blind you when they're behind you at night, because the light is scattering everywhere. It's great when they're behind a cop though...

 

I don't have ebay xenons but I guess my point was that I would never pay anything over pay 1k let alone 4k! for xenons. I would take aftermarket goodies over 4k xenons for sure!

 

I guess since MINI only charges $500 for them I wouldn't pay $1k either.

 

I agree. I am looking for one in really any color except blue and red. But I want ideally no roof, xenons, multifunction steering wheel, cold weather pkg, conveinence pkg.

 

No roof? Even a convertible has a roof, although you aren't required to keep it up.

 

I've never understood the big deal about fancy headlights. My previous cars have had them and I opted out of them on both of my new cars.

 

Some makes/models have very good standard headlights....but by getting the Xenon lights you know they will be great at night (they also make the front of the car look nice during the day IMO).....how many people test drive a car at night (on a dark barron road)? And by getting them from the OEM you know they will be great and safe for other drivers!!

 

I really loathe the expression "no brainer" but that's what getting the OEM Xenons for your MINI is. True factory Xenons are a complete system of projector bulbs, reflector designed for it, ballasts, and the high voltage wiring to handle them. Trying to slap in an Ebay bulb is never going to have the same effect. Do a little interweb research and you'll find that the whole concept of xenons is their superior spot in the color/light spectrum. It's not that they're brighter, they just shine at a point in the spectrum that is closer to natural light and that human eyes see better. For $500 they are an absolute bargain and I would not have a car without them anymore either. Somewhere in their infancy, people became enamoured of their bluish, purplish tint and the "look" became more popular than the function but that's not what they're all about. Each to their own, but I just shake my head that someone would pass on xenons on their MINI so they can get a chrome package instead.

 

I agree with you fully. I'll never get another car without xenons.

x6 (i think we're up to 6)

 

xenons are a must for all my cars! even if i have to install it (properly) myself.

 

+9

 

+10

My dad and I both have them on our cars. I bought them for a number of reasons. Safety: easier to see and be seen by other drivers. Aesthetics: the color that they project is much more pleasing than regular bulbs. Longevity: I like that I won't have to change my lights until much later than I would have with the standard ones. I'm lazy

 

It's so much easier to see at night with xenons - can't believe they're not standard. When I unleash the high beams, holy crap, it's like freaking daylight for 2000 yards.

Really wish they would just make the JCW fully loaded with a MSRP of 33k including sport suspension.

 

Not sure what YOUR definition of fully loaded is but a JCW that IS fully loaded would be over $40,000 (it's easy to hit $45K without any dealer accessories).

However I do think a JCW should come with Xenon's, Sports Suspension and the Airo Kit as standard

 

I guess I didn't mean "fully loaded", just standardize some of these typical options for a lower overall cost - or things that *should* be standard for a 30k+ car (auto climate, xenon, convenience package, HK stereo). I.e. add in $5k of options standard on the JCW, and up the MSRP to $32k or something.

Of course, my other car is an Acura TSX, and so I'm spoiled by their setup. Options are just Auto (no charge) and/or Navigation.

 

+26

 

HID lights? Before forking over another $500, I think that you must ask yourself, how much night time driving do I do? The only good thing about HID's is the head light washers, period. I hate meeting cars with Xenons, I hate people that have them that come up behind me, and halogens, at least to me, are just as good. If you feel that halogens aren't good enough, then buy new bulbs, much less than the $500 excess charge. Personally, I'd rather put the $500 in the Cold package, LSD, which won't be around much longer, or maybe a color option. HID's just don't do it for me. Sorry folks.