I don't think the Mini's headlights are very bright and I was thinking about upgrading to that brighter/whiter look that I see in some cars on the roads. I am a freshman to anything to do with upgrading cars (because this is the first non junk car I have had) so could anyone give me some insight? has anyone upgraded their lights to something like this? Is it hard to install new headlights? Is this something I can pay to have done? Sorry if this a dumb question but I'll stick my neck out there at the risk of sounding dumb :p Dan

 

So, your car does NOT have the Xenon headlamps, right? I can't remember...

If not, the cheap way to do this is to put a set of blue-tinted headlamp film on the headlights. It's subtle, but it WILL cool them off very slightly.

For a bit more, you should be able to find a set of replacement halogen bulbs with the cool blue color... I think some are called "Silverstar" - I see them for sale in places like Autozone on Bethel, and I know that this option is popular with the "tuner" crowd because it's, well, not that expensive. I've never done it, but I've seen photos pf kids that got a VERY cool color (almpst purple) from replacement halogens.

Last, if you have the means, I believe you can replace the standard halogens with Xenon projectors... The actual lamp housings on the Xenons look MUCH better than the older halogen look IMHO, and have that cool(ish) blue look. It's actually more "pure white" in my opinion than blue. Not sure where to start looking for a Xenon replacement, though - I'd try the Interior/Exterior or ELectrical MODs forums...

 

I should have known you would have the info being the lighting mod guy

I know the last rout you mentioned sounds the best, but is going to be far far beyond my skillz. if I did the second option would it make a difference in the actual performance of the light? (you can see better) you think? I like that option if it helps. I prefer the white look also, not some much the blue. How hard is it to replace bulbs? Sorry so many ?'s

Dan

 

I changed my bulbs to PIAA White Lights and they have been great! It's an easy install. I will bring the model number with me to Saturday's event.

 

prefect, thanks!

Dan

 

It's a ten minute job to change bulbs. Here are some H7 bulbs with a H9 burner on them, 65w vs 55w stock. I wouldn't use them for your low beams, but I would recommend them for use in your high beams.

http://www.danielsternlighting.com/p.../products.html

 

Are these the ones you have?

http://new.minimania.com/web/Item/NM.../InvDetail.cfm

hopefully that nasty long link works.

Dan

 

Yes, these are the ones I installed. I drive to and from Springfield everyday for work and I hardly ever have to use the high beams (and no one flashes their lights at me, unless it's another Mini).

 

Here is a much better price on those. You can get them from Aaron Saturday morning.


http://outmotoring.com/piaa_extreme_...ight_bulb.html

 

I have been using two of those flashlights that you shake to give them power. The headlights draw too much HP from the engine.

 

I just got the email from him also Can I just replace the low beams with these and leave the high beams as is? (since I don't use the high beams much)

plus how "legal" are these?

Dan

 

I think I read someplace that anything but the most purplish of bulbs are legal in most states, but I'll ask over on the Oznium forums for you, just to be sure - they have people over there that really know about the legality of this stuff, since those crazy kids are always pushing the limits of the law with various lighting MODs.

EDIT - checking around it seems that so long as you stick to 8000K or lower, you should be fine. The PIAAs are 4000K and so are much whiter than some of the lamps out there (I've seen bulbs up to 12000K for sale!). You should have no issues wherever you go.

 

great! thanks for checking that for me. Now can I con you into showing me how to install them

Dan


Side note. took me 25 mins to get the Mini to move out of it's parking spot on the street this morning. Spinning tires, smoke pouring... was a lot of fun

 

I'm going with one of these eventually:

 

That looks like the lights we use to mountain bike at night. You would be surprized at how much use you can get out of a simple light attached to your head.

 

Too... many... opportunities... to... make... jokes...

Passing... out!

 

I was in a parking lot one night getting ready to go for a night ride and a stranger come up to me and asked what I was doing with a light on my head I told him I was a proktologist looking for test patients. Needless to say he did not ask me any more questions

 

Yes you can just run those in the low beams. As far as legality goes, IMO you are worrying about a non-issue.

 

I'm now very afraid of you.

 

Perfect thanks!

Dan

 

If there is one thing I have learned it is if you are wearing lycra in the woods in the dark it is best to "act" insane. Nothing scares red necks like a crazy person. Although one time a guy did tell me that a HID helmet light would be perfect for hunting deer.