I'm can't quite find the information through the search so I'm hoping someone can either answer the question or point me to the proper thread(s)

Is it possible to upgrade the entire headlight for Xenon, jet washer, and auto-leveling? What's involved?

I have the basic headlights at the moment and I really wish I had ordered the upgraded one now

I understand I may have to ask the dealer to program the new headlights, but I don't even know if it's possible without becoming a huge headache and double the cost of factory installed headlights?

 

Try more like tripple the cost of factory installed....xenons are a good deal $$ factory installed, but factory xenon's retrofitted are crazy $$$$.

 

I was afraid it might be the case but it's not that the factory xenon headlight are that cheap as we think either since you often need to get them with the rest of the options a total of $600 to $900 easy I think.

I still wish I could assess the feasibility, cost, and complexity of doing it...

 

You can price out the parts on realoem.com...
Maybe ask the dealer...sure they get asked often enough to give you a ballpark price...

 

It's a very expensive retrofit if you buy everything new, arround $2,100. Also you will probably new to repogram, at least on LCI models, you need to do it.

On this thread: https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...dont-work.html you can read the info about the repogram, look's easy.

Here is the info that ECS Tunning wrote to me about the retrofit:

 

Thanks Andres! Ouch . . . I knew it could be expensive but $2100, that's a bit more than thought... Of course ECS doesn't sale OEM equipment on the cheap side... but even with cheaper parts it seems like a big expense.
And that doesn't seem to cover the head light washer jets...


You know what this is actually kind of depressing it would have to cost so much when it seems it's a $600/$700 option on the online configurator

 

ECS parts list is not complete. This is not a plug and play situation....They left out having to purchase a new steering column switch, ( somewhat pricy item - about $600.00 - or the headlight washer system will not function)

And without this wiring harness from the MINI kit, quite useless.



Here is the breakdown.










There are only two retrofit kits left, and both are in Germany.

MINII Part no. 63120422185 - designed for pre-face lift R55/56's only. $330.00





Also requires pin connection to back of the SPEG, so a wiring diagram and knowledge of removing/installing these bushing wires is required. They can be a real PITA. The harness in the kit has about 36 connnections to different pin body locations and removing side sills to route wiring from rear sensor.....This mod is not a matter of a plug and play for the novice and without a circuit diagram IMO you would be totally lost.

Retrofit system required coding as well.

A Retrofit cable kit

B Steering column switch centre (not supplied with the retrofit kit)

C Hose line

D Tank

E Load sensor (front)

F Load sensor (rear)

G High-pressure jet (left)

H High-pressure jet (right)

I Nozzle head (left)

J Nozzle head (right)

K Cover (left)

L Cover (right)

M Retaining clip (2x)

N Clip (2x)

O Xenon headlight (left, not supplied with the retrofit kit)

P Xenon headlight (right, not supplied with the retrofit kit)

Q Xenon control module (2x, not supplied with retrofit kit)

R Xenon lamp ignition (2x, not supplied with the retrofit kit)

S Warning sticker (2x)

T Self-tapping hexagonal screw M6 x 14.5 mm

U Hexagonal screw M6 x 20 mm

V Hexagonal nut M6

W Self-tapping hexagonal screw M6 x 16 mm (4x)

X Fillister head screw (4x)

Y SW 10-pin socket casing

Z Fusible link 30 A

AA BR 6-pin socket casing

AB Cable tie (30x)

AC Fillister head self-tapping screws (8x, not supplied with retrofit kit)

AD Cable holder

AE Relays (for cars built after 08/07 only; not supplied in the retrofit kit)

Steering column switch centre B, xenon headlights O and P, xenon control module Q, xenon light lamp ignition R and fillister head self-tapping screws AC are not included in the retrofit kit and must be ordered separately

If necessary, the fuse box (SPEG) LOW must be replaced by the fuse box (SPEG) HIGH. - Another $340.00



For cars build after 08/07, relay AE must also be installed since it is not in the SPEG MED, MED DCDC or SPEG High or SPEG High DCDC

I would estimate about 8 hr installation time. So probably about a $4K dollar job with coding...
You could always try just upgrading the halogen bulbs. Sylvania makes some or even my personal favorites, PIAA.

