I ordered the xenons for my mcs, but I'm worried. See, I live in NJ., where there has been a lot of xenon headlight theft. I have not heard of many involving the MINI, but I think that is because there are not that many around or perhaps not many of the theives know of the MINI xenons yet. Although, one member from NJ. recently posted about his theft of xenons. Usually the car sustains damage from these thefts. That's what bothers me I just don't want to have to worry about parking my car somewhere, only to find the headlights missing. Then I would have the hassle of an insurance claim and paying the deductible. In addition I know some people who have had the xenons stolen more than once. That would mean two insurance claims and the risk of the insurance company dropping you.

Just don't know what to do? I really like the xenons but don't NEED them (never had them before) and they do cost $550.00 extra? What does everyone think?? Am I just being paranoid? Should I save the $550.00 and get the halogens??

 

I don't think I would sweat it. There are so many things that can go wrong with owning any vehicle. I have the xenons and believe the benefits outweigh the chance of them being stolen. They really make a huge difference. Good luck.

 

That's too bad. I really love my xenons, but if it was a real danger to have them stolen, I wouldn't bother. I don't think the difference is enough to justify the possibility of having someone rip my hood open.

 

I agree 100%- in addition, IMO it's not worth having a car you love when you have to love it only 97% because you're going to live in fear of it being damaged.

Does that make sense????

 

I had the regular headlights in my first MINI, then ordered the Xenons for Wanda. The difference is....night and day! I don't see that well at night, and the xenons really are better than the regular headlights.:smile:

Add on the rally lights, and you are ready for the Midnight Run on the Dragon!

I haven't heard of MINI Xenons being ripped-off, to date. Good luck in your decision. I hope this helps.


Clover

 

I Don't think you have to worry. I think xenon theft is really an issue for those cars that sell 150k or 250k units per year, with only a few having xenons, that are popular in the street racer arenas, i.e. toyotas and hondas. there is a broad black market for those items, the mini production is so low and many equipped with xenon that there is very few possible buyers, and even fewer running in that scene where jacked parts are frequently traded.

 

I would think it is kinda difficult to steal the Xenon headlights out of a MINI as they would have to essentially pray open the clamshell bonnet. I am not saying it is impossible, but it could happen (When there is a bad will, there is a way).

I think the question you need to ask yourself is this.... Do I really need to have these powerful headlights? Do you do a lot of night driving in poorly lit places? If you answer yes to both, then keep them in your order.

I have never had a MINI with Xenons. Personally the halogens have been more than enough for me as I live in a big metropolitan area and don't really do that much night driving or in dark as molasses places.

Here in Miami there is also a lot of Xenon headlight theft. Prime victims are Nissan Altimas/Maximas, Acuras, Audis and any car with seemingly easy access to the headlight cavity.

Ot is up to you.

 

If you are getting a new '05 MCS, personally, I would ditch the Xenons and get the LSD instead. The LSD is $50 cheaper than the Xenons and it is something that enhances the performance of the car, IMO.

 

just remember, xenons are low beams only... high beams are identical.

 

Yeah, I did order the lsd also. I think I'm leaning toward the regular halogens. Thanks for all the replies so far. I have to make a decision, should be going into production soon. HB/B MCS, prem. and cold weather pack, Panther black leather, anthracite dash and headliner, front and rear fogs, lsd, dsc, chrome int. and ext., and I think I will be gettin the halogens??

 

Don't forget that MINI redesigned the light beam reflectors for '05 in the new Halogen headlights. I suspect the quality of illumination and range has been improved over the '04 Halogens.

Believe or not, Cooper S with halogen headlights are sort of a rare find.

 

Yeah and to be honest, I never saw the 05 halogens when they were on. I bet they have been improved with the new design. Good points.

 

i really think the benefits outweigh the costs of the xenons. odds are if cars are having xenons stolen and damage is being done to the cars, the crooks must not be too smart, so there's always a chance that they won't even notice that the MINI has xenons. i drove my parents 02 Grand Cherokee Laredo over the weekend (slammed MINI doesn't do well in the snow ) and i was shocked at how dim the headlights actually were compared to my xenons. if you live in an area thats more rural than suburban i'd highly recommend the xenons.

 

The damage is being done because the crooks don't have to be gentle, its not their c...ar. They are really after the bulbs and once the word on the street gets out that the MINI has xenons, they may become targets more and more, just like the Maximas and Acuras. But, I do agree, I would love to keep them in my order, they are much brighter. However, I do live in a suburban area and really don't need them. I don't think its worth the headache of having to get my c...ar repaired and i...nsurance claims etc., if I in fact become the victim of one of these thefts.

 

I decided against xenon lights because they they project a focused beam. When the car hits a bump (especially with a short wheelbase car like the Mini) the lights can 'flash' oncoming traffic. A firm suspension makes matters worse.
-p

 

Actually, the xenons are self-levelling and are not as obnoxious as the Bimmer ones. They are also good for resale consideration.


Clover

 

The Xenons don't have that great of resale value per se, but like the sunroof, they can make the car a bit easier to sell years down the road.

Again, if you do lots of night time driving and live in poorly lit or rural areas (Where there is the risk or hitting or running over wild life), yes the Xenons are a must safety feature. But for the folk that drives most of the time under city lights, they are not that advantgeous, IMO.

 

Not to go to far off the topic but, what color combo did u order?

 

I live in Los Angeles, but I do a lot of canyon driving and I cross the country every spring, going through all sorts of areas, including plenty of rural ones. I agree with your wildlife comment, and that is a very important reason why I love my xenons. I doubt that most folks will limit their MINI driving to the city, once they experience the open road in theirs!


Clover

 

Ahhhh! Canyon driving! I wish we had that here in Florida. You guys have it really good out there in the West. I hope to someday take my MCS on a Canyon Road baby!

 

CR/W, chrome exterior pack, Union Jack roof flag. Basically the same thing as I have now in my '04 MCS. I taught about Liquid Yellow/W and Hyper Blue/W (Just for the sake of changing) but I am too hooked into CR/W to let go of it. Maybe next time.

 

Sounds great, best o luck with it. I guess u didn't get the xenons

 

Man, you are good!

Halogens 4 me all the way

This will be MINI #3 equipped with Halogens and no sunroof. Totally out of the mold.

 

I agree I know someone who had his Audi S4 lights stolen twice. However they usually install these into other types of car i.e, hondas and acuras. I think it would be more difficult for them to put the round lights in anything but a Cooper....plus it would look really weird

 

Xenon light thieves don't go after the headlight assembly themselves, but rather, the bulb and ballast? that can be used in any other car. They usually discard the headlight assembly.