My dad just got a new X5. I put in led angel eyes upgraded his headlights to 6000k and put 6000k led license plate lights to match the leds under the door handles. I'd love to do some need lighting mods to the GP it makes all the difference in my opinion.

Im very disappointed that they didn't put HIDs in the GP which is just insane considering it is the most expensive Mini, and honestly how much are 2 ballasts going to change the weight and balance of a car that is already about as fast as a lawnmower anyway (my last car was an E60 M5). What are some options as far as lights specifically headlights are concerned? Do most people upgrade to aftermarket HIDs?

 

I had HID headlights on my previous MCS so the GP headlights were a little disappointment. I replaced the stock H7 low and high bulbs with Osram Rallye 65W Ultra High Output H7 bulbs and I am very satisified with the upgrade. Over the years I have tried various H7 bulbs and these are the best. There is no problem using them on the street as long as your headlights are aimed properly (I actually adjusted my headlights up a little and still have no problems with on-coming vehicles). Also, I checked the Mini headlight wire gauge size to verify that the wiring can handle the higher wattage.
The Osram 65W bulbs are available for $20 (great price) from:
http://store.candlepower.com/h7bulbs.html

Also the Daniel Stern website has good information on lighting:
http://www.danielsternlighting.com/

 

Do you know if you can run 100W H7s? Like these:

http://www.hidlightsusa.com/shopping...er.7500k&sc=H7

 

Here are a few things you need to worry about when using such a high wattage bulb.
1) Can the wiring handle the current.
2) Will the heat be too much for the connector.
3) Will the heat be too much for the lens area or headlight body.
4) Will the lens disperse the light properly.
5) Will the light be too bright for on-coming traffic (could lead to tickets).
6) 55W is the legal maximum low beam bulb.

1. I did the calculations but I do not recall how much current the stock wiring can handle. I only made sure the wiring could handle 80W so I am not sure about 100W.
2. You can purchase replacement connectors, from companies selling bulbs, that can handle the higher heat.
3. I do not know if the extra heat heat from a 100W bulb will damage the lens or headlight body.
4. I am not sure.
5. 100W might attract law enforcement attention.
6. Your worry. I use the 65W so I am breaking the law.

However, I suspect the Osram 65W bulbs will be better than the 100W bulb you are looking at. Read some of the info on the Daniel Stern site because he helps explain the difference in bulbs and why some work better than others.

 

whats the color temperature on those Osram bulbs? The GP Thunders in my link seem like a hell of a deal and are a nice 7500k white.

 

I do not know the kelvin color rating in the Osram 65W bulbs. The Osram 65W bulbs are 2100 lumens. From what I have read the lumens is more important then the color rating for headlights. I searched around and could not find the lumens rating for the GP Thunder bulbs so I can't really compare them to the Osram bulbs.

 

How does the Rallye compare to the night-breaker? Is the night-breaker a lot brighter than the stock GP bulbs?

Thanks

 

From what I could find on the Nightbreaker it is a 55W bulb with 1500 lumens. The 65W Rallye bulb produces more lumens (2100 from what I could find)but is also an illegal 65W bulb. I believe the Rallye to be a better choice than the Nightbreaker but it is illegal for street driving.

One seeming knowledgeable review that I saw said that the Philips Xtreme Power was better than the Osram Nightbreaker. However, the Philips bulb looks to be more expensive than the Nightbreaker ($46 verse $32 for two bulbs). That same write-up said that the Osram 65W was the best choice for an H7 bulb application at or near stock wattage. The Osram 65W is about $40 for two bulbs.

I cannot comment on the brightness of the Nightbreaker compared to stock GP because I have not tried the Nightbreaker. The 65W Rallye bulb is a huge improvement over stock.

 

Thanks for the very helpful information. I guess I''l try a set of the Rallye's on my car.

 

So besides being illegal would running the 100w GP Thunders be mechanically unsafe in any way?

 

It has been my experience when increasing wattage, the dispersion of light gets less defined and actually becomes counter preductive. At least when it comes to halogen bulbs. Apparenlty the reflectors in the housings are designed for the buld being supplied. Using the better Sylvania bulbs will work great, but I think anything over that pushes the envelope further breaking down the effectiveness of the reflector.

