Ok noob question. Can the standard halogen headlights be upgraded to the LED ones as a plug and play item or do they need more involved modification? I found the perfect F56 for my wife, but it only has the halogens. Thanks.

 

There is nothing as far as a plug and play option goes. You would need to replace the entire headlamp assembly and the control unit that runs the LED headlamp. You would be looking at a $4500+ job in order to convert the headlamp assemblies. I hope this helps to answer your question.

 

Exactly what I had figured. German manufacturers make it so difficult. Most domestic cars it's just a matter of an adapter for upgraded lights. Thanks.

 

let me know too, you would think it would be easy...

 

The LED lights have a projector/lens/reflector specifically designed for them. They have circuit boards, heat sinks, and cooling fans. I don't know what kind of adaptor would do that.

You're probably talking about the HID "conversion" kits that are sold for halogen housings. They don't work very well either because the reflector is not designed for an HID light. That's why so many of the converted cars blind oncoming traffic and why the kits are illegal in many states.

If you want LED lights for your Mini that came with Halogen units, you'll need to replace the whole assembly and have it coded for such.

 

HID yes, but not a conversion kit. A standard halogen reflector housing vs. a factory HID projector Housing. Plug and play with an adapter harness. Maybe not LED but still a simple modification. In my case, F150 headlights were available as either a standard halogen or an HID projector.

 

Yes there are simple plug and play conversions from halogen to HID for some vehicles, but a good setup is not cheap either. I replaced the lights in my Suburban with DOT approved HID units at a cost of ~$600. Plug and play, yes, but hard on the wallet. But, nowhere near what a set of LED units would cost.
Mini came out with a retrofit Xenon headlight for the 2nd Gen cars. Maybe they'll do something similar down the road for the 3rd Gen. Wouldn't hold my breath though.

 

The LED headlights are well worth waiting for if you have to factory order a car. They're incredibly good.

Of course, you can probably have your dealer search surrounding inventory as well.

 

But seriously a THOUSAND bucks for the LED upgrade (yes I know it includes cornering, which is very cool). Even the HID option on the 2nd gen was only $500, which WAS well worth it. What about all those $100 a pair LED H4 replacement bulbs for standard Halogen lights? Like these: http://www.torchstar.us/cree-9003-hb...ight-bulb.html


I don't expect them to be anywhere near as good as the factory LEDs, but for $100, if they are even twice as good as the Halogen, it would be easily worth it!


Anyone tried them?