Interior/Exterior Any way to change the amber lense of the turn indicator inside the headlight assembly
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1st Gear
Joined: Jun 2007
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Any way to change the amber lense of the turn indicator inside the headlight assembly
When I ordered my MINI S I asked the salesman if there was a way to order the Xenon headlight with clear or white or any non-amber turn indicators. He informed me that all 2007s come like that (amber). Disappointed, I still ordered my MINI S.
For other reasons (ipod not being recognized, check engine light coming on after 25 miles) I took my car back to the dealer for service.
When I got there, staring me in the face was a 2007 MINI S with Xenon lights and clear turn indicators.
I was PISSED. I talked to the sales manager (my sales guy wasn't there) and when I proposed a 'simple' solution of swapping out my amber for clear he told me it was only available on Xenons.
I told him "I've got Xenons. And they're amber."
Then I was told "Oh, well we can't because they're sealed and we would have to replace the whole assembly."
I, being naive, said "Do that then." To which I was told "No, those are expensive, like 1500 or 2400 each (I was quoted 2 different prices during the day) I'm not going to take a hit like that"
I tried to tell him that had his salesman known more about the vehicle then I would have easily purchased the proper $100 accessory and gotten the headlights I had wanted all along. We kind of came to a stalemate where he said something like "Is there anything else we can get you?" And I told him "I pretty much got every accessory I wanted on the car"
Anyways, that's a rant but it gets me to the question...
Is there a way to get inside that damned little headlight and switch the amber with clear/white lenses? (not bulbs, the actual lens cover) on the turn indicator? I was told by the sales manager it's a sealed piece and cannot be modified.
For other reasons (ipod not being recognized, check engine light coming on after 25 miles) I took my car back to the dealer for service.
When I got there, staring me in the face was a 2007 MINI S with Xenon lights and clear turn indicators.
I was PISSED. I talked to the sales manager (my sales guy wasn't there) and when I proposed a 'simple' solution of swapping out my amber for clear he told me it was only available on Xenons.
I told him "I've got Xenons. And they're amber."
Then I was told "Oh, well we can't because they're sealed and we would have to replace the whole assembly."
I, being naive, said "Do that then." To which I was told "No, those are expensive, like 1500 or 2400 each (I was quoted 2 different prices during the day) I'm not going to take a hit like that"
I tried to tell him that had his salesman known more about the vehicle then I would have easily purchased the proper $100 accessory and gotten the headlights I had wanted all along. We kind of came to a stalemate where he said something like "Is there anything else we can get you?" And I told him "I pretty much got every accessory I wanted on the car"
Anyways, that's a rant but it gets me to the question...
Is there a way to get inside that damned little headlight and switch the amber with clear/white lenses? (not bulbs, the actual lens cover) on the turn indicator? I was told by the sales manager it's a sealed piece and cannot be modified.
When I ordered my MINI S I asked the salesman if there was a way to order the Xenon headlight with clear or white or any non-amber turn indicators. He informed me that all 2007s come like that (amber). Disappointed, I still ordered my MINI S.
For other reasons (ipod not being recognized, check engine light coming on after 25 miles) I took my car back to the dealer for service.
When I got there, staring me in the face was a 2007 MINI S with Xenon lights and clear turn indicators.
I was PISSED. I talked to the sales manager (my sales guy wasn't there) and when I proposed a 'simple' solution of swapping out my amber for clear he told me it was only available on Xenons.
I told him "I've got Xenons. And they're amber."
Then I was told "Oh, well we can't because they're sealed and we would have to replace the whole assembly."
I, being naive, said "Do that then." To which I was told "No, those are expensive, like 1500 or 2400 each (I was quoted 2 different prices during the day) I'm not going to take a hit like that"
I tried to tell him that had his salesman known more about the vehicle then I would have easily purchased the proper $100 accessory and gotten the headlights I had wanted all along. We kind of came to a stalemate where he said something like "Is there anything else we can get you?" And I told him "I pretty much got every accessory I wanted on the car"
Anyways, that's a rant but it gets me to the question...
Is there a way to get inside that damned little headlight and switch the amber with clear/white lenses? (not bulbs, the actual lens cover) on the turn indicator? I was told by the sales manager it's a sealed piece and cannot be modified.
For other reasons (ipod not being recognized, check engine light coming on after 25 miles) I took my car back to the dealer for service.
When I got there, staring me in the face was a 2007 MINI S with Xenon lights and clear turn indicators.
