Headlight upgrade suggestions
 

So I made the mistake of getting my 2013 Cooper S with halogens and now I'm trying to figure out the best way to upgrade the lights without spending $1k on the factory retrofit xenon kit.

I'm interested in some of the LED upgrade kits, but I'm concerned about just throwing those bulbs in the factory halogen housing.

Has anyone had experience with any of the LED upgrade kits? Do they work alright in the factory halogen light assembly, or do I need to explore replacing the light housing with one that has a projector/lens?

Any suggestions/past experiences with upgrading the factory halogen lights are greatly appreciated :thumbsup:

Also, I had looked at the Spec-D light kits, but it looks like people are having high beam issues with the HID kit that comes pre-installed. Does anyone know if it'd be possible to get the Spec-D light housing, and then put an LED kit in it so it wouldn't have issues with the high beams?

I have these in the xenon, but have installed the halogen version. Very pleased and they look awesome with the LED DRL. Halogen projector is Bi- Halogen ( like Bi-Xenon ) but with a H9 bulb, euro cutoff pattern and very bright for halogen as they focus the light in the projector. Great looks also.

https://www.ecstuning.com/News/R56_R57_MINI_Cooper_Lighting_Options/


https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.nor...f28e7b4b28.jpg


https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.nor...4a9d55bfc3.jpg

@ECSTuning Do the LED DRL work out of the box, or is extra wiring required for those to work?

They will come with an etra tap in wire , you can tap a constant turn on power so they turn on with the engine / power, or tap them in like the instructions that come with them to the fog / position light , or position lights in the front bumper, and they come on with the parking lights.

Plenty of extra wire for the DRL tap ins. Everything else is plug and play.

Like this.


https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.nor...9af0814de6.jpg

Can you then install a LED bulb to replace the Halogen for improved lighted distance since these are projector headlights? Looking to improve my light output on my 2009 Base Cooper since the Halogens are awful.

We don't carry the Led bulb kits for headlights. But yes if you can find led bulbs for the halogen projector Spyder version, they do have the cutoff, so you will not blind oncoming traffic on low beam. ES#2862390 for the halogen ones. H9 65 w bulb . Its a dual ( Bi) halogen set up, for a flap flips up for the high beam.

Thanks

So my car has regular headlights. Stock nothing fancy. Would the Spyder need extra work to install? R56S

EDIT: @ECS, Sorry I thought I was commenting on my own thread LOL.

No, the only thing is you have to tap into the bumper light or 12v turn on the led DRL omega light. Comes with instructions for install in the box .

Remember halogen to halogen projectors and xenon to xenon. For these kits, unless you are going to mod a projector halogen to fit xenon or led bulbs ( which we don't carry at this time ) .

Large improvement over stock and I haven't hook up the LED DRLs yet.

The light output for both xenon and halogen options are very good. I was impressed with the focus on the projectors. Just running my Ziza position LEDs and the Omega DRL LED , you could see a couple feet in front of the car on a clear night.

Do these have the high beam permanent on capability? I live in a rural area and it's a must for me.

Yes, I can have the High beams on and stay on until switched off.

Yep, they work like that on the Spyder Xenon versions I have and the Spyder Halogen version also.

So if I get these and already have the factory xenon's I can't use my factory bulbs with it?

Yes you can, Factory Xenon to Spyder Xenon option ( you swap over the factory xenon ballast and bulbs, if you have an older head light **For cars equipped with factory HID ( Xenon) head lights.
For vehicles with production to 9/2009 will need Ballast 63117356250** ).

Factory Halogen to Spyder halogen.

If you have factory halogens and want to go to spyder Xenons then you will have to get a xenon retrofit kit some where else and then add them with the spyder Xenon head lights.

"For vehicles with production to 9/2009 will need Ballast 63117356250** "
Whats wrong with my late 2008 bi xenon ballast?? Do i really need another one they look the same?

It's the mount and the plug is different. MINI changed them in 9/2009 production. We were the first ones to find this out when we got them in.

ECS: Do you know if anyone has modified the pre-9/2009 plug to work with these without having to purchase a new ballast?

Its the change in the ballast. I dont know anyone who has modded theirs.