It was originally a halogen. But in our R50 there wasn't a difference between the two reflectors (halogen to xenon) only a place for the factory ballast to mount in the housing. Idk if it will help any, sorry.

 

no difference?..u mean if the car was ordered with the xenon lighting, they'd just put the hid bulb in the standard reflector housing?..dont know about the r50's, but the r56 have projector housings that reduces the glare and looks much better...and im wishing to get one of these to swap out the halogen reflectors and get a aftermarket hid ballast and bulb to fit them in, but just scared they wont fit as i've never seen the inside of the r56 projector housings before..

 

You will need the reto-fit wiring harness from MINI... But they won't sell it to to you have to order it from the UK (it will be for left hand drive if you use p# 63120422185) or wait till they have one for the US market or you would have to buy the whole front wiring out of a wrecked one be sure to get the front and rear auto levelers

 

I have a 55W 8000k HID kit installed in my car with a regular bulb for high beam to make it legal. They work great and the light output is insane. Also have 55W 8000k HID for my fog lights. cost me 176 with shipping and installed both set in 1 hour.

Jason