Greets! Currently driving a justa Clubman. SWMBO drives a current generation Ford Fiesta. The difference between her headlights and mine is...striking. Based on feedback before I bought the Clubman, I wasn't really surprised that the headlights weren't stellar, and I've been too lazy to upgrade to something like Silverstars.

But, in thinking about a Countryman, I wanted to see what folks thought about the stock lighting. Not xenons. I don't want the expense of replacements or the complication of the auto-aiming/levelling system.

So, what say ye? Thx!

 

Get the xenons. They're fantastic. We've had 4 MINIs with xenons and never have had to replace anything. I wouldn't worry about it.

 

The lifespan of the xenons far exceeds that of ordinary bulbs. Also you do not have to get adaptive lighting.

 

I've been happy with the stock Halogen bulbs in both of my Minis, but maybe I'm just used to bad lighting.

 

I have the xeons in mine, and while it was in the shop, I had a loaner without the xeons. The difference really is amazing!

 

Xenons only for me. I feel they have superior output and beam pattern compared to the halogens. As for the need/cost for xenon replacements, that's not really an issue. My '04 JCW MCS (with xenons and a track suspension) has banged over the rough roads of New England for 10-years without any xenon problems. I expect the CMS xenons to do the same.

YMMV

 

Traded in a 12' Countryman with base headlights to a 13' with Xenons. I couldn't believe the difference! It was like I was driving in the dark all this time, and I guess I really was. Get the Xenons. It is much safer. I was always driving with the fog lights on before so I could see the road closer to the car. No need with the xenons. It's like high beams with fog lights and the brightness turned up to 11.

 

Stock headlights are awful. The high beams are even worst. Get the xenons or upgrade existing.

 

The Xenon option is overpriced, but we have paid for it in all three Mini's we have purchased, and if we were ordering a new one today we would do the same.

I've driven some of the dealer service rentals with the standard headlights and the difference is substantial.

As for reliability, we have had no xenon issues at all, including 8 years/ 150k miles with our '03 MCS. We also have an '04 Porsche Carrera and an '11 BMW X5 that both have xenons, and again, no issues at all.

Unlikely I would ever buy another car without them.

 

also the Xenon on the Mini are better than some other car's stock Xenon ...

 

You may not have to get the adaptive (as I understand it, that's the ones that aim laterally as you steer), but unless I'm misinformed, all xenon/HID OE headlights are required to be auto-leveling vertically to compensate for the attitude of the vehicle with different load.

So, nobody's had to replace a Xenon cartridge? My brother had to on an Audi AllRoad, and it was north of $200.

 

Your brother got ripped off. Replacing an HID bulb is as easy as replacing a halogen one. last for years and can be had for cheap. I've never seen an OEM ballast fail, but it could be expensive it if did.

Also, what the hell is a xenon cartridge?

 

the whole Xenon Headlights are cover under the warranty, when the halogen headlights are not cover.

 

That's good to know, at least for the first few years, eh?

 

Well, I wasn't speaking to difficulty, just cost.Well, as opposed to calling it a lamp, which technically speaking is just the glass envelope and the filament, the modular, plug-in "bulbs" I have heard referred to as cartridges. Semantics.

 

love xenons, and the ones on the mini are great. oddly enough, my 08 mini had autoleveling headlights, but my '13 does not (prefer it though).

will never go with a car without xenons again if i can help it

 

My '12 Countryman All 4 S has the base headlights. They are the same as the base headlights in the other minis, just a different housing. They are just as bad too. I bought my Mini's off the lot, and after having the Xenon in a previous mini, and seeing these base ones in my Countryman S and my Roadster S I will never again buy one without the Xenon. They should not be allowed to put this crap in cars. The only worse lights I've had before were in a 2004 Jeep Wrangler. Might as well tape a flashlight on the hood! (slight exaggeration)

We bought them and I was thinking we can just swap the Xenons in later... But the cost to buy the parts and put them on yourself costs more than the option to get them originally.

 

I agree with you. The first thing I did was swap the bulbs to the bright white and DRLs to the PIAA yellow. I couldn't afford the Xenon retrofit.

 

Well, I'm impressed by the feedback. Not that the OEs are substandard (thx for the equipment info, makaveliks), but that the votes in favor of the Xenons were so definite. So, my CTM "build" just went up in cost by $500 (or $600 with adaptive . Ah, well. It's theoretical money for now. I did order up a set of Silverstar Ultras to "upgrade" the Clubman for now. Cain't hurt.