I was recent in an front-end accident and need to replace the headlights. I was looking at headlights for the Cooper S and I don't have $500 laying around (otherwise I'd just pay my deductible) for a set of project headlights for my S, but I found I can replace both for $180 if I switch to the halogen headlights w/o washers. I don't use the washers anyway and this would only be a temporary fix.

My question is are the halogen headlights a direct swap? Is it plug and play? I plan on replacing them with new projectors eventually, but for now this is what I can do.

 

Direct fit to go from Xenon to our Helix Halogen projectors that look like the 7/2004 Xenons. The only thing is you will loose the headlight washer function that came with the xenons, and auto level, but the Helix version have manual leveling, and US beam pattern, so you will not blind people, see the pics on the items. Three different styles and they link to the halogen light bulbs also that are needed. After you decide to go back to the factory Xenon's we have those also.


https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ight-help.html







Thanks

 

Bump for update. I still haven't bought anything for my Mini for headlights and the poor guy has just been sitting in my garage since. :( Buuuuutttt... I'm finally graduated from college and have a job in the works. I found the Spec-D projectors for the R53. My MCS came with stock Xenons (as you can see in my signature) and I was wonder if the stock Xenon kit is transferable to the Spec-D headlights. I really don't want to deal with error lights and the high-beam issues that I've read about on NAM, so I'd rather buy an OEM Mini genuine headlight than deal with those problems. But if the stock Xenons are transferable to the Spec-D projectors, then I wouldn't mind having two, brand new, black-housing headlights on my MCS.

 

With a little searching, maybe look for a R50/2/3 in a junk yard and buy those housings.

 

No - this is not going to be even partially plug and play. Halogen bulbs are probably H7s the xenon lamps are not...are they D2S? There are no leveling motors in the Spec Ds. I guess anything is possible but you are probably talking about a retrofit at this point. I've done it - it's not hard and I like the way they look and perform. Expect to spend at least 3 hours on this kind of project...

 

The wiring is different...to go halogen to xenon needs a different harness...has different plugs etc...
So doing the reverse would be the same....
Unfortunately using anything BUT OEM xenon will need some injenuity, since you have the xenon wiring, and most every kit you look at has the halogen wiring....so a decent project..
But some soldering, shrink wrap, and wiring, you could "make it work" if you are smart...could burn up your car if not....and make the car a basket case....
Not trying to scare you, but no plug and play here....but time with a voltage meter, wire strippers, etc...

 

Thanks for the replies. Looks like I'll just stick with the OEM Xenon headlight then!