Hi everyone.

1st post.

Quick question/opinion.
I spec'd an 06MCS with the Sport package because I want the DSC anyway and thought an extra $900 wasn't bad to get the 17" wheels, Xenons, Fog lights and bonnets.

Now I've studied that many feel the S-Lites are heavy, and feel I would probably be better off with the 16" R-84 X-lites. Lighter, cheaper tire replacement, etc.

So - if I drop the Sport package, and just pick components - Are the Xenon lights substantially better? I'm in the Pac Northwest and have many months of dark rainy nights. $500 seems a lot for an upgrade to what is probably adequate lighting.

Money is an issue for me so I'm trying to scrimp and only get items I "need".

I need to call my MA TOMORROW Morning !!! if I am going to make ANY changes as the order was 'finalized' about week ago.

Thanks!
Mark

 

Absolutely. Once you get Xenons you will never go back to Halogens

 

Agree with chows4us... Had xenons and now I don't and I am kicking myself in the butt every night!!

 

Very worth it, presuming you ever drive at night!

 

Agreed that was one of the reasons i choose the MINI over other cars in the same range was the availablity of factory Xenons, get them they awesome, and you wont regret it.

 

Can you explain a bit more? What is so great about them? I'm totally clueless and just think they're headlights! But also about to finalize an order and "need to know".

thanks!

 

I live in portland oregon and would recomend the Xenons also, it is a huge improvment!!!

also run flats are nice when you have no spare.... atleast that is my thought

 

I have Xenon lights in my 330Ci, and they're nice, but driving in my wife's car with regular halogen, it never came to mind that it's not xenon. Functionally, I've never had a problem driving with halogen at night -- never encountered a deer far enough to respond either way, and if the deer is close enough then you're left with two things while at speed: 1) quick reflex, 2) a prayer.

Incidentally, does anyone know why the MCS JCW GP cars forgo the xenon? My initial thought is so that it keeps the cost down, but the lack of the rear seats and a few other items like sunroof, etc., would compensate for the added cost of xenon. I'm thinking there must be additional reason for forgoing the xenon lights in the GP.

In any case, money was an issue when I ordered mine, and I decided that I can drive without the xenon lights. If you can swing it, get it. If you can't, you won't accidenatlly hit a tree because of your halogen.

 

See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High-in...discharge_lamp

They throw out WAY more light. They use only 35 watts vice 55w for Halogens, and they color is much more like daylight.

 

Xenon's are GREAT! It's a must IMHO.

-Cody

 

Thanks Chows... i prefer your second answer to the far more technical wikipedia answer.

btw, sorry to hear about your Mini woes in your other post. it scared me a little bit since I am waiting to be a first-time Mini owner, but hopefully I'll have good luck! the car is just way to much fun to pass up, too.

 

I never thought about headlights before I got my MINI. Now I will never buy another car without Xenons. They put out more light at a better color than halogens. I would say they are more than worth the money.

 

Maybe to save on weight, I would imagine the the Xenon setup w/ ballasts would be slightly heavier than just a halogen bulb and wiring..... MAYBE????

 

My Mini is the first auto I have ever owned with Xenons. I don't have the greatest night vision. I will NEVER EVER EVER own another car without xenons. I think in 2 years of driving I have only needed to turn on my bright lights 3 times. The xenons put out a clear, solid field of light in front of you where regular headlights just kind of put 2 blotches of light out there. I freaked out the 1st time I drove w/the xenons at night because it was like WOW I can see so clearly.

Xenons are definitely worth the extra moolah. After having them you will never go back

 

Plus there's the washers for the xenons, and the associated plumbing and fluid reservoir. Heck, getting rid of the 2.5 liters (or whatever) of washer fluid for the xenons shaves off better than 5 pounds!

 

I have had some problems with my Xenons I have gone to try to fix them 3 times and thay still aim at the ground thay tried to fix them and now thay just say thats the way thay are supposed to be but I sware if a deer runs out in frount of me I'm going to hit it so I dont know what to do now

 

Definitely weight. The driving light kits for cars with Xenons have different struts for the bonnet to make sure it stays up.

As for the Xenons, I have them and like them. Then again, I drove a friend's Cooper in the dark of night on a curvy road and never found them lacking... Tough call.

 

Couldn't agree with you more! In our recent car search my wife and I tried.... and hated the demos without them.

It's the only reason we won't buy a Legacy or Forester -- factory xenons are not available.

 

Agreed, I have Xenons on mine, and just changed lamps to the 2005-2006 versions, which put out a bit more light than the original Xenon lamps for the MINI.

I have also done retro kits on several cars I have owned, and currently have them on my Subaru daily driver...they were direct plug and play for a kit and they match the light placement of the standard H7 bulb, so the light dispersion is the same, and the light cut off for the projectors is perfect and OEM stock looking. Puts out way more light. Now my wife wants me to do it to her Tacoma as well, but with her reflector lights, and the truck being up so high, I am a bit hesitant due to oncoming traffic glare.

But in the end, Xenon is for sure worth the money.

 

If the headlamp is designed properly, HID (Xenon) is a beautiful thing! With that being said...it's properly designed on the Mini.

 

We have the xenon and love them . I get alot of glare off of road signs etc at night, not with xenon. I have regular halogen in my other vehicle, and there is no comparision. Go with the xenon, you will not regret it, it is so worth the $$ .

 

if you generally drive on dark country winding roads with your high beams, the high beams on the xenon set ups are still just the H7 halogens, right?, so no diff if you're in a situation where you'd be with your high beams anyway

 

Not true. Both the low beam Xenons AND the high beam Halogens will be on. Much more light

 

If you don't get the Xenons, you can always get the street-legal replacement halogen bulbs that cast a whiter light -- Sylvania/Osram SilverStar. I haven't snuck them into my wifes MC yet, but I keep meaning to. I have had them on the last two cars I've had where Xenon wasn't an option.

No need generally to replace the high-beams, just the low-beams.

http://tinyurl.com/5jleb

Legal in US and Canada, don't know about other locations.

 

Do NOT let what I wrote dissuade you. You will have a ball. Everyones needs are different. I insist on having a car for my wife where she doesnt have to worry about "limp mode" or whatever.

Just have fun and drive the twisties!