Not that it's a huge thing to some, but I really didn't light the "egg yoke" look of the R56 turn signals and side markers. Even with the clear lenses spec'd, there was still enough orange tint from the indicater bulbs to look like a bunch of fried eggs. So no more!



To get rid of the yokes, I installed a set of 4 Phillips Silvervision indicater bulbs ( http://www.powerbulbs.co.uk/default.asp?product.asp?P_ID=174 &strPageHistory=related), and two Hoen brand Chromium markers (http://www.hoen-usa.com/). All the bulbs have a chrome look to them, but flash a nice bright amber when you activate the turn signals.



After that, I took aim at the driving lghts, front fogs and front markers (upper third of the fog light lenses). It bugged me that the Xenons were so super-white, and the rest of the lights up front had a distinct yellowish tint to them. I bought some Hoen Xenonmatch bulbs (H3's for the drivers and H8's for the fogs) and a pair of Hoen Citylights for the front markers.



The change is dramaticlly different. Everything up front just seems more "tied together". I like it. It's not necessarily any brighter... but a cleaner looking lighting effect.

 

I like them, I like them. Thats what Im going to do with mine, even though I got the white lenses like you. BTY, I took out the rear bulbs just to check the model number. Jeepers!! that is a hand scraper, tight area, lots of sharp edges., hard to line up the keyways when replacing. Thank goodness my hands are relatively small.Not a job for the ham-fisted.

 

I really like the mod for the front markers. After taking out and inspecting a my headlights, the orange marker seem to be plastic bolted by torx screws into their frame.
I did not order the white tail lights option on my MCS, but I've checked the main R56 gallery and it seems that they only come with the orange markers on the front.
How did you made them clear? Did I miss something?
Thanks!

 

If you don't want to get the silvervisions from the U.K., go to any BMW dealer and ask for part #63 217 160 897 ($15.00 each) These are the silver turn signal bulbs from the X3 & X5. They are amber when lit, and have much less amber showing when off, than the silvervisions.

 

Good call, Coffeeman.

 

Less amber showing? Hard to imagine, since the Silvervisions look chrome and show none to speak of.

Are they $15 EACH? Or per pair. That would mean $60 for 4 bulbs ? Plus tax from the dealership?

I got the Sivervisions for 25 ponds sterling (about $45 USD) for ALL FOUR. Shipped 2nd day air for free!

 

Damn, I wished I'd opted for the white turn signals for the rear. I just couldn't get a grasp for how they'd look and the configurator was no help there either The use of the chrome bulbs gives the all white look to match up with my roof and mirror caps too Oh well, maybe someone will want to swap out their white signal lenses with me if they don't look as good as they expected them too.

 

The white turn signals option includes both front and rear.

 

Sadly, they are $15.00 each, but with the 10% BMWCCA discount, it was a little less painful. They are totally silver, and do have much less amber than the silvervisions. I picked up mine in Delaware, so no sales tax.

 

The R56 looks so much better with the white turn signals. Nice job on the lights.

 

There is a tradeoff. In general, more silver and less amber means that the coating is more opaque and the bulb is less bright. I have some completely silver front turn bulbs and side 194 bulbs that looked good, but I swapped them out because they were dim and compromised safety.

 

klasse I am with you on that. It doesnt look like the lens is coming off either

 

Looks good. But I always thought the yoke was the best part of the egg.

 

I took one off my headlights, and it seems that the lens for the front turn signals can come off.
It is held in place by 4 small torx screws, that can be reached from the back of the assembly.
I guess know its just a matter of getting a couple of clear lenses.

 

very interesting information alalo. Thank you!

 

Don't mean to unnecessarily bump, but I bought a pair of Osram Diadems from the UK for the front turn signals, and they appear a light blue when off, but are full amber when on. Looks fine with the DS.

 

As a big Eggs Bennidict fan... I would ordinarily agree. But not on my car.

I tried a set of OSRAMs first. Nice, but I like the while/silver better myself. A personal preferance thing only. Y'know?

 

I just went to the dealership yesterday and changed my order to change the amber light to the white. I was told that this option only applied to the rear set, not the front. My husband questioned it again because he couldn't believe that they would only change the rear and not the front also. It was looked up and we were once again told that this option only applies to the rear lights. So it will be a pleasant surprise if it comes in with all the lights white.


I wondered about this. I've seen pics and read about a few Minis rear ended and wondered if the lights were bright enough. In our area there are so many lifted trucks around, I'm sure that puts a low car at a disadvantage for sure. When driving the GT500 I get away from tailgaters and high trucks following me to close.:impatient I'm sure I'll be bad about that in the Mini also.:impatient

 

Great job, msh...this will be a popular type of mod, imo, although I personally value the all the amber markers on my own MINI. So nice to have options!!!!!

 

My R56 brochure says (page 59): "The white direction indicators option includes white indicator glasses in the front headlight units, side direction indicators and rear light units."

 

Thank!!!

I'll print this off for my next trip to the dealership. Like I mentioned, my husband couldn't believe it was only the rear and he questioned it again with the same results. He'll be happy that his $100 is covering more than just the rear.

 

My experience with these specific bulbs: The front and rear SilverVision signals are, if anything, brighter than stock. There's no worries there IMO.

The Hoen sidemarker though, is noticably dulled compared to the amber stock marker. Oh, well. Slave to fasion I guess.

 

You can do the same mod for $5 with a can of Silver engine paint from AutoZone. Wipe the bulbs with an alcohol pad and tape the bulb to the end of a water bottle.

Then LIGHTLY paint the bulb. It can still have a ting orange to it if you want the bulb to be brighter. They'll look silver and blink orange. I've done to for my M3 and X5 and a few friends cars. Don't skip the alcohol pad part, or the paint will crinkle up.

 

Now THAT, I like! Thanks for the tip! Worst case scenario it looks like crap and you go buy some more amber bulbs for $5! Nice!!!

 

I did bring this up the last time I spoke with someone at the dealership. They still stand by their orginal statement that it's only the rear lights. Neither of my brochures have anything about the lights on page 59. I'll let you all know what I end up with come mid August. Thanks for trying!