The lights on my 03' R53 are 20 years old, faded, and look horrible. I've tried polishing them up, but after a few months they are back to looking horrible again.

They are the OEM HID lights with the auto-leveling function. What aftermarket lights can I replace these with, that will still have the HID lights and auto-leveling? Or will I have to find some new OEM lights to replace them with?

Any info would be great! Thanks

 

Think you would be very lucky to find any aftermarket lights that would work as good as the factory lights. But google your MY year MINI and headlights and see what turns up.

Actually I just did this and a number of hits turned up.

One such hit, a link:

https://www.ecstuning.com/News/R50_R...s_Tail_Lights/

Check it out. Maybe there is (a head)light at the end of the tunnel...

But I think you would faint when you priced new factory lights. But get a price quote.

Another source would be a salvage yard specializing in MINIs. Get a pair of used ones but of course better than what you currently have.

 

Were the lenses coated with a UV protectant after polishing? I’ve seen posts using 2K automotive clear, ceramic coating for paint, or some other DIY coating like regular clear from a rattle can, or auto wax/sealant, but I haven’t really seen any follow up posts on how long it lasts.

 

Google is your friend !
If I picked the wrong model or year, put your own info in the index, and...search away ! Not that difficult.

https://www.partsgeek.com/catalog/20..._assembly.html

Mike

 

Yeah. The replacement headlight assemblies WITH washers were hard to find and/or expensive when I went looking 3years ago.
I had since then had to reside to polishing my originals with 3M rubbing compound and applied NuFinish afterwards.
Totally crystal clear but with a slight tinge of yellowing remains. I repeat the ceremonial polishing treatment every 3months whether it looks like it needs it or not.
I have sometimes stumbled upon beautiful condition (obviously garage kept) aftermarket projectors on some 1st Gens at a salvage yard.
I always forget to pull them for whatever reason.

 

This stuff is the absolute bomb:
https://www.walmart.com/ip/CERAKOTE-...22a8&gclsrc=ds

 

Yep.
Although, I hadn't used that specific brand; I had done the wet sand, polish and wipe as with the (similar) aforementioned product/procedure a couple of times over the past 10 years - I agree that the results were impressive for about 6-9months.