Hi...as usual for a new mini owner...I am loaded with questions...


I can pick up a set of OEM HID headlamps (L+R entire assemblies) for a pretty good price...are they worth it on the mini? Price is really good!!!

They are rather complicated affairs with the Leveling motors etc but appear to just plug in (MINI gets a fortune for them!

Had them on my 2004 Audi and they were excellent...

Thoughts!

Thanks
jeff

 

Having owned 9 Audi quattros (two with parabolic lenses - sans xenon), most with euro H1/H4 lens, and Hella rallye lights hanging all over the front, my 2006 Mini Cooper S is the first car I've ever owned with xenons.

Xenon's are worth every penny. The light is phenominal My wife who drives the S6 now commented, "holycr^p, those are *your* lights!!! Thompson, we need to fix mine!" I'm going to update my '95 //S6 with parabolic lenses to a plug-in xenon kit.

When I lived up in Lake Tahoe, blasting up any hwy late night (say returning from shopping in Reno/Carson) like up Spooner Summit, additional lights are required neccessity. Deer in the summer evenings are a common place there. Here in Vermont, I've got tighter roads, lower speeds, but more animals to contend with. Almost hit a black bear last year in my Porsche 944 on the way home from work!

Also, as I'm getting older (45 now), my eyes are having a tougher time adjusting to night driving, especially when it is raining and the water on the road absorbs or reflects the light in weird ways. Not so with the MINI white light xenons, it's *almost* daytime at night, once again!

 

Yes, particularly if they are the 05/06 xenons with projectors. We had the xenons on the 03 and they did not illuminate as well - probably still better then the halogen tho.

 

I have the xenons on my 05 and don't know what I would do without them.

 

I've got the Xenons on my 06 and they are quite a bit better then anything else I've had. I'm adding Hella 500s before I hit the dragon this summer too. The one thing I noticed with the xenons is anything that reflects light shows up bright when the xenon light hits it, signs, bikes, safety vests, trucks, etc.

 

Of course mine is an 03,,,,probably will ****** the pair anyway before they get away!
Jeff

 

By the way, if you get them be sure they come with the ballasts. Perhaps check realoem or call a dealer for a break out of the parts associated with that year's xenons. Good luck!

 

Thanks..These are complete oem assemliies, with the ballast and all bulbsm harness, housing, etc.

Just looked at the price of replacement bulbs...over $300....maybe I will stay with the Halogen

 

No, they are not worth it. Save your money and buy a house, or a cat, or a dog, or an iguana

 

Thanks.....I will have the Iguana!!!

 

good choice ... much cheaper. eats all the bugs in the house

 

Shop around, I'll bet the OEMs are cheaper through Classic with the NAM discount, plus there should be quality aftermarket bulbs avail for less. They should last a long long time (the xenons on my bimmer lasted over 5 years, as long as I had the car, and probably are still going strong).

You should check out the last version of the Mini xenons in action, though, to be sure you feel it is worth it.; I'm sure a local NAMer could help out. I personally find my xenons well worth it for the price when new ($500 or $550, can't recall which it is stand alone, I got it in the sport pkg tho) esp considering that no other low beam options light as well for the cost IMHO and the value of the improved low beam lighting is high for me..

 

I agonized over the xenons when I was ordering my mini. I am very very very glad that I got them. The add a measure of class to the mini.

 

Seems they really get expensive after you buy...eom's now 650-800 per side! That makes a lot of iguanas!

I can a get complete used set with everything, for a little under $500..Maybe I will stick out the stock ones...after all I learned to drive with the old sealed beams!!!!

I am developing the same illness I had when I had the Porsche...gotta keep lookin at stuff!