I base this upon my having a set of HELLA aux lights on my Jeep and going from 55w H3's to 100w H3's. The pattern of light and useful density was terrible

But, same housings going to PIAA 80w equivelent bulbs, I had no issues and they worked fine, and were better.

Hope this helps.

 

Issues with such a high wattage bulb can be:
1) Wiring might not be able to handle the current and will heat up possibily melting or becoming very britle. 100W bulb will draw almost twice the current than the stock 55W bulb.
2) Increased heat from the higher wattage might be too much for the connector. The connector could melt or become britle causing reliability issues.
3) Increased wattage could heat the headlight body or lens area causing warpage.

Also, some bulbs stated as 100W are not really 100W bulbs. Sometimes they are still 55W bulbs and the advertising states something like +90W as a way of equating them to 90 W but really still 55W. You should make sure the bulbs are really 100W and not just 55W plus bulbs.

If it was me (and I went through the same decision process), I would go with the Osram 65 W for at least the low beam. If you want a higher wattage put it in the high beam because it is not on as much and the heat issues will have less affect. Also, instead of the 100W you might want to consider an 80W bulb for the high beam because I know the wiring can handle 80W. I discussed the 65W/80W option with candlepowerinc. and they still suggested 65W in both low and high beam.

 

Definitely read Daniel Sterns site about "HID" bulbs and "blue lighting"
Stay away from crap like ultra cheap made in Korea 100w bulbs to avoid problems. Try the Osram/Sylvania 65W or Phillips 80W. If you are brave try the Hella 100W bulbs, but none of these bulbs are gonna be dirt bag cheap like those Korean bulbs because these are quality bulbs.

 

So who has put the HIDs on their GP. I have mine from my last MINI and want to install them.

 

Please Don't!Purty Please

 

I'm trying a Jedi mind trick on myself, to convince myself that the stock lights are fine: "Old school is cool, the GP lights cast a classic European beam from back in the day." It's not working very well, maybe somebody has a better mantra?

 

I must...it's in my blood...I must mod! You probably won't like that I have 19" wheels on it either then.

 

I just realized what you are saying...I am putting the FACTORY HIDs in. Not the janky aftermarket kits that wouldn't light a closet. Sorry for the confusion.

 

(1) interesting, I upgraded to 17" wheels

(2) can't wait to hear how the factory HID conversion goes

 

no special part number just the 65W H7 ...right?

 

If looking for 65W H7 bulbs. Here is the information and part number from store.candlepower.com for the 65W H7 OSRAM bulbs.

Osram Rallye 65w Ultra High Output H7 Special-Service Bulb
This bulb, for racing and special-service usage, is the highest-output, most efficient H7 available from anyone!. This is a 65-watt bulb (10 more than an ordinary H7) that produces 2100 lumens (700 more than an ordinary H7). Same 500-hour rated lifespan as a good quality standard H7 bulb. Perfect upgrade for motorcycles, racing headlamps, diving lights, agricultural and industrial work lamps.
P/N 64217 Regular price: $25.92 Sale price: $23.00

 

Cool ... thanks that is the ones I ordered... cant wait to try them out...

 

Is there something that prohibits using the xenon headlights from the Cooper S? Would be an expensive solution, but a solution nonetheless. I have seen the xenon projectors headlights for sale as singles for about $250ea.

I imagine that the ballasts would put this package close to a $1000. Has anyone done this?

 

A few people have done the conversion. There are many posts on NAM about the conversion.
Here is a link to one example from the "How To" section.
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...right-way.html

 

Also the Daniel Stern website has good information on lighting:
http://www.danielsternlighting.com/
+1

I am kinda pleased that MINI used regular headlights, Prefer longer beam with 100watt bulbs. Than the "brighter" but shorter range blue light specials. I like current lighting on GP more than previous MINIs lighting with OE HIDs. I would be scared to use "el cheapo" bulbs from china, korea, etc. I would say the difference would be cheaper materials used, untested heat ranges, inferior base, etc, hence the cheaper price. The 65 watt Osram are German made too and they have a better base. Both Phillips 85 watt and 100 watt Hella I used are made in Germany. Sometimes the term "You get what you pay for" does hold true.