has anyone converted the non xenon headlights to the new xenon headlights. how easy is it and what do i need to do it. let me know. before i get myself in a big possibly expensive project.

 

well I don't know about converting...but I do know that each head light is about 675....so there's 1200 bux easy....I think Rallymini is more familliar with it....lets see who chimes in

 

i can get the headlight bulb and ballast for cheaper im just more concerned if i need anything else done or any other special harnesses or computer reprogramming.

 

Its alot cheaper and easier to replace the four 55 watt H7 bulbs with the 100w GP Thunder 7500K or 8500K light bulbs. As bright as and same color as the HIDs and costs about $15 per bulb. I have also replaced the H7s in the fog lamps fog lamps with this same bulb and have put the H3 size in the rallye lamps. Turns night into day and looks sharp.

 

Ok here are the things you need:

-Headlights/ballasts/cleaning arm thingys(expensive)

-Cleaning system::Resevoir, pump, plumbing, connections

-Auto-levelling system:: ZKE module(installed behind glovebox=a few screws to remove), some sort of sensors(they have an odd name that i dont remember)

-Have dealer reprogram your car

The cleaning system and auto-levelling system are both required to make your xenon system legal

The healight/ballast install looks to be a breeze.

The Cleaning system seems a bit tedious, but not hard by any means. The driver's side side panel needs to be removed to install the resevoir(the one where the side vents are). Then tubing just needs to be run to the headlight area. The instructions can be found on gabe's motoringfile

The auto-leveling system seems to be the hardest install. The ZKE module goes behind the glovebox...which wouldnt be hard. The big feat comes when you must install the sensors...they go on both the front and rear suspension components. I dont know exactly where they go...i havent looked in depth, but it couldnt be much harder then any suspension install(lift car, maybe remove wheels) There arent any instructions that i know of, but the bentley manual has some info about it

 

anything above 6000K is actually losing brightness as the temp gets higher. An 8500K bulb will put out MUCH LESS light then a 4000K-6000k....the temp is all about the color. And i kinda doubt that you could get a halogen to be as bright as a xenon set up. I have aftermarket brigher H7s currently, and they are brighter, but i would never say brighter then xenons

 

SOunds like Better bulbs is the key huh...DOH!!! I am going to have to se about just getting the 05 housing for MLE and using Uber bulbs or somethign...

 

so you cant just but the bulb and swap everything. ive seen them without the auto leveling system on aftermarket bulbs but why would i need to get the headlight to reprogram it.

 

Well from what i can understand....you are asking why you need a whole new housing...it will have the autolevelling motors in it and and the washer arm that protrudes from it. Those aftermarket kits that dont come with autolevelling are illegal to install. They end up just glaring which loses brightness for you and blinds other drivers. So you need the new headlight housings for both the autolevelling and the washer system which are both necessary for them to work well and legally

 

can you install the xenon if there the factory ones without reprogramming it? and if you dont reprogram the lights do you know what happens?

 

I dont think you can. The reprogramming just consists of letting your car know that is has xenon's and needs to level them and wash them when you press whatever button it is. The programming is the easiest part....just ask your dealer...they might charge you but i dont think so

 

Im Going To Try To Tackle This Little Project Of MinE In The Next Few Weeks Ill Post My Results When Im Done. The Ease The Exact Parts I Used And If I Needed The Dealer To Reprogram. I Dont Think I Want To Go With The Auto Leveling System And Im Not Planning On Installing The Washer On It. Even If I Do Need It. Im Not Replacing The Housing Im Just Taking The Bulb And The Ballast. I Just Need To Find Me One More Headlight. To Use For Parts. Thanks Everyone For Your Info. OH AND AS FOR THOSE XENON BULBS THE ONES EVERYONE CAN GET ON EBAY THEY WORK LIKE CRAP. I HAD IT ON MY WRANGLER BEFORE I GOT MY MINI AND I THINK THE LIGHTING WAS BETTER ON MY OLD HEADLIGHTS THEN THOSE AFTERMARKET BULBS. AND I HAD 6000K WHICH WAS BRIGHT BUT NOT THE LOOK I WAS LOOKING FOR YOU COULD ONLY SEE IT GOOD AT NIGHT WHEN YOUR ON A STREET WITH NO LIGHTING. PLUS IT BLINDED THE HELL OUT OF PEOPLE. IT ALSO DIDNT HELP THAT THE WRANGLER WAS SO HIGH UP EITHER.

 

I seriously hope you live no where near me....i dont want your partial xenon system blinding me anytime soon.

With out the housings or autoleveling you will be blinding all oncoming drivers, and you will be losing most of your xenon's light due to the glare produced by the improper headlight housings.

What you are planning is dangerous to other drivers and is illegal in all 50 states. Good luck i guess

 

Im thinking about doing the same conversion as well, but mine is 03 w/Xenon, what parts do I need? I heard the 05 xenon also require a new ZKE.

Is this the correct retrofit part number?
63 12 0 309 427

 

Yah, you will need a new ZKE, but i dont have the number on hand

 

go to this site


http://www.hidexpress.com/

thay have awsome upgrades we got em and couldent be happier with the quality, better than oem!!!

 

Xenon headlights were the best purchase I made on the 05 MCS I just picked up, absolutely love them. Would do it all over again if I had the choice.