Alright so I can't find a conclusive yes or no, so I'm turning to the board for help. I currently have a 2008 R56S with factory Xenon lights. But the 98K miles have taken its toll on the lenses of the headlights and I'm looking at getting new headlights. While I know I can get new silver housings with white turn signals, I'd like to upgrade to the black housings.

The problem I am running into is whether they are a direct swap to my 08. RealOEM lists the part number as working, but there are several places that list the lights as only being for 11+ cars. So does anyone know if the lights work or not? I know the WC50 and Camden cars in 2010 had the black Xenons, but just want to check my facts before ordering new lights.

 

wouldn't see why they wouldn't work. I have a '10 Camden and it came with the black housing xenon headlights. You'll like the black housings a lot! :D

 

That's my logic as well, and coupled with the Dark Silver color, would be a unique look.

 

It will look good! What part number will you use and where will you get them? $$$ Don't you have to replace the whole unit, sealed and all?

 

Yeah, complete housing retail if I remember correctly was somewhere around $1400 or something like that. idk how much they are now though since they're more easily attainable.

 

I'm using the part number that ECS lists on their site and found them cheapest at MINI of South Atlanta using their 10% coupon. Not gonna order for a bit, because of the uncertainty over whether they will fit.

As for replacing the whole unit, the entire housing is one unit, but the control module is separate I believe as is the bulbs obviously. So it's another guess about whether the control module is transferable or if a new ones come with the housings when bought.

 

Why in the world wouldn't you just polish the lenses and paint the inside of the housings? This will cost you $40 in material and a day of work. Not over a thousand for new housings...

 

Because I've tried polishing the lenses and got nowhere with that, and have never had good luck with taking headlights apart and painting them on previous cars. Plus who else can claim to have an 08 with black factory housings??

 

Did you just polish or wet sand then polish? Painting is really easy, pm me your email, I have step by step instructions with pictures on how to do your lights.

A day of time, unless you really really want to spend over a grand on housings.

 

I have swapped my silver xenons from my 2010 s (pre lci)with a friends black xenons from his 2011. It was a direct swap and took 10 minutes. Keep in mind though we swapped the complete assemblies. That said the wiring harness and washer hose connected right up with no issues.