 

Super interesting . . . but it sounds like I'm going to have to fall in love if my halogens.

 

Be patient. Looks like a Xenon retrofit is coming for all of the R5x models.

 

Yes, it should be easier and much cheaper than current "option." But the trade off is these are manually adjusting, non-adaptive, and only 25 watts (versus 35 watts with the factory installed lamps) without the headlamp washers.

 

Agreed. But when you consider it the middle of the road option between the stock halogens and the top of the line Xenons, I believe it's a great deal for an undeniable upgrade in lighting and safety, plus they are factory parts so there's no aftermarket fitment issues or anything of the like.

It may not have all the bells and whistles, but it certainly is the least labor-intensive way to get as many bells as possible.

 

I don't do "trade-offs"

 

Absolutely; it's (IMO) the most reasonable way to gain a major upgrade in lighting from the halogens. It's also smart of them IMO to omit the bells and whistles, not only to save on cost, but also keep the incentive to order the full set on the car from the factory.

 

I think the only way this retrofit kit could be offered is without the bells, because as we've seen in this thread already, the cost for a full, top of the line kit would be well out of most people's price range.

 

So you'd rather stick with the halogens? The factory Xenons would be the best, but that really doesn't sound feasible or affordable as an aftermarket install.

Had mine come with halogens, I'd be first in line for this upgrade.

 

I many ways, yes . . . I understand, everyone is so into xenon these days but for me the xenon lighting benefits isn't my primary interest per say. I have a pretty much even interest in the different aspects of the headlights (self adjust, water jet, xenon, but also how those different elements looks and make the car more interesting to look at).
I'm not saying I would not do it but if it still ends-up being overly expensive and still become a very complicated install (I've seen so many forum posts on problems with after market xenon kit) then I feel I would not get in return what I would have wanted in comparison to the money and time invested.

 

Stick with the halogens and get the Osram 65W H7 bulbs.
They're 2100 lumens vs 1500-1600 for the stock ones.
They're not tinted, either, and they last about as long as
the oem ones. I've been using them on both our cars for
many years now.

One source is halfway down this page:
http://www.danielsternlighting.com/p.../products.html

 

Neat! I might do that regardless of what I do later
65W, no issues with over heating? . . . I don't know what is the OE bulb wattage.

 

Good news - no problems with overheating compared to the standard 55W H7 bulbs.
Bad news - I didn't notice that this was a gen 2 forum.
The H7's go into the gen 1 halogen equipped (and the high beams of the gen 1 xenon equipped) MINIs.
The gen 2 halogens take H13 bulbs and there isn't a magic bullet replacement for them like those Osrams.

 

So for me it's just bad news . . . ha ha

 

@EHans, thanks for the news!!

Now the trade off I don't see that bad actually:
1. manually adjusting, nothing you can fix in a couple of minutes with the car in front of a wall.
2. The black housing I was interested doesn't come with the adaptive option anyways
3. only 25 watts, you can always upgrade the bulb and ballast, ballast probably would be a little tricky

 

You can wait for the pricey MINI kit (I am still interested in it) or do a retrofit. Buy the projector and HID kit from TRS and spend a couple of hours with your car and have bright lights without all the glare of a crappy PnP kit.

 

I agree, I like halogens because you can manual adjust them, but if you feel like getting closer you get black flame customs do an hid retrofit which will still give you the xennon look housing and lights, as well you can tell them to add halos or paint the housing etc. I believe I was quoted at around 650$ or something

Sent from phone

 

So you cant just buy a set of oem xenons from a 04 and install them on an 03!? I thought it was as simple as just replacing the headlights.

 

Different ballgame on a gen1 car.....
Much simpler....