Im not a fan of whats legal or not, nor do I really care about DOT approval. I was just curious, since the bulb is the same size, would the light pattern be the same as w/ the halogens bulbs?

Do the H7 kits kick out as much light as the D2S bulbs?

 

Anyone else want to post their successful Xenon swaps? I know there are way more out there..... Someone HAS to have tried to put in 05+ xenons in a car w/ halogens...

 

I did today. It didnt work. The high beams worked. Just not the Xenons.

 

So I talked to a guy who owns an Audi who knew alot about electrical wiring/retrofitting xenons and he recomended that I try wiring the lights up directly to the battery to see if that supplied enough power to keep the projectors on. He thought that the balasts may not be supplying enough power and in aftermarket kits he had seen people connect straight to the battery. I don't have enough expertise to do this but if someone wants to try, its another option.

 

Thats would mean that the reflector xenons take less power than the projector xenons.

Are they also brighter? They both should draw just 35w, right?

 

i have no idea how much either one draws, but it was just another option to try. At this point I will try anything to eliminate any possibilities to try and get closer to the problem.

 

I thought we figured out the problem already. Check out this thread --->

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...45#post1744945

------

Basically here's the info...

Straight from MINI. This is the instal guide for 05+ Xenons on 05+ Hal based cars....

http://www.motoringfile.com/files/2005_headlights.pdf

There is a different guide for 02-04 hal based cars for 05+ xenons.

http://motoringfile.com/files/retrof...nsNewstyle.pdf

Confused yet?

Do a search on www.motoringfile.com , it looks like they have done some swapping in their day.

 

Ok, assuming that is the problem/fix....has anyone done it? I would love to hear that this is the end all be all of things to try and it will work. Also, does anyone know how much it costs? I don't remember seeing it in the article. Thanks.

 

In working on a retro for my other car, I think the problem might be the harness. It might need a different resister (is that the right word). I think if we bypassed the OEM harness, that might help. Also, maybe it can be independently powered off the battery.

 

Super old thread, but I keep getting asked the same question. What lights work w/out the CPU flash. Here are the results I've gathered from what everyone's chimed in and told me. These are all verified results. I've had a few friends get the 05+ xenons to work by getting a simple dealer CPU reprogram. It was easy and relatively cheap, but they're not really sure what was done to the CPU.

02-04 cooper w/ hals ----> 02-04 xenons ***YES
02-04 cooper w/ xenons ----> 05+ xenons ***YES
02-04 cooper w/ hals ----> 05+ xenons ****NO
05+ cooper w/ hals ----> 05+ xenons ****NO

Just curious, has anyone ever tried to put 02-04 xenons in an 05+ cooper?

 

Installation information, Facelift headlights retrofit
MINI ONE (R 50)
MINI COOPER (R 50)
MINI COOPER S (R 53)
For cars built before 09/03, the electronic body module (ZKE) must be replaced (TIS 61 35 510).
After the installation work the retrofit kit must be programmed / coded using DISPlus or GT-1 via the
Retrofit/CIP path.

Installation
Replace the headlights on both sides with the headlights supplied in the retrofit kit (TIS 63 12 008).
Concluding work and coding
- Connect the battery
- Encode/program the retrofit using DISPlus or GT-1 via path Retrofit/CIP
- Conduct a brief test
- Conduct a function test

 

I'll just print this out for my MINI mechanic to translate.

 

@norm03s

Actually, Im pretty sure the electronic body module (ZKE) didn't have to be replaced in a retrofit I read about. It only required some sort of CPU flash. From what I read on motoring file, the electronic body module (ZKE) was pretty pricey. In the NAM post I read by a member's first hand account, the dealer definitely didn't charge much or replace parts.

 

Here you go, the question if answered.

The specs below are true... and I have still yet to meet someone who's had to buy an expensive Electronic Body Module (ZKE) like MINI suggests.

02-04 cooper w/ hals ----> 02-04 xenons ***YES
02-04 cooper w/ xenons ----> 05+ xenons ***YES
02-04 cooper w/ hals ----> 05+ xenons ****NO
05+ cooper w/ hals ----> 05+ xenons ****NO

 

Thank you for the post.
Hi guys, Im a newbie. Nice to join this forum.

 

I'm just waiting for some snow to melt so I can get to my MINI and change them out to the face lift 05/06 HID's I bought.

 

I would love Xenon lights in my GP! I guess "anything is possible" if you're willing to pay the bucks. Sounds like a good "pleased to meet you" question for me to pose to our soon-to-be local MINI dealer here in the Austin, Texas area.

 

Quick and silly question, has anybody tried an ECU reset? The whole un-plugging the battery for 15 minutes and then re-connecting? Just a shot in the dark, didn't see it mentioned above.

-Chase

 

Thats a good question... I wont need it in my case going from an 04 xenon to 05+ xenon, so I cant experiment. If anyone's going from halogen to xenon they could try that.

 

My MINI is a Mid July build 2003 MCS with OEM xenon's, installed a set of 2006 xenon HID's. Used 2006 washer on the right side and my original washer on the left side.
Swapped out both headlights, did not disconnect the battery or reset anything.
Started engine then tuned on the lights, lights came on and automatically self leveled, yipee!
Think these are brighter than my 2003 originals, no one has flashed me for blinding them, great light pattern. I'm really happy with them except for the hole in my wallet from buying them. But ya gotta have light

PS reason for new lights, deer strike on right side.

 

Wohoo! Glad to know it worked out... Now I need just to keep an eye out for a set.

 

What/Where can I get these headlights? How much are they? I have the stock Xenons but I like this design. Are they brighter than the stock xenons?

Thanks

 

Ditto!

 

Its a matter of a dealer ECU flash... Your MINI dealer may or may not have a clue what the hell your talking about - it'll take trial and error. I know several people who've gotten this solved, but they never really knew what the dealer did. All they know is that it was cheap, and required no parts. If anyone figures this out, please get the dealer to tell you what was done.

 

Gents and gals, I've been reading a lot of the info presented in this forum and I must say I have learned a lot about the cooper. I'm a first time owner of the Mini Cooper S and so far I am very pleased with the "fun factor" and nostalgia experienced with the car.
I recently moved to Houston on assignment from the Caribbean (yes we drive from the right side) where there are lots of Austin Minis and bought an 05 MCS. Now based on what burley has established in this thread, I cannot retrofit my 05+halogens with 05+ OEM Xenons.
However in another thread it states I can once I acquire a harness that would connect to the battery thus eliminating the CPU flash.
Now I called the dealership and they informed me that they cannot do the retrofit, they tried before and it doesnt work...they did suggest I just get brighter bulbs tho.

Will I ever be able to get HIDs in my beloved MCS? I like the look of the aftermarket projector units, but I know Ill be most upset with the results based on what I've read so far.

Can anyone share some insight?

Sorry for the long post.