I have a 2012 and I was hoping to get some direction to installing new xenon headlights. I couldnt afford them when I purchased the vehicle but I'd like to drop them into the vehicle now. Any direction for purchasing and setup?

 

Are you looking for the OEM Xenon setup or an aftermarket unit?
If aftermarket, you should purchase a headlight housing with a HID rated projector that has been designed to have zero lens glare and have a good cutoff for oncoming traffic.
DO NOT, and I can't stress enough, DO NOT install a HID lamp conversion in the OEM halogen headlight units.

- Erik

 

+1

They were a $500 option when the car is built, now they are going to cost $1.300-$1,600 for OEM parts and it still won't function exactly like OEM (auto level). You can pay $700-$1,100 for a company to retrofit projectors into your headlights, or you can buy a kit for ~$300 and do the retrofit yourself.

 

Yes, don't be that guy. Aside from not working as intended, everyone seeing you on the road at night will think you are a total douche, and you will be breaking federal law. Not to mention your fine MINI deserves better.

I'm never in the market for 2nd gen parts, but I've seen first gen HID factory lamp housings come up from time to time on the used market for very reasonable. Of course that's often because pre-facelift owners will switch to the projector style of the facelift cars.

 

Will the first gen HID lights fit into a 2nd gen R56? I can get a good deal on the 1st gen units but I have a 2009 cooper classic.

 

Are you referring to the housings? If so, not even close.
If you're referring to the actual HID lamp, no, those won't work either.
The R56 uses a D1S; the R53 uses a D2R or D2S depending on year application.

- Erik