Searching for a used 09 JCW, and I am surprised that so many don't have xenons.

I just find this rather odd. Here you are forking over 30k for your mini. And you opt out of the 500 dollar option for Xenons. I just don't get it.

If they told me I could have one option and that would be on my mini, it would be xenons.

So the question I have is, why for the cheap price of 500 would you not get them?

 

I think they're distracting - not quite ugly, but all the nonsense going on inside the housings interrupts the lines of the car

 

I have lights and they work. Don't need to pay $500 more for Xenons. Also, Xenons are among the top 10 waste of money options as reported by consumer reports. Not that I really care for a lot of their opinions, but I support this one.

BTW, all my other cars have xenons as standard equipment so nothing I could do about that.

 

I guess I've been effectively brainwashed. Because I'll never buy another car without Xenons. Love 'em.

 

+1

 

+2

 

+3

 

+4

 

Not changing my mind. I am happy you are happy with your money spent. I won't spend it.

 

I guess I'm just not happy with lights that "work." I actually like my headlights to illuminate what's in front of me, and the xenons do a MUCH better job of that, IMO.

 

+5 x 2...

I didn't have a choice with either of my MINIs; my '08 was pre-owned and came loaded with about every other conceivable option and I bought my '09 JCW off the floor and it was one of the few options they did package it with...

That being said I couldn't imagine having a car without them; along with other notable nice to have things, like air-bags, anti-lock brakes, cruise control, CD player, power windows and locks, etc. Today's options are tomorrow's standard equipment and I prefer to be ahead of that particular power curve...

 

-1

 

IMO the $500 is worth it as a 'selling point' when the time comes to sell.

That and I can see the road much better. Resale & safety ftw

 

That's quite an argument you make there!

 

hehe - well they don't have a thumbs down for me to add to the post.

 

Xenons are not all they're cracked-up to be. I didn't buy them when I replaced my first MINI.

 

I dont have them on the GP. the original bulbs were not good. I replaced them with Osram nightbreakers, and they seem to work a lot better. I have always liked xenons, I have them on my Tiguan and S2000.
But you are correct! When I was looking for a Mini in March this year, there were not too many JCW's that had the Xenons??

 

What all are they cracked up to be?

 

This is really the thing that has me pissed off/perplexed. You pay 28k plus for a JCW. A comparable Mazdaspeed3 fully loaded might crack 27k. They both perform about the same, maybe the Speed3 a tad faster, and they both basically have the same features, except with Speed, you don't have to worry about buying a 1k body kit, 2k suspension, etc, all things that should come standard with the top of the line car. You get a Speed3, you get the full monty, and you have whatever money you got for whatever modifications you want.

Is the JCW cool, oh yes, but BMW seriously needs to stop nickel and diming for this car.

 

Its simple economics; supply and demand. Why do they charge what they do for what they do? Because people will pay.

 

xenons are 50 bucks on ebay. They all blind other drivers from what I have noticed so why pay 500?

 

 

Yes, improperly installed ones probably do blind drivers. Factory installed ones, don't. Cutoff is properly positioned.

I'm a first time owner of Xenons. They are good and bad.

Good: Bright. Did I say Bright wow. Sometimes I see into tomorrow

Bad: Sharp cut off. You have to pay attention in order to NOT over run your head lights. On dark roads with no other cars, its hard to see past the cutoff. Counter measure? I slow down or hi beam it if no other drivers are impacted.

When i drive my wife's car. I sometimes think the lights aren't on...they are dull and its harder to see.

Given the good and bad, I'll take the Xenons EVERY TIME. Did I mention they are bright?

 

I personally stay away from ebay xenons because they do blind other drivers. I bought a pair of halogen piaa's for 80 bucks and they burnt out in less than 10k! . I've read xenon bulbs last a long time. If real xenons don't blind other drivers I would really consider. Didn't the xenons also come with heated mirrors? For now if I ever get into dark roads i just turn my rally lights on

 

No, heated mirrors come with power fold mirrors. They are available as just powerfold/heated or in the Cold Weather Package. The CWP is Heated Powerfold Mirrors/Heated Washer Jets/Heated Seats.