Has anyone changed out their headlights? Is it easy?

I had xenon on my countryman but have halogens on my hardtop, it's such a big difference.

Any suggestions on how to get the same effect? Is it worth getting brand new lights or just a better bulb.


Thanks everyone

 

I literally just changed them out over the weekend.

It was simple. Looked in the manual for the exact headlight specs and then bought them at an auto parts store. Just follow the directions in the manual. Pop the hood, push/turn the light assembly, swap 'em out and then plug them back in.

 

I believe quattro4 would like to swap his halogens to HID. A bit more complicated.
I've read the OEM's can be installed, but require reprogramming, which some dealers are unwilling to do. And there are other choices from places like theretrofitsource and blackflame.
OTOH, I did swap my OEM halogen bulbs to Philips X-treme halogen, and it made a noticeable improvement, from awful to decent.

 

Ebay has motorcycle conversion ballasts and bulbs in popular formats like H4 etc, for around $30. These are true HID BTW.

 

You might not like what you get if you put xenon bulbs and ballasts into a reflector housing. Typically the light will be scattered all over the place.

Mini morimoto projectors are very nice. The work isn't hard but requires removing the lens from the light housing. 10 minutes at 275 in the oven usually works.

I am halfway through my conversion on an R53. It is not plug and play and required a little cutting and grinding.

The new retrofit kits do have a decent mounting system though.

 

I switched my bulbs to Phillips Extremes as well and they are way better!

 

The Retrofit Source

 

I had not considered the focus angle. Thanks to Kahn and Melangell. Very informative.
A soon and my new one does I will install Hella 500's, too. The $600 option ones on my present MCS are not up to much.

 

I included the OEM's when I ordered my car. I didn't know the total prise. It's the only thing I regret. I will always recommend third party drivers lights now (and VIP Custom brackets).

 

Easier on an R53 than on an R56 (as, I expect, are a lot of other mods).
NEVER MIND - I was reading headlights, you were writing driving lights... I think...

 

OhBe, slap some Hella's on that MINI! Then go HID!