Today I finally ditched the stock Halogens , I chose to go with the SYLVANIA Silverstars, as my local dealer assures me that these are BMW/MINI and will not affect the warranty , I also chose these based on a positive past experiences in other vehicles. Easy intstall, took about 5min. per light (had no instructions so made it up as I went along), much easier than in other cars. These are NOT HIDs just birghter and whiter brighter bulbs (roughly 1350 lumens at a color temp of 4000K), that means better vision than stock without need for washers, auto leveling etc. If anybody would like a how-to I can write one up, don't know how many people do this, or would need it.

 

I did the same thing about 3 weeks ago. I really enjoy the extra light. I have found it necessary to re-adjust the beam one side.

Steve

 

Yea, I had readjusted them earlier, simply because the light stop about 50ft in front of my car low and 100ft highs, then just a little adjustment after the replacement cause I had one guy flash his highs at me and I had 30ft tall trees well lit but not the ditch below. Ran 'em again tonight, very happy back to the way I expected (still wish came) the car to be stock

 

I swapped out mine too but haven't checked it against a wall yet. Which side do you guys found which needs adjusting? Driver side or passenger side?

thanks.

 

I ened up tweaking both, raising drivers upward, and found that in fog the headlights looked cross-eyed so I moved the passenger to look much more straight on (I think this is why I got flashed)and the left just a little more to the left so I can see the animals on the side of the road before its too late for me to react. I also lowered the passenger closer to its original position so I would blind any drivers I pulled up behind.

 

Just so I don't make a mistake...are the DRL (daytime running lights) thae same lamp as the High beams....only in a low output mode.....

....AND is it the H7 lamp socket?

 

Both highbeams and headlights are H7 lamps, same part #, they are aimed differently so when the highbeams are on you have two additional lamps running for (at least theoretically) twice the amt. of light on the road, in a broader pattern. I'll post some pics of how they look from behind installed

 

Okay I know it has been awhile but here is my DIY for headlamp replacement.
NOTE: This is not a factory or OEM how-to, this is the technique I used, I cannot be held responsible for any damage done to your vehicle. This is merely an account of how I went about doing things. You are responsible for your actions, and the consequences thereof. Also, you are working on your vehicles electrical system please do so responsibly. I make no claims as to how this will affect your warranty, though my SA said that these particular lamps are OEM approved. Also be warned that used halogen lamps may explode and should be treated with extreme care and proper safety protection is advised. Heed all warning on products and follow instructions provided with products.

I think that should do for a CYA.

First undo the cover to access the lamps, there is a metal latch. I found it helpful to slip the wires off of the cover.

Remove the plug on the back of the lamp, it just pulls straight off. Be sure to take note of where the yellow and brown are( they differ left to right).

To remove the lamp you will notice three metal prongs hold it in place, this is where a second person would be helpful. I was on my own, so I managed to squeeze two of the prongs get the lamp on an angle then squeeze the third and remove the bulb.

Now you can get out the new lamp and install it. BE VERY CAREFUL NOT TO TOUCH THE LAMP! The oils in your skin will reduce lamp life and possibly cause the lamp to EXPLODE! If you should touch the lamp be sure to clean it thoroughly. To avoid contact I recommend only holding the lamp with a paper towel (not a tissue) until it is installed.

The base is A-symmetrical so just line it up and it pops right in!
Reconnect the wires and close everything up.

You may find it necessary to re-aim your lights, there are four screws on the back of the lamps up/down and left/right one for regulars and one for the brights.
The old...

...and the new.



Hope this helps, sorry for the wait.

 

Here is some great information on headlights in general and complete information on how to properly aim headlights. Also an excellant source on high preformance replacement bulbs.

http://www.danielsternlighting.com/

After reading all the posts on this sight I think you all can benefit from reading what Mr. Stern has to say, it is very enlightening and dispells many myths.

 

"motor on", what bulbs did you use. I like the whiter light and want to
change my high beam bulbs to better match my HIDs.

 

Just saw this so sorry for the delayed response, I used Sylvania Osram Silverstar H7s and they are just as bright alone (unscientificaly) as the standard headlamp plus highbeam. I plan on upgrading the highbeams in the near future but not a high priority roght now.

