hello all,

This is my first post on here! so yay for that?


Okay so question, Will the three spoke steering wheel from the updated r53 work with my car? (2003) I am considering either getting a MOMO or a three spoke, I loathe the star trek 2 spoke that mine came with.

Also, I have Xenon headlights but I like the 04-06 style better. Will these plug and play?

Sorry for the noob questions, I have been a BMW guy for years and so I'm new to the MINI gang.




The ones I Want:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3220/...71a03d28_b.jpg
http://images.gtcarlot.com/pictures/63698752.jpg

The ones I have:
http://image.motortrend.com/f/2006_m.../headlight.jpg
http://image.motortrend.com/f/2006_m...ring_wheel.jpg


Thanks guys!

 

Not sure, But I can tell you the the "facelift" (model YEAR 2005+ gen1) xenon's are great at night!! I KNOW there is a bulb change, but not sure if the ballast also changed at the same time....you could check the part #'s on realoem.com...look up the old unit and the newer unit by using your option for one, and the newer one for another.
The steering wheel will fit...many folks did the reverse swap..not sure of the logistics of making the buttons work.

 

Basically I know they will both "fit" but I am wondering if the buttons on the steering wheel will retain their function and if the auto level will work on the Headlights still.

 

No one have a say on this?

 

I KNOW both have been done...
Try using google site search....the built in seaech here has a date cutoff...about 4 years....so some good thread get left out of searches.

 

Yea I did a quick search, I guess I'll go more in depth with it, I just figured I'd ask to see if anyone knew off the top of their heads, Im sure I could make the buttons work eventually, I just don't want to cut the factory harness or modify it in anyway.

 

I installed '05 xenons on my '03 S that came with halogens and they work fine.

 

Your 03 S came with halogens and not the pre-facelift xenons ?

 

I have an 03 R53. I had the prefacelift Xenon headlights, and got a set of facelift Xenons off Ebay for a STEAL. Plug and play replacement. I will say that if you have the washers... they are a pain in the ***. Seriously, the most time I spent on this replacement was getting those f$#^ckers off.

As for the steering wheel: the three spoke will fit. If you already have the MFSW controls, its an easy swap. If you dont have MFSW controls... its expensive. Or you can forgo steering wheel controls. And honestly if you can find a complete three spoke wheel, its the way to go. Going piece by piece is EXPENSIVE. I.E., 75 for a wheel, 45 for each control module, and then $150-200 for an airbag. Ouch. I am partially invested in the latter route, and wish I could find a complete wheel nearby.