Has anyone had to change a bulb on the HID headlights? I have a buddy who owns a Acura TL and he had a bulb burn out and in trying to replace it found out the case is sealed and couldn't get in to replace the bulb. After talking to 2-3 Acura dealerships he was told you can't replace individual bulbs, you have to replace the entire assembly....at a cost of $1,000 EACH!!! Tell me this isn't the case with the MINI HID bulbs!

I'm looking at used Mini's right now and trying to figure out what options I want or should try and avoid. If this is the case with these headlights, I think I can handle a little less visibility.

I remember reading an article when these type of headlights first came out and said the complaints from other drivers went through the roof once they started showing up. I do have to admit on some cars they're pretty blinding.

 

On the MINI they are relatively easy to change but a bulb from a dealer could be a couple to a few hundred bucks.

 

Typically, many Japanese marques don't use the projector style HID lights and so they are more likely the ones that bother oncoming drivers. The MINI's are actually a pretty focused beam. I had HID light on 2 previous cars and skipped them on my most recent purchase (just before the MINI). I was so dissspointed in the light output that I won't buy a car without them again.

 

I have a 2005 MCS with factory HIDs and they are awesome. I even changed my little tiny driving lights to HIDs for extra lighting power when there is no oncoming traffic. Sylvania has a new bulb out that has about 75 feet more visible lighting and a bit of a wider spread, but they are about $100 each for the bulbs only. I think all cars should have projector beam HIDs. Especially up here in NH where there are lots of deer.