I was PISSED. I talked to the sales manager (my sales guy wasn't there) and when I proposed a 'simple' solution of swapping out my amber for clear he told me it was only available on Xenons.
I told him "I've got Xenons. And they're amber."
Then I was told "Oh, well we can't because they're sealed and we would have to replace the whole assembly."
I, being naive, said "Do that then." To which I was told "No, those are expensive, like 1500 or 2400 each (I was quoted 2 different prices during the day) I'm not going to take a hit like that"
I tried to tell him that had his salesman known more about the vehicle then I would have easily purchased the proper $100 accessory and gotten the headlights I had wanted all along. We kind of came to a stalemate where he said something like "Is there anything else we can get you?" And I told him "I pretty much got every accessory I wanted on the car"
Anyways, that's a rant but it gets me to the question...
Is there a way to get inside that damned little headlight and switch the amber with clear/white lenses? (not bulbs, the actual lens cover) on the turn indicator? I was told by the sales manager it's a sealed piece and cannot be modified.
5th Gear
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 770
Likes: 0
From: Skokie, IL
I've always heard that its pretty hard to do. If it bothers you that much and you haven't taken delivery yet, then I would just not take it and reorder. Yah, you have to wait again, but you're going to have the car for a long time, and the amber will just bother you everytime.
3rd Gear
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 285
Likes: 0
From: Manchester, KY
No clue about doing it on an '07, but on an r53, http://www.motoringunderground.com/f...ead.php?t=5393
2nd Gear
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 100
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i was looking at the head lights last night and it seems like the R56 may be pretty easy to take apart. I looks like BMW made the head lights as there own bimmers. The clear plastic lense seems to be clipped on and can be removed easily. Anyone look into this?
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1st Gear
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 32
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I talked in person to the Sales Mngr, Parts Guy, and 2 service techs. All of them reported that 'nope, no way. it's a sealed unit we can't change it'. Grr.
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1st Gear
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 37
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From: Sunrise, FL
They only have the full assembly available
I look into this a few months ago when, just like semirgj, I noticed that the white turn indicator option also included the white headlights turn signals.
The units are not sealed. You have to remove the 4 mounting bolts, 2 plugs and the tubing for the washers. I disassembled one of the headlights in my car and the amber indicator its held in place by 4 torx screws. It seems fairly easy to replace.
Now, I checked about a month ago, and according to my dealer, they only have the full headlight assembly available and there is no part # for just the lenses. Each headlight was somewhere around $600 for the xenons.
The units are not sealed. You have to remove the 4 mounting bolts, 2 plugs and the tubing for the washers. I disassembled one of the headlights in my car and the amber indicator its held in place by 4 torx screws. It seems fairly easy to replace.
Now, I checked about a month ago, and according to my dealer, they only have the full headlight assembly available and there is no part # for just the lenses. Each headlight was somewhere around $600 for the xenons.
OVERDRIVE
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 8,233
Likes: 127
From: San Francisco
I would be SO annoyed if that happened to me. If one of their cars for test drives has white lenses, I would ask them to swap the headlights (if you feel okay about that). The option also includes white taillight turn indicators. If you wanted that, they might be more agreeable to it.
RealOEM does not list a lens part available separately from the entire assembly. If the lens is indeed easy to remove and you are motivated, you could make your own clear lens:
Making a mold: http://www.alumilite.com/index.php?p...ype=HOWS&id=50
Casting the lens: http://www.alumilite.com/index.php?p...ype=HOWS&id=46
RealOEM does not list a lens part available separately from the entire assembly. If the lens is indeed easy to remove and you are motivated, you could make your own clear lens:
Making a mold: http://www.alumilite.com/index.php?p...ype=HOWS&id=50
Casting the lens: http://www.alumilite.com/index.php?p...ype=HOWS&id=46
2nd Gear
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 100
Likes: 0
I look into this a few months ago when, just like semirgj, I noticed that the white turn indicator option also included the white headlights turn signals.
The units are not sealed. You have to remove the 4 mounting bolts, 2 plugs and the tubing for the washers. I disassembled one of the headlights in my car and the amber indicator its held in place by 4 torx screws. It seems fairly easy to replace.
Now, I checked about a month ago, and according to my dealer, they only have the full headlight assembly available and there is no part # for just the lenses. Each headlight was somewhere around $600 for the xenons.
The units are not sealed. You have to remove the 4 mounting bolts, 2 plugs and the tubing for the washers. I disassembled one of the headlights in my car and the amber indicator its held in place by 4 torx screws. It seems fairly easy to replace.
