part#/type is H13 or 9008 about $20 each.
Honestly this is the only dissapointment on my 08 MCS, very poor lighting and I was too cheap to go the extra $500 for the upgrage when ordering

 

Xenons are like heated seats in a cold climate. Once you have them you can never go back. They are the first thing I check off in the configurator.

 

The owner's manual describes changing the headlight bulbs from the engine compartment, and the fog/turn/parking bulbs from the wheel well.

 

OK, <stupid question alert!> What exactly is the difference between the Xenons and the standard headlights? I mean, beyond the bulb? Is the entire assembly different? Can one upgrade to Xenons aftermarket? <end of stupid questions>

 

Not only are the housing and bulbs different, the electrical harness is different as well.

 

I have heard of people retrofitting xenons but to do it correctly would cost huge $$.

 

How close can a pair of real good Halogen bulbs compare to factory Xenon? 80%?

 

depends on where you measure it. Further out the standard low beam headlights light better (vs low beam xenon). Up closer before the xenon cuts off it's MUCH brighter. Xenons also light up the sides of the road.

High beams there is no comparison. Xenons are incredible on high beam.

 

Just ordered a pair of Philips X-treme H13/9008 (+80%, 55W, no filter) . Some decent reviews online and hopefully it will be $50 well spent .

 

I am looking for other Halogen lights too but not Silverstars since they are only rated for 150 hours.

Other Suggestions?

 

This is the best resource I've found for comparison shopping and getting the straight technical "skinny" on the various marketing claims with replacement lamps:

http://www.danielsternlighting.com/t...lbs/bulbs.html

This guy knows his stuff.

 

I'll check it out - thanks

 

Just installed a pair of Philips X-treme , less than 5 minutes first time.

 

How are they? Where did you get them from? suvlights?

I haven't gotten any responses in my other posting...

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...sion-plus.html

 

I got it from bulbs.com. Haven't tried it at night, but even my wife notices I have much brighter light whenever I am close to a dark color car this morning

It's made in Germany and almost identical to original bulb(also made by Philips). Very natural color as well.

Gonna post some pics tonight

 

I don't think I understand what that means.

 

http://www.racinglab.com/

I've ordered a couple different type bulbs from here before.
They are fast and reliable. I thought the prices were
good (admit I didn't research it to the penny)

One thing you can do is adjust your headlights up
about 1/2 - 3/4 of a turn on the adjustment screw.
They come adjusted (usually) very low from the factory.

I did that adjustment and I upgraded to a slightly whiter (not HID color
immitation though just less yellow) and it made a big difference
for not much cost.

I can say that for heavy fog, the extra whiteness of the
light isn't very pleasant. We have fog here for the first
3 miles of my commute about 1/2 the year.

 

First night with Philips X-treme: impressive. Much brighter (at least 100% to my eyes) within 2-3 seconds zone on highway. Range is considerably longer than stock Philips. It's still no HID but nevertheless $40 well spent.

Gonna take some photos with X-treme vs OEM.

 

this is going to be another mini stocking stuffer i can't resist for the sake of safety. my night vision is starting to go. i'm running the Philips Vision Plus with higher aim. blub life must be shorter, though. the Vision plus has a 350 hr life i think.

 

That would be great - thanks!

 

Got any photos yet? Thinking this is the route I should take, too.

 

Gonna take it tonight, hopefully it won't snow again

 

Awesome. Thanks!!

 

+1 - waiting on pics!

 

Any issues with melted wiring or harnesses on Mini's with aftermarket bulbs? I melted a harness in my WRX with Silverstars, stock wattage. Doesn't take much in many cars to exceed the electrical systems, just look at old British cars.