Actually the xenon projector stays lit and the additional halogen high-beam comes on too.

I have been delighted with the xenons on my car. I thought long and hard about buying a "stripped down" MINI and only including performance goodies like the LSD, but in the end I knew that even if 90% of the reason I was buying the car was for the fun-to-drive factor, I would still want something with a little class and luxury for the rest of the time.

The xenons are a great option, and one I am glad I have, but if you are pinching pennies and trying to keep your build cost down I would think you could pass on them...

Drew

 

Xenons....They are also self leveling...love em...My 1st MC had Halogens...had to put xtra Driving lights on them since this car is quick and you need to have good vision. The Xenons light up the night and also loved them on my Audi!

I have 17" Superlights (w/ a new set of R-84's 16" in storage)...after winter the superlights are off in favor of the 16's! just my 2cents

 

Xenons are fantastic....yes $500 is alot if you ask me....but once you have them, it will not want to go back

 

I know it's far too late, but when I was looking for a used MINI to purchase, I refused to even look at ones without the Xenon headlights. And now that I have one with, I can't stand to drive anything without them at night, they're so much better. You can't really explain til you use them for a while, and then go back to another car. It's great and ALL my cars from here on out will have to have them, or I'll buy something else.

 

Main reason I didn't go with the sport package was the S-lites. I would have liked to have the xenons but I wasn't going to pay for the whole package just so I could spend more money to get rid of the wheels first thing. I'm fine with using the halogens but will probably add driving lights for more light output and cosmetics, my wife likes how they look . If you can put up with the s-lites then I'd go with the xenons, I just couldn't. Probably for the same reasons I added the LSD, I really like twisties.

 

Wow, thanks to everyone for fast and detailed responses. NAM is a great support group !

Xenons are IN. , and I want the 17" S-Lites OUT, so I need to scramble and contact my MA this AM to try and effect the change.

Now I'm already getting bitten with the mod bug, and I haven't even finished ordering the car.

Since I was spending $1400 ( for the Sport Pkg ), and Now I'm a la carte choosing the DSC and Xenons separately ( there's $1000 ),

Now I can spend $500 to get the LSD, which puts me only $100 more than I was spending ( .. and here I was trying to eliminate $ for things I didn't need!! ). What have I gotten myself into!!??

Thanks again for all the considerate responses!
Mark

 

Let me just say... if the mod bug has bitten you, and you want to drive "spiritedly" or race the car ever... GET THE LSD!!! I have it on my car and I can seriously tell when it is working for me. I have driven many front-drive cars and always hated the inside wheel spin and plowing effect, and the LSD really helps with that.

If I could go back and redo my order, I think I would split up the Sport Package too. I turn the DSC off so often that I wish I didn't even have it, and I plan on switching the wheels/tires out too... I do love the Xenons and fog lights, but could live without DSC...

Drew

 

the headlight washers share the resevoir with the windshield fluid, so unless you leave that empty too there is no "weight cost" to having the fluid for the washer. of course the washer itself adds weight...

 

HUH?

My windshield and headlight washer tanks are separate. Unless I am mis-understanding you, or there was a change in the later models, I don't see your point. There is no sharing of resevoirs in my car, each one is it's own unit.

 

Nope at least not in my '05 cabrio. The xenon washer fluid fills on the driver's side of the bonnet & the the windshield fluid fills on the passenger side of the bonnet. They are seperate. I ran out of windshiled fluid once & like an idiot, filled the xenon side using all the washer fluid I had on hand. I got in the Mini & pressed my wiper stick to clean my windshield & nothing came out. I had to make a trip to Wal-Mart to get more fluid

 

The standard lights have been great for me, I like how inexpensive they are and easy to replace.

 

The 3 options I would really want to keep on my next MINI would be :

Xenons
LSD
DSC

 

Although it was several years, my friend installed white lights in his car and said that they don't last more than several months at a time. He constantly replaced them (at an expensive price each time!). Has anyone tried these lights and found the same results?

I passed on the Xenon and I'm completely satisfied with regular halogen, but if these white lights are an alternative and less expensive option, I may consider them at a future date.

 

Simple answer is the people who paid for them really like them and those of us who didn't, don't miss them a bit. I like my LSD and H/K stereo better for the money.

 

My '05 MCS has Xenons and they are fantastic!

Just took delivery on a GP and I'm definitely missing the Xenons at night.

You'll be glad you got the Xenons.

Agreed, the DSC and LSD are super for spirited driving, too.

 

My point of view is that any option that improves safety is worth it. My driving visibility at night dramatically improved with the Xenons, and I feel much more secure driving at night. Having better visibility = safer driving experience, and it's hard to put a price tag on that.

 

When I picked up my Mini the xenons looked a bit strange...left beam looked normal, the right was aimed at the ground. The salesperson also said that was "normal". I disagreed and took the car back to the dealer the next day. They confirmed my diagnosis. The xenons are "supposed to be" self-leveling; the right adjustment assemly was broken and the light aimed at the ground. My dealer replaced the entire right headlight assembly under warranty. Go back to your dealer and tell him how it's "suposed to be".

 

I realize this is off the Xenon topic, but what can you tell us about the HK stereo? How is it different, better?

 

have xexons on my BMW, had to have them on my MCS.

I also upgraded to the HK. Sounds much better than the standard unit. I didn't want to bother with an aftermarket unit or speakers.

I also had to have the rain sensing wipers.

 

Very different. I installed Sylvania SilverStars in my dad's Blazer (both hi and low). Now, I know that is no MINI...but for comparision reasons it will work. While the Sylvania's do provide a lot more light, they simply cannot compete with my Xenon's. Plus, I have that cool blue tint and auto-leveling.

-Cody

 

In this case Xenons are probably very much worth it so you can optimize your lighting package. I drive almost exclusively in town on lit streets and, given the glare factor for oncoming traffic, feel I have no need for Xenons...none whatsoever. For me standard lighting is perfectly adequate. Seems your needs may push a bit beyond that, though.

 

my wife wasn't sure about them at first, ... "I hate it when I see those coming at me while i'm driving"....
then we drove all night once, with and without heavy rain... she can't believe we ever considered not getting them.

 

I like the H/K but I am not an audiophile or anything. It was an upgrade with more power and a amp and guess what? It is also covered by the factory warranty, you won't get that out of an add-on.

One other thing I didn't like about the Xenons was the complexity, I know I can change out a bad halogen bulb, I don't care for self-leveling, ballasts and robot arm washers, just one more thing to break, IMO.

Plus since your Hi-beams are still halogens what's the real point of it other than they look good to others, supposedly. I don't personally like the oncoming light from them, me being the "other guy". Too much dazzle and blinding effect in close conditions. One aspect of safety is to not blind the other guys vision, he has to miss hitting you too.

 

I agree, maybe some of them are improperly adjusted or something, but they are often very annoying, especially when compared to the softer, yellowish light from standard halogen lights. I guess when everyone has them we'll at least all be equally blinded.

 

BAAMM, BOOOM, CRUNCH...!!!