When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
I've wanted upgraded projector headlights since I first bought my mini. The base headlights are terrible for driving at night and just don't look as good as the Xenon headlights.
Well after a little research and what felt like a big gamble, I swapped my base headlights and now I have angel eyes & projectors!
It was super easy to do & it only took 20 minutes. You can just buy them from AliExpress.com it will take about 5 days to get to your door from China and they are totally worth it.
I was scared they were going to be cheap feeling and not very bright but I'm relieved to say that they are awesome.
They look great!! I've thought about doing this but the NIMI logo just really bothers me lol
How was the install? Completely plug and play?
It does not have the NIMI logo. I was scared of this too. It actually says "MINI" and looks 100% legit. Even the photos they use on Aliexpress show "NIMI" but I will post a picture in the morning when there is a little more light.
Install was plug and play. Very easy even with no instructions. It has 3 plugs, 1 main plug that connects to the OEM headlight plug. And the other 2 connect right under the headlight to the factory fog lights to power the angel eyes.
It does not have the NIMI logo. I was scared of this too. It actually says "MINI" and looks 100% legit. Even the photos they use on Aliexpress show "NIMI" but I will post a picture in the morning when there is a little more light.
Install was plug and play. Very easy even with no instructions. It has 3 plugs, 1 main plug that connects to the OEM headlight plug. And the other 2 connect right under the headlight to the factory fog lights to power the angel eyes.
Nope you do not have to remove the bumper, unbolting the OEM headlights was the hardest part just because I didn't have the right torx drill bit. I ended up having the hand-loosen them with an allen key
Here is a photo of the badge inside the headlight. I'm so glad it doesn't say "NIMI".
They look awesome! I’m definitely going to do that in the near future, although I may wait to see if they introduce a version that looks like the LCI lights coming out soon. What wattage and color temperature did you get?
They look awesome! I’m definitely going to do that in the near future, although I may wait to see if they introduce a version that looks like the LCI lights coming out soon. What wattage and color temperature did you get?
I ended up going the 35w and 5000k. They said 35w is safer to run because it's cooler, just not as bright. But I don't know what they are talking about because these things are super bright.
I figured that. The previous generation MINIs used Xenon headlights instead of LEDs. The factory brightness was 35w, which is very bright. They offered a factory upgrade for the 2nd gen cars (like these, but made by MINI) that were 25w and they were super bright as well. Do these have LED bulbs or are they halogen bulbs in a projector housing?
I figured that. The previous generation MINIs used Xenon headlights instead of LEDs. The factory brightness was 35w, which is very bright. They offered a factory upgrade for the 2nd gen cars (like these, but made by MINI) that were 25w and they were super bright as well. Do these have LED bulbs or are they halogen bulbs in a projector housing?
They come stock Xenon HID bulbs. Which is brighter than Halogen but more fragile. You can easily swap over for LED's if you want them though. They take h7 bulbs.
I've actually been thinking about switching to these but I'm worried I will blind people.
They come stock Xenon HID bulbs. Which is brighter than Halogen but more fragile. You can easily swap over for LED's if you want them though. They take h7 bulbs.
Did the same thing on my 2016 MCS.. Unfortunately the logo inside my headlights says "NIMI"
Maybe they changed the logo on the newer versions of the headlights to MINI. Other than that, I'm totally satisfied with the conversion. Here's my before and after pics..
"Install was plug and play. Very easy even with no instructions. It has 3 plugs, 1 main plug that connects to the OEM headlight plug..."
So - disconnect the old - connect the new (to body/electrical etc)?
What happens with the fogs?
"...And the other 2 connect right under the headlight to the factory fog lights to power the angel eyes"
I'm assuming these will fit a 2018 F54 Clubman S. We just couldn't find the right car with both heated seats and LEDs. I would prefer HID anyway.
Thanks in advance- LC
This is based on my experience doing the conversion..
Q: So - disconnect the old - connect the new (to body/electrical etc)? A: Yes, remove the OEM headlights and replace it with the new headlights.. plug in the OEM connectors and connect the additional wiring to the battery.
Q: What happens with the fogs? A: Actually, the connectors are going to your OEM bulb DRLs on your bumper. So you need to detach the connector from your OEM DRLS then connect it to the supplied wiring then from that same wiring there is a connector that you now need to plug in to your OEM DRLs.
I think it would fit the F54,unless it uses a different type of LED headlights which I highly doubt.
Waiting for me to make a decision. I haven't looked under the hood at the headlight units yet.
I would be surprised if the headlights were different.
Will take a look in the next day or 2. The standard lights are barely acceptable for in-town and suburban Los Angeles driving. I would not be comfortable with the halogens on a road trip at speeds in excess of 45-50 mph.
We've had HIDs or LEDs on our other 2 cars for many years. Once you get used to them, it's hard to go back to halogens.
Here are 3 photos of the standard lamps on our Clubman - can someone confirm that these look are the same as f56 lamps?
I can remove one of the lamps if necessary to look more closely - they look identical to me at least. Part numbers are the same
for 2017/2018 Halogen/LED
Here are 3 photos of the standard lamps on our Clubman - can someone confirm that these look are the same as f56 lamps?
I can remove one of the lamps if necessary to look more closely - they look identical to me at least. Part numbers are the same
for 2017/2018 Halogen/LED
Ready to order the Chinese HID lamps -
they look the same as the OEM headlights (halogen) I removed from my 2016 F56 MCS.
Good luck!
The install is pretty much straight forward.
The only issue I had was removing the screws holding the OEM headlights. They were very tight and the space around the headlights were very cramped.
