Hi Everybody,

I wonder if anyone has tried these lights. They look very nice and i have never seen an aftermarket headlights look almost oem on minis

http://www.ebay.com/itm/HID-Headlights-For-BMW-Mini-Cooper-Clubman-R55-R56-07-13-LED-DRL-Xenon-HeadLamps-/151561832786?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item2349ca0952&vxp=mtr

 

For that price the OEM kit is better

 

The biggest problem I have with the OE retrofit kit is that they haven't made it terribly attractive. They kind of missed on an opportunity here. You're essentially paying $900 for a better light bulb. Not to say it's not nice to have better light but I won't spend $900 on just that. I find the appearance less attractive than the none OE setup and why I'm not terribly excited to spend all this cash.

So I was kind of excited about this kit when I first saw it, but I was also expecting it to be priced a bit lowered coming from China, and uncertainties that comes with it.
I also can't make-up my mind if I like the proportion of the concentric circles/ellipses, or if they look to close to the center of the light with too many repetitive circles/ellipses...

Lastly it is not clear if this kit is a direct fit to none Xenon head light or if it only works for xenon setup since it is 35w.

So it's all kind of a wash for me right now . . .

 

I think you've got some of your facts wrong. These headlights are made by MINI (no imitation China crap), so they come with a 2-year, unlimited mileage warranty like any other part, and they're made specifically for non-xenon equipped cars. Those of us, like myself, who have the OEM 35w xenon units can't use this. So yes it works on non-xenon cars as that's what it is made for. There is a small bit of coding required on the older cars to change the bulb check parameters so you don't get any strobbing after install.

 

Unless I'm mistaken about those headlights from sub3622, no I don't have my facts wrong. You've miss read my post. I'm referencing to the product mentioned by sub3622, in the continuation of this thread (!), and making a comparison between the 2.

I don't find the OE retrofit kit terribly attractive. Sorry I just don't. It's kind of blah... plasticky, forgettable dark grey, imprecise paint transition, etc...
I find the made in China product mentioned by sub3622 expensive and I'm not certain it's a straight forward replacement to the non-xenon headlights.

 

TG, when i found out about this headlights from China i wrote several emails to them asking many questions and one of the question was that if this headlight needed computer programming and their answer was, no, in fact this is a plug and play and no need of computer programming.
Like me with an 2008 MCS with Halogens headlights the price is the same as the OEM 25w retrofit because beside the headlights ($850) and programming ($200+) i´m still have to do some work for the high beams in order to make it work.

 

Just ordered these on the MINIUSA website and was quoted ~$125 for install on the site. But, when it arrived at my local MINI dealership.. the dealer quoted me ~$450!! WTH lol I even told him that i was already quoted on the site and he said that the website isn't accurate and prices vary.

When I asked what it would be if I installed them myself and had him quote it, then he said it would still be $250.. What a crock. Really frustrating that MINI dealerships can't get on the same page with this stuff.

Getting a new quote from my other (further) local MINI dealer. Anyone know anyone in the Baltimore, Maryland area that is capable of the install?

 

$250 to code your car? That has to be price gouging at its finest. Yeesh

 

It's only coding. Bolt them in yourself and get over to Helix in Philadelphia, I'm sure that they could code it for you for much less than that.

 

Yeah i had to really bite my tongue With the guy. +$200 for 4-bolts and $250 for coding? Yeah no thanks

 

6 bolts. That's what makes it a bargain!!!!

 

I was quoted 400 for 8 bolts, coding and aiming from an indy guy, but the wait for that was too long and pricey, so I bought the cable and learn to code from scratch instead and saved that 400 on sth else

 

I found these also.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/R52-R55-R56-R57-R58-R59-XENON-HID-CCFL-Projector-Headlight-BLACK-for-MINI-LHD/131428492482?_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIC.MBE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D29171%26meid%3Da25c46b359484f558b158d7479f400fd%26pid%3D100005%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D6%26sd%3D131428492480&rt=nc

 

Nice, they look good and cheaper than the one i found from china, i wounder if they are good quality and need computer programming

 

The article says, guaranteed no error code. But who knows, maybe I'll pull the trigger in a month or so.

 

Anyone tried these yet? Interesting that the video only shows the DRL feature, and not low OR high beam. Also, what is one to do with the semi-circular cutout on the inside of the housings? Not getting this whole product.

 

These look real nice and I like the 35w. I have halogens currently. After sending him my production date, vin# the seller says they'll work, plug and play. I'm skeptical...Anybody tried these yet???

 

So did you need to reprogram yours, or was yours truly plug 'n play? If it did need recoding, how much did that run you?

 

I needed programming for my OEM 25w, cost me $100. As for those Chinese ? Good luck, If it don't have resistors I'm pretty sure you will have a bulb out error, can bus ballast is NOT enough. And $800 for knock offs ? Not for me, and lately items from China have gotten stopped at customs in Chicago, been waiting for h1 projectors for 45 days, been sitting in usps customs in Chicago for 35 days. Gave up and ordered some from Amazon.

 

Yeah couldn't agree more. I picked up a 25w retrofit but haven't found a place willing to code them for less than $600. I'm willing to install them, but the coding has been the nightmare. Where'd you go to have them coded for so cheap? Feel free to PM me if you don't wanna share publicly.

 

Done by a tech after hours at dealership , found him thru local MINI club, if your near Dallas I can give you his contact info. If you have a local club there is usually at least one MINI service employee in the club. Of course they don't advertise it. I just went to his dealership after they closed and he did it right there using MINI Equipment. Officially he charged nothing but I tipped him $100 . We also have DIY day at this dealership about 3-4 times a year on a Saturday were we get to use their lifts etc. Very friendly dealership for sure.

QUOTE=knife;4058582]Yeah couldn't agree more. I picked up a 25w retrofit but haven't found a place willing to code them for less than $600. I'm willing to install them, but the coding has been the nightmare. Where'd you go to have them coded for so cheap? Feel free to PM me if you don't wanna share publicly.[/QUOTE]

 

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Thanks for the tip! Will keep that in mind & lookout for that

 

So just picked up a set of stock OEM Bi-Xenons off of an 08 R56 for my 09 R56. When I plugged them I expected the whole strobe effect but instead nothing lit up besides the turn signals. Is this a deeper seeded issue than just getting them coded? Or will the coding be all that I need?

 

Hey everyone not sure if this is against the rules (if it is I'll delete my post) but my lease is ending soon so I'll be selling my retrofit headlights! In great condition, I applied "clear bra" to them before even hitting the road so they are in excellent condition. Great price too! Message me