The new Sylvania HID X1010 kit comes to mind. I have decided (my Mini is currently on order) just to replace the standard headlight bulbs with the new H7 Sylvania SilverStar high performance halogen bulb. Heck of a lot cheaper. Interested in hearing from users of both. I don't want anything that only works with the high beams on.

 

There are at least a three problems that come to mind with these retrofit kits:

1) your halogen reflectors are designed to work with an h7 bulb. The xenon kits that I've seen so far have had different bulb types. So the light coming off the reflector isn't the same pattern because the source isn't the same size/shape.

2) By U.S. D.O.T. code if you have xenons you have to have leveling motors. No kit that I've seen has these.

3) By U.S. D.O.T. code you also need headlight washers if you have xenons.

The MINI halogens are very good. That said, if you really want xenons, the $500 MINI asks for the factory xenon low beams is a bargain (xenon headlights, ballasts, washers, leveling motors, all nicely integrated into an OEM package).

Dave

 

Thanks Dave. Too late to order the factory Xenons. I checked with my dealer. The car is currently in production and no changes/add-ons allowed. I have a bit of a problem seeing at night so I thought I would try the new Sylvania SilverStar H7s. At $50 with shipping for two bulbs, I figure no big deal. First, I'll check out the factory halogens though. I try not to do too much night time driving anyway. That's my wife's job! Great site by the way. I look forward to meeting many of you and learning all about this wizbang of a car.

 

Kraig,

Sorry I missed saying it the first time, but welcome to NAM. :smile:

The MINI halogens are a very good halogen light. My MINI does have the xenons, but a couple friends of mine have the halogens in their MINIs and they are quite good.

I'm sure with the addition of either the SilverStars or the Philips VisionPlus H7 bulbs you'll be pretty pleased.

Dave

 

Dave, thanks. Do you think one is better than the other - Sylvania vs. Phillips. I have heard they are both comparable.

 

Yeah, that's been my impression too - they are comparable. That being the case, it comes down to what you can get your hands on most easily.

 

>>2) By U.S. D.O.T. code if you have xenons you have to have leveling motors. No kit that I've seen has these.
>>
>>3) By U.S. D.O.T. code you also need headlight washers if you have xenons.

I've heard this before as well, but not all factory HID lights are auto-leveling or have washers. I always wondered about that.

Most of the aftermarket HID kits i've seen are terrible. The bulbs always go out, they ballast goes out, they don't fit right, etc... Stick with a replacement H7 bulb.

 

Nissan Altimas and Muranos with Xenons don´t have washers, do they? Don´t know if they hava automatic levers too.

I´ve only seen european cars with the washers and levelers (BMWs, Mercedes, etc)

 

My Toyota Sienna with Xenons has a *manual* leveler...a little dial with settings 0-5 on the dashboard.