Now, I checked about a month ago, and according to my dealer, they only have the full headlight assembly available and there is no part # for just the lenses. Each headlight was somewhere around $600 for the xenons.
Thread Starter
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1st Gear
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 32
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If you can figure that one out you're ahead of everyone else I've talked to about it. They (service, sales, etc.) don't seem to think that's possible. Apparently all headlights are created spontaneously with lenses in them and to take them apart is an afront to God (and just completely totally impossible).
6th Gear
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 6,056
Likes: 0
From: Sacramento, CA
Wouldn't want any of that back-alley lens changing going on.
5th Gear
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 742
Likes: 0
From: Coopersburg (really), PA
I've seen headlight assy's with the interior painted black (including the millionth MINI). Must be a way to get in there, 'cause I intend on painting mine.
6th Gear
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,185
Likes: 0
From: Orange County, California
search for joey mod to see how they are painting the insides black. but that doesnt mean that the lens can simply be popped off. everyone i have talked to has led me to believe the lens is part of the whole assembly and so you would need to dremel it out.
2nd Gear
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 100
Likes: 0
as mentioned, the lense is glued on... the clips misled me
however, as alalo mentioned, the turn signal bulb base is secured by 2 torx screws and the turn signal housing is secured by 4 more torx screws. with these removed, the amber signals can be snapped out. i'm going to pick up some precision torx screws today hopefully and remove the amber lense for some "clear signals"!
however, as alalo mentioned, the turn signal bulb base is secured by 2 torx screws and the turn signal housing is secured by 4 more torx screws. with these removed, the amber signals can be snapped out. i'm going to pick up some precision torx screws today hopefully and remove the amber lense for some "clear signals"!
2nd Gear
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 100
Likes: 0
sorry for being misleading, but that was why i put quotes around the "clear signals". My plan was to just leave out the amber piece cover and it'll just look "clear" with the bulb showing. i figured this would give the clear look just like the R53s
2nd Gear
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 100
Likes: 0
as promised, a short diy (sorry for the crappy pics)...
this is for the passenger side
first, there are 4 bolts you need to unscrew (sorry, forgot to get pictures). They are on the top left, passenger side fender, top right, near center of engine, and two more horizontal bolts at the bottom near the bumper. then unplug the headlight wire.
if you look towards the left side, you'll find the washer tube that you need to unclip.
picture of the tube/clip and the headlight connector
picture of the connector on the headlight
after removing the round cover, it exposes you to the turn signal housing/bulb. remove the bulb and the two center torx screws (T20) at the center top and center bottom
after removing the screws, pull the black bulb base out (is it fitted into the housing quite snug). it will then expose you to the reflector bowls for the signal lights. There are 4 torx screws (T10) that needs to be removed to take out the reflector bowls
picture of the reflector bowls removed
on each side of the reflector bowl, you can see the amber lense clipped in. push in the clips with a flat head screw driver and push out the amber lense.
then put everything back in the same order you removed them.
picture of the reflector bowl back in place
picture of the bulb base back in place
replace the bulb, put the round cover back in, clip in the washer tube and power plug, and then put headlight back... now you have clear front signals!!!
i took out the rear housing, but unfortunately, you can't remove the amber lense as easy as the headlights, guess i'll need to spend $250 on clear tail lights
this is for the passenger side
first, there are 4 bolts you need to unscrew (sorry, forgot to get pictures). They are on the top left, passenger side fender, top right, near center of engine, and two more horizontal bolts at the bottom near the bumper. then unplug the headlight wire.
if you look towards the left side, you'll find the washer tube that you need to unclip.
picture of the tube/clip and the headlight connector
picture of the connector on the headlight
after removing the round cover, it exposes you to the turn signal housing/bulb. remove the bulb and the two center torx screws (T20) at the center top and center bottom
after removing the screws, pull the black bulb base out (is it fitted into the housing quite snug). it will then expose you to the reflector bowls for the signal lights. There are 4 torx screws (T10) that needs to be removed to take out the reflector bowls
picture of the reflector bowls removed
on each side of the reflector bowl, you can see the amber lense clipped in. push in the clips with a flat head screw driver and push out the amber lense.
then put everything back in the same order you removed them.
picture of the reflector bowl back in place
picture of the bulb base back in place
replace the bulb, put the round cover back in, clip in the washer tube and power plug, and then put headlight back... now you have clear front signals!!!
i took out the rear housing, but unfortunately, you can't remove the amber lense as easy as the headlights, guess i'll need to spend $250 on clear tail lights