 

I put a set of Philips blue vision H7 4000k bulbs in my high beams. I have xenons & I wanted to have the high beam color temp close to that of the xenons. I bought them from http://www.powerbulbs.co.uk/ I recieved good service from them.

 

what a pain in the #%*.

could MINI have made the hole a little bigger, do they use a 5 year old to base the size of the hole. I have never need that much time to change a lamp.

 

I used a long pair of needle nosed pliers to reach in there. Worked like a charm.

 

I might do this. How much does it cost compared to the HID headlights?

 

Not sure about the HIDs but the ones I switched to were $40 for the pair, you cna get some real nice bright durable ones for $100 a pair (including the quasi legal nonsylvania Osrams)

 

Just did this swap on my 02's - as explained in the Haynes Manual the bulb holder on early cars is a bit different.

There is a simple rubber cover over the bulb pocket, pull that off.

You'll see the wire connector to the bulb - pull that off.

Now you'll see the bulb, but it doesn't twist out, it is held in place by a spring clip. Un hook the clip and it pivots out of the way and the bulb falls free. To replace the bulb - hold it in place, swing the clip up and hook it. Reconnect the wire plug & test. Be sure the bulb is properly seated in the socket - there are still alignment lugs. I had one of mine clipped in but on test the aim was way off - turned out the bulb wasn't seated correctly. Unclipped - fiddled - reclipped and all is well.
(pics on request) ... don't forget to replace the rubber pocket cover.


better? worse? why the change? I dunno....

finally replaced the stock bulbs (not xe') with SilverStar ..... WHAT took me so long? Big improvement. So much so I went right out to buy same type bulbs for my Miata.....

 

I've searched, but can't find out how to adjust the height of the low beam Xenons. Is there a way to raise them a degree or two?

 

Daniel Stern states that the white/blue lights are not brighter than the light bulbs they replace, just a different color. Is web site is very interesting reading and lays out the facts about "brighter white lights". I would like to 'white lights' look just the same to compliment my HID's.

http://www.danielsternlighting.com/

 

I recommend the Osram 64217 bulbs (got them from danielsternlighting).
They're 65W H9 bulbs mounted to a H7 base and are very efficient
(2100 lumens vs. 1500-1600 for 55W H7's) and reasonably long-lasting
compared to stock.
Pretty close to stock white halogen color.
They fit just like the stock bulbs. Less than $27 each.

 

The standard halogens are not 4000k-4300k color temperature. Therefore, by switching to some bulbs in that color temperature, you are maximizing light output because that color temperature offers the most lumens and is the color temperature of day light. Daniel Stern isn't even certified or backed by any scientific tests, his website isn't the holy grail of lights...

My favorite is when he says that retrofitting HIDs to a housing which originally had halogen's will yield less usable light, which is complete CRAP. Although it isn't 100% efficient use of the HID, it's still MUCH better than the halogens... Ok my rant is done lol...

PS, the silverstars look great! From personal experience, you'll probably have to replace them in like a year or so but they do work well..

 

Well maybe not the holy grail, but there is a lot of good info on his site.

Retrofitted HID's sure are bright & sure do blind other drivers. Brightness doesn't = goodness. Lots more to it.

 

Info which is never backed up by any other source aside from people on forums saying how good he is. I'll leabe it at that for the following reason.

However this thread was intended to be a HOW TO not a place to debate which bulb choice (which really depends on your goals, setup regular conditions and even your own eye).

 

Thanks for the how-to on this; those little metal prongs holding the lamp in were making me homicidal!

I worked it out to where I could grasp the lamp prongs, pull just one of the little metal prongs/tabs wayyy back and wiggle the lamp a bit and it would pop right out. I was getting really annoyed until that point.

I got Hella Optilux XP Xenon bulbs and they look really nice - good white light without being too "sharp" of a beam. They also match the bulbs in the Hella 2500 driving lamps I have coming so now everything should match pretty.

I could use a better match on the front parking lamps though...anyone have a suggestion? Or what kind I need to plug in there?

 

You can find a decent set of HIDs for $150-$200. A friend of mine has just opened a store in Queens and im looking to get him vender status on this site if more people are interested in them. PM me for details.

Here is my setup. i had issues in the beginning but it was due to bad ballast in which he now has updated ones.

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...d.php?t=103183