I had to change the H7 Lowbean Lighbulb on my Mazda 3 and the clerk at the autoparts store said that the total was $22.00 I said to him, wow... Didnt know that it was that expensive for bulb for my mazda and he proceded to tell me, you have not seen anything yet, and he goes under the counter and takes out a HID Xenon BMW bulb and tell`s me that its $212.00 to replace a Xenon bulb in a BMW or Mini.

My question to you is, do these bulbs burn out quickly? I have the habit (good or bad I dont know) of everytime I start my car during the day, I automatically turn on my headlights even though the car has daylight running lamps. If I do that in a Mini, do I risk having to change the bulb more often that if I were not to do that?

Give me your feedback!

 

Well your sig says you are in the 'still dreaming' club so I guess you know that your MINI may or may not have the HIDs .... they are not standard equipment.

It is my understanding however that the HID high beam is actually a non HID bulb and the DRLs use a low power to this high beam bulb so my suggestion would be to use the DRLs if you have the HID... {mentioned in a GEN1 context btw.....that's the thread we're in}

 

correct the DRLs use the high beam on low power. HIDs do have a expected life just like a halogen light, but it tends to be alot longer life. Some people will tell you that HIDs dont burn out cause they are a electric arc of light not a filament bulb. But failures have happen before although its not nearly as common as with halogen bulbs.

 

I understand that the HID`s are not standard equipment. I was just wondering if I should stay clear of them if I had a chance wanting to purchase a Mini.

As for the "Still dreaming" club... well, it looks like my dreams have been answered! I have to change my signature because when I bring back my Mazda 3 back to the dealership after my lease, I will be looking for a 2005 or 2006 Chili Red Mini Cooper.

My wife only wants a Chili Red Cooper, I know that the task could be large trying to find one on such short notice, but she is willing to take all summer to find one she likes....... Now all we need to do is work out a schedule on WHO gets the Mini on certain days! LOL!

 

I wouldn't own anything but a xenon equipped car. Every car I own in the future will have xenon lights, no exception. I don't care if it is a $2000 option.
Ive been running no named bulbs from eBay for quite a while now. And when they burn out, I will buy the exact same ones because they've been great, and they were only $50something for a PAIR. I did not lose any light output either.

 

Ya, I was wondering about the EBay ones. Its good to hear that someone acually has tried them!

 

Keep in mind that one of the benifits of Xenon lighting is significantly longer bulb life in most cases.

 

+1
If you get used to HID anything else seems to suck.
I used to think it was an over priced option like navigation but after having HID and using my wife's car I want to sell her's so she has HID also.

 

Agreed, i had to sell my MINI last year and get a jetta (but im on the lookout to get another MINI) and the MINI had the HID Xenon lights, and my Jetta doesnt and i miss it, and dont want another car without HIDs

 

Could you possibly recommend which ones you got from eBay? I've been considering getting some myself, buy have been leery of which ones. I was afraid of getting one that would be glaring to on coming traffic.

 

As everybody else who has HIDs says, once you have them you can't go back. I had them on my first 03 MCS and passed on many 05-06s when I was looking that were almost perfect but didn't have HIDs. I see them as both a safety and performance feature and although they cost more; yes I believe the cost is justified. The bulbs should last longer than halogens which helps to offset the price and as mentioned they can always be found for cheaper online.

If you will ever drive on dark rural roads, the HID projectors light up the road so much better and you'll be happy and feel safer and more confident if you get them. On the 05-06 I also think they look damn sexy to boot!